Yesterday I picked all the open roses ahead of the big rain expected tonight. When I cut roses I always bring a clean bucket with a couple of inches of water into the rosebed. As soon as I cut a stem I put it in the water so it doesn’t dry and seal up. Then right before arranging I cut the stems again while each stem is in a bowl of water in the sink, at a deep slant. It really helps them last longer in the bouquet. I love my roses.

Full blown garden roses, ready for a bouquet

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I did a good job planting my Early Girls (and Sungolds) and they were watered well. So sweet!

Red, ripe, shiny tomatoes and stringbeans harvest

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My friend Cindy has the most incredible flowers. These were in flower boxes on her deck last month.

Purple petunias and other annual flowers on a summertime deck

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We are growing golden raspberries along with the red ones. They are even sweeter and more delicate.

Translucent golden raspberries

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Happy Solstice! Here’s a portrait of sunshine. I planted this ‘Julia Child’ David Austin rosebush three years ago, maybe four. It’s on its own roots. I have never seen such a vigorous, floriferous rose. The Carding Mill I bought at the same time is less than one quarter the size. The only tiny complaint I have is that the flowers lose their exquisite, pale yellow petals very quickly after the roses are fully open.

Only a few years old, this Julia Child rosebush is the star of the bed

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In the late afternoon sunshine, my rose garden begins to bloom.

June rose garden in Seattle, with many buds forming

Bonus image:

Another view of the rose garden, showing the grasses and the lavender getting ready to bloom

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The first berries!

Sweet little strawberries, with their adorable little green caps

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A recent gift of tulips and peony buds opened.

Colorful peonies and a tulip

Connecting on Through My Lens Monday, Our World Tuesday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Tuesday’s Wordless Wednesday, Tuesday Treasures, Pictorial Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, My Corner of the World Wednesday 1, Thankful Thursday, Little Things Thursday, Floral Friday, Friday Bliss, Pink Saturday, Garden Affair Saturday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2 and All Seasons Sunday1. Thanks so much for visiting here and hope to see you again soon. Please sign up at upper right for notifications of new posts.

Glorious spring weather this weekend in Seattle. The red roses (‘Crimson Glory’?) are on a bush I rooted myself! Beyond the little plum tree, the rest of the yard is my lovely neighbor’s.

Backlit purple-and-white irises and roses in my back yard

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We were so lucky to be able to stay at a cabin in Freeland, WA on Whidbey Island with an incredible view. The weather has been unbeatable, so warm and clear.

Sunset with a crescent moon, with Marrowstone Island in the distance

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We are certainly missing the annual huge Seattle Northwest Flower & Garden Show/Festival, held every year in early spring but sadly cancelled this year due to COVID-19. I am very excited about things getting back to normal and gatherings opening up, not yet, but soon. Wear your mask and get vaccinated!

Stunning rainbow bouquet of colorful flowers from 2013 Northwest Flower & Garden Show

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So showy! Parrot tulips bring out our wild side, no?

Red and white frilly parrot tulips bloom in wintertime indoors

Also on Through My Lens Monday, Our World Tuesday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Tuesday’s Wordless Wednesday, Tuesday Treasures, Wordless Wednesday, My Corner of the World Wednesday 1, Thankful Thursday, Timeless Thursday, Little Things Thursday, Floral Friday, Friday Bliss, Pink Saturday, Garden Affair Saturday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2 and All Seasons Sunday1. Thanks so much for visiting here and hope to see you again soon. Please sign up at upper right for notifications of new posts.