Sunday, July 20, 2014

A "Normal" Summer

I've only lived here in central Ohio for ten years, which still seems long enough to notice patterns in the weather. But every time I think that I've got it, I realize that I don't. Summer in particular just baffles me. Most of the time, it's just hot and dry. We've watched storms pass to our north countless times, without giving us a drop. In response to this, I use mostly plants that are drought tolerant. Makes sense, right?
Snapdragons Tall Ribbon Mix
Rudbeckia Goldsturm
Only it doesn't. Every few years, we have a "normal" summer, with plenty of rain. I must admit, it's wonderful to have most of the water we need. And my dry-loving plants seem to take it in stride, so they must have the drainage they need. But I noticed something interesting.
Pennisetum Karly Rose
Pennisetum Karly Rose

Pennisetum Karly Rose
In the years when we have plenty of rain, I get way more blooms out of my flowers, even those that supposedly don't like much water! I can't figure it out.
Monarda Jacob Clline
Sunset Hyssop
Endless Summer hydrangea
I've come to the conclusion that I may own plants that actually need more water than I thought. The most amazing difference I've seen this year is with my phlox plants. I had almost forgotten that I even owned phlox Nicky and phlox Pixie Miracle Grace, because they are always so stingy with their blooms. Not this year! This year, they are making themselves known. Perhaps the bitter cold winter gave them a boost?

Phlox Nicky

Phlox Pixie Miracle Grace
This one is new this year, so I can't judge if this is how well it always blooms. I've never had enough blooms from any of them to actually smell there fabulous fragrance. This year, that fragrance perfumes the whole area. I think I need more of them. Fragrance is crucial in my garden.
Phlox Purple Flame snuggling up with a mandevilla
  Phlox David has always done fairly well, but this year it's blooming like crazy. I've decided that all of the phlox just need more water than I give them.
Phlox David


  I've grown Nigella, or Love-in-a-Mist for years, simply letting the seeds fall where they will for the next year. This year, I actually dropped some new seed, and have been rewarded with the prettiest blooms ever. I won't leave this to chance anymore.
Nigella or Love-in-a-Mist
Nigella/Love-in-a-Mist
Nigella seed pods
The coneflowers have really surprised me. Being a drought tolerant native plant means that I plant them, and just enjoy the beauty. But this year, even they have bloomed better than ever. Again, I'm not sure if it's the rain, the cold winter, or if I just got lucky.
White Swan echinacea
Pow Wow Wildberry echinacea
Magnus echinacea
Green Envy echinacea
I guess I'll just enjoy this lovely "normal" summer and all the blooms that it brings. Next year will probably be dry as a bone, and that will feel normal too. I just can't figure this place out! Maybe another tens year ought to do it.

22 comments:

  1. Your flowers are simply gorgeous. I do like the grasses, too. We have remarked around here how well everything is doing with all of the rain that we have had. It seems that rain water just makes the plants happier. Your garden is sound proof.

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    1. I am such a fan of ornamental grasses, they are the backbones of my garden. Karley Rose pennisetum is fabulous for me, a must-have!

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  2. Hello Robin girl ! ... We share the same weather and I noticed the same thing as well .. the plants do love water even if we plant dry tolerant plants, they love it too ! ... we share many of the same plants .. you reminded me how much I miss my Karley Rose grass .. I may have to find a home for her, for next year ! .. I bought my first phlox this year (I have fear of powdery mildew .. yuck) Glamour Girl is resistant .. hot pink number of course and wow ! the scent is wonderful.
    You and I even have the same cast iron bird bath ! haha .. and I was thinking just putting some pretty rocks in it .. I got husband to drill some drainage holes in it but I didn't get to the coco mat in time to plant with annuals .. must make a plan for next year !
    Can you believe how fast the time is flying by ? ... soon we will be thinking of cleaning up for the winter .. BIG sigh!
    Joy : )
    PS .. My Green Envy is hiding some where in my garden, have to find it ! LOL

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    1. I bought that cast iron birdbath years ago, and I've never quite figured out what to do with it! Mine does not have any holes, so I put the rocks in it thinking that perhaps butterflies might settle there. But no such luck that I've seen. Trust me, my Green Envy was hiding too. I didn't even remember that I had it, but it popped up. It's still very skimpy. I think they don't last, because they have become quite expensive compared to when they first became available.

