Buried Treasure

I took advantage of a bare patch of ground in the front yard to plant a few annuals. For a bright splash of summer colour in the garden, there really is no match for a grouping of quick-growing annuals. In addition to some shorter orange and yellow marigolds, I planted a selection of taller plants, including an amaranthus variety with bright wine-red and pink leaves.

Behind the amaranthus is a grouping of “White Queen” cleome.

Their unusual, spidery flowers add a touch of the exotic. What a fabulous return on a small spring investment in a six-pack of seedlings!

At the rear is bright pink “Silver Cup” lavatera.

The Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) are so named for their habit of opening late in the afternoon. These particular blooms could be called Nine O’Clocks! It is nearly dark before they begin to open and the best time to view them is early in the morning, before they begin closing again for the day.

Three tall sunflowers are blooming at the back of the pack.

But there’s more than meets the eye in this pretty picture. Look closely, just in front of the sunflowers, and you may see some green vegetable vines.

Although sadly under-attended and outgrown by their flowery companions, a half dozen tomato plants have soldiered on and are producing fruit.

Was there ever a better treat than a juicy, midsummer tomato, straight from the garden? Mmmm!

When Fiddlegirl was here last, she told us about a visitor to whom she offered a cherry tomato, just picked. The visitor, sadly deprived of garden tomatoes her whole life, remarked “Is there something wrong with this tomato? It tastes funny. It’s so sweet!”
Considering how very easy it is to grow a few tomato plants, you’d think anyone with even a container on a balcony would avail themselves of this summer delight. They don’t know what they’re missing.