My Plants are Loving this Sultry, Soggy Summer

I think we have had over two feet of rain in June, thanks in part to tropical storm Cindy. Last year's drought is long gone, though lawns and plants are still recovering. The rain has kept temps moderate, but as soon as the sun comes out, the steamy air gives no doubt that summer is here. 

The plants are loving the tropical feel.The woodland garden looks very green and lush.

Hostas are flowering. Most of my hostas grow in pots to protect their roots from voles, which have a voracious appetite for their roots. 'Francis Williams' grows in two old urns that belonged to my grandparents, and the bees are enjoying their blooms:

I took these next images near the patio. You can see 'Francis Williams' at the bottom of the steps in the first photo. The last image with the wheelbarrow gives a peek into the vegetable garden/work area:

More June flowers around the garden:Clockwise from top left: 'Endless Summer' Hydrangea; 'Snowflake' Hydrangea; 'Stella D'Oro' Daylily; Monarda; Gardenia; A colorful daylily passed along from a friend.

I was surprised when this lovely succulent sent up a bloom after one of our all-day storms:

Down in the arbor garden an assortment of plants grow around a birdbath, including Bromeliad in a pot, Heucerella, and Autumn Fern:

'Tropicana' Canna lily is enjoying the sultry summer:

A few more images around the garden:Clockwise from top left: Eucomis; This wren kept chirping happily, even though his beak was full of worm; A pretty succulent; Iron rabbit guards the vegetable garden.

Down in  the woodland garden, shadow and light play over the wet foliage:

Cool shades of green, white, and blue dominate this shady retreat:

Clockwise from top left: This big hosta is planted in the ground. I dug out a large hole in the middle of an ancient, buried pile of crushed rock, filled it with good soil and dared the voles to find it. So far they haven't; The Garden Lady now has a spot beside the woodland steps; A fragrant, late-blooming native azalea; Peacock Fern, which is really a kind of moss; 'Whitewater' weeping Redbud tree; Peacock Fern and Lady Fern.May you find refreshment and joy this week!   Deb

Deep Green World

The shady areas of my garden are lush and restful. In July they have become a deep green world with accents of white and an occasional pop of pink, orange or burgundy. The woodlands are a welcome shelter from the white hot sun. It is not the time of year for heavy or even moderate gardening, but for languid strolls, embracing the moist tropical air and keeping a bottle of cold water at hand. I take my time. I pause to take in the overall view, then slowly search out details of individual plants.

Here are some images from my deep green world. Some views will be familiar to those who regularly follow my blog, but I like to provide images through the changing seasons:

This very old birdhouse in the Trident maple has acquired a mossy patina.

 

Ligularia

Hardy begonia

Stromanthe 'Tricolor' is a potted tropical plant that spends the winter indoors.

Variegated toad lily

Zantedeschia

Hepatica, also called liverwort

Autumn fern peeks between leaves of Hosta 'Francis Williams.'

Dracaena marginata is another tropical plant that comes inside for the winter.

A potted ivy hangs from a decorative bracket beneath a birdhouse near the entrance to the woodland garden.

The sun glinting off this fern was almost too bright, until I turned it black and white:

Hydrangea 'Lady in Red' remains one of my favorite woodland plants:

Cercis canadensis ‘Whitewater’

Clockwise from top left: Pieris japonica; Hosta 'Sum and Substance' bloom; Snowflake hydrangea; Variegated hydrangea; Limelight hydrangea; A summer-blooming native azalea.

I hope you enjoyed these views of my deep green world. Have a great week!  Deb