What's Happening in the Garden on July 31st

Take a walk with me around the yard. Just outside the front door the black-eyed susans are in their full glory. The three butterfly bushes are starting to attract the insects but it always surprises me how few butterflies there are at first.


The hydrangea keeps opening new blooms in this front bed.





The sunflower is hanging its blossom head with the weight of the seeds. I frightened off some goldfinches when I opened the door. You can see where they are already feasting on the seeds.

Russian sage with trimmed lavender to the left.

Newly weeded swale to the pond.

Joe Pye weed.

Perennial beds

A lovely begonia in the hanging basket.

Decision About the Sunflower

I would have let the sunflower stay right where it volunteered to grow. The deer had other ideas. One of them came by and ate the top off! I think the deer cast the deciding vote.

Tomorrow I will get out the liquid fence to spray the plants I don't want them eating.

To Pull or Not To Pull?

That is the question facing me. Dear reader, let me know what you think.


I have wonderful sunflower volunteers in one part of the front bed. They're perfect where the squirrel/bird planted them. Now I discovered another sunflower growing out of a lavender plant. Can you see it in the view above? Here's a better picture of it (below).


What would you do?

New Faces

The lilies didn't quite make it for Bloom Day but here they are. These were housewarming gifts from Dan's sister back in April 2006. I didn't realize until this year that one was pure white. I guess it didn't bloom last year. Every year they get more gorgeous. Thank you, Valerie.