Tuesday, July 17, 2012

In the Garden This Week

 

To sum this week up so far and the status of the garden.
Let us just say I am thinking of reading up on how to do a rain dance or two. It continues to be just miserably hot and dry here in the hills.

Callicarpa_PurpleBeautyBerry_Profusion The Callicarpa Purple Beauty Berry bush “Profusion” is loaded with berries coming on but its leaves are sagging. There should be plenty of purple berries this year when they start to turn color.

Crape_Myrtle2
The Crape Myrtle bush is starting to bloom so it will add a lot of color to the end of the garage for a number of weeks.

Coneflower_Butterfly More and more Butterflies are starting to show up finally although some of them have been tattered and torn.

Carlotta_Dayliliy2 A new Daylily in the garden, “Carlotta” is just lovely.

Hibiscus_Colors
The Rose of Sharon bushes are blooming their hearts out now and thank goodness the beetles are fewer now or these blooms would be loaded with them.

Hibiscus_Pink_Red2

Hibiscus_LordBaltimore_Beetle One nasty beetle remaining found the blooms on the “Lord Baltimore” Hibiscus but I saw it trying to hide.

Hibiscus

I do not know the name of this beautiful hibiscus. Pure white with a pink center. You see I pinched the seeds off of a bush one fall in a nearby mall. Yes, I am a seed thief. LOL! To my daughters embarrassment.

Helenium_RubyTuesday The Helenium’s are starting to bloom also with their little blooms. They do not mind the heat and dry as much as some other plants in my garden.

Iceberg_Rose
Iceberg roses are still coming on sporadically but the blooms are smaller.

CrimsonBouquet My favorite rose “Crimson Bouquet” never disappoints me when it comes to taking all of the extreme weather conditions here. It just keep putting on those big scarlet blooms and the fragrance is strong and smells divine.

Rudbeckia_July14 Rudbeckia

Phlox_Bright_Eyes 
“Bright Eyes” Phlox
The phlox plants are all struggling here this summer. The plants are smaller and all of the leaves on the bottoms are turning crispy brown. But when you walk into the back yard the fragrance is so good.

Phlox_Nora_Leigh 
“Nora Leigh” Phlox

Phlox_Davids_Lavender
“David’s Lavender”

Hydrangea_Vanilla_Strawberry This young “Vanilla Strawberry” Hydrangea was plant last spring but it is getting its first blooms this summer. It will be fun to watch the white blooms open and turn to pink.

IMG_0021 
“Monet’s Moment” Lobelia is just starting to bloom.

The grass around here is brown and crunches when you walk on it. The corn is all curled up and getting yellow at the bottom.
All of my plants are suffering and look terrible from a far with browning and yellowing leaves on the bottom despite the regular watering.

Cicada_Shell There are a few cicada shells hanging on some of the plants.

Lightening_Bug2
And it is lovely to set on the porch of an evening when the temperatures cool down a little and watch the Lightening Bugs.

Lady_in_Red
We are hoping for some much needed showers here this week.
I hope they do not pass us by once again.
Everyone try to stay cool and safe out their in the gardens.
Lona

 

 

20 comments:

pogonip said...

I think all of us need to do a rain dance! Our poor plants could use a nice shower. It's that way all over--my sweetie's in Europe and they are dry too.

greggo said...

I understand your dryland pain, we're in for a string of +100 temperatures.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I have noticed that the rose blooms are smaller also, much smaller. I just put in David Lavender this spring and it is just about to bloom.

The Japanese Beetles have really wrecked havoc on my roses and many other plants this year. I am never ready for what they do.

Eileen

debsgarden said...

I was thinking today about my crepe myrtles and how they love the heat and humidity. Without them my summer garden would be pretty dull. I think I should add some hibiscus. Yours are lovely!

David said...

Beautiful post, Lona! Your flowers are just gorgeous in spite of the dry Ohio weather. You must have a lot more sunny spots in your garden than I do and your plants seem so happy!
I noticed on the 'you might also like' photos that you also used to do monthly garden bouquet. I miss them a lot and I will do one just for fun a few times each year. I'll go back and see some of yours bouquets tomorrow.
David/:0)

Nadezda said...

Hibiscus and phlox are beautiful!

Sunray Gardens said...

Lovely blooms Lona. I've just about given up with this weather. Currently digging up things and potting and putting in shade. The gardens are starting to look like a disaster. Not sure but thinking about eliminating my two big beds next year. Just not worth all this and this has been two years in a row. Take care.
Cher Sunray Gardens

The Redneck Rosarian said...

Great photos. Your rose of sharon are looking lovely.

Unknown said...

I believe you when you say it's dry there, BUT we would never know it by your photos..hoping you get some moisture soon.

tina said...

I so hope you get some much needed rain! I hope for everyone as the dryness is a bit debilitating to the gardens and farms. Many trees have died and it promises to get worse but still their is hope! Other than your beautyberry drooping all your plants looks stunning. Great shot of the lightening bug too.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Oh my, your flowers are fabulous! Lovely pictures! I think a lot of us are in need of rain this Summer.

Blessings,
Sandi

RURAL said...

When I visit your blog, it's like going to a nursery and making out a wish list, this plant, one of those, that plant, and for sure those plants...

That's not a complaint you know, I love getting new ideas.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Jennifer said...

Hi Lona, You have lots in bloom despite the dry weather. It has been very, very dry here as well. Do you think the hot, dry weather is making for fewer Japanese beetles? I so hate the darn things! Rose of Sharon seems to be there favourite food. Yours look super!

Priscilla @ Homegrown Delight said...

It has been terribly hot and dry here too, we live in the high desert. We're finally getting a little break and we're down to the high 90s! How do you keep your flowers looking so great in the heat? I'm having a hard time when everything in my garden is in full sun. I try to water when I can but the heat is unbearable. We could use rain, hopefully soon!

Swimray said...

Your phlox look fantastic despite the weather. My phlox is bad this year. Bearded iris leaves browning at the tips, too.
Ray

Kukkaiselämää said...

Again you have stunning photos and flowers!

Satu from the very rainy Finland

RobinL said...

The rain we got today was such a blessing! Maybe it was that rain dance you did. I did notice that the beetles are mostly gone, and were much lighter this year. I thought they'd be worse without a harsh winter to kill them off. I've been thinking about getting more phlox, but I've vowed to buy low water plants from now on! I just have to face the facts that summers here are going to be dry.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Lona girl I am still in envy of your beautiful roses and that Monet's Moment lobelia .. it is such a beautiful dusty rose pink ? .. our grass is crunchy too and so many plants are belly up .. I am trying desperately to keep my garden going but for this record time with no rain and so hot .. lugging the hose around .. it is all exhausting !
I can't wait for Autumn !!! almost just 100 days till Halloween !!!
Joy ;-)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed seeing your blooms. My phlox plants are not doing well, either. How cool that you got that hibiscus to grow from seed, free seed at that!

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I will be watching your reports on Vanilla Strawberry!! Have loved seeing it in the catalogs.