Summer has arrived with predictable humidity and temperatures hitting the 90s; but with plentiful rain so far, I can not complain. The June garden is lush with deep green bowers edged with orange, purple, pink, and red summer flowers.
Here is a long view across the arbor by the patio:
A different angle catches the day lilies now in bloom. Planted about 60 years ago, they were here many years before we arrived. The pink flowers belong to Anthony Waterer Spirea:
Here is another view of the day lilies. Behind is a Lady in Red Hydrangea. This plant is the one of the few macrophylla hydrangeas with any blooms this year, following an unusually hard winter.
Anthony Waterer Spirea is one of my favorite shrubs. It is low maintenance, has a beautiful draping form and wonderful summer blooms:
Below are close ups of three hydrangeas currently in bloom:
Clockwise from top: Snowflake, Annabelle, and Forever Pink.
Red Cascade Rose always has masses of blooms through the summer:
Here are a few more summer bloomers:
Clockwise from top left: 'Tutti Fruitti' butterfly bush with Persian Shield on the lower right, Sedum in front of Day Lily foliage, late blooming Gumbo azalea, Day Lily.
And some pretty foliage and flower combinations for the summer:
Clockwise from top left: Persian Shield and Dusty Miller; Leopard Plant, Maidenhair Fern and Variegated Sedge; Anthony Waterer Spirea, Red Knockout Rose and Rosemary; Variegated Hosta, Coleus and Impatiens.
Foliage is a star in my garden in all seasons. These are a few of my favorites:
Clockwise from top left: Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Blue Boulevard', Sambucus racemosa 'Lemon Lace', Trident Maple, Hepatica, 'Lady in Red' hydrangea, Cercis canadensis 'Whitewater', Fatshedera, Variegated toad Lily.
Hosta Francis Williams grows in several parts of the garden:
Nothing can beat Tropicana Canna Lily for powerful color through a hot summer:
A tour of the June garden would not be complete without some views of the woodland garden:
Top: Carex 'Everillo' grows in a pot nestled amidst Impatiens. Middle: This variety of Indigofera spreads as a ground cover and has delightful early summer blooms. Bottom: Woodland rabbit; Windchimes in a tree.Nothing like a tour of a summer garden in the Deep South to work up a thirst! Now, how about a cool drink or a slice of watermelon?
Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 9:10PM 
It is filled with hundreds of hydrangeas and azaleas and myriads of other woodland plants. Winding paths take you into primeval settings of moss and ferns beneath towering trees. A charming garden house, a true retreat for the gardener, nestles in the middle of the garden.
Scriptures are etched onto stone plaques, and you can't help but be affected by the peaceful atmosphere.
One kitty went to the extent of wrapping his legs around my own and holding on for the ride. All in fun, of course, but now I know why the owner warned me to wear long pants!
