Heat Wave

As the northeast continues the wave of heat with another 99 degree day and who knows what the heat index is with the humidity. The perennials are thriving even in the heat with little rain or watering by hand. And I'm thrilled. It must be true that natives have adapted to the environment in which they've thrived in for centuries. In the spring they sulked if not watered but as the months progressed they adapted to the heat without hand watering not even wilting. Some have powdery mildew but continue to bloom. Probably caused by my not being careful to water from the bottom every time. Did you ever think why they don't seem to get this condition from rain water which falls on the whole plant?Some tiny sunflowers have started to bloom. Maybe next year I can plant them in a spot were they won't be shaded out by other perennials and they'll reach their full height. In the yard, sad. No hand watering this season and hosta and coral bells have dried up. For some reason impatiens took longer to bloom between faded blooms. Maybe the extreme heat this summer. Next summer in June I'll start watering them with the hose or sprinkler at least a deep watering once a week and hand watering as needed. This seems to be the only way to enjoy the garden I look forward to but haven't seen in a few years. Perennials die back and hibernate early until spring if they don't receive the water they need. Most of my week was spent indoors in the air. We did go see a movie then back inside.

When I think of summer blooms, I think of sunflowers.

Lots of yellows from echinacea, lantana, black eyed Susan's, sunflowers, and coreopsis.

A few of the zinnia seeds I sowed are starting to form heads. 

I wonder if the gloriosa lilly will make a viable seed in this pod? If you can see it.

Lilies done until next summer. They'll gather energy till frost.

Dead headed balloon flowers. Bees love them.

One of 2 sidewalk planters. Tulips will be planted in them again in the fall. I ordered some bulbs from Colorblends a few months ago and will continue to search the catalogues still coming for anything else I'd like.

Beautiful but will sulk in the hot sun if not watered every day.

Sweet potato vine is growing better in the shade. The one in the planter is tiny.

They're so large and tall I don't deadhead all the blooms because the pollinators enjoy them.

Calendula was fussy since planted. Liked frequent watering and after it adapted it got mildew. Don't think I'll plant this again. When I see a deeply discounted perennial at the nursery I'll get some to replace them. They're annuals and won't return anyway unless they dropped seeds.

It's a colorful summer with little care only deadheading. Purchased fresh sweet cherries and corn from the farmers market this week. The peaches were over ripe so I'll go back next week and see if they have some firm ones. As always enjoying watermelon and plums. Hope you're enjoying your summer garden.

A summer Day

 A few pictures of the flowers out front continuing to bloom. It's warm today but not as humid as yesterday. Last night was brutal. I spent yesterday inside under air all day and night. Spent some time painting the living room but today I'm resting after the market early this morning. Swept the sidewalk, enjoyed the flowers, now back inside under the air. Tonight's dinner will be sauteed chicken breast, rice, and fresh broccoli. I have to make time for some reading today and get off line. Also watching Reign on Netflix, the first season.

The photo doesn't show it but these are some of the largest leaf coleus I've grown.

After trying several years to get orange/rust colored ones from seed, I finally have one. I'll take a cutting for indoors. Although I sow many each season this is the first.

Many of the leaves are twice this size.

Some zinnia seeds sown actually fought for a spot in the flower bed and I'll actually have some that I planted from seed. Next season I'll save a spot just for them.

It's nice to have perennials that bloom in July and August because many have already bloomed like the my lilies and foxgloves. When I deadhead balloon flower I take the pods and drop them in the flower bed. This has helped them increase in number.

Replaced white petunias that were high maintenance with vinca. I won't be doing petunias again.

Cone flower.

Black eye Susan's have started to bloom.

Light purple asters have been doing well since early spring. They were a good purchase.

Thought the honey suckle would bloom it's second year but not yet. Although there's still time.

I see pansies planted in other gardens this late in the season but mine have never survived the heat. The must like the shade under the tree. I'll plant more in the fall.

Cut down the yellow blooming dahlias. The foliage was dying and had powdery mildew. Don't think they like growing in container. I'll pull  the bulbs after frost and save for the yard next season.

This is the closest I've been to the yard. Looking from the window. Haven't done anything since April except barbeque once. I did go out to smell my white lilies when they bloomed. They smelled wonderful. An elephant ear and bleeding heart weren't planted. The elephant ear will go back in the basement in the fall in it's pot. Had it been planted it would probably be 5-6 feet by now. The bleeding heart will go in the planter in the fall where another one died after several years. I enjoy watching raccoons, cats, and possums at night when the light comes on signaling someone or something may be in the yard, drink from a pot  fills with rain water. It's quite a sight seeing the critters.

Squirrels, raccoons, and possums dig in the flower bed displacing the bricks. I blamed the squirrels but have now seen them all digging.

Impatiens maintain themselves on the steps and I haven't watered anything in the yard this season after planting. Only the tough survive.

Have to make my wall up the steps to finish the first coat of paint although I've finished 1/2. Another day. The paint brightens up the living room more than I new it would and I'm enjoying the fresh look. It'll take a while to finish all molding, and trim around windows and baseboards. Then I'll think about refreshing the buttercup yellow pain on the other walls, maybe.

Make sure you enjoy the fresh local seasonal fruits coming out. Today I bought peaches and plums. I've already been enjoying broccoli, lettuce, cherries, tomatoes, water melon and other fruit and veggies.