The Fake Summer Thread
Comments (628)
jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6Related Discussions
Doggie Days of Summer Seasonal Thread.... PART FOUR (4)
Comments (162)Hi all -- Diane -- Hope you are being dramatic with language, "If I survive..." Prayers to you that you get well soon. I grow French Lace, and I can say with certainty that this rose seedling is not French Lace, thought it could be a parent - who knows? It's not a seedling I directed. Kristine -- you are making me want peaches peaches peaches. For our faculty retreat, we had an "iron chef" competition. Four professors as head master chefs, and all the faculty divided into four teams. Then each team under the iron chef made 3 dishes, plus beverages. We all ate amazing food. Afterwards, everyone was so exhausted, no one stayed for the film. I am going to bed now. Good time, but hard work. I mention this because one of the iron chef desserts included peach slices, some kind of chocolate ganache in the middle of the plate, and then somethign else on the side. When I got my little plate I had no fork, so just dipped a peach in the chocolate and was VERY HAPPY. No more from me for a while -- very busy week. Worried about my Dad. He may be having "issues" now. Wish he lived closer. Hope all of you are doing well and your gardens are thriving. :-)...See MoreSUMMER is here... Seasonal thread part 2
Comments (203)I wonder if I'll ever get to my afternoon chores. It's 98F, so I won't be outside until much later. It was bad enough yesterday at 97F--let h#ll on earth begin. I can tell you we have air conditioning, and it's running (itself to death-ha). I remember my days as a young married. We had no AC in our little house, and I sweat all night long with a big fan blowing on us and all windows open. I would lie in a lawn lounger in the evenings, reading, until it got pitch dark, and then reluctantly go inside to the house/furnace. But enough of past travails.... Lisa, thank you so much for confirming that I also grow Chinese forget me not. I went through all my seed packets from last and this year, and found nothing that could explain the campanula, but my Chinese forget me not seed came from Select Seeds. I like that seller a lot. I've heard of those water forget me nots, but since we're so dry, I didn't try them. I agree the Chinese type are more colorful. Jim, I spotted that little helper of yours. You certainly capture some wonderful photos of insects and birds. I simply can't do it. Dilly, you've got a smiling brunnera leaf. I think it's the cutest one. After the adorable and happy little boy, I like the useful kitty. She looks just like our old codger, Clancy, only your kitty is prettier. Same markings and colors almost exactly. I am so impressed with your roses, Cobra lily, and especially that hardy geranium, Havana Blues. I have too many Rozannes, and she is sprawly in my garden, though I love all her blooming. I love hibiscus Luna Red, which I also grow. You are a little ahead of us, so mine are not blooming quite yet. I hope the weather moderates before they pop open. Our dry heat just destroys hibiscus blooms. Your Julia Child looks great, and I hope she is a bloom machine for you. Ingrid, many thanks--especially because I so admire your skill as a photographer. I'm sorry about your heat, which is bad here, too. It's that suffering time of year for plants and humans alike. A little rain might be nice, but it's not going to happen here. Take care from all of us, your gardening friends. Diane...See MoreSUMMER is here... Seasonal thread part 4
Comments (125)Wow! I just had to “come out of hiding” to say that all I can think about is that lady eating raw ground beef, and at room temperature, no less. I can’t get that gross image out of my head. Now that I think about it, my dad eats raw bacon on bread with butter, but only when my mom isn’t home to stop him. He claims that it’s been smoked, so it’s fine. It’s disgusting, but I guess hasn’t hurt him yet. There are too many beautiful pictures for me to comment on, but they are all wonderful. HalloBlondie, your yard and deck are incredible! I’d like to vacation at your place. It really does look like a resort. I bet you’re really enjoying it. Jim, I also think of you every time I see or mess with my Rozanne geraniums. Mine are just as Flowers described. They clamber over, up, and through everything around them. I don’t mind it, though. They bring a certain cohesiveness to that bed. I plant so many random plants so closely together, that the Rozanne geraniums help things look less hectic. I’m very glad that your wife is feeling better, Jim. I’ve been keeping her in my thoughts and prayers. Rob, my heart goes out to you. Please take care of yourself, and do whatever it takes for you to get through this difficult