As usual July is pulling out all its tricks…
- Throwing out the welcome mat for Japanese Beetles.
- Putting us on the heat index map.
- And, this year being ever so skimpy with rain.
It’s hard to complain as the drought seems to keep the JBs from overtaking as quickly as they sometimes do. It’s a bit harder to “emerge” out of parched ground.
Today we are getting our first real rain in 4 weeks. I actually walked outside to see the plants celebrate. Guess who else was celebrating… you guessed it, the Japanese Beetles. Their entrance into their best life has been made much easier and they were everywhere. I picked a bunch of flowers while it was raining as I wasn’t sure there would be any good ones left when the rain stopped. You know with the JB celebration and all.
Another upside of this glorious rain, I have more time. This morning Mr. G asked me what I was going to do with all the time that I usually spend each day watering! It’s a large garden and we do not have a watering system. I do love to hand water but this weather has put that to the test. I have become one with my Dramm. By the way I think the Dramm rain wand is the best watering device EVER. Gentle deluge for the plants and one that is very calming for me too! I love it so much that I gave Mr. G one for Father’s Day to use on his tomatoes. He loves it!
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
Set to release this Sunday (July 10) is an interview I did with Kimberley, the Rose Geek. Be on the look out. It was great to hear her rose story.
ROSE PRUNING: MAKING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS – Rose Chat Podcast
NEW BOOK
Look what just came in the mail. One of my favorite rosarians of all time, Michael Marriott has written a book. If you aren’t familiar with Michael, he spent the last 25 years as the head garden designer and rose expert for David Austin Roses. He is also well known for his expertise in rose fragrance!
At first look it is beautiful and starts off with a bang … the first chapter is “The Romance of the Rose” and moves quickly to the subject of rose fragrance with the “The Magic of Scent”. I can’t wait to fully dive in! If you’d like a copy, you can find it on Amazon here.
Below are links to two of the most recent podcasts I did with Michael. In both, he shares amazing information!
ROSES IN EVERY SEASON ..
https://rosechat.podbean.com/e/roses-in-every-season/
COMPANION PLANTING…
https://rosechat.podbean.com/e/companion-planting-for-roses-michael-marriott/
BLOOM THYME THIS WEEK
Even with all the horrible heat and drought so many plants just keep going! I do water but only a small percentage gets any regular watering. Most just have to make it on their own.
There is a question I ask myself every July… Why didn’t I plant sunflowers? I love them but just don’t seem to have a place for them. I’m not big on bright yellow but who can resist sunflowers. Maybe next year. 🌻🌻🌻
July does give us ups and downs, but it also gives us enough heat to get the dahlias going… big plus!
Thanks for stopping by! 💐
So very nice to read your blog and see your lovely flowers in bloom. You always inspire me. The JBs have just wrecked havoc on my roses and dahlias even though I hand pick them usually three times a day. I love that pink drift rose (think you have that one, too) for the sweet teacup size rose buds, and the JBs love it also. It is so discouraging to have so many of them, but I would never spray with a toxic chemical. We have the heat and humidity here in VA with light rain today. And it is cooler. My gardenias are still blooming their little hearts out, and the orange double lilies are really putting on a show with my Shasta Daisies. My tomato plants are really producing well, too. Btw, the Mister Lincoln red hybrid tea rose is probably the most fragrant rose of all times. If you do not have one, please try and get one. Its fragrance is like rose perfume. It always won the Most Fragrant Rose at some past rose shows. Lots of people voted for it after smelling its fragrance,