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“We got all wet!”
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As predicted yesterday, we had another cracker of a storm.
The day before it came on as I was going outside. I hesitated just long enough to convince myself I would not be struck by lightning, then carried on.
It reminded me of my childhood when I liked nothing better than getting thoroughly drenched.
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There’s nothing better after an oppressively hot day.
It reduced the temperature a bit, but this morning’s rounds felt like negotiating a sauna.
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The milkweed got flattened.
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The day lilies have just come into bloom, but fortunately they are in a fairly protected corner.
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The first Shasta daisy got a little bit beaten up:(
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Then there’s the sunflowers.
At least this year they came up, but whether they will survive the fungus (?) that afflicts them, remains to be seen.
The green and black beetles look happy with their substitution.
They are cucumber beetles, but we don’t have any of those.
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It’s a little annoying that Hannaford’s has a better display of flowers in their parking lot.
(Also day lilies.)
Everyone’s garden better than mine.
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My one success.
Saxifragaceae, or Japanese astilbe.
Apparently.
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It’s like candy floss.
Or cotton candy in the USA.
Instant tooth rot.
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The floral version is much nicer.
Hardy, too. It withstood the storm.
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Checking on the candy floss, I saw
..the milkweed didn’t all fall down…
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Milkweed has a rather cloying, sweet scent, a bit like frangipani. Very nice when it comes in the form of a hint.
Unfortunately it attracts flies, but it has to stay because of the monarch butterflies.
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Clover always thrives!
You just have to get down low to see it.
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One day I did a double-take when contemplating the nearly-done-for coral bells.
New growth?
It looked like something quite else.
So I had to grovel around at dirt level to check things out.
Literally to un-ravel them.
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As it happens, I like Queen Anne’s lace!
Also known as Bishop’s weed and yes, it grows prolifically.
Invasive plants are all so pretty.
But I’ll have to make sure the coral bells don’t get throttled.
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A clamouring of birds tells me it’s time for the afternoon top-up.
Which means it’s also time for a rain shower.
But that’s alright.
I love walking in warm rain.
You should be dancing in the rain, Carolyn! Beautiful photos of your beautiful garden, and your wet friends! Thank you!
Joanna x
A delightful post. Lovely to see more of the garden.
Sometimes those other gardens that look so much ” better” are the result of two things:
1. Heavy application of inorganic fertilisers and toxic pest killers and/or
2. Paid help.
Nothing wrong with the latter (if you can afford it) but the first is deadly to the eco system and counter productive in all kinds of ways.
But you know this of course.
Just keep enjoying what you have.
And thank you for sharing it with us.
I like plants and flowers but when the wildlife feast on them I am just glad to have provided a snack!
Your garden got a real battering! I have grown used to my garden being the poorest around, when compared to others. Mainly because I am a lazy gardener, and know so very little about flowers and plants.
Best wishes, Pete.
The dark skies and green hills are striking! And I love your Japanese astilbe – I’ve never seen it before. I think you give yourself too little credit for your garden and flowers – they actually look really lovely. You know, come to think of it … I like walking in (warm) rain too, but not hiking in (any) rain.