I LOVE the hot colors, and I love the older varieties. I've planted a bunch of hot ones in my front yard, and put the cool-toned ones mostly out back. There are some hot ones I'm still looking for; maybe I'll see if anyone is interested in trading once my plants have bloomed (and I've figured out what I've really go, lol). I had 'Spellbinder,' and it was just about the brightest thing I've ever seen in the garden, lol, but it didn't make the move. 'Golden Chimes' with shasta daisies and Maltese cross was a good combination too. Did I mention I LOVE the hot colors? LOL, thanks for sharing the cheerful pictures on a really depressing day. Laurel

How are you serving the meal, is it buffet style? If the ham slices are to be eaten with a knife and fork they would need to be on the thicker side, which doesn’t sound like the lighter lunch you describe. Alternatively, if they were thin slices (perhaps even rolled around a cornichon) and secured with a toothpick, they might go better as an accompaniment to the salad. If you want to serve the ham sized to be placed on the biscuits, i would also serve a couple of spreads to go on them, like a honey /mustard / butter and strawberry butter. A tomato and cucumber salad sounds delicious! I might add deviled eggs to the menu but that would just be me being extra 🙄 A good sorbet with fruit and a cookie is the best and easiest summer dessert. Whatever you serve I’s sure it will be attractively served and heartily enjoyed! edited to add… I didn’t read your original post carefully enough, Annie Annie— you already had deviled eggs on the menu!

I'm glad Zuzu's Treasure is doing well for you! I love the color of Carmen Renee X VT Last Melon. So Lovely X NWD will be a nice bloomer for the later season. Red Viper makes an impressive clump! Debra

Great post, I think I like them all. I saw Richard J. Howard in a friend's garden recently, I was really impressed by it. Dipped in Disney makes me look. Not a color I am really crazy about normally, but there is something about this one.