This is a sampler of six of my backyard denizens; three fruits harvested in late spring and early summer, and three beautiful edible and medicinal flowers, currently in full bloom:
1) Stella Cherries (Prunus avium) – I have often shared photos of my little cherry tree. In 2021, a very late snowfall killed all its flowers, and hence, there was no fruit. After that, the tree has been struggling, a couple branches died last year, and I was doubting it would even come back this spring. Maybe from all that distress, the tree produced a record crop this past June, as shown at the top of this post.
2) Black Currants (Ribes nigrum) – A reliable and sturdy plant in my garden, it has not disappointed this year:
3) Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) – Flowers are fading, and the raspberries are starting to show some red gems on their canes:
4) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – The flowers, leaves and stems are used in infusions and tints as detoxifiers, mild sedatives and as an anti-septic, amongst other uses. Their flowers are also very pretty, and come in different colours; one of the latest additions to my garden are these, with white flowers:
5) English Lavender(Lavandula angustifolia) – This herbaceous perennial is well-known for its fragrant buds and leaves, used in cookery, perfumes, and with medicinal properties as an effective disinffectant. The plant has a semi-woody growth habit, with attractive purple flowers blooming from late spring to early summer:
6) Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – These perennials, native to North America, have been used to treat respiratory ailments since ancient times. Also called bee balm for being attractive to pollinators, they grow wild but are also cultivated mainly for their beautiful flowers in shades of white, pink and violet/purple, like this example from my garden:
I am joining Six on Saturday for July 1st, 2023, hosted by Jim Stephens @ Garden Ruminations.
I am sharing my post at Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD) Challenge for July 1st, 2023.
My Slice of Mexico 
Prettiest medicine cabinet I’ve ever seen.
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Happy Canada Day, Irene. Your post on edible flowers and fruit is also timely.
Attached is my new boulevard Pollinator garden, which is now, as of this week legal in Ottawa.
I’ve convinced several people to “let nature take over” and to plant common Yarrow and white clover to replace their grass. I didn’t know about its medicinal value. Yarrow and clover is a no feed, no water, minimal mowing alternative to grass. And best of all, you just seed it and a few years later – very little grass left and most people can’t tell the difference from a distance.
I have wild bergamot and not so wild bergamot in my garden. Your posts are an inspiration.
If you’re in Ottawa, please et me know. You’ll want to see my neighbor’s food forest, She has planted many fruit trees, bushed and vines – the fruit trees she grafted herself – and her food forest feeds her family of 3.
I’ll let you know about the ice cream. Thunderstorms here today, so I’ll make it tomorrow.
Debra
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Hi again, Debra! All sounds so beautiful and environmentally friendly. Thank you for the invitation, if I am ever in Ottawa I might drop by!
Happy Canada Day to you, too!!
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Looks wonderful and tasty and health-giving. Wow on the cherry tree. The white astilbe grows wild here but I also have some bright pink that I bought.
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I’m always impressed with your garden (and your gardening skills!)
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Thank you so much, Bob!
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