I'm currently captivated by this rose right now! It is fast becoming a favourite. Very healthy, interesting blooms. They are always changing. 2nd year Charles Darwin. Blooms can be golden yellow, lemon yellow to linen like colours.

Walker Lows I cut back are starting to grow back...Been dry here so been hand watering so they grow back faster...

Campfire rose in fore-front starting to take off now..

Our new Smokebush finally taking off...

Been dry here so areas of our lawn turning brown...lol

Charles is a very cool rose!

Quietness

Gruss an Aachen

Twilight Zone

And because this is the rose forum

Lady of Shallot

Lord love a duck! What a baboon I am! Too many pictures, I’m getting my roses confused!!!

That wasn’t Quietness I posted, it was Olivia!!!! Head smack!

This is my Quietness

Bloomstruck

Lavender Hidcotes are taking off...

Today

Earthsong today..This rose bush just likes to bloom its head off...

CC today

Oursteelers...lol well that explains it :)

Wow I can hardly believe all the beautiful flowers everyone has blooming right now!!!

Forget these photos from today..

Sweet dogs, HalloBlondie and Erasmus! I enjoyed reading about them.

Toolbelt’s picture is adorable! I found myself thinking that it was both most pristinely clean and dirtiest puppy, ever, at the same time.

HalloBlondie, you grow so many beautiful flowers. I love them all, and I’m impressed by the variety you can grow in your climate.

Kristine, you have so many beautiful lilies! I love them and would grow more, if it wasn’t for the kitties.

Jim, I love seeing how your yard has burst into life after seeing all the snow pictures this winter. Your Coreopsis is looking great, as is everything else. I’m sure I forgot something, but I’ll be back. I forgot to take pictures before it was too dark out last night. Lisa

The doggie pictures and stories are wonderful. Animals are the best part of us. This is Peanut, a Yorkie who is no longer with us, except ever in our hearts.

What a sweetie, Ingrid! I so agree with your sentiments.

I also agree Ingrid! :-) I really enjoy all the pet pics and stories! :-)

Lots of cute pets on here...

And the rose & flower photos are enjoyed!

I love your former Climbing Pinkie, Ingrid. Mine looks terrible. It has a chlorotic pale anemic look.

Hit 99 degrees here today...But that's ok we fired up the air in the car...LOL

I feel like I'm becoming Moses here..but wow Quietness is putting out new blooms daily!!

Sidonie out out a new bloom too which is small but still very pretty

Oh and I keep forgetting Double Delight which is in a pot until Fall but blooming constantly despite the heat.

Jim oh, you are a hoot! I knew those were your pictures without even looking! I love the climbing pinky. Coincidentally, I just transplanted mine from an area where it was growing backwards to Prime real estate. Hopefully it won't die to the ground next year and at least we'll give me a few flowers and look like a bush. I love seeing what it can really look like though!

I totally agree about Jim's last photos. Where does he find melting orange construction cones, anyway? And what does that "car air conditioner" run on--the car battery? Better yet, Jim, are your beautiful garden photos. I love Bloomstruck, and it would be the first hydrangea I'd choose if I were to attempt to grow one. Our climate isn't hydrangea friendly (but neither does yours seem to be right now, either, Jim). I am so impressed with your Earthsong, which is blooming far more than any of my roses currently. Love your little construction site out front. I think you are enjoying your play time, along with gardening. Your coreopsis are so round and full, and I keep looking up your melampodium daisies. I've got to grow those for sure.

Kristine, what stunning lilies you grow. I so wish I had more space to grow one like your pink lily. What rose is Charles? It's lovely--don't think that's Quietness.

Pippa, Moses would surely be envious of your Quietness. What a delicate beauty. Truly outstanding.

Blondie, I agree Charles Darwin is something special in all his colors and beauty. In some of your photos he looks a bit like Golden Celebration, and in others, I'd swear his blooms were those of Jude the Obscure. Your Lady Gardener is exquisite. She seems to be a rose that has quite a bit of color changes, too. The NOID lily is gorgeous--talk about fancy.