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  3. Always wanted 'Green Envy' ~ haven't found her yet. May have to mail order....she's so pretty! I forgot to tell you in your last post I love that cuphea. Great colors! I always see the same one for sale around here and I'm not crazy about it. I wonder what a "normal" summer is anymore?? We used to not have humidity and now we do. It's rained more than "normal" here this year too. I think things are better but I can't say for sure since with all my daughters rehab I'm not paying as much attention. It's been years since I grew Love-in-a-mist but you are making me rethink that. Maybe I'll sprinkle some seeds next year too! Hope you're having a good summer!

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    1. Kathleen, Green Envy is definitely one to order online. I've never, ever seen it in stores. Love-in-a-mist is a simple and beautiful summer annual. It seeds itself around, but this year I finally did have to add some more seeds. I still hope your daughter continues to heal.

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  4. Aah, the good old unpredictable weather. You should try living here in the UK, we never knows what's happening from one day to the next, lol! You have a lovely selection of Echinacea, I especially like Pow Wow, what a great colour!

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    1. I don't think I'd be quite fond of the UK weather, way too cool and rainy for me. Pow Wow is turning out to be a pretty reliable new variety of echinacea. It's very easy to find in nurseries.

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  5. Hi Robin, thank for the gorgeous flowers! Amazing
    This year wie don't have a normal summer . It's hot and dry! Normal: rain and Cole
    So many flowers you grow are here gone. No Phlox, no Coneflowers and and

    Have a nice summer and enjoy!
    Meggie

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    1. Hot and dry is normal for us in summer, but this year has been mostly cool and wet. I can't figure out what Ohio is supposed to be like!

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  6. I totally agree with you that plants no matter how drought loving still need a bit of water. Your nigella are stunning.

    Jen

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    1. Nigella is so easy to grow Jen, you've got to get some!

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  7. Karley is absolutely stunning in your garden. She looks like crap in mine. I either let her dry out or don't give her enough sunshine. I've been watering more this summer too and I think it really helps.

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    1. I never water Karley, she gets rain or nothing, and she is in full sun. I think that's what she needs to thrive. I am head over heels in love with it!

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  8. Hi Robin! I remember reading about succulents: the fact that they are drought tolerant doesn't mean they don't like water! I was very surprised! It looks like it's true with your plants too!

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    1. Go figure, I had no idea that succulents might like to be watered!

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  9. Hi again Robin .. I just came in from a 6 hour marathon in the back garden and it looks not so much different as a little neater and trimmed back a bit .. you have to wonder how the heck does that take 6 hours ? watering takes a bit of time but I am totally done in now .. phew !
    I wanted to get back to your comment about the grass providing a resting spot for your eyes from the garden plants.
    The stone that is being used is a cream colour (natural stone not man made) ... so that is why I am going with that.
    It will be very complimentary to the garden and I just wish it would start so I can enjoy the view ! haha
    Joy

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    1. I can't wait to see your stone paths, I do love that crunching sound when you walk.

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  10. I love your Love-in-a-mist, both flowers and seed pods. And your phlox! Fragrance is important to me, too, and I am always sticking my nose into a bloom to see if it has a good smell. Those whose fragrance carry on the air steal my heart. I also admire your coneflowers.

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    1. Nigella is such a pretty, easy annual, a must-have for me!

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  11. Lots of nice flowers in your garden. The big pink hydrangea is very striking and the rudbeckia are one of my favourite. There's not much 'normal' weather in Northern Ireland, but I think this year has been warmer than usual.

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    1. That lovely hydrangea is called Endless Summer. It started out blue, but in my alkaline soil, it's pink. Since I tend to gravitate to pink flowers, it works fine for me! It's been an excellent plant, I highly recommend it!

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