Golden Hops and My Garden Pal

BELOW: A friend last year gave me a clump of her golden hops plant. It climbs all the way up the side of her house every year. The hops go dormant over winter and the huge plant then dies back to the ground. I was not sure if this little clump would make it through what was a very cold winter, but sure enough it has started twining around our front fence.

Growing hops around here is traditional - hops were a very important crop in the old days on the local farmland. I love the heart-shaped leaves and the golden fall leaf color is stunning.

BELOW: Speaking of fall color, this lovely young vine maple is bright red - wow! I love fall, but we are just now getting to enjoy spring-like temperatures with occasional seasonal summer weather, so I'm in no hurry for fall.

BELOW: A favorite plant of mine is in full bloom right now! The Laurel-Leaf Rock Rose...

BELOW: I was taking pictures of the Sweet William, and my pal Weederman came over to see what I was doing. As I watched, he started sniffing the flowers with this dreamy look... what a cutie pie!!! I'm so lucky that he needed a home when I was looking for him.