Ah, my precious marigolds…they are a-browning in this heat. Some of the yellows are still pushing out some blooms, but the bicolored ones have failed to make a showing lately. I thought that the irregular watering provided by the sprinklers over the patio would be enough to sustain them, but it seems these petite little annuals need to have their feet constantly wet. I will need to be more industrious about keeping them watered on a daily basis. The temperatures are starting to rise to uncomfortable levels–I’ve noticed that we’ve already experienced a few ozone alerts in the area.
Daylily dreamin’
Dearest Spot,
Thank you for the lilies, my dearest. You do not know how glad I am to see such beauty. This past Sunday I paid a visit to ChopperJim‘s house and he showed me a side yard which lay barren. He once told me I could plant anything I wanted in that garden when he first installed sprinklers. It was a tempting offer at the time, but I knew it would not truly be my own. I await the day when we will find that little patch of heaven-on-earth we call home and plant/grow our own garden. When I first gazed upon the photos you sent me, I grew nostalgic for my own lilies that grew tall and bloomed brilliantly about this time of year. The daylilies would follow suit immediately after and bloom nearly all summer long. I think I favor the red lilies best of all…they drew the bees, birds and butterflies from all over with their bright colors, so I am quite fond of the short red border lilies you have pictured.
We must visit the Arboretum again…you made sure to capture very pleasant memories of our trip there, and of course, I got my lily fix as well. Very soon, my love, this distance will not be such an obstacle to our plans for happy gardening and fantastic dining adventures.
I love you.
Caladiums on Deck
I’m catching up on my gardening activities from last week. This past Memorial Day weekend, I relocated the purple potato vines to their own pots to keep a couple of newcomers, caladiums, company. In their place I planted 2 Chocolate Chip Ajuga that I picked up from Walton’s Garden Center.
New callas of May
The callas are blooming. First up: Flame. These blooms display brilliant yellow, with a touch of orange or red. I am assuming that as the weeks go on, they will deepen in color per their namesake. As an aside, the single blooming purple flower of my Devil’s Wine calla has barely faded but held its true shape. It’s a testament to how long-lived these calla blooms are!
My Blossom Farm order came in last week, but 2 of the lavender plants I ordered do not appear to be faring very well. I’ve been keeping a close watch on them, but it appears the smallest of the 4 has given up the ghost. I’ve messaged Blossom Farm for assistance…perhaps they are not beyond rescue. I’m just glad that I have one each of the 2 larger specimens, Coconut Ice and White Provence.
I’m not too thrilled with the Bewitched Purple potato vine (which appears to be mislabeled) threatening to take over my planter. While the palmate shape of the leaves are attractive, they are much too large and overshadowing the neighboring plants. I intend to pull it out as soon as I can find a suitable replacement, preferably a petite-leaf purple potato vine, similar to the compact bright green potato vine (which may be a Sweetheart Light Green) in the other planter.
Today is an example of a perfect morning on the patio, cool weather and warm sun. I should invest in a folding patio set. Perhaps I can shop for one this holiday…if the fiance will let me out of bed this weekend. 😀
On the patio again…
It seems my pups have a taste for dill. My poor dill plants have been nibbled and grazed on. Methinks I need new dill plants. Also, my lavender plants came in last week…I managed to get them onto the patio this weekend…before the pups did any more damage to them. But the photos demonstrate that the herb garden is thriving despite the attention of vegetarian pups.
