Pink Spirea in frame.

What a beautiful color in this spirea I shot at the local park this summer. Frame from Photo Essentials 3.

Mid summer view of deck and beyond.

Things have really changed since I took this photo about a month ago. Going into Fall mode now. I created the mask/border using a brush from Dover.

Double miniature mauve campanella

On the right side is the miniature mauve Campanella. My mother bought it and enjoyed it as a houseplant for the first year then I planted it as a perennial. It loves to be divided. Gets only about 8 inches high but the blossoms are darling. The plant on the left is lamium, which I am gradually digging out as it readily goes to seed and becomes a nuisance.

Hosta blossoms.

I love the blossoms of the larger leaf hosta. The buds are just as beautiful as the open flower.
Created my own mask (frame) and textured background of painted paper towel, of which very little shows in top left corner.

Seeing red begonias.

The red begonias in the back are a Reiger type. The ones in foreground are Semperflorens. This has been a bright spot on our deck this summer!

Dragon Fly on mini petunias.

This dragon fly was a bonus. I was at the park trying to get a closeup shot of these unusual mini semi-double petunia when I found him. It's interesting to see his eyes on top of the head which makes it different from the other types of this creature. Apparently they eat mosquitoes and other insects so they are useful even though this one looks like he was resting. Digital Mask by Sandra Foster using Dover Brush.

Ornamental cabbages on table.

A place to sit and have lunch. In the spring I use this round table to plant my smaller pots, saves on the back.

Dragonwing Begonias

I would have to say these are in the top selections of my annual of the year. There is only 1 plant per pot. No bug problems. They just keep on blooming. Love them. In the fall they can be cut down and brought in to a sunny window for even more enjoyment. (Digital mask by Sandra Foster using Dover brush.)

Elder shrub.

This is actually considered a shrub not a tree. We have been pruning about 18 inches off of it every spring except the last two years. This gives lots of privacy in our little back yard. There is always a sparrow in it since the bird bath is a hop from it. When it is finished blooming it will form a red cluster of berries which are supposed to be edible. The birds will come in the winter and clean up every berry.
I have found that it resents being transplanted after about 1 foot in height. I have killed many by doing so. I have also lost a few when we get a sudden temperature drop in the winter. Click on image for a closer look.

Amaryllis with sheet music background.

What beauty this amaryllis is. Used one of my painted backgrounds of vintage sheet music to give it a nicer background than the actual photo. Click on image for a larger picture.