Cool temps and plenty of rain. That’s the kind of summer we have been having so far as we enter the middle of July. That means the gardens are green and full of blooms. Here is what is blooming today on Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: July, 2014.
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:
They say the heat dome that gave us temps in the 90’s has moved on, but it’s still hot and humid here in west Michigan. But the day lilies know it is their time to shine, and shine they do! It’s also time for the crocosmia and this is its best year. I love that bright red.
But also blooming is the old rose of sharon. The bees and the hummingbirds love it.
So, today, this is what the Secret Garden looks like.
My summer semester begins tomorrow and so my leisurely days in the garden will be a bit limited. And, wouldn’t you know, today it has been stormy. But I pulled a few weeds that had popped up. And I deadheaded a few spent day lilies. First Knight started blooming a couple days ago. It is one of my favorites, even though it isn’t pink.
My favorite day lily, Storm of the Century bloomed today. I’ve included a picture here, though this first flower seems to have gotten a little bruised in its birthing process.
Several years ago a friend divided his crocosmia and gave me some of the extras. But the little clumps of roots were, um, little. And, I transplanted them several times before they found a permanent home. Well, permanent in a garden is not quite possible. Anyway, I found a couple plants at a garden center and planted those. They bloomed a bit last year, but this year, it looks like I am going to get a nice show. And, my friend’s crocosmia have long budded spires, too. So, I’ll see these scarlet bird-like flowers in two places in the secret garden. The clumps that my friend gave me are nestled in front of the dutchman’s pipe “wall.” The plants I bought at a garden center are at the edge of the large day lily bed in the middle of the secret garden. I thought the foliage would make a nice transition from the lilies to whatever else ends up next. At the moment that is Tiny Nancy asiatic lilies.
And, remember the fountain that I killed? The one that I never covered last winter and suffered a fatal crack? The one that is now a planter in the Secret Garden? Well, it’s replacement arrived this past week. It’s burble is welcoming neighborhood birds, who found it within an hour. I think I might even like this fountain more than the other one.
I went on the Ottawa Hills Garden Tour yesterday. There were some lovely gardens, and, inspired by some of the things I saw, went to Phil’s Stuff hoping to find some little treasure to place in one of the gardens. I bought two iron stakes with ornaments on the top. I haven’t decided where to put them yet. Maybe I’ll do that this evening. I also picked up some annuals to plunk into some empty spaces, including a flat of nicotiana.
