Hydrangea.
Green is the color of comfort, at least it is for me. It’s the color — whether it’s during a mid-winter trip to Florida or those early days of spring or those boiling days of summer — that holds me and comforts me, cradles me and soothes me. It’s as if green pulls me close and says, “I’m here. I’ve returned. I didn’t abandon you. Just breathe. . .”
And this year, green is definitely making up for the winter white that wouldn’t quit. Leaves. Stems. Blooms. It’s all green, all the time. In fact, it’s a bit amazing how green green can be — and how quickly it seems to fill every inch of woodland, meadow, and side street. In my own garden, I have the annual worry that there are too many bare spots — and then green arrives, just in time to stop me from buying filler plants.
So, on this first day of summer, a celebration of green — and a few other colors that are beginning to make an appearance.
Fern.
Lavender.
Hydrangea. The first flush of color.
Gaillardia. Season two of plants started from seed.
Heuchera. It’s all about the foliage.
Daylily. The buds are set.
Lacecap Hydrangea. These flowers seem to glow in the dark.
Hosta.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
Hi Kevin – strangely, (or not really, as gardeners…) I was thinking exactly the same this morning – it’s always about green for me too – green is the colour for gardeners, the hope and positive-ness of it all – you are spot on, and your photos are lovely – happy gardening, Ursula
Hi Ursula. I think we, gardeners, do think alike — and non-gardeners may not always understand the rush that comes with seeing green, or the depths and texture of a dahlia bloom, or the juicy red of a home-grown tomato. Enjoy your green day!
I love green in the garden too- especially deep dark green. Tell me about that Heuchera. The underside is so vibrant.
Mario!!! I was afraid someone was going to ask me this question. I believe it’s “Purple Palace.” The light seems to alter the color — sometimes it’s very dark, sometimes greener, sometimes shimmering. Have a green day!
I read your post then walked thru my garden….Daylillies budding? check. Hosta thriving? check. Huechera showing off foliage? check. Hydrangea panicula? not budding yet. Agastache? starting to flower & waiting for the “hummers”. Roses, sedum, rudbeckia, echinachea, clematis, joe pye weed, astilbe, ferns, rodgersia, hellebores, dicentra, ferns, clethera, buddleia, phlox, achillea, periskovia, nepeta, santolina, grape arbor & volunteer persicaria, ipomoea etc etc…it seems to be a good year for me in zone5b dutchess county ny too.. my raised herb bed & tomatoes, peppers are thriving.
Hi Dennis. I think the abundance of rain has certainly helped with the health of many of the plants. Let the show begin! Happy gardening.
Winter seems so far away now when everything is so green and lush, doesn’t it? What a gorgeous hosta!
Hello! I know what you mean. How quickly we forget how cold and icy winter can be at this time of year. I’m trying to absorb as much green before it gets snowed under. 🙂
I love that heuchera foliage. That’s a variety I haven’t seen before.
Hi Jason. The undersides are more purple. The top of the leaves are purplish with hints of green. I believe it’s “Purple Palace.”
Kevin, Every year in late spring/early summer, I think about doing a post about all the different shades of green in my garden — but somehow I never get around to it. Thanks for doing it for me :-).
Hi Jean. Some of the shades are subtle, and some are sharp — but I do love them all. I would love the chance to see your greenery! 🙂
Lovely colors, I love the leaves on that Hosta. Mine is all green. I have no colors this year, except for the passion flowers. I usually have some blue from the plumbago and orange from the kalanchoe, but my heavy pruning has prevented them from flowering so far.
Hi Graziella. Passion flowers are beautiful! Great colors — I hope they bloom for you. I wish I knew the name of that Hosta, but that info is now lost in time.
No signs of winter white now. Your garden looks fresh and healthy. Really like the Hydrangeas.
That makes two of us. If I had more room, I’d have Hydrangeas everywhere. They’re my favorite flowering shrub.
Gorgeous pics! I love green, too – the color of grass and money. I have to comment on your heuchera, also! Fabulous! My gardens are mostly shade, but we have the heat here in Broken Arrow, OK (102 today) and only one has survived for 2 years, now. Thank God for hostas! I have a plant (bush, shrub?) that I bought at a roadside place at the lake, and I was told it is “related to a hydrangea”. Not sure what it is ,but it gets hydrangea-like flowers that start out green and turn white – getting very bushy and unruly, and it procreates like yours did – a branch hits the ground, and new ones spring up. Fun! Love your blog!
Hi Kathy. I’ve heard about the incredible heat on the news — and there seems to be no end. Hopefully, you’ll get a break — Lord knows the people in Oklahoma could use some kindness in the weather department. I’m glad you liked the photos — and, like you, I love green. I just feel I need to absorb as much of it as I can before winter returns. Stay cool!