Enjoying the beautiful flowers...

Things in my flowerbeds and pots have grown so well this year! (Unlike last year, when I really, really wanted them to so they would look good for the rehearsal dinner decor...and they pooped out early and often...But I'm not bitter...at least not much.)

I think the secret to my success is going to the gardening experts and asking: "Could you direct me to the section of the nursery where you keep the plants that thrive on neglect and inconsistency?" And then planting lots of them, and doing what I do best...inconsistency.

That was probably my problem last year...too much consistency, and the wrong kind of attention...

I've learned my lesson!

This year, I made sure I started with really good plants (shameless plug here for Vander Giessen Nursery!) and then I didn't do anything special.

Here's how they turned out:

Black-eyed Susans...

Campanula...

Hydrangea...

Alyssum, Geraniums, Bidens...

Joseph's Coat Rose...

Geraniums...

Kousa Dogwood Tree...

Perennial jumble...Campanula, Wallflower, Poppies...

My Mother's Day Basket....

And Celosia...Apparently the clown of the plant world,

this, when used as a centerpiece, will keep you humble.