Sometimes I wonder if I've wandered into an alternate universe, not that I believe in parallel universes or alternative realities... it's just that I don't recognize my beloved Wisconsin this year. Who would have thought that the weather could have such a hold on one's life and thoughts. Today as we drove past the cornfields that surround our garden home, I was aghast at the changes from only a day past... is that too strong a word... I really wasn't shaking with terror, although I suspect that some of my farming neighbors whose livelihood depends on the corn and soybean crops, may well have been feeling some uncommon fear deep within... for over the course of a few hours, one really couldn't recognize the plants of corn as such... they had changed that much... today... long, gray curling pointed shards of leaves that made me feel like they couldn't take another day of 98 degrees without benefit of moisture or surely they would die. I prayed for a miracle.
Throughout the day I had run for the camera every time a mere hint of a cloud passed over... the sun has been so hot that it has been close to impossible to get good photos... especially of the daylilies that don't open enough for photos in the early morning, and have been faded before the sun leaves them in the afternoon. On my last photo dash, I felt raindrops... I barely made it to the greenhouse when we were struck with a downpour and hail... up to one inch in diameter, but mostly half an inch. (hail this small is nothing more than blessed rain than seeps into the dry soil slowly providing what we needed most.) As I watched the hostas with concern, I realized that for the most part, our canopy of trees was really protecting the plants beneath. Storm #1 brought a half inch of rain... good for at least a couple days in this heat I surmised... and then we were hit again... this time the rain was going sideways and by the time it finished, our gauge registered 1.2 inches, although I suspect it was quite a bit more because it was so wind driven. My prayers were answered and we should come through the next four days of near 100 humid degrees quite well now. By Saturday the temps are supposed to drop some, as well as the humidity, and we are considering 'open gardens' as the lilies should be magnificent by then. For those of you who are local and follow my posts, I'll let you know later in the week.
With that, I'll move on to the gallery... I guess this still is my Wisconsin but I am so thankful for air conditioning!
Take care, Larry
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| Holland Beauty orienpet |
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| Vice Versa orienpet |
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| Sophie orienpet |
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| A less common chartreuse and yellow bicolor hosta called 'Rascal' |
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| Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' |
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| Aurelian Hybrid Lilies (trumpet lilies) |
The Annabelle/ Invincibelle Spirit combination in a couple spots in the gardens...
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| Lady's Mantle with hostas |
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Upon returning home from a road trip, I found a complete fairy village in the miniature conifer and alpine rock garden. I felt badly having to displace the culprit's hard work, but the presence of the structures made the frequent weeding needed in this new garden addition quite difficult to achieve... so I moved the buildings and creatures to the 'xylophone' where I'm growing and displaying succulents... I love it there!
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... Daylilies ...
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| Isosceles with its distinctive flat face |
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| Ruby Spider |
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| Virginia B. Hanson |
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| Watership Down |
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| Ed Brown |
... Seedlings ...
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| Thalictrum rochebrunianum (Lavender Mist) |
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