Midsummer Blooms

7/19/15

Shasta daisies

     So much blooming is taking place in the garden.  I took most of these photos before we went on vacation ten days ago.  Some of the blooms are fading now.  The photo to the right shows the daisies that line the front of what I call the electric garden that hide the electric box in the yard.

     Here's what else was in bloom ten days ago.

The milkweed surrounding the electric garden is full of bees.

I noticed that the balloon flowers in the side yard garden had finished their blooming when we returned . 

The glossy abelia bush in the side garden is growing and blooming nicely.

The butterfly bush has shot up dramatically from last year even after pruning.

The wonderful scent of the asiatic lilies perfumed the backyard garden.  Now there are only about three lilies left.

The hosta plants in the backyard garden were in full bloom when we left and are now about done.

 

The miniature rosebush in the backyard garden is putting out more blooms.

     There is more blooming in the backyard and side gardens.  But that will have to wait for the next post.

Garden Growth On The Fourth of July

7/4/14

seashells cosmos

     In the back yard garden there is a pause between spring and fall blooms.  The seashells cosmos that reseeded are one of the few plants that are blooming.  The following photos show what else is blooming there.

The hostas are all blooming.

There are still some blooms on the hellebores.

The Asiatic lilies have still refused to show their blooms, although I have seen some blooming in the neighborhood.

I added solar lights all along the perimeter of the garden.

In the garden surrounding the electrical box, the milkweed  are blooming, and I hope for some monarch caterpillars this year.

The daisies in front of the electrical box are in full bloom.

In the full sun side yard garden the zinnias are producing a riot of colorful flowers.

Although the daisies by the electrical box are blooming, the ones in the side garden that the deer/rabbits ate, are finally recovering under my netting, but no blooms yet.

The under-the-netting balloon flowers that were also eaten are recovering nicely and are starting to bloom.

The oriental fountain grass "Karley Rose" is beautiful now.

     In our area it is a delightful day with plenty of sunshine, breezes, and low humidity.  Hope everyone has a joyful fourth, with good food and fireworks.

The Electric Garden

7/2/13

Scotch broom

      At a far front corner of the yard there are plantings I call my electric garden.  These plants were here when we moved in, and they surround a large electrical box.

     This is the garden in mid-May.  Two red Scotch broom shrubs bloom at the  back corners of the electrical box.  Scotch broom is considered invasive in some states, particularly out west.

front of  box

     At the front of the box in mid-May daisies and milkweed are starting to grow.

mid-June

     In mid-June the Scotch broom is done blooming, and the daisies and milkweed are starting to blossom.
    

July

     Now in July, the daisies and milkweed are in fulll bloom.

milkweed blossom

     Here is a close-up of a milkweed blossom.  The bees love it.

daisies

     The daisies seem so bright and cheerful.  I think I will cut some and bring them into the house.  We need some cheering up here.  It has been raining everyday for almost two weeks.  We have had ten inches of rain in June.  I need some sun!