Garden Walkabout

70 and humid after some wee hours showers. Storms predicted for most of today.  Thankful for the rain.

I felt well enough finally to get out in the gardens, mainly just a walkabout to see how everyone was faring after my week of neglect. Truly this was not a good time to be away from the gardens, but then, when is a good time? I lost a new lavender and another new plant, an Egyptian daisy. The heat and lack of rain did them in. Larry did some watering but I think these two were just not well established enough to survive. I also think I lost the larkspur I planted this year, and possibly the rhubarb, which breaks my heart. But there is only so much one man can do, and I knew it was inevitable that some plants would not survive.

Still, many plants are still soldiering on, the survivors I call them. This phlox, for example: I have babies it along for 3 years and it is finally well established. Success!

One of my new roses. The roses are not blooming as profusely as I would like, but I think the spot I chose for them is shader than ideal.

Another rose in bloom. 

I am dumbfounded that I still have pansies! They never survive through our hot summers, but this year almost all are struggling on. I am hoping they make through to Fall's cooler temperatures. 

One of my favorites, calendula.  These re-seed themselves every year.

.y blue/lavender hydrangea is finally blooming, although again its location is too shady so I get sparse bloom. I will take whatever it can give, as I am not about to risk moving it.

Mandevilla, how do I love thee? So dependable, so bright, so tolerant, so beautiful?

More phlox, new this year and being babied along. 

Another hardy favorite, geraniums can be depended on for splashes of color. 

I am clueless as to what this is, but how pretty! I cannot recall planting it, but it may have been in a lot of perennials I planted a couple years ago. First time it has bloomed,  and I am in love.

The drift rose have suffered this year, first because Larry managed to run over them, twice. And then some kind of blight, probably due to their weakened state. They are pulling out of it now, thankfully. That is the herb garden behind the wall.

Some plants given to me on Mother's Day by my son Derek, planted in a large, old cracked iron bell. It makes a great planter. Better than throwing it away. I did check into getting it repaired, but was advised it would not be satisfactory. So I sold the yoke and clapper and now have this nice planter. 

 Planted about 3 weeks ago, these zinnias were on clearance for $3.00, in a hanging pot. They have done far better than I expected. 

Coneflower re-seed each year too. This patch has been very pretty and thanks to Buddy the dog, they have thus far been unmolested by the deer.

Coreopsis, another of my favorites. So cheerful and hardy!

I have not planted snapdragons in years because they just didn't do well for me. But these have thrived, and changed my thinking.

I am still puzzled about what this is. It has not yet bloomed. I think it is another type of bee balm, or bergamot. Anxiously awaiting bloom!

 

Firewood, dug out of a ditch years ago. I have read that it is invasive, but that has not been a problem. I think this plant is at least 30 years kold.

A peek at the newest perennial bed, started in fall 2021. I've lost a few plants here, but am happy with what has survived.

Well, enough already! It was such a joy to be out among the gardens last evening. I may post more tomorrow, along with some from the veggie garden. Right now I have squash casseroles to make for the freezer because the squash certainly didn't slow down, neglected or no.

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