Hot Begins

This week is the first week that it has been really hot. Wayne watered the lawn for the first time. We have to do something to water the south side of the garage better. Wayne tried to soaker hose but was really discouraged with the uneven water patterns. We decided to use the system we had left from the garden. It works well there and would do a better job of keeping things wet along that area. The flowers get dried out as well as the grass since it's on a hill and gets the south sun plus the reflection from the light siding on the garage.

Wayne has put grass clippings on the garden which will help keep the weeds down. Monday we spent 2 hours out there working. Things are looking great but there is more to do.

The coreopsis is in bloom as well as the stell o dora day lilies. We have some asiatic lilies in bloom and the cat mint. The grass is doing a little better on the south side, but still looks pretty rough. The clumps may have been too old to move properly. The hydrangeas are also starting to bloom. They are still very young plants but I am pleased the are doing well.

Clematis

The clematis is in full bloom. It is never been more beautiful.

Name: Clematis
Variety: Marie Louise
Color: Purple
Height: 10-15'
Type: Vine
Sun: Shade
Bloom Time: Mid-May

These two we purchased at Lowes. They were $6 each, which really isn't much for the wonderful flowers and the years of growth. I planted them behind the arborvitae under the tall deck. I am training them to fill the area. This is the 4th year and they are blooming the most we've ever seen.

More Great Weather

We had little time to do anything outside this week. Wayne did get the iris trimmed and some weeding up the path. Other than that, the spirea are still spectacular and the stella odoro day lilies are blooming. We have some white on the campanulas. I need to get pictures of a few more of these to add to my flower list. There are loads of buds on the daisies and veronicas. I look forward to those blooming as well.

It has turned really warm but we've had gobs of rain and not needed to water anything lately. That won't last, but right now we are enjoying this heavenly weather.

Beautiful Weather

We've had really wonderful weather. Lots of sun and some rain on Saturday morning. The lawn is green and hasn't needed to be watered. The plants are growing well. So far we haven't lost anything out of the garden.

The iris have expired so now it's time to split and move some. I did some trimming off the peony. They are still blooming along the east. The spirea are beautifully in bloom and other plants are budding ready to bloom. The clematis have been exceptionally beautiful this year.

The oriental poppies have bloomed so I am hoping that they will make it through the summer and survive the winter. I want my money back if they don't. As as luck would have it, they are a beautiful red.

Fertilizer

Last night the weather was perfect for getting in the stakes.
In the front:
1 each for the lilac
1 each for the pear tree
1 each for the tulip tree
1 in between the arborvitae
1 rose stake for the weigela

South:
1 in between the yews

In the back:
1 each for the red bud and the dogwood trees
1 in between the arborvitae
1 in between the spirea
1 inbetween the forsythia
1 for butterfly bush
1 each for the blue spruce

Roses:
1 small each

No Rain

We've had wonderfully cool weather all week but no rain. Yesterday we spent time out watering. Everything but the petunias by the park bench needed water.

We dug up the grass in the lower south planter and added two bags of top soil. Wayne turned everything over. We planted the pussy toes and the garlic chives. I did have two little plants of regular chives left that I planted. I do hope that they grow. I was not able to find a regular chives plant this year so far. The other one was just taken over by grass and by the vine. Now that the vine is gone, we can keep it free of grass and cultivate perennials there.