Some Like It Hot!

 Hot winds of July fit

 like a wet blanket

on a humid night.

Garden paths lit

with roman candles,

flame-colored flowers.

       It's time to slow the pace, to think about  a summer respite, perhaps a vacation.

       But first a last look at the lovely redheads and hotter than hot pinks and golden girls of July.  Some will bloom through August,  some will fade before mid-summer.

      July and August are all about attracting as many butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to our garden as we can.

      Having them as guests feels like a gift,  of color,  of sweet fragrance,  of the beauty of nature, and especially  a gift of the miracle of life in all of its diversity.

Josie's buttery yellow day lilies

.

       

First of at least two oregano crops

Pretty annuals hug the ground

Wild bee balm, loved by bees,  butterflies and hummingbirds

Wild marshmallow - Roots can be dug, dried and used to make tea

Trumpet Vine- a hummingbird invitation

Butterfly Bush  shelters the ever faithful Cinco de Mayo roses

A tiny bouquet of roses perfumes the whole house!

Phlox heat up a sunny corner of the perennial bed

Virginia's day lilies bloom from July 15 to mid September 

Garlic chives getting ready to bloom

L

Lobelia, another hummingbird magnet

Black-eyed Susans

This daylily gets redder every year.  It used to be a rust color.

Bumble bee and cone flowers still going strong!

Softer  colors in the shady garden

Pappa's helper loves to spray the garden!



July!  Yes!