Clematis 'Perle d'Azur'
There were three Dahlias sprouting underneath the sweet pea jungle, and an Aloe that needs rehab:
I've chopped the sweet pea plants into the smallest pieces possible with hedge clippers to use as mulch or to go into the compost.
No landfill for you!
Other activity: nurturing the Cosmos and Marigold seedlings along to plantable size: Bigger already:
Seed growing has become easier via--suprise!--practice.
I ended up with 18 Marigold seedlings and 60(!) Cosmos seedlings. Skipping Zinnias this year--instead a Marigold or Cosmos plant in every empty sunny spot. Will the Cosmos be as joyful the Zinnias were last year? We'll see.
First Cosmos flowers:
One new thing I need to learn is grape vine management. The small cutting of 'Suffolk Red' seedless table grape I stuck on a whim near 'Perle d'Azur' Clematis in the early winter of 2022-23 has grown faster than expected. Pre-knee surgery early this spring I thought to pot up the little 12"/30cm tall plant and give it away, but didn't get to it.
Not 12" tall in June:
I couldn't get control of the original vine in the rodent-free cage in time, either.
Baby grapes available for raiding:
Why did all the bunches appear outside of the cage?
We're going to need a bigger cage:
It's okay. It's a learning experience. At least the Clematis doesn't seem to mind the cutting-grown grape. Yet.
Lavender 'Provence' preparing for its early summer bloom:
'Queen of Elegance':
'Apricot Cream':
Agapanthus 'Atomic Bloom' is claimed to rebloom later in the summer. We'll see:
Leucadendron 'Ebony' is happier in a pot than it ever was in the ground. I've killed several planted ones.
Clematis--either 'Niobe', 'Ernest Markham' or 'Bourbon'
The delicate pastels of 'Endless Summer' Hydrangea are more spring than summery, but make me sigh anyway:
Must be careful not to let the Foxgloves reseed.
'Munstead Wood'. The fragrance is as delicious as the color:
There's the "rescued" Zantedeschia--a flower!
Under the growing Oak, but the area still gets plenty of afternoon sun:
First Dahlia! Bought last year and it never flowered:
There's a female Oriole on the 3rd flower cluster from the bottom, left side. Two males were battling over the flowers and flew off. The female zipped it for sips of nectar:
Peak of perfection for Trachelospermum jasminoides:
'Prunetucky Summer' flowers have been long lasting because of the mild weather:
Peak Leucanthemum, too:
'The Prince' with another Foxglove that must not go to seed:
The buds of Agapanthus are charming gnome-hats:
From chartreuse to the palest pale blue...June's doings. It's a wonder I can get anything done--so many delightful distractions. What garden delights are distracting you today? What's June done?
I love your Clematis and your gorgeous roses, especial 'Apricot Cream'. Your Hydrangeas make me want to try growing one again, maybe in a large pot. Congratulations on your success with the seeds! I just direct sowed Zinnia seeds after planting out my sprouted dahlias, a late start but then it hasn't really been all that warm here yet. The lily stalks all seem to be up but I think they're stubbornly awaiting more sun.
ReplyDeleteLast year I direct sowed some Zinnias and some in six-packs and something ate all the direct-sowed seedlings. Grr.
DeleteHydrangeas give so much for so little effort. Sure they are "old lady flowers"--they demonstrate the wisdom of old ladies!
June is treating you well.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed!
DeleteBeautiful! I started deadheading perennials yesterday, and I think I was a bit late on a couple of those foxgloves Oops! Love the hydrangea, which would be burned & charred here. The orioles are so cute to watch, we only get them here for a few weeks, if we're lucky.
ReplyDeleteThe orioles are here for months and spend a lot of time drinking the nectar from the various Grevilleas, Aloes, and Agaves. Happy to have planted flowers they love.
DeleteThe hydrangeas take up a lot of space, but they give so much for so little effort. Well established and on the north side of the wall, they don't demand that much water.
When I saw the title of this post, I knew you'd talk about June Gloom. I'd love some of that so much. We'll be in the mid-90s today, crossing the 100 mark tomorrow. The plants aren't happy, but they're still happier than the gardener!
ReplyDeleteMay-Gray and June-Gloom make the summer 2 months shorter than it otherwise would be--heaven! Sorry to hear NorCal is already heating up.
DeleteAll those beautiful plants and blooms you showed in the wide shots--lovely! I enjoyed your thoughts and photos of the Sweet Peas, and as you say they're great for compost when it's their time. I mean, every plant and photo is gorgeous. June is stunning in your garden!
ReplyDeleteJune has been wonderful, a thrill. So happy to see the plants so happy, you know?
DeleteI just bought one of those wine-red clematis...(I'll have to check on the name), the color of those blooms knocked my socks off!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm in a mood for red: I find your 'Munstead Wood' rose so enchanting... being fragrant makes it a perfect rose.
I've had Foxglove in my garden for many years: its elegant flower spires add much beauty and are a magnet for bees. I love this common garden plant despite being a prolific re-seeder and a VERY successful germinator. Seedlings are so easy to pick off I let a few go to seed.
I remember when you sowed your foxglove... are you happy with the turn out?
Chavli
The foxglove have been really fun. I've enjoyed them quite a lot and they were very easy. I have spots picked out for some next year.
DeleteIt's been a banner year for foxglove. As you say, must not let them go to seed! Munstead Wood - instant favorite for that color, like a deep red velvet cake. I've got to get planting up seedlings of my own - marigolds, sweet williams, primulas. Then, the big task will be keeping them watered through the summer dry!
ReplyDeleteThat's the challenge here, too!
Delete