We need beauty because it makes us ache to be worthy of it. ~Mary Oliver
I stepped outside at dawn this morning to a tuneful chorus of birds in the trees above me. After days of torrential rain, the birds seemed to celebrate being able to hear their own songs again. But the rain was welcome after a month of heat and drought and the garden is lush and green again.
In my garden, after a rainfall, you can faintly, yes, hear the breaking of new blooms.” ~Truman Capote
I sometimes wonder how life can be this beautiful, this life in a garden. As I continue to leave behind the intention of striving for success in the world, I am content to allow the garden to rule my imagination and inner life. Last night I dreamed of orange poppies and purple alliums but walking through the garden this morning was more beautiful than any dream. 
Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers, where I can walk undisturbed . . . ~Walt Whitman
In late May and early June, the irises rang out color through the garden – bearded and Siberian iris are well known flowers and create bold imagery. (click on any thumbnail to see full size images)
Our less well known native Iris versicolor
and Iris virginica
bring a quiet and subtle grace to the garden.
Watching the iris,
the faint and fragile petals –
How am I worthy? ~ Amy Lowell
On the cusp between May and June, peonies and allium bloom outside the fence where the herds of deer ignore them. 
My favorite peony is ‘Krinkled White’ whose single flowers expose the inner parts that feed the bees and yet resist falling to the ground after a rain. 
It is a fairy flower. Can you see it, touch it, smell it, and not love it? . . . The next time I live I wish I might be a single white peony so that people would . . . involuntarily catch their breath at the sight of me. ~Ruth Stout
As June arrives, foxgloves and native iris join the peonies in the front garden to create a peak moment of bloom
and offer more food for pollinators. 
The roses lead into early summer, heavy with perfume and transcendent beauty that catches the light as the earth spins toward the solstice. The simple pink blossoms of rose ‘Complicata’ adorn the arbor above while geraniums and peonies add color underfoot.
The single rose flowers catch the sun and spread their sweet scent in every direction. 
Rose, O you completely perfect thing, always self-contained and yet spilling yourself forever . . . ~Rilke
The lush blossoms of a David Austin pink rose throw a June garden party with Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ and Clematis ‘Comtesse de Bouchaud’ 
while the rich color and heady fragrance of ‘Rose de Rescht’ captures the eye and the nose. 
. . . when I am alone I can become invisible. . . I can hear the almost unhearable sound of the roses singing ~Mary Oliver
The native white Hydrangea arborescens has begun its long summer bloom cycle as it surrounds the bench where I often sit in the shade of the woodland.
Pixie, sweet and ever present garden companion, just celebrated her second birthday.
She asked if she could help me with garden chores. So grown up.
I filmed a slice of life in my garden from May into June filled with color and light. I invite you to walk with me through the garden that I love and treasure – may you find pleasure in the shared journey.
Every day I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight, that leaves me like a needle in the haystack of light. ~Mary Oliver
All photographs, video and text ©2023 by Lynn Emberg Purse except where noted, All Rights Reserved.
composerinthegarden 
More lovely quotes, and I feel blessed to have stumbled into your garden. I’m reminded of this quote you may or may not know: “…in a way—nobody sees a flower—really—it is so small—we haven’t time—and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time” (Georgia O’Keeffe). Except I see your flowers, Lynn. What wonderful irises and a sweet Pixie!
That is one of my favorite quotes, Crystal! I think of her artwork when I take closeup photos of the flowers and try to see every detail. I’m so glad that you are enjoying your tours through the garden and my little garden muse 🙂
What a gorgeous post, Lynn, with great photos set off so well by the dark background. And an excellent video, too! Retirement is looking good! 😉
I love your irises and what a perfect peony that is, with the busy bee. There’s a sense of elevation to the whole garden – the flowers proudly reaching up, even Pixie has a stand tall and be happy with the world look. I suppose the arch helps. 😉
Thank you for the beauty!
Thank you, Lynn, sorry to reply so late. I love your observation about a sense of elevation – I’ve always noticed how plants raise up as they get ready to send out flower buds so it is an interesting thought that the entire garden and its inhabitants are doing that. It has been a really good year in the garden so far, in spite of natural ups and downs. Yes, retirement is wonderful – totally indulging myself in the garden even if it takes me a while to get anything done 🙂
I’m so glad to hear you’re indulging yourself in the garden! The weather’s going to keep being unpredictable but now, at least you have more time to devote to dealing with it. And photography & blogging!
Beautiful! Thankyou.
Thank you for visiting!
You have such beautiful gifts. Your writing, gardening, photography – all so wonderful to read, see and listen. Hope you are well. Really enjoyed this Life in the Garden. Very healing Lynn. Thank you.
