Aurora's Blog

Hard to believe that it's the end of July! Despite the incredibly hot and humid summer we are having, my gardens have never looked better. I think it's from everything I have learned here :)

My Crepe Myrtle "trees"- they are still the size of small shrubs-  are  blooming like crazy and I think they look better than any of the trees around here. My Brugmansia has it's first bloom, the Cleomes are are looking wonderful (boy am I glad they decided to volunteer there), the Four O'Clocks and Tithonia are blooming wonderfully as well, leading the eye to the already impressive Joe-Pye. Even though the crocasimia is done, it's foliage still adds interest on either side of the blooming St. John's Wort type of plant. The Butterfly Weed is simply amazing, and this is it's first year! I can't wait to see how it does next year :)

In another bed, the Buddleia is putting on a beautiful show, more Four O'Clocks and Italian White sunflowers are adding their happy faces, and the Gloriosa Daisy is blooming strong. I just love how long the blooms last. The pink and yellow Lantana is blooming like crazy  although it is being hidden by some unknown shrub, as well as yet another Phlox hidden behind an as yet unblooming plant and the buddleia (I'll move those around in the fall)

The fence bed has never looked so nice. Even though the daylillies are done, the Painted Lady Runner Beans, Four O'Clocks, and Tithonia have kept up the show, soon the Mexican Evening Sunflowers and Goldenrod "Fireworks" will add their beauty. The Giant Pampas grass is beginning to add their plumes- I enjoy watching those sway in the breeze. I need to take a pic of that bed tomorrow :(

Moving on to the Wisteria beds, After being pruned the wisterias are putting out a few new blooms, the white Phlox is blooming a second time- a first for it! The Joe-Pye and Tansy are giving nice contrast to one another, Agastache "Blue Fortune" is busy attracting lots of bees, and the Verbena is hiding the fact that the Liatris is through. The Cardinal Flower is blooming nicely in it's secluded spot- it will be moved this fall as well.  The patch of volunteer Black-eyed Susan's are a welcome addition with their smiling faces too. Have found lots of "holes" that will need to be filled next year :)

The Fern and Hosta beds are the only ones that haven't done so well this year, probably due to the heat. But the Witchazel is setting out flower buds for the fall. The Fatsia has doubled in size, and the Mahonia has grown quite a bit as well! I think after some re-arranging, relocations, and new additions in the fall and spring those beds will be something wonderful next year!

Here's the latest pic of my Elephant ears. They'll be covering the window by frost I am sure!

Hope everyone has enjoyed the brief tour of my July gardens. Too bad none of those pictures do the plants justice :(

Have fun gardening :)