As It Heats Up

My zinnia seedlings out front. Wish there were more and some sunflowers.

On the porch.

The only thing I don't like about balloon flowers is the frequent deadheading and the white milky substance that makes my finger sticky when cutting them. If I had patience the many seeds heads would possibly give me plenty of seeds to plant but I'd rather have blooms. Leaving the seed heads after blooming might stop more blooms from developing. They'll bloom all summer till almost frost but will be cut to the ground before then.

Bees are drawn to my tiny Veronica and the balloon flowers.

Lots of plants died this summer including 2 lambs ears that were beautiful when I planted them. They did well for weeks but started rotting probably due to a rainy spring. They're hard to kill but they died. On another day when it isn't almost 100 degrees, I'll prune off the dead leaves level with the ground but not remove the root. Maybe signs of life will emerge again. If not, I have seeds and will start some instead of paying for plants again that die. There is one left in the flower bed that I grew from seed several years ago.

Sweet potato vine is always a show off.

In the yard.

Tomatoes have blooms but no fruit yet.

Chives and lots of  seedling weeds.

Swiss Chard

Maybe some blooms from the canna by fall.

Blackberries