June Solstice (Summer Solstice) in Chapel Hill, NC – Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 5:43 pm. In terms of daylight, this day is 4 hours, 53 minutes longer than on December Solstice.
We had a torrential downpour this afternoon but the sun came out in time to celebrate summer solstice. Long summer days ahead, but already creeping toward darkness.
Shasta daisies are beginning to wake up.
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ (Coneflower) is having a good year and attracting lots of visitors.
Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ (Coneflower)
Other echinacea are thriving this year too. Although they are drought-resistant, coneflowers seem to appreciate a good drink of rain water regularly as much as the next plant.
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
Their flowers take on a variety of forms. I like the drooping ones and this one with the petals tucked in like a turban.
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
This salvia anchors a calm area of the garden, not minding the tansy’s encroachment.
Tansy and Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’
Starting out white, Oakleaf hydrangea is working to earn its name, Lil’ Ruby.
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
This artemisia is a favorite hiding place of several generations of rabbits terrorizing the garden this year. I was going to show pictures of all their damage but the list is too long and discouraging. I’m especially disappointed they’ve eaten the zinnias, which had been off to a great start, sprouting in 2 days. A neighbor gave me some spray but it’s not stopped the rabbits completely from tasting.
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ (Wormwood)
I am not sure what prompted me this evening to look up Russian Sage, but I’m glad I did. It turns out to be the plant formerly known as Perovskia atriplicifolia.
Now its name is Salvia yangii.
Salvia yangii (Russian Sage)
Salvia yangii (Russian Sage)
The overwintered dahlias have been eager to flower. Some others planted this spring are slow to get going but I expect they will catch up.
Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’
Dahlia ‘David Howard’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’
Dahlia ‘Tsuku Yori No Shisha’
This week on Instagram I joined Amy @newgatenarcissi with a monthly collage of the garden. Here’s June. Maybe you would like to join in also. #gardencollagemonthly
June 2020 #gardencollagemonthly
Wishing you a happy summer!
pbmGarden 