
The first ever buds opening on a “volunteer” Crepe Myrtle which has finally grown large enough to bloom this season.
Hours into days, days into weeks, weeks into seasons; as we drift through the unfolding year something new always opens up for us, even as something spent is crumpling and falling away.
The first week of July, well into the summer, hosts a fresh round of openings and beginnings here in our forest garden.
Hibiscus and Buddleia, Dill and Crepe Myrtle are all opening and unfolding the first of their flowers at the moment.

The first bud of the season ready to open on our hardy Hibiscus, H. moscheutos . Japanese beetles have been active eating its leaves this summer.
I love to find a plant covered in buds; full of potential and beauty, ready to open itself to the garden.
July, as flower-filled as May in our garden, also offers up an incalculable array of shades and hues of green.
When rain has been plentiful, as it is this year, greens are fresh and vibrant.
Greenness generates the energy needed for growth; and one may almost hear the whispers of unfolding leaves and lengthening stems on a warm summer evening.
Change comes minute upon minute in the garden during deep summer.
Abundant moisture and constant heat provide the hothouse for outrageous growth.
Vines stretch and new seeds germinate.
Shrubs magically expand and ferns fill in the open spaces.
Buds constantly opening fill every breeze with sweetness.
Every part of the garden glows with color.
A garden serves as a reliable text book for life.
Lessons trivial and profound are written daily in the sky and soil.
Every creature and plant is a willing tutor to those who engage with them with mind and heart open to their wisdom.
The changing light weaves a new story each day; a faithful Scheherazade for those who will listen and take pleasure in the tale.
In July, the garden’s theme is abundance and profound love.
Source is generous with its gifts, nourishing through its fruits, and rich in its beauty.
Nature is ever at work building and pulling down,
creating and destroying,
keeping everything whirling and flowing,
allowing no rest but in rhythmical motion,
chasing everything in endless song out of one beautiful form into another.
John Muir
Words and Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
I love all your pictures, especially the Gardenia and the small mushroom! Gardenia is my favorite fragrance! 🙂
Gardenia flowers bring back so many memories. They are the signature scent of summer, since we had them in the yard when I was a child. I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos 😉 Thank you for visiting Forest Garden -WG
How does your garden grow? Thank you for answering that question and allowing us to follow all the “openings” in your Summer garden. 🙂
Thank you for visiting 😉
REALLY great post – totally with you in the awe of the Grace that is bestowed upon us! Love seeing what is happening in your garden!
Thank you Eliza 😉
Beautifully humbling in the prettiest lowdown way.
But we will not fade away — quietly.
Gorgeousness is bold and loud and stunning!
Long may it last and stay — in mind.
Happy Monday, E! 🙂 Cheerz, UT
Happy Monday, UT. Thank you for taking time out of your evening to visit. Best wishes for a great week, WG