I confess – summer is not my favourite season. Weird, you might think, since I’m Canadian and winters are cold, and logically I should welcome the heat of summer. Not so much though, since in my area of the country, summer heat usually comes with humidity, mosquitoes and long dry spells. So far (I know, day one, but still…) this summer is true to climactic form, and, long indolent evenings notwithstanding, autumn is beckoning….
In the meantime, here are six things in my garden today (photos taken early yesterday morning, when everything was perky and the light quite lovely). A few are leftovers from spring but most are true summer performers. To see other groups of six from around the world, including those from gardens where today is the first day of winter, head on over to The Propagator’s site.
This is a Preston lilac – not really evocative of summer but it’s the last of the lilacs to bloom over here. Prestons were originally bred at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa (a government run farm that, as the name suggests, conducted trials to develop plants to withstand the Canadian climate) and have a lovely, delicate scent. I’m quite proud of this one – it was planted originally in the far back of the property, where it did well until recent years, when many shrubs and trees have perished or have suffered from changing weather and drainage patterns. I transplanted it to a new spot two years ago and this year, like a small miracle, it has bloomed again.
Finally, peonies don’t seem to care that it’s summer, they’re still going strong. Or they would be, if we had a bit of rain and cooler temperatures to perk them up. On the right is ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ – the last variety to bloom here; it’s such a sturdy flower with multiple side blooms that will, with luck, keep opening for another few weeks. On the left is an unknown variety – I love how the magenta petals appear to be edged in powdered sugar.
For me, it’s one of those flowers your eyes pass over, until you start looking and see them here and there. I only have this bunch in the garden because its foliage was so striking last year – I transplanted the small clump of basal leaves from where it has grown naturally, in an untended part of the field, into the garden proper. Now I’m not sure if it will die (is it a biennial??) or if it will scatter seeds all over and become a thug…
My ox-eyes are growing along the ground after being weighed down by rain. Though they should bounce back. The hoverflies are still enjoying whichever way they grow.
Interesting you should say that – there’s always so much attention paid to bees as they pollinate away (from me, often!) but when you look closer, there’s a heck of a lot more types of insects doing their thing as well.
I tend to view our summers in the same light. You do have lots of lovely colour in your garden. The meadow flowers are beautiful, as is the geranium. The pea flower is just beautiful too – colour and edible peas!! Glad the lilac survived the transplanting.
Wonderfully vivid shade of geranium, whatever its cultivar. My “lawn” had just stopped producing buttercups, daisies, and Black-eyed Susans. Time for the mower.
Summer isn’t my favorite either! But your and my peonies in early summer make it almost worthwhile, Chris. That magnolia blossom pea is outrageously beautiful. I will need to grow this!
Interesting I have if not the same a very similar Coreopsis here. Have had a very difficult time getting it going but it has produced seed and I am hoping for more. That Lilac is fabulous. And summer is my least favorite season!
So, let’s agree that it is a Max Frei. Lovely it is too. I’ve got an unknown variety and it’s time to give it a name. Therefore, as seo amach, I shall call it Mousseau! So there…
Gorgeous flowers and I’ve just noticed- not many buttercups around here!
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For me, it’s one of those flowers your eyes pass over, until you start looking and see them here and there. I only have this bunch in the garden because its foliage was so striking last year – I transplanted the small clump of basal leaves from where it has grown naturally, in an untended part of the field, into the garden proper. Now I’m not sure if it will die (is it a biennial??) or if it will scatter seeds all over and become a thug…
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My ox-eyes are growing along the ground after being weighed down by rain. Though they should bounce back. The hoverflies are still enjoying whichever way they grow.
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Interesting you should say that – there’s always so much attention paid to bees as they pollinate away (from me, often!) but when you look closer, there’s a heck of a lot more types of insects doing their thing as well.
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I am so jealous of your wild flower meadow. I wish I had space for one. The photo of the Coreopsis takes the eye as well.
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Yes – coming from a huge city, I know my space is a luxury I’m always very thankful for!
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My coreopsis is in buds and should soon flower. Canada has caught up with Europe! 😂
Very pretty flowers of Preston Lilac
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It had to happen sooner or later eh? Our growing season is so much shorter when it finally heats up everything just take off!
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I tend to view our summers in the same light. You do have lots of lovely colour in your garden. The meadow flowers are beautiful, as is the geranium. The pea flower is just beautiful too – colour and edible peas!! Glad the lilac survived the transplanting.
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It really makes veggie gardening enjoyable when they look as good as any ornamental, eh?
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Definitely!
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Your “meadow” is wonderful! I love buttercups.
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🙂
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Wonderfully vivid shade of geranium, whatever its cultivar. My “lawn” had just stopped producing buttercups, daisies, and Black-eyed Susans. Time for the mower.
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My black eyed Susans have yet to bloom – likely a week or two away, assuming we get some rain!!
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Summer isn’t my favorite either! But your and my peonies in early summer make it almost worthwhile, Chris. That magnolia blossom pea is outrageously beautiful. I will need to grow this!
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You’re right, and yes, the pea is wonderful, especially since it blooms at eye level – no stooping necessary!
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Interesting I have if not the same a very similar Coreopsis here. Have had a very difficult time getting it going but it has produced seed and I am hoping for more. That Lilac is fabulous. And summer is my least favorite season!
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I’ve been to Florida in January….I can only imagine the humidity in July!!
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To truly experience humidity you have to be here for a hurricane…the hot breath of the angry Atlantic Ocean is like nothing else weatherwise.
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I’m shuddering, thinking about it.
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Me too
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Lovely photos Chris. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but the meadow does look lush.
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Thank you! Less lush by the hour, it seems, as our heat wave and rainless days continue…
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Our lack of winter chill is why we do not grow peonies. We get plenty of summer, but not enough winter.
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So, let’s agree that it is a Max Frei. Lovely it is too. I’ve got an unknown variety and it’s time to give it a name. Therefore, as seo amach, I shall call it Mousseau! So there…
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😆😆😆 Finally, immortalized in a plant name!!!
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There may be royalties? Gardeners need a few bucks to keep on gardening!
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😁
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