I'm not very educated in pruning either. I usually just hack away until it looks good to me. I've got a few shrubs that need some hacking now but I haven't had a chance yet. I did manage to cut the beauty berry shrubs on our property line.
The first picture is sunflowers. Not sure about the second. Sort of looks like garden phlox. I have some like that too but I can't remember what they are. The third, I've never seen a flower like that!
I can hardly wait for next year when we won't be babysitting so I can get out in the garden everyday. Right now I have to walk around with the kids and look at all that needs to be done. I did have to water in the GH. All those small paper pots and six packs dry out really fast with the breeze and heat. Very breezy and hot here but the same as you, it doesn't feel that hot because of the breeze.
