Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day: July 2010

A walk through my garden in the middle of July is best taken either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The middle of the day is hot, humid and filled with insects, not all of them friendly to humans. Even at this most unpleasant time of year in our climate, however, there are some hardy colorful pleasures to be noted as we stroll through the garden.


The spider lilies are definitely hardy perennials that have been in bloom for about a month, but they are coming near the end of their run.


And just this week the spider lilies have been joined by another hardy Southern perennial, the milk and wine lilies.


These crocosmias (variety unknown), like the spider lilies, have been blooming for about a month and look ready to continue for a while longer. They were a passalong last year from a neighbor and I wasn't too sure about them at first, but this year I've really learned to appreciate them as they've put on a terrific display for me. Bees and hummingbirds love them which is a big selling point for a habitat gardener like me.


Someone suggested to me that the variety of my crocosmia might be 'Lucifer' and it could well be, but I know for sure that this variety of canna is 'Lucifer'. It's one of my favorite cannas. It bloomed earlier this year and now is blooming again.


I got this yellow cestrum at Antique Rose Emporium earlier this year on their recommendation that it was a "butterfly magnet". Well, the butterflies do seem to like it, especially the swallowtails, but it seems the hummingbirds like it even more. I like it, too, because it is a constant bloomer.


The red gerberas are blooming again, adding a happy note to my backyard sitting area.


This "cigar plant" cuphea has been in constant bloom since the spring and is a great favorite with hummingbirds.


What would summer in the South be without crape myrtles?


And what would summer in my garden be without these sprays of tiny pink roses from my 'Caldwell Pink'?


I have loved four o'clocks since childhood. I can remember being fascinated by the fact that one plant could have different colors of blossoms.


Like this branch from the four o'clock shrub that shows at least five different color patterns of blossoms.


But if there is one iconic flower of summer, for me it is the black-eyed Susan. This hardy member of the rudbeckia family can take our heat and humidity and keep its perkiness. Unlike some gardeners that I could mention.

Thank you for visiting my garden this month. Remember to pay a visit, too, to our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see a list of all Bloom Day participants.