Raleigh continues to bake in hot, dry weather.
Front Garden Blooms
Last year, SunCurve had a dozen or more Spotted Bee Balm in its hottest corner, where the driveway meets the street. This year, one plant is holding on. The Lantana and Garlic Chives continue to thrive and attract butterflies and bees. The red trumpet flowers of Major Wheeler Honeysuckle attracts Hummingbirds and Snowberry Clearwing Moths. The Obedient Plant has just started to bloom, unphased by the heat and lack of water, taking space from more fragile flowers.
Back Garden Blooms
Blackeyed Susans are also taking over new territory. The Cardinal Flower I planted in the stream last fall has been a joy for weeks. Here you see the final red flower, but it bloomed right up the stalk for weeks, bringing Hummingbirds close to our back windows. Ironweed is also at the end of its blooming season, but held up well despite the weather. Rain Lilies continue to send up an occasional flower on the edge of the pond. The Gardenia puts out a few fragrant white flowers all summer after its initial burst of bloom. The quiet star right now is Blue Mist Flower, which has spread all along Lake Watson, the rapidly moving stream that forms after a hard rain. It’s dry now, but the plants look fresh and cool in the shade.
