Dog days of July

We are suppose to limit our outdoor activities today because we have a heat index of 110.  OMFG!  That is ridiculous.  I took the opportunity to water the plants that are in the shade, and give the dogs a bath.  Other than planting a cactus, there is not much I can do in this weather.  I have managed to go out a take a photo or two, and then run back into the house.  All kidding aside, it is much better than a foot of snow and no foliage, so I will not bitch.  Just trying to keep the gardens watered and looking good for the Anniversary party is going to be a job.  I know, an irrigation system is definitely needed.  Maybe that can be a fall or spring project, if I can figure out how to do it without spending big bucks.

Here is a few things that are going on in the gardens.

The new Hosta bed on the west side of the house.  I was given these interlocking blocks and found the perfect spot in the yard to use them.

If you recall, I started the Luna Hibiscus from seed last year.  They had a few blooms last year, but this year, they are demanding attention.

 

More Oriental Lilies

 Tiger Lilies

 Not sure what these lilies are called, but they are one of my favorites.

 She smells as good as she looks.

The Balsam impatiens that reseed themselves each year.

Pink

 Purple

 Red

The Pink Cleome has decided to get out of control, which is fine with me.

Five of the nine Canna lilies are blooming.

The Autumn Joy Clematis should be in bloom next month.

Cleome correction

Turns out we do not have two different purple Cleome plants as I had previously posted.

Purple Cleome

One of the purple plants is really pink.  Who knew.

Here are a few more Lilies that have bloomed.

Stargazer

Our 4 O'clocks are starting to bloom. 

 This is one of the last spots in the yard that needed some love.  It was time I started to do something about this eye sore. 

My sister had some Hosta's that she wanted thinned out.  Say no more, I was on it.  I am planning on putting some large paver's down under the water faucet, and I must get something to hold the garden hose.

It might be unnecessary to talk about the Plumeria cutting so soon, but I can't contain my excitement.

This is the original plant that I took the cuttings from. 

The first cutting to leaf out.

The second cutting to leaf out.

The third cutting to show signs of leafing out.

Random updates

Our Kroger Hydrangea bloom is looking better everyday.

 But unfortunately, still only one bloom.

Endless Summer Hydrangea bloom.

So far, we have only had the Purple Cleome (Spider plants) bloom.  We are keeping our eyes open for the Pink plants to bloom.  Just putting it out there, would love to have White Cleome, just sayin.

 Though they are both Purple, there is a subtle difference in color in the two plants.

The birthday Banana is coming along just fine.

Elephant ears are thriving in their new home.

 The Balsam Impatiens are waist high despite the fact that they want to wilt in late afternoon.   In my experience they just wilt when it gets too hot, regardless if they have just had water.  Once the temp cools down they perk right up.

 The Moon plant blooms stay open until almost noon each day.

 If I am being honest, I did not think that the Canna Lilies would bloom this year.  Two of our plants have proven me wrong.  Yeah.

The Castor plants are not growing as fast as I thought they might, but they are holding their own.  They are right around 4 feet tall, and one is starting to set a seed pod.

The Pink and Red Swamp Mallows are putting on buds.  I was worried that they might not have enough sunshine to bloom.

 I find it interesting that the buds are growing on each plant differently.

This has nothing to do with gardening, but I am going to share anyway.  I am putting together my parents 50th wedding anniversary this summer.  Of course, anything I do, I must do on a dandelion budget, so let the games begin.  I am planning on having a cupcakes in place of a "wedding/anniversary cake".  I need an attractive way to display the cupcakes, so...

Mother and I are quite proud of this endeavor.  A few serving trays, candlesticks, a flower pot and some acrylic glue.  What do you think?

Muggy days

It has been a hot muggy bitch here lately, so needless to say, not a lot getting done in the gardens.  Even with all the heat, I have managed to collect a few more starts for the gardens. I might bore you with the new additions at a later posting, but for now, none are ready for a close up.  I do however have a few more Day lily blooms that I have not posted.

 This one is a beautiful Salmon color, I don't believe the picture does her justice.

 Now if she were a paint swatch, she might be called Peach Sorbet or Peaches and Cream.  Thoughts?

If you recall, late winter/early spring I had collected some Crocosmia seeds from one of my cousin's plants.  I had three seedlings emerge, and I planted them on the edge of the Herb garden.  I recently stopped back by my cousin's house to see if the plants I collected the seed from, were in bloom, and sure enough, they were.

Crocosmia are related to Gladiolas and Iris, you can tell from the foliage.

Here are a few more of my cousin's flower's that I would like to get a start of.  I see a plant swap in our future.

Balloon Flower

 I have a Day lily called Red Ribbons that is very similar to this one.

 This is an Orange version of my Lemon Lily, IMO.

Today I had two surprises in the Serenity garden.  The first surprise, was noticing that my Casa Blanca Oriental Lily was in bloom.

I was so busy admiring the lily that it took me a few minutes to notice this little angel about 4 feet away.

Did you see the little bunny in the lower center of the photo?  Now I know that some people might just die, if they saw a bunny in their gardens, however, I am not that person.  I love to see the little bunnies.  They could not possibly eat that much.  Now the damn deer on the other hand, omg.  Those little bastards can eat every flower in the garden. lol. 

Since I am talking about deer, here is a question.  I have about six deer that visit every night.  They don't technically get into the gardens each night, but they are right beside the driveway.  They seem to be drawn to this patch of dirt each night.  They are eating or licking the dirt.  Is this normal, and has anyone ever heard of such a strange habit?  Or do I just have dirty deer? lol