Bloom Day Resolution

Here in southeastern Virginia, we have until just recently been suffering through a sustained heat wave and a conspicuous absence of rain, and things were getting desperate.  Mind you I am not complaining, just stating, besides this is the year I have resolved not to complain about the weather.  It is not right to worry about wilted annuals when so many people across the country are trying to rebuild their lives after losing their homes, and in some cases losing things even more precious. So I will be grateful for whatever blessings the weather brings, but especially for the two back to back evenings of rain this past weekend, prompting the garden and the gardener to both breathe a sigh of relief. 

I have a lot of things in bloom right now, and two of my favorite plants are at their peak - the Hydrangeas and the Daylilies.  So this post will be heavy on those two plants, but I have a few other things to show as well.

Here are a few Daylilies (Hemerocallis) whose identification has been lost to poor record keeping or indifference.

Here are two I remembered, 'Smoky Mountain Autumn' ...

... and 'Milk Chocolate'.

This is the first year I have grown Castor Bean (Ricinus communis), which some sources list as the most poisonous plant in the world.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

This year my Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) had more flowers on it then ever.  Unfortunately a large limb came down out of my Linden and took out 3/4 of it the day after I took this picture, but now there is more room for something else.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Penny Mac'

I am not positive, but I think this is one from the Halo Series.

H. macrophylla 'Pia'

H. macrophylla 'Sun Goddess'

The latest Hydrangea in my garden is one that I found mis-labeled at work.  The tag said 'Glory Blue', but this one was a double flowered variety whose flower stems match the color of the blossoms.  I have no clue to it's real identity, but I like it.

If you have made any mid-year resolutions, please let me know. And if you would like to see what other garden bloggers are showing this month, then please visit Carol at May Dreams Garden who is our gracious host for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th of each month.