Oh boy, it’s hot! I ran the sprinkler in a couple of areas that were especially dry. I did it early, but even early this morning there was no respite from the heat. I also treated a few rose bushes with biologic fungicide.

Speaking of roses, it’s Japanese Beetle season. I do NOT put out traps. Why? Simple. The pheromones in the beetle trap bait that you can buy, attracts more beetles…as in from all over. Fortunately for me, they seem to like the pussy willows more than the roses. When it’s less warm I will probably take out a container with soapy water and knock the beetles into it and drown them. Some years when I remember I also put down milky spore in the spring to get grubs.

I have a few ferns to plant, but I will wait for a less warm or even a rainy day. Some of the ferns I am planting will go into the Derecho garden. A fern called “Hairy Lip” because it tolerates dry shade which bid part of the conditions in this area on the edge of the woods.

One of the pink rhododendrons I planted earlier this spring is definitely going to bite the dust, so I have it’s successor plant picked out. A Hydrangea with a chartreuse / yellow leaf called Little Honey. I have been eyeing them for a couple of years but when I can find them, they sell out fast. I am sorry the rhododendron isn’t going to make it, and a mountain laurel I bought at the Scott Arboretum plant sale also is looking like it’s a goner. Sadly it happens, and as I have said before it just means another plant is supposed to live there.

The problem with my gardens is the soil is not consistent throughout. Some areas have glorious soil. But other areas? Rocky or loaded with clay or both. This is another reason I try to use natives in my garden. They adapt well to all sorts of conditions.

Overall I am really happy with the evolution of my garden in general and this year. And my husband was so nice and trimmed my largest azalea back into submission this weekend! So yes, it’s kind of the deadhead, weed, prune, feed, and maintain time of the growing season.

Also because it is so warm and I have to keep a little bit out of the sun I am going through my gardening magazines and gardening books. Today I am thumbing through a rose book and a very old antique book on wild and native flowers.

Enjoy the photos I am posting today and I hope your garden is growing just the way you want it to.

Happy gardening!