Cool Weather in July

The weather has turned cool again, which makes it much easier to keep the lawn green.

The garden is growing well with tomatoes, beans and zucchini in flower. We'll have zucchini to eat soon and beans as well.

The balloon flowers are in bloom as well as the astilbe and the lavender in the back yard. The Walmart hostas are also starting to bloom. We have large blooms on one of the hydrangea. One little Julia Child rose bloomed. It was short lived so we have to quickly clip it. It's been tough keeping the blooms off the roses although necessary for proper root growth.

In the front yard, the daisies are in full bloom as well as the campanulas. I look forward to a couple of years from now when all those plants are in bloom. The large day lilies are about ready to bloom as well. There should be a big show with all the blooms. The veronicas are starting to bloom, but I have never been happy with the flowering. They just aren't big and showy enough for my tastes.

Wayne trimmed the spirea and the barberry. They are looking well groomed and allow all the other plants to show up better. I think along the walkway could use another plant, but I'm still in doubt as to what that should be.

Over the weekend we split the iris and gave more room to the rest of the flowers. We planted a small part of them along the south side. I gave some to Julie and want to give the rest away as well, if I can find any takers.