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.
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| Clematis 'Arabella' scrambles through this raised bed. She is a prolific bloomer. |
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| After a short rest, the roses have started blooming again. I only grow non-fussy roses like this 'Morden Sunrise' |
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| Echinops ritro backed up by salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki' |
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| Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' that has reseeded. |
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| Clematis 'Blue Belle' is a long and prolific bloomer. |
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| The first of the hibiscus is blooming. |
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| Asclepias tuberosa |
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.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to share your special day with your young gardener! Rain would be a great gift, wouldn't it? (Minus the hail!)
Marie, I just spent a week with my daughter and granddaughter. It was a great birthday gift.
DeleteHappy 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.
ReplyDeleteCherry Brandy actually reseeded in several spots for me. I think the color is a bit off from what it was last year.
DeleteIndeed, 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.
ReplyDeleteOf course I posted selected plants that look good. Forget the astibles or some of the other crispies.
DeleteLovely blooms...I just love your deep blue Echinops!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteIs that Lilium 'Gold Band'? I can almost smell its fragrance in your pic. Beautiful photographs! Oh and happy belated birthday wishes to you!
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.
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