time. We all care, and will be here whenever you’re up to returning. I take breaks from here myself, when life gets “too heavy”. I have been mostly just taking a break lately. Last weeks terrible heat and humidity literally made me sick, so I ended up in bed with the A/C on for days. I did lots of TV watching and reading. It didn’t even cool down much in the evenings, so I just watered what I had to, and crawled back into my cave. It has now cooled down some, and the humidity has gone down, as well. I took a few pictures last night and this morning. It looks like my roses went right on blooming in the heat without my attention. I wasn’t up to deadheading things, so I’m throwing caution to the wind. If I wait until everything is deadheaded and photo worthy, you won’t be seeing many photos from me. Here comes some au naturel photos:-) Lisa Baronne Prevost is beginning her third? flush right now. I had forgotten that every time the temps go up, Baronne Prevost gets nasty little worms in her buds and blooms. They go for Baronne Prevost above all others. It’s frustrating, because her blooms are one of my favorites. Her scent is wonderful, and those old fashioned blooms just scream romance to me. I love that button eye! Darcey Bussell needs deadheading, but she’s such a bloomer in the heat. After her last flush, I pruned her way down to about 3-4F. She was getting too tall for her spot. Even with all the spent blooms on her, she’s still happily making more. I cut a few the other day, and combined them with some ‘Cherry Caramel’ Phlox. They’ve been on my nightstand for 3-4 days now, so they aren’t quite as pretty anymore. Today’s photo at least shows how how well the centers of ‘Cherry Caramel’ match Darcey’s blooms. Here’s all of Darcey. She really does deserve some deadheading. Here’s a shot of Mel’s Heritage on the slope. Unfortunately, I couldn’t reach the sweet pea vine on the left. It’s a difficult area to maintain. Golden Buddha is being ravaged by thrips. Note how bright the new bud is in the far upper right of the photo. The blooms change colors very quickly in the heat. Love Song just blows me away with its heat tolerance. Love Song is in a container in full sun, all day long. I only water it every 3 days or so. Any rose that will bloom like this under those conditions is a winner in my book....See MoreSUMMER is here... Seasonal thread part 5
Comments (105)Flowers, your bed sounds similar to mine with CdM x2, but I have Violet's Pride and soon Quicksilver for the lavenders and Heathcliff.. I hope to have CL, but am currently planting Jerabek's Peggy M and Star of the Republic . As it goes from fence to bridk wall, there's Lavender Crush next to Gold Blush. I love these colours and am so happy I found a place to incorporate into my yard away from the cool pinks that predominate my backyard plantings. These colours never appealed to me until recently! Go figure! I can't wait to see pics of yours. I'm hopelessly lost in this post, but wish everyone well. It just moves too fast and I feel bad if I miss anyone's post. Thanks again, Jim for keeping it up. Flowers, I will post pics of my 1st bloom on Nahema since she went in the ground. She's just growing her roots so not as impressive as the one I got last year when she was just a tiny cutting I grew up. Don't you adore her fragrance?It seems many dislike her holly-like leaves, but to me they are fascinating. Yay for different rose leaves! : )). As usual, click to enlarge. Nahema 2019: Nahema 2018:...See More
berrypiez6b
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agojim - thrips had a field day on my not so Bliss. All the first buds had to be trashed and there hasn't been a single bloom yet this year.
I found an evil weevil, dropped him and and he got away - maddening !
This is what it looked like - photo from internet.rosecanadian thanked berrypiez6bjim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6rosecanadian
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6rosecanadian
9 months agolast modified: 9 months ago
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
9 months agoRemember that I brought Papa Meiland back down to what looks like a bareroot? It had its own umbrella to protect and now it is all full of beautiful healthy leaves . I sure hope that it stays that way.
I'm having to do things in short bursts for now and the weeds are killin me. I have managed to do some pot fertalizing, weed two and a tiny bit of deadheading. The question comes as to how long I can do this?
Kitty, I miss having your energy. You have created such a magical retreat. If I ever get to the finger lakes I will definitely come and check it out.
My clematis look wretched, my dahlias are a no , Francis Meiland has had 2 blooms. But most everything is doing well considering the heat.
