June can be summed up in one word - - H O T!
How unusual to have temps of 99 and 100 plus degrees. At least this energy-sapping weather didn't persist for long before some much needed rain arrived.
This cluster of perennials...pink coneflower, red pentas, white angelonia and yellow black-eyed Susans don't seem to mind the temps at all.
You know a gardener named Susan has to have black-eyed Susan's in her garden...right? Well, you might wonder where the black eyes are. This variety is called Irish eyes and they have pretty green eyes. I thought these would be appropriate since I have a wee bit of Irish in me.
Here's some more perennials taking the heat in stride...so long as they get a drink or two or three of water each week.
Half of this garden bed is in the shade while the other half is in sunlight. Impatiens and ferns flourish in the shade, while the red cuphea, purple angelonia and milkweed bask in the sunlight.
Looking especially dapper in the June heat is Louis Philippe who's covered in smaller summer blossoms. A succulent groundcover(ice plant)...given to me by my neighbor Nancy is sporting miniature fluffy pink flowers. This little jewel of a plant is wonderful...it's pretty and it DOES NOT freeze!
Lamb's ear --- I love this soft, fuzzy, pale grey plant...and what a pleasant surprise that it produces a bloom, too. Thanks to Sherry at If Only Sweat were Irrigation I didn't pull my snapdragons out. She said they would bloom in the summer...and guess what...she's right! I'm grateful for all the wonderful things I learn from other gardeners.
And the bright white cosmos are just getting started. It's next to one of my favorite plants in the veggie garden...the Thai basil which has been pumping out spikes of purple flowers since April.
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The tropicals love the heat!
Here's a super-sized caladium splashed with two of my favorite colors...green and pink, along with some bromeliads basking in the late afternoon sunlight.
Lack of rain hasn't stopped this passalong plant...from my sister...from growing into a giant specimen. Proof positive that six inches of oak leaf mulch helps keep the soil moist. She received her plant from a friend, and no one knows the name of it. The butterflies and hummers love it and it doesn't freeze.
And, here's a new find from my favorite local nursery...a red yarrow. She seemed right at home when I planted her. Yarrow is one of the toughest plants in my garden. I don't care how dry it gets it never hangs its head...plus, it does well in both shade and sun. It does bloom better in sun though, but the pretty fern-like foliage makes having this plant worthwhile alone.
Thankfully, July has brought much needed rain and lots of blooms to the garden. Now, I need to get outside and get caught up there, too!
12 comments:
Oh Susan ~ Your blooms are such a delight to see. You have a wonderful variety and it must be pure joy to walk around your gardens enjoying all you see and smell.
Happy Summer Gardening ~ FlowerLady
Susan: Your June garden looked great, and I am sure, with more rain, your July garden will look even prettier. I did not know snapdragon will bloom again in the summer, either. Maybe next year, I will leave a couple in the ground as well for experiment. That red yarrow is beautiful, which made me to visit my favorite local nursery so much! I am still on the road of my two week vacation in the west. Tomorrow we are heading home, and I am missing my garden :)
That red yarrow is lovely! I've never seen white cosmos before. Your garden is thriving in the heat! Enjoy the rain this weekend!
Beautiful pictures and garden. I have not been out in mine so much this Summer between te extreme heat/humidity and mosquitos. take care , Gina
I've only had luck with Lamb's Ears in the early spring.Your's is doing great.And I really like that Red Yarrow!I'm gonna keep my eye out for that.
It doesn't take long to get behind in the garden this time of year. EVERYTHING is growing like weeds... especially the weeds. :-) I have so many beds like the one you described where 1/2 of it is getting more sunshine than the other 1/2. You've chosen the right plants in the right place for those spots.
All your colorful flowers are looking so cheerful. It is so nice to have so many choices that love our heat. I agree with you on the yarrow. Does yours self-spread? Also wondering how is it your gaillardia still looks so low to the ground and tidy. I've cut back most of mine as they sprawled everywhere(spring/early summer) and then stopped blooming with all the rain. Do you keep yours deadheaded and trimmed? What's your secret?
:-)
Meems
Flowerlady...I do love to walk around to see what's going on and to cut a few flowers to enjoy indoors.
Ami...Hope you are having a great trip!
Daisy...The white cosmos have quite a large flower. I grew them from seeds with a mix of light pink flowers, too.
Gina...I haven't spent much time outside either, but I need to get out there and cut a few things back. I always look forward to the end of August.
Chris...My lamb's ear is planted beneath the shade of a large plant and is spreading nicely.
Meems...The yarrow does spread slowly to make a nice groundcover. I love the look of the foliage. As for the blanket flowers...I do not trim them back. They spread into a nice thick and compact clump. Perhaps it is that they grow in full sun or maybe the variety. Usually I plant Goblin or Arizona Sun.
June was a good month for you, Susan. I love your plant combinations, and that red yarrow is wonderful. Your first photo is stunning!
You really have a riot of color going on there. Everything blends together so nicely. I love my white yarrow. I'll be on the lookout for that red.
You are lucky to have a beautiful garden!!! I love it. Claribel
Love all the beautiful colors, Susan. Such an abundance of summer blossoms to enjoy.
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