I will love my garden more if it ever rains. It's too hot for this old lady to want to go out to do the essential watering. But since Mother Nature isn't doing her job this year, I guess it is up to me, even at about 15 degrees above my comfort zone. The plants don't like it much either. Can't stay out long enough to pull the yellowed & crispy leaves off the roses, clems, daylilies & even hosta, or anything else. I think I love my garden most in early spring when I am so thrilled to see so many plants have survived the winter. Second best is late June when the early large flowered clematis are in bloom. And then fall when some plants give a returned show. August, after winter, is my least favorite time. The beds look like a jungle, but not many flowers. This year August started early.

My wife (Teresa) bought me a Nikon D40x. It came with a 18x55 lens and she added a 55x200 zoom. Its more camera than I understand how to use. I got pretty good at shooting indoor basketball. Both our boys play basketball and football, and one plays all three. Every gym has different lighting, so the settings on the camera have to be changed for each. And football is all together different from that...shot some pics tonite during the pep rally..not the best quality....practice, practice practice.... Thanks for the compliments....Nite All

Didn't make it. Hope it was fun. tj

I would have to agree with Steve that Siberian iris is a better choice than bearded iris, at least in my opinion and experience. Not only does mine bloom faaaaaaar better, but the foliage stays nice all summer, almost acting like an ornamental grass, while the leaves of the bearded iris start to look pretty ragged and worn out shortly after the flowers have faded. However, I believe Siberian's also like quite a bit more water than bearded's, so there's that. Speaking of ornamental grasses, I always recommend those as often as possible. After all, the Front Range was, once upon a time, a prairie landscape. They are also nearly year-round interest and are reliable in our climate. 3-4 hours of sun might be limiting though. Monarda, coneflower (echinacea) and liatris are some "color" that I think can work in part shade too. Also echoing Steve though, I had better stop, I am not well versed in perennials myself.