‘Phantom’ Petunias-yellow and almost black, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Had to share this awesome flower I saw at Longwood Gardens yesterday. It really is close to black.

Huge bowl of pink lilies, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I just got back from seeing Lilytopia at Longwood Gardens which is a fabulous and wonderfully fragrant display of lilies of all kinds in their main conservatory. The designer (will look up) was on Martha a week or so ago and talked about working here. I was so happy I went, so much to see and smell.
Also took a stroll around their ‘idea’ gardens-veggie and flowers. So nice to see neat color combos.

Pat contemplating that 21 on the cake, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I hitched a ride-lol-with my mom and brother on Sunday to wish my second nephew a happy 21st birthday. Poor mom had to sit in the jump seat of his truck because he said I wouldn’t fit-nice. We could have taken my van. It was nice to see everyone! Brian and Sean went to his dad’s house to run errands for him.
On the way home, on the spur of the moment, we stopped at Harrah’s*Casino in Chester, PA. I mentioned maybe going to see the lead singer from Styx there, Dennis*DeYoung a few months back-but we didn’t see him. My brother gave me a few $20s and I gingerly put one in a machine-when it got down to $14.75 we moved on. The next machine was a nickel machine on the end-with a patriotic theme. Don swears they are lucky. Well I hit the button maybe 3-4 times and viola-the counter started adding up my winnings-$110! I think I only spent $6-7. I gave my brother back his money. Mom broke even as did he. I went in the gift shop and bought a neat ladies style Phillies shirt in a burgundy color and also bought Sean a globe key ring. How cool was that?

Photo Hunt-Monthly-what a change a month or so can make, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

These are the same garden area! The top photo shows the pretty Dianthus or Sweet William that were hiding up all the debris on the bottom. I add some Asian themed items like a collection of pagodas I have.

Fuchsia Peony, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

The only bloom from this plant! What’s with the flowers this color? One Rhododendron and one peony. I really think I need to move it and see that happens.

Coleus Collection 2010, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Found in various places. I never say this is all that I’ll have. : )

The plant haul from a different angle, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

On Wednesday, Sean and I went up to a plant farm as suggested by friend. She had gone a few weeks before and spent over 3 hours there. I would have been there that long too if it had been earlier in the day and Sean was in a better mood. Here are some of the plants I bought-you can’t see all three trays. The hens and chickens in the front were only $5, but most of their plants, even perennials were in the $3-$5 range. I particularly like getting perennials this cheap for obvious reasons-they come up again!
We then ventured to the outlets-so many stores have been hit by the recession and are closed down. We had a nice dinner at Olive*Garden then looked around a few stores.
There are a couple of coleus, a few varieties of sweet potato vine and the tall plant in the back was a 99 cent eggplant. Will take more photos as I plant them.

Sundial with irises, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I thought this was so restful looking-not a ton of flowers, but enough to give it a special look.

Solo bloom on Rhododendron, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Looks like the deer left me a little ‘ha ha’ gift from their winter munching of most of my shrubs. It’s such a pretty color too. My holly is trying to come back, but the hedges under one side of my house look very sparse and may need to be cut out-crossing fingers.
Brian did a ton of yard work this weekend for a guy who feels the need to lay down a lot. I worry about him, but I feel he gets overwhelmed with worry himself. His dad lives alone and has not been well this year with his tummy and his teeth have been giving him problems. It’s hard for Bri, but when he gets into a task, he puts everything into it like he did when he trimmed back the forsythia today.
I was planting up flowers in pots and have about 5 more to do (ha ha) and need some I like, namely sweet potato vine and more portulaca. What else would look good hanging from a large cone-like hanging planter?
I may hit Lowes with Sean later and need to check out Wally World’s flowers. I try to get everything planted by June 1st. I haven’t mulched either. So much to do!