Although it is ever-so-slightly cooler today than yesterday's 35C/95F, it is still pretty steamy. I went out to open the car while Sue was still getting ready for our very brief stop at the grocery store. Then I thought to copy Granny Sue and others and post about what is blooming now.
I pulled out my phone and started to take some quick shots. My first photo was of the one little salvia/sage plant in the very dry and hot spot near both the driveway and the sidewalk. There were once two of these plants in the vicinity, but this is a really tough spot, so good on this one for trying its best.
Beside the salvia and even closer to the sidewalk is the penstemon/beardtongue. It was rescued from a spot where the shade was doing it in, so I just stuck it in here a few years ago, and it has decided to expand its horizons this year. The picture isn't good, but these are small pinkish flowers on a plant where the leaves are a bit purplish.
In front of those two and even closer to the sidewalk than the previous perennials is a bought pot that is showing quite well.
So much for the border along the driveway, the main part of which is full of daylilies, but they won't bloom until July.
In the centre garden, I planted a Shasta daisy this year. We tried them elsewhere in the garden some years ago, but they gave up the ghost. But I like daisies, so I purchased one plant this year: so far, so good.
The one flower that takes off in our garden is echinacea (coneflower), which is a plant that I really like. Over the years it has spread itself on the sunny side of the garden while vacating the shadier side. It has even spread beyond the edges of the garden into the lawn. The first flower unfolded in the heat yesterday, and there are several more blooms today. There should soon be quite a good showing that will endure for some time.
Finally, we have heuchera or coral bells. As far as I understand, gardeners tend to call the shady-tolerant variety heuchera and the sunnier-loving ones coral bells, but I won't die on that hill. The flowers are tiny but pretty although I think heuchera is mostly grown for its purplish leaves that look good in the shade. We have it beside a Hosta, which is not in bloom right now although the leaves are looking rather grand.
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| The photo does not do it justice, but I am not going to get too picky in the heat. |
Finally, I took a shot of the front of the centre garden as one would, more or less, see it from the street.
Your plants are doing well even in this heat.I find the heat is getting to me a lot.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post
ReplyDeleteOooooh AC your flowers are so happy in your yard! I particularly like your shasta daisies, and coneflowers never fail to tug at my heart. You remind me of my late mother; she never met a plant she did not love, and whose name she did not know. She would coo at her indoor plants while misting them, and you could practically see them beaming under her love and praise! I used to be jealous of them, haha! It's been really hot here too, though that's more to be expected here than in your locale. Stay cool! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThe summer blooms are so nice. I really like echinacea too, even tho I have to give it a lot of water here so it doesn't wilt.
ReplyDeleteGood looking plants and yes, they will appreciate the water
ReplyDeleteI inherited the shasta daisies from previous owner. I like them too because when they bloom they do it for a very long time. I haven't had echinacea/cone flowers since we lived at The Lodge and then they were all purple ones.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot going on there. Nice.
ReplyDeletePhlox squeezed out my coneflowers. It squeezes everything out. The flowers seem to be thriving despite the heat.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! I love the colours!
ReplyDeleteThose are a lovely variety of color and style. I tend to overdo the geraniums and petunias which always grow well for me.
ReplyDeletePurple is my favorite color so I love these pictures.
ReplyDeleteShasta daisies and purple coneflowers are stalwarts in my flowerbeds, and they spread. I admire them -- and all my flowers -- right out loud.
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to grow echinacea, sigh. I have grown Shasta daisies though, very successfully. Despite our summer heat, Northern Alberta growing zones limit what we can accomplish in the flower gardens.
ReplyDeleteDespite the intense summer heat, it’s fantastic to see your resilient garden thriving especially the salvia, penstemon, and eager echinacea making their vibrant stand while the Shasta daisy holds promise and the daylilies wait their turn
ReplyDeleteBattling the heat but still finding joy in those tough little plants holding their ground. I especially get the coneflower spreading—mine always seems to take over the sunny spots too.
ReplyDeleteI am slapping things in the ground for a first year flower bed at the new house. It looks scraggly and weedy. I water faithfully but know in my heart that it is survival of the fittest. Your garden gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteI have done some photos in the garden too. When the flowers are blooming, it’s hard to turn away! These are lovely, AC.
ReplyDeleteYou have quite a lot of blooms, despite the heat.
ReplyDeletethat's a long trip though the flower world. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time and a couple of homes ago, we had flower gardens and while they are missed, enjoying yours and those of everyone else shows me a lot of beauty with no gardening required. I also like daisies.
ReplyDeleteOh I have the coral bells too and I thought it died but it comes back each year and struggles next to my succulents. The flowers are tiny but pretty in pink and the leaves are amazing. I'll move it this fall to a new spot.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful tour of your flowers.
I sowed wildflowers on the west side of the house and this year I have an amazing crop of daisies! I've been able to get 3 or 4 vases full every few days, but I am letting them do their thing now and reseed.
Thanks again.
Your garden is looking very good. My sweet peas are just starting, but that about does it for a garden for me!
ReplyDeleteLooking good there, AC. I wish I could grow Penstemon but have yet to have one survive.
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice variety and lots of color!
You are wise to be careful of the heat. It can really do a number on US mature people. It warmed my heart to see the beauty that surrounds you! What lovely flowers. Best wishes to you and Sue with Aloha
ReplyDeleteHope all is well there.
ReplyDeletePretty flowers. I like coral bells. I particularly like the maple flags in your garden bed.
ReplyDeleteNice photos. I particularly like the reddish leaves of the Heuchera, which seem to stay in place almost all year long. Even when the garden is just emerging in spring they add a nice touch of colour.
ReplyDeleteEven your quick candid shots have class. As does your front border. I am impressed. If the d*** deerflies are down a bit tomorrow, I might go and inventory what the deer themeselves have left of the rock garden.
ReplyDeleteOur lilies are budded out.