July garden

We are really enjoying the weather here in Washington. It is July 3 and I think we have had to turn on the a/c three times. The past few weeks have been especially nice with temperatures rarely getting above 75. The evenings are so cool that we put on our sweatpants and robes. We open the windows and let the cool breeze come through and it is wonderful. 

Even though the temperature is nice, everything cannot be perfect. Rainfall has been scarce (it typically is dry here from June - September). I have to water everything at least once per week, sometimes more often than that, and the containers have to be watered daily. I have been busy spreading a mountain of mulch that I received from the forestry service.

The front side bed is probably the driest place in the garden. A retaining wall holds it up so the drainage is excellent. I have not really added too much to this bed. It seems that every time I buy a plant, it ends up in the border around the deck in the back. I am trying to hold back and not plant too much this time of year.

 

I have been creating new beds by laying down cardboard and covering it with good soil. This are is along the back hedge. That is Cornus "Wolf's Eyes" to the left and I am not sure if the leaves are ever going to perk back up.

 

The front gate entrance. Notice the wire cage around the rose. We have a rabbit problem. They do not eat everything but there are a few favorite plants that they come back to again and again.

The Clematis 'Jackmanii' is doing really well.

The vegetable garden is also doing well - I think. The plants look healthy and are covered with blooms but so far, very little harvest.

The straw bales are working rather well - this is eggplant and zucchini.

The first tomato I planted came from a local man who grows organic vegetables. Lots of blooms but no fruit yet.

The first vegetable picked was this cucumber. It was picked yesterday and it was delicious!

On to the flowers - this is Hydrangea 'Preziosa' and it is my favorite at the moment.

The multi-colored leaves, a mix of burgundy and rust, are as pretty as the flowers.

Penstemon 'Ruby Candle' - a plant that does not mind the dry weather.

This is the first time I have ever grown
Queen of the Prairie Filipendula rubra)

Rose 'Plum Perfect'

Rose 'Westerland'

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium 'Aureum')

The hummingbirds favorite - Cuphea 'David Verity' (Firecracker Plant)

We are enjoying our container plants on the deck.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy