The near-drought here in NW Ohio (Zone 6) has been partially relieved over the past few days, but my benign neglect and lack of watering is showing for some plants. Luckily, I try to keep my gardens stocked with hardy survivors and nothing especially needy, so I think all the established plantings (and even some new additions) will weather the dry spell just fine.
Zinnias are my new favorite annual. These four Zahara ‘Coral Rose’ zinnias I started from seed are blooming like gangbusters, and I think I only gave them a drink once all summer.
‘Green Jewel’ Echinacea is another new addition to the garden this year. I also planted Powwow White Echinacea, but it didn’t do as well with its lack of continued water after the initial watering-in.
Of the five ‘Moonwalker’ sunflowers I started this year, only this one survives. It’s a trooper, though, because it’s still sending up new blooms after the old ones got munched off by a hungry squirrel.
In the category of stalwart blooms, both the purple and white Rose of Sharon have hit their summer stride.
My only complaint about Rose of Sharon is that it reseeds so prolifically, I could probably run an Althea nursery if I really wanted.
Even the lamium had dropped all its blooms and gone wilty, but just a little rain perked it right back up again. I swear, this ground cover is in bloom nearly all year long.
I’m not sure precisely what this perennial is, but it comes back every summer and brightens a boring section of my back yard.
Not only was last winter harsh enough to kill the butterfly bush to the ground, but the summer drought was harsh enough to keep it from going as bonkers as it usually does by this point. Overall, it looks a little sad right now.
The tree-form panicle hydrangea is never fazed by any weather, and I love it for that. So do the bumblebees.
This unidentified white rose seems to be featured in every one of my Bloom Day posts from May through October every year, even though it’s not anything particularly special… but, dang, it’s reliable.
David Austin ‘Heritage’ English Rose is a touch fussier than the other roses on my property, but it’s blooming happily this year, despite the dry spells.
Another reliable bloomer is this Dortmund climbing rose. I need to install something for it to climb on that’s not the fence I share with my neighbor. Also, I’m not sure what has decided to grow in amongst it, but it doesn’t look bad, so I decided to leave it there.
Does anyone know what this is? At first I thought it was some sort of phlox, but I don’t think that’s right. It’s some sort of weed/volunteer plant that finds its way into several of my borders every year. It’s not too ugly or scraggly, so I leave it for the splash of brightness it offers.
I identified this aggressive ground cover at some point, but I forget what it is. I yank it all out when I can, but it’s not a super high priority, because at least it has pretty blue flowers.
I would adore this morning glory if I could figure out a way to make it stay put. As it is, not only does it cover the fence it was apparently meant to cover, but it creeps up the ornamental grasses and into the lacecap hydrangea if I don’t keep it in check.
Here’s another unidentified weed/volunteer that pops up every summer. I like the chartreuse leaves and the pink blooms, so I don’t tear it out if it lands in a good spot.
I have a definite love/hate relationship with the Maypop Passion Flower. I waffle between loving its blooms (like the bumblebees do) and hating its predilection for invading everything in sight and making my borders look like a jungle in about three days. Currently, I’m on the warpath again — I pulled it all out of the daffodil bed, and am planning to save a container or two of it before attempting another multi-year assault.
As always, many thanks to Carol of May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day on the fifteenth of every month!