More thoughts on editing.

As I stroll around with the third cup of coffee of the day, taking a break from cleaning the mess in the basement, I'm making notes of plants I really like and want to keep. Daylilies, mostly brown and crispy now, will remain. Of course, the large clumps of stargazers will still be there next year. I may divide some this summer once the blooms fade. The fragrance is heady and thick today.



I watered a bit on Monday, and noticed the first buds of the Zuni crape myrtle. This one is supposed to be a small tree, about 12' tall when mature.



Helenium mixes well with my favorites. Instead of flopping like the Black Eyed Susans do, they've remained upright and proud. I'll divide these and move them around to add more color to rather blah areas.



I want more coneflowers too. Lots more coneflowers. And a few more coneflowers.



Agastache comes in several varieties already in my garden. I'd like to actually see some of the new ones that I wintersowed, but they're still tiny. Some haven't grown at all since I planted them out months ago.



At least it rained last night and this morning. The weatherguy says we got about 1/4", but I know there was more that fell in my yard. It's actually drizzling now. This afternoon and during the evening, we've got more chances for storms. Bring it on. The naked rain dance worked.

It's 77 degrees. The high today might reach the mid-80s. What a relief.

Stargazers, Hibiscus, Coneflowers, and a Boat

It's 88 degrees. The yard has been mowed. The smell of fresh cut grass hangs in the air, mingling with the scent of the stargazers.



Pinks and reds have replaced the blues and purples of spring. Orange and yellow dot the landscape.



I've got them all over the yard. I'll buy more next spring. I missed my chance this year.



The hot pink Luna has joined the fray.



Turn of the Century is starting to get on my nerves. It's very floppy. This is the third year I've grown this plant and it just refuses to stand up. Maybe it needs more sun. The blooms are still worth it.



With a day off, and a high of 97 in the forecast with no rain, I'm heading to the lake. The parents brought it up yesterday. The challenge of photographing becomes more difficult. Do I want to show the firewood pile, or the big pink and cerulean boat parked in the driveway? What about the red of the truck. I think it clashes. Who cares? It's a boat. And yes, it will pull it out of the water at the end of the day, thank you very much.

Some of my favorites

It's that time of year. I love stargazers. The colors and the fragrance are everything I enjoy about flowers. A bouquet will be brought inside tomorrow to scent the house.



Luna Red is really putting on a show.



From either side, the huge blooms are spectacular this year.



Zinnias. Finally something other than pink.



Last night, Carla stopped by and we talked. We went to pay a visit to a guy that has admired my yard. I asked her to see if he would share a few blue agave pups from his huge specimen in the front yard. I dug two and potted them just before dark. I plan to move the snowball bush near the succulent bed and install one of these in its place. His survived the winter just fine, even as temperatures dipped to 11 degrees and stayed below freezing for 2 weeks.



Oh, what I wouldn't give for just a little of that cold now. It's 82 degrees. The high today will again reach the mid to upper 90s. A 30% chance of storms this evening repeats for the next 4 days.

Misty Morning.

Last night's rain gave us three-quarters of an inch. The yard, as expected, was refreshed this morning. People seem nicer. Heat and lack of rain makes the customers grouchy. More is expected tonight and Friday.

The Stargazers are cracking. This year, they're almost 5' tall.



The centerpiece of the Crape Myrtle bed is blooming.



It's a hot pink.



The wall of butterfly bushes have grown in completely to block the backyard.



You have to turn the corner before you can see back here. It's filling in nicely. The meadow, not so much. As usual, click to embiggen.



It's 82 degrees, sunny, and muggy. The high today is forecast to reach the upper 90s. Someone mentioned 100 degrees at the store. In any case, it's going to be hot.

Wind day.

I'm off for two days starting just over an hour ago. It's been a long day. I left piles of things for others to get done while I'm not there. I don't expect much to be accomplished in that time. They're going to be too busy with temperatures in the mid 70s and sun in the forecast.

Out back, the red clover in the meadow has burst forth.



The peach tree is still blooming. I got buzzed by a couple of bees this afternoon.



The redbud is about to put on a show.



More periwinkle. The whole backyard is covered in blue flowers.



Out front, the daffodils are looking good. Over the next few years, I will add more each fall, either from purchases or through digging my own from The Wild. One day, I'll rebuild the ugly steps. I'm waiting for a sale on concrete.



In the perennial bed, lilies.



Clematis



The dark maroon tip of a stargazer has emerged from the leaves.



Green and variegated sedum foliage is holding up fine to both wind and cool nights.



Bloody Dock.



The only brown patch left in the yard is designed to be that way. Compost and leaf mulch will be spread soon over cardboard to create the new fragrant bed.



It's 64 degrees and sunny. The wind has been blowing all day. Tomorrow, 75. I can't wait. I already need a nap.

Dusk

It's that time of the evening when the dog next door isn't barking, there are no C-130s doing practice runs over the town, the train is still an hour away, no sirens, no helicopters leaving the hospital, and no thumping bass from the cars on Montgomery Avenue. It's the time of evening when the crickets start their songs. The lightning bugs are everywhere. The fading smell of the stargazers next to the front steps is still intoxicating. The air is beyond dry. Nothing moves. It's perfect.

Coming Home

It's always nice to return after a couple days away to find new surprises in the garden.

Cherry Brandy rudbeckia


Turn of the Century hibiscus


Love those Luna Reds


More stargazers


More sunflowers


Brugmansia buds are growing large


pink bee balm


More tomatoes


Either squash or cucumbers have germinated


It's 86 and sunny. No rain at all this weekend. Looks like it'll be another late night of moving the sprinkler after work. No rain in the forecast til Sunday.

Two of my favorites

Stargazer Lily.



Luna Red.



10:23am - For the third time this year, I've had to water the potager. Between yesterday afternoon and this morning, everything has gotten a good drink of water. PM thunderstorms are in the forecast for Friday and Monday. I hope they're right. It's very dry here with no rain since June 14. This winter, I need to install a micro-irrigation system around the yard. I'm wasting a lot of water using the hose and sprinklers.