Today we celebrate overachievers!

This summer we have had steamy, hot conditions and tons of rain. I mean R A I N. When it rains, it RAINS. Rain coming down like never before. Inches and Inches of rain. Most of us are well aware that roses like water BUT they do not like being drowned. I have roses out there who are asking for a life jacket. GULP!

But, there are also those overachievers … rain or shine they just keep doing their thing.

Here are 5 of my current favorite overachievers:

PINK CARPET ROSE
This blooming machine does not care if it is rainy, does not care if the Japanese Beetles come to town, or does not care if the rain doesn’t come. It is also forgiving of the huge tree that is encroaching upon it’s very being!

It just blooms and grows in the enchanting way that I love — not quite upright — not quite a climber — not quite a rounded shrub — just rambles around, hugging up to the fence and covering the ground in that perfect cottage garden way. It sure gets an A+ in my garden! The pictures here are of a group of 3 pink carpet roses.

YARROW
I have a love/hate relationship with Yarrow. Regardless, I will always have it in my garden.

It IS lovely.
It comes in so many colors.
It works well in a vase.
It is a welcoming host to so many good bugs
It is loved by pollinators.
It dries well.
And, it has medicinal properties.

Grow it but, keep an eye on it, it will take over and you will hear the low cough of it neighbors as they gasp for space!

DAYLILIES
So much bang for your buck. I really thought all the rain we’ve had this summer would be difficult for the daylilies. It has not been. They have done wonderfully and filled my garden with lovely blooms! Warning: here comes a ton of pictures!

HYSSOP

DAISIES
While daisies are not my favorite usually, this year they have stood up to the rainy conditions in a wonderful way. On the days when we are seeing the garden more from the inside than outside, the daisies stand tall and proud and are providing a bright light in all the gray. So, let’s hear it for the daisies! True to self, they are definitely exceeding their space this year, so I plan to divide them in the fall. I’ll have plenty of extras to share!

Just checked the weather and they are predicting a perfect day tomorrow. Low humidity and 80 degrees. Perfect. After a busy week, I need a day in my garden. And, after the pounding the garden has had this week — it sure needs me.

Hope tomorrow is just perfect for you too.

Happy Bloom Thyme Friday