Remembering Ivy Rose

Today, 120 years ago, my grandmother, Ivy Rose(Scotchbrook)Taylor, was born in Morrison, Illinois. I've been thinking about her all day and realized that she along with my mom and her dad, Grandpa Curtis, is responsible for my loving flowers so much. Gammy, as we kids called her, would take me out for a garden stroll and show me all her pretty flowers. Grandpa Curtis, on the other hand, would take me into his garden and quiz me about its contents. And Mom would encourage me to grow things from seeds and even planted the little tree that I once brought home from camp. Many of the plants in our yard were chosen with these dear folks in mind.
Tree Roses
This is the view from our bedroom window and also from the family room. The tree roses were added when we landscaped our backyard about ten years ago. The smaller middle one isn't the original as it snapped off in a wind storm several years ago. Last year we replaced the bushes beneath them with a variety of flowers, and I think it looks much better.
Rhododendron
Rhodies are our state flower, and we have several in our yard. This one bloomed the best it ever has this spring....must have been all that rain we had!
Gloxinia
This plant was given to me as a thank you for volunteering at the UW hospital. I wonder how long I can keep it alive!
Foxglove
This foxglove is one of several that I grew from seed last summer. They bloomed for the first time this year and will probably come back next year.
Astilbe
This is a new addition under the tree roses. I have a darker one out front that my dad gave us, but I fell in love with the color of this one and just had to bring it home! Colorful flowers grow well here in the Pacific Northwest, and they bring a lift to the spirits when the skies are grey.

So, there you have it, some of the recent bloomers that Dick photographed for me. Can you guess which one isn't outside? It's keeping Patty company in the garden window.