Crocosmia adds such a wonderful pizazz to the day lily bed. I love the way it drapes over the Garden Lady.
The temps rose yesterday to 90 degrees, but the heat isn’t unexpected. And, we are not experiencing a drought like last year. July blooms are on schedule and it seems like the whole garden is making up for last year. The cherry tree is still full of gorgeous red tart cherries. In fact, I picked 4 cups last night and made a cherry crisp. Last year I didn’t even bother with picking. The early warmth and subsequent freeze killed last years crop.
Blooming in the garden right now:
First Knight day lily, one of my favorites.Zagreb Coreopsis and rose campion that a neighbor gave me years ago.A few white clematis keep blooming. I didn’t get much of a show this year, but will take whatever I can get from this lovely vine.The Garden Lady is framed in day lilies and crocosmia. The is the view from the entrance of the Secret Garden.Annabelle Hydrangea putting on a great show. Last year Annabelle did not do much because of the heat.White Dome hydrangeas and Zagreb coreopsis in the lower garden.This is about as blue as this variegated lace cape hydrangea gets. Each year I ammend the soil with acid and it never seems to be enough.The Francis Williams hostas in the front garden are starting to bud. Behind them are the White Dome hydrangeas that are in full lacy bloom.I removed a lot of the Strawberry Candy day lilies in the front when I took out the Pana Rhododendrons. This is one of the only clumps left.Newly planted just a month ago, the Walker’s Low catmint is doing very well in the entrance garden.Red Knockout rose in the rose medallion seems to not only avoid disease, but Japanese beetles. Yes, they’ve arrived for their yearly feast.Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.Nameless dark lily doesn’t seem to be quite so dark this year.Looking west from the eastern part of the Secret Garden. The Japanese Maple and various hostas seem happy.Stitch in Time Hosta is starting to bloom.Francee, Stained Glass, June, Great Expectations, and various heuchera.Barbara Mitchell day lily in the Secret Garden.Day lilies and crocosmia in a riot of bloom.My Sweet Rose day lily.Lavender Doll day lily, Cool Cat Nepetha, Jean Davis Lavender, purple cone flower from a friend, White Dome hydrangea.Purple cone flower just starting to bloom.Fragrant Angel echanacea with a friendly bumblebee.Zagreb coreopsis and a purple coneflower that isn’t sure what she is supposed to look like. But she’s blooming in her own unique way.Purple coneflower from a friend and Fragrant Angel echinacea.Marigolds and purple petunias greet me at the back door.
I haven’t always been a gardener, but I have always loved gardens. It has taken 16 years to get my gardens into the shape they are today. And, I’ve had help. I’m 74 years old, have rheumatoid arthritis, and had a late stage cancer six years ago. I am, though, intrepid. I’m the kind of person who plods along, tailoring my goals as I go. Last November I had a long overdue knee replacement surgery and I’m hoping this spring, summer, and fall will be able to maintain and find even more joy working in all of my garden beds. Full disclosure, though. I have a garden guy who comes once a week to work in my gardens.
Garden 337 