Prairie Sunrise love this one so much .Always in bloom
Gigi almost got the boot but Azalea really took care of her and she made a great comeback
Desiree, brand new
rosecanadian thanked Kristine LeGault 8a pnwjim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agoKristine, great looking roses!
I have to do things in short bursts also so my plan is I'm only going plant what I can manage...
Here's my first At Last rose bloom of the 2nd flush...
rosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
Diane Brakefield
9 months agoHi Kristine, I'm sorry you're having problems working for long time periods. I hope you and your doctor can find a solution for you. I have trouble just getting started, and if I had my way I'd sit in my chair and read all day. Your Desiree is scrumptious. So did you just get it? It looks too perfect to have been shipped. I can see why you love Prairie Sunrise so much. The colors are lovely. I'm pulling for you to get some energy back and maybe try a different med (my non professional advice).
Jim, At Last is so pretty, and in perfect shape for this time of year when the weather can mess rose blooms up so easily. Do you like At Last as well as Oso Easy Double Red?
Carol, thanks for the info about the berries. Son in law went to the store (he's like Don and does a lot of the grocery shopping), and got me some yummy cherries, thanks to your inspiring list of goodies from the farmer's market. I got strawberries, too, so good with ice cream. What an incredible and awful amount of rain to pour down in such a short period. I guess that makes up for the perfect 73F you had. Did the rain and hail do much damage? It must have. Here it goes up to above 100F tomorrow and stays there for the rest of July. Lots of roses are blooming with Munstead and several others in full flushes, What were those plants thinking, anyway? ....My friend Elaine's older son got married in her garden about 17 years ago, and it was a wonderful wedding. I'm excited for you and Kedra's wedding plans. I wish I could send you tons of seed I gather and you could play around with it just to see if you can grow even more stuff for the future special day. As has been discussed, you must have poppies, and I have about a pound of extra seed. What about cosmos? Let's start planning. Diane
Jemma and I are getting more photos organized. These all are from before the big heat started.Julia Child
rosecanadian thanked Diane Brakefieldjim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6rosecanadian
9 months agolast modified: 9 months ago
KittyNYz6
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agoCarol, Thank you! One combined summer thread is good for me!
Kate is a new rose gardener on the forum Spring thread. She is lovely and has a lot of OGRs, too. Kimberly was host of the other Spring thread.
My Lowes’ escapade resulted in a couple yellow Oriental lilies, phlox, petunias & Pintas & more soil! A full trunk in the car so I had to stop!
PHOTOS of my new Lowes’ flowers sitting in & 8 Japanese roses & a Kordes rose newly planted, all in newly carved out, ”Circle Bed,” on Spring thread. PHOTOS of my middle back yard & 3 beds: T-bed, & new Circle Bed and Oval bed on Spring thread. InnAugust I will add an exclusive ”poppy/flower bed,” to the backyard, too. Need to get a few bricks to border new beds. PHOTOS of my gladiolas starting to bloom, more poppies & roses on soring thread, too!
Oh, a couple of my poppies fell to the ground because they are bent anyway almost touching, reaching sideways for sun in my south side garden. However, many of my poppies are straight & tall even though I had lots of rain!
Black Peony Poppy
Baby Pink Peony Poppy
Gladiolas 1st blooms
rosecanadian thanked KittyNYz6KittyNYz6
9 months agolast modified: 9 months ago
Pink Chiffon, Rose of Sharon, hybiscus
Ruffled Satin, Rose of Sharon
Mme Dubost blooms today, for Berrypie!
Yolanda de Aragon 2nd flush
Hollyhock, 6ft
New Phlox
2 Oriental lilies
Pintas
Liastis
Liastis, Lilac Hosta , Coneflower
Mandevilla
rosecanadian thanked KittyNYz6KittyNYz6
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agoPurple Poppy
Kiss Me Kate
Day lillies
Mary Rose
Lilac Veranda
Scheherazade, Japanese rose, immature 1st bloom, having a flush.
rosecanadian thanked KittyNYz6jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6rosecanadian
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agoDiane Brakefield
9 months agoCarol, Kimberly hasn't posted on the spring thread in ages. I don't think she owns the seasonal thread anymore than I do for starting it back in 2016. Anyone has the right to start a seasonal thread, and you won't be usurping any role, for sure. I agree with Jim, Trish, Kristine, and Kitty that a combined thread would make most sense. Continuing a spring thread when it's midsummer is quite odd to me.
