Hemerocallis (Daylily)
It is just a number, but having arrived here, I like the idea of marking my 550th post.
Most days this week I have enjoyed the garden by getting up early, between 5:00-6:00 a.m., to take pictures, water certain plants and spend some time in quiet reflection before the neighborhood starts bustling. A red Daylily started flowering a week ago, this yellow one opened today.
Wednesday I noticed a colorful creature spiraling an Allium Atropurpureum. Perhaps someone will be able to help me identify it.
Allium Atropurpureum
Scattered all around the garden, Echinacea purpurea has been reliable in the heat. Some planting of echinacea received no extra water during this drought, but I watered this section fairly regularly since I was watering nearby. Even drought-tolerant plants such as this one respond positively to some attention.
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) Along Back of Northern Border
Bees are becoming active at this early time of day, but frequently during my walks I have come upon them asleep on Echinacea and once, on Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint).
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)
Another bee pair was lazily hanging out on the spire of a Liatris spicata. This one is the only liatris that has kept its dignity during the recent heat wave.
Liatris spicata
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) came into its own this week. Along with Cleome it helped to fill in some gaps along the fence in the western border, attracting more bees at the same time.
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)
Cleome hassleriana (Spider Flower)
Bee on Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)
A recent addition to the garden, Ruellia brittoniana ‘Purple Showers’ (Mexican petunia) is taking its time getting adjusted to its new home. Eventually it should make a nice large clump and overwinter, I hope. There are a couple of new flowers each morning, gone later in the day—the bunny or some other phenomenon? I have not seen the rabbits in 4 or 5 days nor have I come upon an abandoned little blue velvet jacket.
Ruellia brittoniana ‘Purple Showers’ (Mexican petunia)
Under the screened porch a long border was overtaken years ago by Shasta Daisies. When they first come into bloom they are fresh and inviting.
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Always too quick for my camera on a few mornings there was a single hummingbird sipping among the Monarda didyma (Scarlet Beebalm). The blooms are drying out so one time the tiny bird caught a a long red petal in its long beak instead of finding nectar—I could almost see it trying to spit it out.
Last night a huge storm passed us right by and hovered instead over the town of Chapel Hill. Several friends reported hail damage. Tonight a smaller storm carried some light rain our way for 45 minutes. The bird baths were filled only half-way, but the water should help refresh the garden. Have a great weekend.
pbmGarden 
I had to plant a few loved flowers near my windows and the feeder nearby so I can get pictures of the hummers….your garden is doing well in the heat…beautiful blooms.
That’s a great idea Donna. Hope you see lots of hummers this year. Rain last night–hooray!
Your flowers seem to be standing up to the heat pretty well so far Susie. The early hours of the day are best when it’s hot, so it’s good you can enjoy the garden then and wander with your camera. Stay cool! 😉
I only showed the “happy” pictures here, but actually you’re right. I’ve been surprised. We had a huge storm during the night and this morning the garden looks like it can’t believe its good luck.
I love your early morning photos Susie, they are so atmospheric. And congratulations on 550 posts, what an achievement!
Thank you, I’m finding the early morning light is much easier to deal with than other time of the day. I don’t remember marking the 500th post so this number caught my eye. Why don’t we celebrate 467? Something to ponder.
Well done on post 550! The flowers in your photos exude health and vivacity.
Thank you. I wanted to show it’s not all gloom and doom. Some flowers are doing ok in this heat (and overnight storms make the garden refreshed now).
Congratulations on your 550 posts Susie, you have a good weekend too. 🙂
Thank Jessica. We had overnight storms during the night so the weekend should feel nicer.
Congratulations on your 550th Susie, your garden looks wonderful in the early morning. I love that time of day, I am not sure what sort of beetle you have there, but he looks colourful.
Thanks Julie, I guess 550 is a funny number to celebrate, but thought it would be fun. Thanks for checking out the insect. Spending some early time in the garden seems to kick my day off to a good start. Very peaceful then.
Congratulations on 550 posts! Your garden looks stunning despite the heat – the echinaceas, phlox, cleome and liatris are just so lovely – that purple shade is particularly restful in the morning light
Thank you Matt. Just can beat that morning light.
I’ve grown Mexican Petunia in pots – a very attractive plant, and hummingbirds like it. I hope it is hardy for you. I also just planted some cleome to fill in a hole I created by digging out some overly enthusiastic ferns.
Thanks Jason, Mexican Petunia is borderline hardy here but I know of one success story so I’m optimistic. The cleome should look great among your ferns.
Glad to hear you received a nice rainstorm. Natural rain seems to wake up the garden in a way the hose never matches.
550 seems a perfect milestone to celebrate. I didn’t think much of it at first, but then noticed I’m still below post 200!
Another big rain last night has left the garden looking relieved. Yay! That seems as big a milestone as the 550th post.
Congrats on your posting milestone, it shows commitment, dedication and a love of what you’re writing about.
Thank you. Never imagined when I started this blog I’d still be enjoying it 4.5 years later.
Hi! I’m a new follower admiring your lovely flowers. :o) I grow Mexican petunia, too. Mine drops its flowers at some point in the day. It’s a large clump, so there can be quite a few of them lying about until they “melt” away. Once it gets going, it blooms like crazy, so there are always plenty of fresh blooms, next morning. I hope yours settles in and does well for you!
Thanks so much for following. I’m so pleased to have you and happy for the information about Mexican petunia. Kept thinking something was eating it.
It’s always nice to celebrate mileposts and post #550 is a good one. Congrats! Your flowers are celebration enough, though…aren’t they?