Jaunty June

There is a lot going on in the garden this month. A lot of color popping up here and there. It makes it fun to get out and stroll around. The tall lilies have been fantastic this year. It must have been all the rain we received in May because June, so far, has been dry.

 If you click on the lily photo above you can see that it looks like the garden fairies have been painting those deep purplish/black colors in the center of this lily. When you look out the kitchen door the red of this lily really brings out the red tips on the Carmel Heucheras.

 
The lilies below get plenty of sun and stand tall despite all their blooms. The strong winds we have been playing havoc with some blooms.

 This lily got so top heavy that the wind broke off one of the big clumps. The poor thing contends with too much shade then the wind does the rest.

 The wind is not as severe as the rabbits though. I have sprayed rabbit repellent on these not so tall tall lilies and you see the result. I don't think those repellents work. I sprayed after they started nibbling on the buds. Maybe the buds are sweet enough that the rabbits can ignore the spray. Sigh...

 Where the lilies leave off some of the clematis stars. We go from the shy delicate  Clematis Blue Angel Clematis viticella ‘Blekitny Aniol' to

Jackmanii and  Texensis Etoile Rose having a dalliance.

We have been mulching flower beds the past week or so. It is slow laborious process of weeding and then mulching but so worth the effort. I don't have to weed much afterward and it lasts until next year. After all the trips to and from mulch gathering Annie is worn out with it all and has decided it is nap time. The ole girl likes taking advantage of the sun on fresh spring days.

How are things going in your garden this June?

Summer Surprises

Summer has been a continuation of the drought that has been hovering here for some time. Record heat has us in it's grip. Since there isn't a thing I can do about this I have decided to try to take the high road and tell you about all the fun surprises I have found in the garden thus far. I will try not to complain, much. After all we haven't had fire or flood to deal with. It could be worse right??

During a drought you certainly learn to appreciate succulents that you might be growing. Of course Hens and chicks are common but when they put on a show of blooms you forget all about that.

 One of my favorite succulents this year are the Echiveraias that have inhabited this pot for the past 18 months or so. They are the first plant that I have had luck growing in one of these pots. I have tried several different strawberry pots and different plants all without success until this combination. The Echiveraias are growing and I think a couple of them are even going to bloom for me.

Another nice combination is this hollyhock and clematis that are blooming together. I am sorry that I can't take credit for anything other than planting the clematis. The hollyhock chose this spot to grow and the clematis is taking fair advantage of a taller structure to climb.

 This hollyhock is TALL. Here is a picture of me standing by it. I am 5'6" tall and the hollyhock towers over me. And yes, that clematis is that blue even though it normally isn't. It's deep blue must be another affect of the drought.

I admit that I bought some Oriental Lily bulbs from a big box store. I have said before that I wasn't going to do that anymore due to the disappointment they often are. When I opened the package I told myself...here we go again. Such little ole bulbs didn't look promising.

I am glad I went ahead and planted them. They have all emerged and just take a look at this beauty.

I know I am not the only one that likes them either. 

The blackberries are fighting valiantly trying to produce enough berries for our new supply of  jelly. Unfortunately after I picked a nice bowl of berries they seemed to think that was quite enough.

Instead of having enough for a mess of jelly I just have enough for a generous topping on my cereal or better yet on ice cream. Aaaa, you will have to excuse me I think the ice cream man is calling. 

Do you have any surprises in your garden this summer?

Something other than Irises

Yes friends I do have things blooming in my garden other than Irises. For those that are tired of looking at Irises I will show you something else that is in bloom in the garden. My old stand by Clematis, Jackamanii. This guy is a real work horse in the garden. I have divided, moved and divided this clematis again and again and it just keeps on growing and blooming. I can't imagine the spring without it's blooms.

A new, as of last summer, bush in the garden is a Ninebark called Summer Wine. This is the first time it has bloomed since it has been in the garden. When you look at the blooms up close they look like small bouquets.

The foilage is what I really planted it for. It doesn't get full sun but the foilage stays that nice wine color.

I know you fruit lovers will appreciate this bloom. It is a blackberry blossom. Our tame, thornless, blackberries are beginning to bloom. I can't wait for some good ole blackberry cobbler and ice cream.
I am sorry gang but I couldn't resist one little picture of one more of my irises. It has just started looking good. With all the rain we have had the Irises have had a difficult time keeping

themselves upright. They can't help it that they are fatheads. I forgive them. I hope you can too.

My Dearly Beloved has been mulching the flower beds while I was at work this week. I am looking forward to helping him get the rest spread the next couple of days. The garden looks so "finished" when all the mulch is spread anew. I just wish it would keep that just mulched look for a longer period.