Lucille, you are more than welcome and thank you for your generous words. I certainly love being in my garden and love sharing it too. I am doing well, enjoying retirement more every day 🙂
Lovely…
Thank you, Shelley
Thank you, Lynn
I am so grateful you share the light filled beauty of your garden, thoughtful quotes and charming music; such uplifting joys.
You gave me calm amidst a day of emotional turmoil. Heartfelt appreciation,
Coral
Thank you for your kind words, Coral. I’m so glad that the garden touched you and offered some calm and peace to your day; it does that for me every day.
Beautiful, both the stills/prose combo and the video. Regarding the latter, I believe Pixie has informed Mr. DeMille that she’s ready for her closeup. 🙂
I think that’s exactly what Pixie did, Kerry! She’s the photobomb princess; I hear her coming my way when I’m filming and just let the camera roll and like magic, there she is, looking photogenic. 🙂
Your garden was a delight to ‘stroll’ through this morning!
So glad you enjoyed it, Margy – it’s always nice to share that experience 🙂
Your garden looks lush and beautiful, and I can imagine feeling at peace as you work or just sit and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Judy, we’ve had great luck with the weather this year, in spite of the heat and drought. I do find the garden to be such a peaceful place, it really is my sanctuary that I’m always happy to share.
What a beautiful garden you have; a real Paradise. I love the video.
Thank you for your kind words, Chloris – I’m so glad you enjoyed the video too!
Thank you for such a beautiful walk on this day of celebration!
Thank you, Graham, for stopping by. Let me know when you would like to visit in person, you are always welcome here!
I’m sorry; I do send love to Angel, but it’s Miss Pixie trotting about and celebrating her birthday! So I send smooches to her and to Angel’s sweet, deep memory. 💕
I completely understand, Kitty – Bill calls Pixie “Angel” at least once a day. I was looking at old videos of Angel in the garden the other day, feeling sad and sweet emotions at the same time. They are both my garden angels though and Pixie makes me laugh a dozen times a day – plus she really loves being in the garden. I will pass along your birthday smooches 🙂
Truly a healing garden; thank you, Lynn! What a work of art…and so very healthy! It makes me so happy to see Angel trotting around in your beautiful video. She looks content and at home. Birthday smooches to her and great love to you both. XO
What a beauteous interlude on your garden that you’ve shared so generously with us. Pixie prancing amidst the posted was a perfect grace note, and I’m sure Angel’s spirit infused the sublime light. Thanks for allowing us to walk with you.
Ah, Angel – she’s been on my mind and I miss her still but feel her presence in the garden. I shall now think of Pixie as the grace note in the garden, she certainly is in my life. Thank you for taking the time to walk with me in the garden.
Thank you for a lovely start to my day. The garden looks wonderful after rain doesn’t it? Particularly if you have been without rain for so long. Music and gardens really go well together.
“Tuneful” is an adjective we’d expect from you. I like the way the light transluces the single rose. You’ve offered up a good set of quotations, including the breaking of new blooms, a haystack of light, and the almost unhearable sound of the roses singing. Happy season that has now sidled into summer.
Lovely, lovely and more lovely! Beautiful garden, Lynn, loved the video and Miss Pixie prancing through. 🙂
Thank you, Eliza. It’s been a good year for the garden and Pixie is ever present with me 🙂
Girl,
Your garden is such a joy!!! Thanks for the lovely walk😉
Love the line about leaving the stress and competitiveness of work behind and just enjoying the garden.
Blessings!
Cindy Babcock
Cindy, so great to hear from you! I wish you were here to walk in the garden with me and Pixie. And yes, I tend to drift a little now that I’m only working on the garden – I’m starting to measure time by seasons instead of days and hours – but it is wonderfully healing.
I too would love to be there, but you do such a wonderful job that I amâ¦just canât taste the chocolate dipped cherriesð
Love it!
Oh, I love, love, love this. It is so peaceful and beautiful! I’m going to save this to play on rainy days! I hope Pixie was well compensated for her starring role!
Oh Mary, thank you! I loved making that little film, the garden has been so bountiful this year. Pixie gets paid well with pets, cuddles, treats and stuffies – she has become a professional photo bomber – couldn’t keep her out of the camera view if I tried. 🙂
A delightful visit. I love the irises, and the Rosa complicata is a favourite in our garden so it was good to see it in your garden too. I enjoyed the filmed stroll a lot.
Thank you, tootlepedal. I was inspired to add Complicata to my garden after seeing it in several English gardens years ago – it is perfect for the small arbor, almost thornless and very hardy in our cold winters. So glad you enjoyed the stroll 🙂