Monday, July 16, 2012

Bloom Day - July 2012


Welcome to my mid-July garden and Bloom Day - July 2012 hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens  Today is my birthday.  I love having a mid-summer birthday.  It seems like the garden is just hitting it's stride for my special day.  This year is a bit of an exception as we are in a severe drought.  I never water this early and I actually don't water much at all.  I've been dragging hoses and sprinklers around now for a couple of weeks as things began to get crispy.  Hail three times earlier in the season didn't help.  The hostas are pretty tacky.  Amazingly I do have blooms and from a distance things don't look too bad.



Clematis 'Arabella' scrambles through this raised bed.  She is a prolific bloomer.

After a short rest, the roses have started blooming again.  I only grow non-fussy roses like this 'Morden Sunrise'
Echinops ritro backed up by salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'

Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' that has reseeded.
              

Clematis 'Blue Belle' is a long and prolific bloomer.
The first of the hibiscus is blooming.
                         
Asclepias tuberosa
                                                                                              


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9 comments:

  1. GardenbugJuly 17, 2012 at 4:05 AM

    Lovely Birthday photos - in the evening light I think? I've never seen Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' before. I like it! Blue Belle is a wonderful clematis that I like even better than the more usual Polish Spirit. And of course Arabella should be in every garden! I love that you grow it as a scrambler.
    I hope you get to share your special day with your young gardener! Rain would be a great gift, wouldn't it? (Minus the hail!)

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    1. MichelleJuly 17, 2012 at 5:17 PM

      Marie, I just spent a week with my daughter and granddaughter. It was a great birthday gift.

      Delete
  2. SueJuly 17, 2012 at 5:41 AM

    Happy Birthday Michelle! Watering seems to be the July bloom day theme. Your efforts seem to be paying off. Cherry Brandy is an annual for me-at least it was last year. I really like the color so perhaps I'll give it another try.

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    1. MichelleJuly 17, 2012 at 5:17 PM

      Cherry Brandy actually reseeded in several spots for me. I think the color is a bit off from what it was last year.

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 17, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    Indeed, one would never know your gardens were threatened with drought, Michelle -- Things look lovely and fresh as always -- Your blogging efforts are wonderful so we get to have a close-up of your gardens! Thanks for posting. - Cindy H.

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    1. MichelleJuly 17, 2012 at 5:18 PM

      Of course I posted selected plants that look good. Forget the astibles or some of the other crispies.

      Delete
  4. scottweberpdxJuly 19, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Lovely blooms...I just love your deep blue Echinops!

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  5. Debbie TeashonJuly 20, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Hi Michelle,

    Is that Lilium 'Gold Band'? I can almost smell its fragrance in your pic. Beautiful photographs! Oh and happy belated birthday wishes to you!

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    Replies
    1. MichelleJuly 21, 2012 at 8:58 PM

      Thanks Debbie! I'm not sure on the name as I don't see it on my spreadsheet. Sometimes my record keeping leaves something to be desired.

      Delete

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