On to happy topics. Kitty, I tried to pick a favorite among your beautiful variety of blooms, and after looking twice at everything, I gave up. They all win the favorite contest with an edge to the lavender (purple) poppy, and the hollyhocks. I've got one volunteer pale pink hollyhock blooming, and it's doing pretty well in this heat. Right now, I'm feeling a bit Phoenix, if you know what I mean. The only thing that saves us, and helps the plants, is that once the sun starts to set, the hot temps plummet like a stone, due to dry air which doesn't hold heat, and our nights are very pleasant. That's when I do my drip system watering. I have to do hand watering when it's still hot, and I hate it.
Carol, I'm excited about flowers for the wedding, even though it's a ways off. I think fairly hardy annuals would work well, in addition to more tender cosmos. There are a lot of cosmos which I used to grow BQ (before quail), so you could try the traditional pink, lavender, white cosmos that comes in different heights and styles, including doubles, which might not be as abundant in your climate. There are also some great yellow daisy like cosmos which I grown, including Ladybird, which is great. Last year, I grew a few dwarf yellow cosmos in a pot which worked well. You might try the annual rudbeckia, Indian Summer, the best rudy I've ever grown. It reseeds like crazy in this climate. In yours, I'd buy a few plants and collect seed heads to throw out the next year, and leave some seed heads for, hopefully, reseeding.
Kristine, I have a lot of roses blooming in this heat, and I think they are nuts. But it's still nice to see the blooms for most of them. The Prince is not doing his usual weird heat blooms, and I'm surprised. The rose most heat affected and having an awful time is Augusta Luise. I wish she'd just sleep for the time being. My two Munstead Woods are on a rampage of blooming, and Golden Celegration, Abbaye de Cluny, The Prince, and Tamora are right behind. The only thing I can do is take pics, I guess. I hope you have a good Dr visit Thursday, and are able to really talk about your tiredness problems. Diane
Rudbeckia Indian Summer, natural hybrids, coneflowers, and dwarf cosmos in a bowl.
rosecanadian thanked Diane Brakefieldjim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6Diane Brakefield
9 months agoJim, coneflowers (Echinacea) are blooming now, along with the Rudbeckia. They are perennials and have a long bloom time, starting at the beginning of July and blooming until about the end of September. They reseed really well, and my coneflowers, which bloom all over the garden, came from about three or so plants, plus a couple of free ones. They are easy to transplant as seedlings and small plants, and easy to pull up. They are also low care, and your rain would be all the water they'd need, I'm pretty sure. Start with a couple of plants; don't bother with seed. The bees, especially bumblebees, love them and so do butterflies. Give them a try. Nanadoll
The difference in color is due to natural crossbreeding, and you get some variety in looks this way.
rosecanadian thanked Diane Brakefieldrosecanadian
9 months agorosecanadian
9 months agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 months agorosecanadian thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6rosecanadian
9 months agoDiane Brakefield
9 months agoDiane Brakefield
5 months agoHouzz is nutz. We can continue this as the Fake Summer Thread for those of us who are freezing their toes off, but want to pretend it's warm......Carol, change this thread's title to The Fake Summer Thread, please. How are you doing, Deborah? I'm thinking you are feeling quite fine since I see you posting and showing your rose photos. I haven't a thing to say. Nothing is growing, it's dreary and rainy, and a most boring Saturday night. It's got to be better down your way. Are you on vacation yet? Probably not. I know Jemma has a lot of end of semester projects she's stressing out about. I hope you get some lovely new roses for Christmas. Diane
More way back stuff....2012.....Brother Cadfael and Jude
Ascot
More lonesome moon
rosecanadian thanked Diane Brakefieldrosecanadian
5 months agorosecanadian
5 months agoDiane Brakefield
5 months agorosecanadian
5 months ago
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