I Slid Off the "Grid"...

I'm quite sure I stepped into the 'Twilight Zone" or a "Space-Time Continuum"?  How it got from June 11th to July 2nd in the blink of an eye is beyond me - but the fact remains, it is officially July.

The rain has backed off a bit, but the weeds continue to thrive.  (Is there any climate they don't thrive??)   I haven't taken 'full garden' pictures - because there hasn't been a time where there aren't weeds in one corner or another!  (It's embarrassing to claim to be a 'gardener', while a big chunk of the landscape is riddled with the 'weed de jour'.)   I was even temporarily disheartened by all the weeding I've been doing - only to look out the next week to ... more weeds.  Then I found out you can burn 350 extra calories and hour - just weeding - and I was cool with the workout.

...In Training... for "Weed Slaying"!...
(Thanks to the imagery of Microsoft ClipArt)

In spite of it all, I do have some wonderful rewards - both blooms and more planted perennials:

Monarda didyma "Marshall's Delight" (Bee Balm)
3 perennial plants introduced to the 'Cottage Garden' this year

Hosta Fortunei flower bloom - either Albomarginata or Francee?

The Sunny Faces of Moonbeam Coreopsis
(there is no such thing as too many)

I love my 'Crimson Pixie' Asiatic Lily so much, when I found
this "New Wave" Asiatic Lily yesterday - it was a 'must have'.

Here's a quick "Nickel Tour" around the garden - via the latest photo collage:

Believe it or not - the Monarda didyma was taken in natural sunlight...

Perennials - established or new - are coming along well.  It's interesting to see how 'leggy' new perennials are in their 1st year of growth in the garden - tall and lanky.  I've been ghosting around a few of my favorite nurseries lately - both Platt Hill Nursery and The Growing Place - judiciously selecting 'wishlist' plants.  I found the Amsonia (Blue Star) at Platt Hill - and was thrilled to see an established plant in their sample gardens.  It's an amazing plant - highly recommended to anyone in it's favorite 'grow' zones.  I treated myself to a Butterfly Bush too...

Blooming underway on the new Butterfly Bush

The "Morning Light" Maiden Grass is starting to stretch for the sun.  I can't wait to see it at full height, especially knowing it's an Illinois native plant (now showcased in many nurseries).  Platt Hill also treated me to the variegated Jacob's Ladder I've been looking for.  Just yesterday I took a spontaneous run to The Growing Place (a 'must visit' nursery in north-eastern IL).  I was delighted to find a true perennial Hollyhock - Alcea Mars ("Magic") Red for the 'Cottage Garden'.  It is said to grow up to 6' tall - on sturdy stalks with silky dark red flowers mid-Summer.  I love the leaf structure alone - much less the flowers to come.

Alcea Mars ("Magic") Red Hollyhock

Even the "Fireball" Hibiscus (Rose Mallow) is robust.  The leaf structure on this one is so cool (I'm such a geek).

Rose Mallow ("Fireball" Hibiscus)

Sweet Autumn Clematis
(After weeks of rain ...finally planted and happily growing up  a new trellis)

So, I'm back 'on the grid' again and looking forward to catching up on the Blogosphere.  Happy Blooming...

Is it the "Buffet" or "Bed & Breakfast"?

Gardening this year as certainly been 'interesting' in the Midwest.  It's been unseasonal - continuing to be cool, cloudy and rainy (with intermittent hot & humid days interspersed).   As a matter of fact, I am starting to feel like not only do I provide a "buffet" for the local bunny population - but also 'refuge'.  Case in point:

Bunny 'Foo'
Seeking refuge under the tumble composter during a downpour.

There has been area flooding, but certainly nothing like Tennessee and Louisiana.  Standing water like this typically happens in March & maybe April - not June:

Even the neighbors with dogs try to protect their lawns with orange snow fence.

In spite of it all, my gardens continue to do well.  Here is what is in bloom:

The Pink Double Knockout Rose is in bloom -
protected by bird netting & "budding" Red Twig Dogwood  branches

My classic:  Stella D Oro Daylily bloom
(they've been with me since the beginning - the first time!)

Royal Purple Smoke Bush - reaching for the sky

'Crimson Pixie' Asiatic Lily

New garden addition:   Sweet Autumn Clematis - a gift from friend Lydia's garden
(If it ever stops raining, I'll get the trellis in the ground and get this growing wild!)

Rounding out a garden 'walk about':

From top left: "Wine & Roses" Weigela, variegated  Jacob's Ladder,
Actaea Ramosa "Brunette" Bugbane, Royal Purple Smoke bush, Moonbeam Coreopsis,
Double Knockout Rose, variegated Ribbon Grass, Asiatic Lily bud

It's another cool, rainy Saturday - but there is great hope for tomorrow, sunny and 70.  Time to plant the Bugbane, Jacob's ladder and a couple of new Anemones, to be clustered with the first one.  With all the rain, it does continue to look "lush", like Spring.  Now that I've finished my post, it's time to start surfing my favorite garden blogs.... batten down the hatches my garden buddies!  Can't wait to see what you are up to!