Six on Saturday: July 11

We had a much-needed break from the 90s this week. Even temps in the mid- to high-80s with lower humidity felt comfortable compared to the high 90s with 80-90% humidity. But alas, all good things must end and the 90s are coming back next week, although thankfully it's not forecast to last as long.

We also received nearly a half-inch of rain yesterday and the garden really benefitted from getting a drink.

My gladioli started blooming this week. I love them, but so do the deer. Seeing other Six on Saturday participants sharing their gladioli last week prompted me to spray them with deterrent so I get to enjoy the blooms. It's also lucky I took this photo before yesterday's rain, because I didn't remember to stake them and they're looking a little worse for the wear today.

The first (and only so far) zinnia also bloomed this week. Zinnias are a must-have plant for me and I can't wait for more to start blooming.

The butterfly delphinium (Delphinum grandiflorum) are having a good year and I enjoy their brilliant blue color. They also look striking with this Firefly Fuchsia yarrow.

I'm not sure which mallow this is, but it cracked me up to see it for sale at the garden center for a pretty penny when it just pops up in my garden.

The wild petunia (ruellia humilis) also started blooming. I have to cage it to protect it from the deer, a common theme in this garden, no?

This balloon flower is one of the oldest plants in my garden. There used to be two, but only this one has survived. It was looking pretty desperate last year, but has enjoyed all the rain we've gotten this year.

That's my six for this week, visit Garden Ruminations to visit more gardens from around the globe.

Six on Saturday: July 4 edition

The pollinators love the coneflowers, including this red admiral butterfly

It's our sixth day in a row in the 90s, but today's high is a relatively cool 90 compared to the 97 with a heat index of 105 we've had for the past two days. I've done little in the garden besides run out to water pots and a few newly planted flowers. Luckily we've had plenty of rain so far and it rained on Sunday before the heat hit so for the most part the garden hasn't faired too badly. More seasonal temps in the 80s are forecast for the next week.

First up is my current favorite in the garden. The breadseed poppies have been blooming for a few weeks and I love seeing the variety that blooms from an heirloom seed mix I purchased a few years ago.

Here is just a sample of the variety of poppy colors and forms. I get a lot of joy from seeing what is new each day.

The beebalm and shasta daisies in the front bed are always buzzing with bees.

The firefly fuchsia yarrow started blooming this week and I love the pop of bright color it brings and how it fades to various shades of pinks as it ages.

I'm always pleased and amazed that this L.A. Dreamin' hydrangea survived another winter in the unheated garage and transformed from a sickly looking pile of sticks to being full of blooms.

For several years I avoided yellow flowers in the garden because they don't fit my standard color scheme, but then I grew some rudbeckia and how can you not love these sunny, happy blooms? Unfortunately the deer love them too, so I have to cage them.

And last but not least, the mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) is in bloom. This native has so many positives: pollinators love it, deer don't and it has a lovely long bloom time.

That's my six for the week. Visit Garden Ruminations to see what else is in bloom in gardens around the world.