The heat is taking it's toll on the Midwest! I can only water so much, and I think the strange seasons we've had, have had an effect on our blooms. I know my tomato plants are suffering - they aren't even worthy of a photo. I've added tons of mulch, but need/would like to add more.
The circle of bricks had daffodils in it in the Spring. I think I'll dig them up and put a Hibiscus in that area.
I had 3 buds on my Stargazer this year. The first one opened fine, the other two looked like they were rotten. Their fragrance is intoxicating!
Happy faces
My Astilbe are doing great!
The Astilbe, Heuchera, and a few Hostas are loving their area this year.
I love this fun Corkscrew Rush I planted this year. I also put one in a planter that I am going to move to the ground.
The Knautia is doing great
This is a Quick Fire Hydrangia I bought a couple years ago. Last year it was covered with blooms - this year. . . ONE flower. I have NO idea why.
The birds have been enjoying the bird baths and when I have the sprinkler on, the Robins bring their off spring for showers. It's been fun watching the Chickadee's sitting on the Coneflower blossoms and sway too and fro as they pick insects out of them. They've been too fast for me to get any photos of them so far.
The Chickadee kept going in and out of the knothole in this fence picket.
I got this Mistical Amber Mist Coneflower last year. The rabbits chewed all the buds off as soon as they sprouted up this Spring. I quickly put chicken wire around them and was able to get a couple blooms from them. I've been scouring garage sales for more attractive barriers - I got four of these half baskets for $1 each. It should keep the rabbits away from the base of the plant next year.
Little Grapette Day Lily
I hope you are able to get out and enjoy Nature. I'm ready for Spring of 2013!!
Your flowers look fantastic despite the heat and lack of rains. My lawn is DEAD....but I don't care. It means no mowing--which I'm LOVING!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue. I have a walking sprinkler that hits the majority of the yard, but my hosta bed is really 'crispy'. We had to put a new tree in it a couple of years ago, and it doesn't provide the shade all hostas need.
Deleteoh my..we sing the same song....this Illinois summer in the garden has been a lot of work and frustration...and not being able to water due to restrictions...though I cheat...go ahead and arrest me......I think this season has been not so much fun......and I love the baskets around the coneflowers....I have had the same experience with rabbits with my NEW coneflowers...doube pink.....whaaaaaaaaaaa
ReplyDeleteWe have been asked, in the past couple of days, to voluntarily cut back and water on specific days. I can deal with not watering the grass...it will go dormant and come back, but I don't want my flowers to burn to a crisp. There is so much dried up foliage at the base of my day lilies that it looks like Fall. I am hoping next year will be better...
DeleteWish I lived close enough to visit your amazing garden! Thanks for sharing your lovely blooms!
ReplyDeleteThings were looking so beautiful in July. I know the heat and drought since then has caused a lot of problems. Hope you have had some rain since then. Beautiful flowers, nice green lawn in this post! I had the same problem with my stargazers and a few of the other oriental lilies. I think it is botrytis. Here is a link about that: http://plantlilies.com/Botrytis-Control-On-Lilies.html I purchased a copper fungicide and have used that, and I hope for better, healthier lilies next year. Also hope for more favorable gardening weather too!
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