Welcome to the last Friday in the month of July. As we typically do on Fridays we’re joining our Pacific Northwest pals, Rosy, Sunny, Arty and Jakey from LLB in Our Backyard on a blog hop. Make sure you click on the link to see what else others have shared.
Once again it’s been hot and dry in the Mile High, but don’t despair, the King of Purple (with his long-time collaborator, keyboardist and friend, Morris Hayes) managed to serve up some good purple ‘moisture’ from his infamous vault with a new release debuting today. If you’re a fan of the Purple One, this one from the grave is a pretty poignant release penned back from years ago. Here’s a sneak listen. Take it away, Prince!
Ok, now that we’ve gotten a lovely purple shower, let’s see what Nature is singing around our neighborhood landscape.
Lilies have been putting on an amazing show. From the dark exotic ones to beautiful peach/rose-colored hued, they are screaming “it’s summertime, peeps and WE. HAVE. ARRIVED!!”
It’s that time of year where things are also beginning to prepare for the next season with shrubs beginning to produce fruit. If there were bears roaming the city, they’d be happy as a clam at high tide with these offerings seen around the ‘Hood.
Doesn’t that Red Currant look luscious?
But for me, the signal that maybe, just maybe, summer is starting to transition toward autumn is seeing Plumbago starting to bloom. Plumbago is probably my absolute favorite garden groundcover. It fills in nicely with a lush shade of green even during the hottest part of summer and then blooms with beautiful little blue flowers in late July and August. It performs equally well in shade or full sun and isn’t too picky about its soil though well-drained is always preferred. Two additional bonuses for including this plant in the garden is its low-water requirements and deer resistance. Late next month, the leaves will begin to turn a gorgeous shade of mahogany making this plant a multi-seasonal star in our urban landscape.
Wherever you’re at, we hope your weekend is beyond ‘pawsome’ and you’ll find sufficient time to take in the beautiful sights that Nature so graciously dishes up. For you summertime lovers remember there are just 54 days until the official arrival of autumn so enjoy it while you can. The Ranch Hands are nothing if not great inspiration for savoring walks while taking time to stop and smell the roses.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Argh! How did I miss this post? Beautiful, fabulous, gorgeous photos (that rose, though!)
I’ve heard a few tunes from Prince’s latest album – isn’t it wonderful to know the stories of the vault of music are true?
No worries-you’re a busy gal. 😉
It is indeed. The music is as prophetic now as it was back when it was written 10 years ago.
Hah! Just stuck with a pissy job is all.
And yes… he was so prolific.
Your lily photos are absolutely great! I love that first one the most of all!!!!
Thank you. I think the dark lilies are exceptionally beautiful, too.
Beautiful flowers!!
Oregon grape is a good one…its medicinal, did you know that? I use it everyday for detox and more…the active ingredient is Berberine.
I did not know that! Good that people like you far smarter than me share these great tidbits! Thanks.
Lulu: “Our Dada says a little purple rain is always good for you!”
We’ve said it before and will say it again. Your Dad is pretty smart. 😊
Gorgeous pictures! 🙂
Why thank you. I appreciate it.
I was a fan of Prince….such talent. LOVE LOVE LOVE the gorgeous flowers and plants. I wish we had such a variety of color around us but this time of year everything is FRIED from the heat and long periods of no rain. When we get rain it’s all at once and too much of it. Crazy!
Hugs, Pam
You’re so right, he was extremely talented. As for the flowers, that’s what makes Plumbago an especially terrific addition to a garden that’s been fried from summer heat. Between the green and those pretty blue flowers, there’s some lovely ongoing color.
These pictures are amazing! Love them! I want to pick the fruit and pop it in my mouth. 🙂 Happy Friday to all of you! <3
Thanks! Those berries were pretty enticing to say the least. Have a great weekend!
It looked like I could just pluck them from right off of the computer screen. 🙂
Not too bad for a cell phone shot. 😉
Not at all!! You have a good phone!
It’s a 3 year old model but doesn’t do too badly.
Mee-yow wee toetallee enjoyed lookin at all THE beeuteefull lfowerss while lissenin to THE One an Only Prince <3 <3
**purrss** BellaDharma an <3 LadyMew
Glad you enjoyed ‘em both. That new album is something else!
Mee-yow Miss Monika Mistur Prince was sumthin else! An hee was furabuluss!!
Love your post today! Thanks so much for coming to my birthday pawty at Ann and June’s Blog! We are so furry blessed to have such wonderful blogging furrends! We are expecting to be back to our regularly scheduled blogging unless the wind changes and the internet burns up again!
Well we certainly hope that doesn’t happen! Hope your birthday was extra swell. Thanks for swinging by the Ranch-we 💙 visitors.
I love this themed post, Monika. It’s a beautiful ode to the legend, who made the kind of music they will be emulating until the lights go out on this planet. And that lily that kicked off the tour? Magic.
I’m a real sucker for dark toned lilies. And because of the weather, today’s release seemed like a great day for making a double entendre with the Purple Prince.
It’s just magical.
If that bush is a real redcurrant I would be round asking for cuttings…it makes the most fabulous jelly.
I’m guessing it’s more ornamental or for birds than being edible for humans. But it certainly got me to drooling just thinking about it. Here’s to a great weekend!
Big Prince fan here. Well, actually Prince was little so fan of Little Prince is more accurate but who’s splitting hairs, right? Great photos – keeping up with currant events. Plumbago sounds like a problem in the lower back. Have a good weekend!
‘Currant’ events, problems with lower backs,’ you hit ’em all, didn’t you. Well done! Hope you, the AJF and Max have a great weekend.
Beautiful, great reminder that summer can be so colorful even when some plants begin to fade.
Plumbago is a great addition to any garden for just that reason. Have a great weekend.
Same to you!
The lilies never fail to disappoint, do they? I cannot think about Autumn yet, since we’ve barely had any summer here yet! I need those hot days that make me long for the cool fall ones first. 🙂
The lilies seem extra gorgeous this summer. Enjoy your weekend!
Wow!!! What gorgeous shots of some beautiful nature! Those are my favorite color daylilies…and the rose is exquisite!!
Thanks! I love finding unusually colored lilies. Yeah that rose was pretty exceptional.
Beautiful flowers and I loved Prince. Purple Rain was a favorite.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups and a big smooch to Norman. ♥
Thanks, Sandee. He was a quirky guy but made some amazing music. This latest album is probably just the start of releasing new material that in some cases is 10+ years old. Hugs and tail wiggles.
Lovely pics! Have a great (and pawsome) weekend!
Thanks, Kate. You too.
Beautiful photos, Monika. Hope you have a super weekend too.
Thanks John. We’re hoping the heat breaks and a real shower arrives. Enjoy a restful weekend.
Hope for the rain. We had an inch yesterday and it was lovely.
I can only jealously imagine. But glad for your good fortune.
😊
oh pretty. Do you have currents growing in your own yard? I have never eaten one
That bush is not in my yard (we pass it every day on our walks) and suspect it’s only palatable for birds.