Rosie - you definitely don't look your age

I wish I didn't.

Ken as long as you are on this side of the root end...it is a good thing!

It is AMAZING what your flowers can do with rain and a 3 day absence. My bronze fennel looks like Cousin It.


NOID iris, pummeled by yesterday's rain.


Sedum and a creeping thyme that was just potted a month ago.See my cleome Larry?


Shade lovers.


Big plants for Big Jerry my DH.

Kabby said:It is AMAZING what your flowers can do with rain and a 3 day absence. My bronze fennel looks like Cousin It.


NOID iris, pummeled by yesterday's rain.


Sedum and a creeping thyme that was just potted a month ago.See my cleome Larry?


Shade lovers.


Big plants for Big Jerry my DH.

It does!

Beautiful Kabby

Sweet! And in the fourth photo, is that a narrow leaf hosta in the front white planter? I like it.

@abhege, yes Arlene, Curly Fries. Thank you Vic, and Rosie.

Why ...am I not surprised...the rains are coming because the peonies have bloomed...If the peonies were not in bloom...there would be a drought. I should dig 'em up and sell the parts...to drought struck areas...I would make a fortune. Just one of several round the garden...view from the foyer...pouring..or I would get closer to show the massacre......look for the pink stuff on the ground...

The white..now those are sheltered by the butterfly maple...give them a few hours...they will join that one beauty of a white that hit the ground. THIS is my garden in Hillsborough today. The gaura are down too. I cannot believe the poppy are like soldiers...
Ah well...watcha gonna do...no use crying over spilt peony..

Beautiful view from your windows, Rosie.

Are you tslking about those "ground" peonies..? Those are a new species here in the Piedmont of NC..have made an appearance EVERY SINGLE year last decade.... ...the Frustrata Kingdom..

but it's really NOT funny. That Cousin It fennel? I have 4 pieces of decorative fencing surrounding it to keep it upright. I need the fennel for butterfly cats. I corral my Hot Lips salvia from sprawling over everything. I originally buy the fencing to let the dogs know their limitations in the garden. I'll use it for the peonies too if need be.

I had hot lips but I found it to be real brittle..do you?

Rosie not as much as Persicaria Red Dragon and shrimp plant.

Piedmont NC - Hillsborough

Well..here is a shot of more of those ground peonies.

To the left..you can see the kalidescope abelia has bloomed ( pink ) some pink phlox came in (that was supposed to be white...why did that gopher have to pull the white one down the hole...why not that pink? ) to the right of the pink ground peonies ( actually behind those ) you can see three tall rudbeckia bases...the stalks have not appeared yet...those time well because the peonies will be done and the bright yellow rudbeckia with the huge brown noses would likely clash.

The jalena witch hazel has filled out nicely as has the butterfly maple. Grandfather's beard is done. Lungwort and laminium buds starting to swell. Red hot poker showing its nose. (weakly)...poppies still going...and guara have bloomed. Amsonia still in bloom...That is about it. Blue eyed grass doing well but only those located in the shade. Primrose in bloom...
Bee balm getting taller...no bloom....pomegranate leafed out nicely. Sweet Betsy is done...in moremways than one...I pulled much of it up. Ajuga finished. English Daisy looking sad. Red Buckeye almost done.

Whoops ..guess you can't see the blue green rudbeckia bases in that photo...the blue green base not my favorite when in flower. It clashes with the yellow...but I think attractive when not in bloom. It self seeds rather well... So the flower should be clipped as soon as it starts to fade. The blooms are long lasting.

It all looks so nice Rosie

I hoped to get some decent photos but I went out Sunday ( for a second... or three) without proper protection and the mosquitos got me! .I just don't feel like spraying today...


But, I want to show you one thing that I found that works for me...I keep trying different things in this one area...need some height ...back side of pond/ waterfall....Angelonia has worked well ( annual ) lavender looked great but cannot keep it going...or it grows too thick too quick..

This is first year I tried guara...never thought to line it up like ornamental grass. Always used it as specimen. It works well!! So if you like the idea of ornamental grass ...need color...like an airy feel...have deer..and want a perrenial that won't escape...try guara! In a hurry...but hopefully you will get the idea. Looks great! A keeper! On the downslope (can't see it here) planted misc low growing sedum...great color matches for the guara..has the pinks, burgandy, and greens..bright and dark. Again, can't get a good shot of how well they do on that high side. Apologies.

It's lovely Rosie and my gaura is getting ready to bloom