Six on Saturday: Feels like summer

We made it through our heatwave--six days in the 90s (32C). Luckily it wasn't quite as hot or as long as expected. And we got nearly an inch of rain one day so I just had to water some of my new seedlings. Not much gardening was done beyond that.

Today is a slightly cooler 87F (30C) and is supposed to be overcast later, so I'm hoping to get in some much-needed weeding. Here is a peek at some of the new things blooming in my garden for Six on Saturday, hosted by Garden Ruminations. 

My hydrangea macrophylla 'Linsey Ann (L.A. Dreamin' hydrangea) just started to bloom a few days ago. This is its third season in my garden and while I miss the bright blue it was when I bought it, it's still pretty. It's perfectly at home in this pot on the deck, safe from nibbling deer (so far!), receiving morning sun and afternoon shade. I overwinter it in our unheated garage and am always amazed it turns from display of dead-looking sticks back to this.

This 'Firefly Fuschia' yarrow I planted last year is living up to its name. I planted it in the fall and the color was much more muted then, but I like this version too. 

This unknown version of monarda is blooming, probably a month after the wild bergamot in the back bloomed.

The common milkweed is blooming. I need to remember to grow more of this next year.

Much of the species coneflower (echinacea purpurea) received the Chelsea chop courtesy of the deer, but is starting to bloom now. Coneflower spreads like a weed in my garden, not that I mind.

Unlike me, this elephant ear loves the heat. I've had these two for years and am still amazed they spend all winter in a cardboard box in the basement, then do this.

That's it from my garden this week. Visit Garden Ruminations to see what else is in bloom from gardens around the globe.

Six on Saturday: June 21 edition

I was finally able to get out in the garden today after a few days forced hiatus thanks to a nasty case of vertigo. It was therapeutic to see what's blooming and and take some pics to share for Six on Saturday, hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations. This is the first day of an expected 9-day heatwave in our region. Today was the coolest day we'll have at 90F/32C, but at least we've had plenty of rain going into it. 

The Shasta daisies 'Alaska' are still blooming their heads off. They always strike me as such happy flowers and this is the healthiest they've looked in years.

I'm also completely enamored with the breadseed poppies (papaver somniferum) and so are the bees. I love the variety of this heirloom mix. Double poppies rarely pop up, so I had to feature this beauty.

This is my first time growing clary sage (Salvia sclarea v. turkestanica) and the deer are leaving them alone which is a nice bonus. Supposedly they smell like grapefruit, but I haven't experienced that.

The deer have been munching all of my drift rose blooms, but this one survives for now.

I haven't bought many plants this season, but couldn't resist getting these two Midnight Masquerade Penstemon last week when they were on sale at my local garden center. I love the dark foilage and they filled this hole nicely.

I was surprised to see this lily today. It must have hitched a ride with some free bearded irises I was given. I'm going to let it finish blooming and then will dig it up and pass it on as lilies are extremely poisonous to cats. I don't want to risk it since our cats enjoy "supervised visits in the wild" from time to time.

That's my six for today, don't forget to visit Garden Ruminations for more or to share your own.

June Blooms

It officially feels like summer in my central Ohio zone 6b garden. Some things are still behind, but it's heating  up and so far we're still getting enough rain to keep the garden looking fresh. It's been in the high 70s and 80s for the last week and by next weekend we're expecting to be in the 90s. The hot temps are a little too warm for me, but that's summer in Ohio.

This week I'm most excited about my favorite poppy, the breadseed poppies (papaver somniferum). These are from a heirloom mix I purchased from Select Seeds last year. I  saved and direct-sowed thos seeds in early spring and this is the result. I just love the variety and go outside each morning to see what new variations have bloomed.

This is the first dahlia to bloom this year. While pretty, it's certainly not Penhill Dark Monarch as advertised. That's the risk of buying from a big box store I guess.

And this yellow dahlia is a surprise as I thought I'd pulled the yellow dahlias last year (they don't quite fit my color scheme). But here is one I missed that survived winter. The bees will love is, so it'll stay for the season and I'll reevaluate it this fall.

'Alaska' Shasta daisies

I have a bunch of lavender and wouldn't be without it. I like to dry a bit each year to display as dried flowers in winter. And the bees love it.

bellflowers

My first-ever clary sage (Salvia sclarea v. turkestanica); bloom and it's so unique. I grew this biennial from seed last year via winter sowing and this is the first one to bloom. It has also been completely deer resistant so I plan to grow more in the future.

The lamb's ear is also blooming. It's not my favorite look, but the price was right on these (free) and the  bees have been enjoying it.

Also in bloom are salvia farinacea, pansies purchased in March (well worth it), a few coneflowers and foxglove beardtongue.

That's it for this month in my garden; visit May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming elsewhere.