Fertilizer Friday - Heat Wave.

It's Fertilizer Friday and this week has been HOT!  It was nice to wake up to overcast skies, although no rain is predicted, and the forecast of mid 80's today.  All the compost I added in early spring has paid off this summer.  It helped to hold the moisture in the soil after watering on these hot days, as well as adding organic fertilizer for the plants.  My husband even said he thought this was the best our yard has looked.  The grass is a different story, but honestly I kind of ignore the grass anyway, it would be so much nicer if there was less of it.  

The unknown pink rose is on about it's third round of flowers.

Liatris 'Kobold'

Rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus) 'Minerva'.  The one we have is grown as a standard, it's a great substitute for a place that isn't quite big enough for a tree.  This is always a late bloomer and it's flowers don't last too long, but they are very pretty while they last.

In the evening I found a big bumblebee squeezing into the bud of one of the flowers, another tried to follow it in.

This Phlox is looking great during the heat, no wilting at all, and full of flowers.  I've noticed that 'David' seems to be the most intolerant to heat, it wilts quickly.

This poor little Meyer Lemon tree was bought for us by my Father-in-Law.  I put it in the sunny side yard and kind of forgot it was there.  The leaves were crisp and falling off when I finally remembered it.  I bought a new pot and some new potting soil and it's already got a lot of new growth on it.  A few teeny tiny lemons starting too.  My in-laws are coming to visit next week and I'd have been embarrassed if they noticed it looking so bad, it was kind of expensive for such a small plant.

One flower open and a few more buds coming.  This one I smell every time I walk by.  It's a zone 9 tree, but from what I've read they can survive in the Seattle area if kept protected.  I haven't figured out what I'll do with it this winter yet.  Anyone overwinter them in Zone 8 or have any helpful hints?

Cardinal Flower (lobelia cardinalis) is a hummingbird attracter.  This is grown in a pot right in the pond.  I have another lavender one growing in a whiskey barrel.  It's interesting to see that the one growing right in the pond with lots of fish fertilizer is much further ahead of the one growing in soil.

Unknown Aster.  This is a fast growing one and will bloom into fall.

Larkspur 'Sydney Blue Picotee' is one I started by winter sowing.  It's very pretty, but I do like the 'Shades of Blue' better I think.

I hope you'll head over to Tootsie Time to find more gardeners flaunting their flowers!