S DOUBLE CLASSIC still looks very pretty, and maybe the next bloom onSPRING FANTASY will look much better.The clematis are very pretty..The BLACKBERRIES are looking good. Do you get any of them, or do the raccoons eat all of them.

jean

Jean, the racoons don't bother the backberries although I have seen the squirrells eat some. And of course the birds do eat some. But plenty of fruit always left for me. I do love blackberries.

Siloam Double Classic in Photo 1 has lovely pink color and ruffles. Sorry to hear about the slug damage. I battle those critters every year for awhile. The orange lilies are real sparklers in both photos, and that clematis is a stunner. The blackberries are looking good! My family loves blackberry cobbler. Do you ever make those? I've considered planting some berry bushes, but haven't yet taken the plunge.

Debra

Thanks Debra! No, I don't make anything from the blackberries, I just go outside and eat them. They don't even make it into the house.

If you are considering blackberries, I really think the erect thornless ones like mine are the way to go. There is an entire series of them named after Indian Tribes. Mine are Apache and Arapaho but there are others. Thorns on the trailing types of blackberries are absolutely wicked and this from someone who works around hundreds of roses.

Slugs are bad here too this year. I'm finding them on the iris foliage along with some of the dl foliage. Darn buggers.

Do you know the name of your clematis. I'm looking for another one to put on my back trellis.

Lilies are so pretty and I did see your garden pics with the roses. Just stunning Rita. Congrats on keeping them so beautiful each year.

Julia

I think that clematis is Mrs Cholmondeley. I think it is really pretty.

mmmmm!! Blackberries, and they look so nice! Too bad about the slugs, I don't seem to be bothered by them, perhaps it is too dry for them. Your clematis and orange lilies are beautiful.
Cindy

Rita, I think most of us have some slug damage. So, not to worry. Spring Fantasy will probably look much better next bloom.
I make Blackberry Jam the old fashioned way when I can get the berries. The wild berries taste much better but also have more seeds. The Clematis is looking terrific and the oorange lilies are lovely...Ellie

I love the taste of Blackberries so I have no trouble eating them right up.

The slugs are just extra bad this year and seem to be doing more damage than usual.

I've had more slugs than usual this year too. The weather must have been ideal for them. You lilies and clematis look great.
Val

Beautiful lilies and those blackberries are mouth-watering.
kay

Yummy those blackberries sure are going to be tasty. S. Double Classic still looks good to me even with a little slug damage.
Linda

Thanks. I really like my blackberry patch. And this morning I just saw a gigantuc slug, looked big enough to be a snake ha-ha. Did him in by sprinkling salt on it. But I bet there are lots more hiding where I don't see them. I am really getting tired of the slug damage on my blooms.