Maine Flower Gardening

All these photos were taken today. I've been working in my gardens (that's weeding, weeding, weeding) and I'd say my gardening time is now paying off. There are so many flowers in bloom it's hard to keep track.

I save the seeds from my flowers. I need to watch closely in order to collect right when the seeds are ready. Though much of my garden is perennial plants, I save the seeds to expand my gardens or to give seed away. It's actually fairly easy to collect and save seeds, and it's very rewarding. Having grown up thinking that all seeds had to be purchased in a little envelope each year, it's been nice to learn that I can 'make' my own.

Rhododendron, over 30 years old.

I'm particularly fond of Lupine - seen here in the foreground. I put little bread ties around the stems of plants that I want to save the seeds. I color code the bread ties so I can offer friends specific colors. I don't have any yellow Lupine, but my pink ones are lovely.

Yellow Iris in background.

Purple and Pale Yellow Iris border the bottom of this photo.

Columbine.

More Lupine, and a swallow poking out of the bird house! 
 

Chipping Sparrows. I believe there are 4 baby birds in this nest. This nest is right outside my dining room window. I actually watched the mother bird eat the egg shells as the babies were born. I was surprised to see this until I looked into it - she does this in order to replace the calcium in her body that she lost when she laid her eggs. 

Rosa Rugosa, or Beach 

Rose.

Poppies below.