I just read an article stating that Seattle has broken a record for the longest dry spell between May 20 to July 19. The last time there was this much dry weather was back in 1891. We had a very light sprinkling of rain on Saturday night, but that's it for rain. It hit at least 90 again yesterday. Many of us in this area hate to complain too much because we can have some cool and rainy summers, but the watering part is getting a little old. About once a week I take a "watering day off" where I figure the flowers can fend for themselves. So far, they've been fine.
These flowers seem to be enjoying every degree of heat they get and are blooming their heads off.
Zinnia 'California Giants Mix' that the littlest gardener planted. They've just started to bloom.
Here are the Zinnias with Echinacea 'Magnus' and Larkspur 'Shades of Blue'.
Cosmos 'Sensation Mix' another we started from seed. I love this dark pink, I think it's my favorite color so far.
Oriental Lily 'Tom Pouce' has pretty pink stripes on the edges which are a little difficult to see in the picture.
Agastache 'Pink Panther' was planted about a month ago and growing like a weed.
Echinacea 'Double Decker' isn't looking double again this year.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia alternifolia) grows much more like a giant shrub than the B. davidii. It smells so good and attracts hummingbirds.
Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) and their chocolatey centers. I always crave chocolate after I look at these, maybe it's just me.
Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina) 'Goldplate and Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' blooming together. This Yarrow does not spread or reseed.
Even warmer weather is predicted this week, and no rain in the foreseeable future. Now to decide which day will be my "watering day off".
Really pretty blooms today Catherine. I especially love zinnias and your yarrow. Living through the recent drought here in GA I am all to familiar with getting tired of watering plants!
ReplyDeleteOh Catherine. the yellow yarrow with the yellow coreopsis is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteMy double decker coneflower is not doubling this year either I wonder if they stop after a couple of years?
That Bilbo sure is a traveling fool :-) It is such a cute idea.
Weird summer for all. The last two summers we've had no rain and yet this summer we get rain, but you don't! Go figure. A cruel joke maybe. I tell you watering really stinks. Zinnias are pretty tough so you are right on with those fellas (or gal?):)
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty, bright colors in this post! I'm getting tired of watering all the areas that the sprinklers don't hit. Hopefully it will get better when things are more established and don't dry out so quickly. I just had the first couple of double-flowered blooms on my Rose Double Click Bonbon cosmos and will post pictures soon. Love the foliage. And now I'd better head out to water . . .
ReplyDeleteYour garden is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't do for 90 degree temps. :-)
Michelle
You actually have some great plants for times of drought Catherine. Beautiful..the watering everyday does get tiresome...
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I really like the first two shots. The color is so saturated, they really look great.
ReplyDeleteI love the yarrow with the coreopsis. So, how does your yarrow get any bigger if it doesn't spread or reseed.?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and flowers
ReplyDeleteEveryone is having strange weather this summer. Is it true that a lot of folks there don't even have air conditioners because the temperatures are rarely that hot? If so, they have to be miserable with this going on.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see some zinnias up there!!! Good for you!!! It was about time!!! Love seeing the cosmos as well, everything is looking good. Imagine how good our gardens would have looked if Mobile & Seattle got the rain we were supposed to get!
ReplyDeleteYour garden beams with radiance!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures?
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteYour garden is really kicking it! Sorry you are experiencing weather like we had here in NC the past three years. Now this year we have too many chilly nights and damp days, our plants are not used to it.
Lona - I just planted this 'Doubledecker' last year and didn't have any doubles then. I was hoping it just took time to get established. Maybe next year we'll both have some.
ReplyDeleteSandy - They really don't get a lot bigger which I actually like, the clump grows and that's about it. I've had another type of yarrow that spread everywhere, so I'm glad to have one that stays put.
Phillip - Most people here don't have AC which is why it's so bad. It's unusual to have this type of weather other than a few days here and there in August. Most people don't have inground sprinklers either which is why all of our grass is dead :(
No rain in Seattle? Surely you are kidding. That's like no snow in WI. Your flowers look like they are flourishing with all the attention they get with hand watering. No raindrops falling from the sky beating down on their pretty flower heads.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks lovely! The yarrow and coreopsis are a great sunny combination. The lack of rain doesn't seem to be a problem--your watering is obviously getting the job done!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, We are having (and enjoying) very cool weather here! Usually it's very hot by this time of year. I noticed it's getting a bit dry, so I began watering a few things tonight. Will do another couple of beds tomorrow. Your photos are great! This is a wonderful time of year!! :-)
ReplyDeleteAll the things flowering so well in your garden are languishing in mine because we have your wet, cool weather. Usually I have zinnias & cosmos blooming by now. This year they aren't very tall and just getting buds. I wish we could wave a magic wand and revert the weather back to "normal." I've figured out I probably could not live in Seattle (without a major adjustment) because I've missed the sun so much! I'm used to hand watering my containers & such and find it an enjoyable & relaxing job but this year, I've hardly had to do it. I hope you get some rain soon.
ReplyDeletePeople there don't have ACs? SIGN ME UP!! I hate our summers here: HOT HUMID and RAINLESS!! We have been looking for an area to live where the summers are cool and not humid - sounds like heaven.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to hot weather and watering, but your plants certainly do look happy! The Larkspur and the Zinnias look just beautiful together, and I love the Agastache 'Pink Panther'. That's funny about the chocolate craving -- I can certainly see why! The Rudbeckia really do have chocolatey centers.
ReplyDeleteWell the flowers are certainly looking fresh despite your hot weather. We just have rain and more rain, though today it is sunny which makes a nice change but no where near as warm as where you are.
ReplyDeleteHere the advice in hot weather is to give your plants a real soak about once a week as little and often makes the roots go towards the surface instead of seeking moisture further down. Not sure if that works where you are but I only tend to water plants in borders when they are beginning to droop
Your flowers definitely show off as though they love the sun more than anything! Stunning~
ReplyDeleteSam Champion was talking about your weather this morning. I feel for you! 100??? Yikes
ReplyDeleteWe had that weather pattern for several years but have had a very nice break this summer. I do feel for ya--but I don't know why as your flowers look very healthy and pretty.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for the lilies, but everything else in this picture must be loving your hot, dry weather. These are all low-water plants for Calif. gardens too.
ReplyDelete