Oursteelers, what a luscious bouquet. How about some pics of those hydrangeas? They are wonderful. And I am jealous.

Lisa, your Evelyn bouquet is breathtaking. Wow. Oh, for a California garden. Your roses are so lush and always seem to be in bloom. Thanks for posting the photo of the pimpernel, Gentian Blue. My friend's daughter had a whole pot of the stuff, and the blue just draws your eyes. It's captivating.

Well, it's supposed to be around 101F tomorrow. I shouldn't complain since this summer hasn't been nearly as bad heatwise as it usually is. And the heat is dry, and our traffic cones don't melt. I have a good supply of ice cream to tap into so I'll survive. I hope all of you also survive your heat waves and still have good roses to show us. Diane

I was commenting on Blondie's Charles Darwin

Let's see if I posted the wrong picture for Quietness.

Not the best picture

Here is a better picture

Great photos!

Its 90 degrees here this late morning...Cold front moving in..:-) Tomorrows high 75 degrees...lol...:-)

Jim, you’re too funny. My brother sometimes sends a batch of those hilarious pictures with quotes. I wonder where he finds them all? It’s warming up here again, after a brief reprieve. I dislike it for Millie as much as for myself.

Josh and I both took a few pictures last night. The difference is pretty obvious.

Mine; Pomponella Fairytale

Mine; Flamingo Gardens Tea with Red buckwheat on the slope.

Josh’s picture of Molineux

Oh, my! Hank and Pearl. What a cute pair. A Chihuahua adopted my son's family a few years ago. They did everything possible to find the owners and came up empty. They named him Happy because he always has a smile. They have big dogs, but this little guy rules the household, including their big dogs.

Ingrid, I can see that Peanut was a heart stealer. That expression says "Come on, Mom. Are you going to stand there and take my picture all day?"

Moses did us all a big favor by insisting we need Quietness in our gardens. My two year old is a good 5' tall. It's next to Rouge Royale and the two would be incredible together if Rouge would loosen up and lean a bit toward Quietness. He's trying to woo her, but she's on the shy side and keeps to herself. Abe is competing for her attention on the other side, but she remains steadfastly aloof. She's beautiful enough that she can.

Lisa, all of those photos are wonderful. I'm anxiously awaiting Poseidon blooms. I hope they will eventually look like that last photo of yours.

We've had perfect gardening weather, but the heat starts tomorrow. Diane, I think you'll beat us at 101˚F. I cut Rhapsody in Blue to the ground yesterday so I can take it out. That rose was meant for a cooler climate. I'm happy to have the space for roses waiting to go in the ground.

Flowers, we have had pretty nice gardening weather, too, until today. The next few days will be awful, but I could have predicted that easily--because the next week is when the Canyon County Fair takes place, and it is always the hottest week of the year--all the better to torture 4-H kids and their livestock (I live in Ada county now). I remember those barns before AC, and I'm not sure they have AC yet. The exhibit hall where clothing and other projects are displayed is better with AC, but not much....I've got a couple of roses I need help removing, too, flowers. They are monsters--please send help. My poor Rouge Royale desperately needs to be moved to get away from the deer, and I swear, I will have Leonardo next year, so he needs a place also. Is Rouge Royale really as good as you say? I still haven't been able to evaluate RR because the deer eat almost every thing that poor rose produces. You'll notice, I never post any photos of RR blooms--that's because I don't have any! To celebrate the beginning of rotten weather week, I am still in my nightgown and it's 5 PM--haha. Family is gone camping. Ice cream for dinner!

Lisa, more luscious roses. I have to say your Poseidon is stunning, and it reminds me some of Love Song. I love that red buckwheat in the background. Is it short or fairly tall? It's probably an annual, right? I'm loving all the Dara wild carrot that's blooming away in my garden. It will probably be invasive next year.

Jim, you say it will be 75F tomorrow. For shame. That cool weather is not allowed. The traffic cones will harden. If we had a temp drop that big, it would involve a massive windstorm. The roses are going to love that 75F, though. Diane

Haven't been much in the mood to even look at all the pretty pictures. One of my sisters died Friday after fighting ovarian cancer for almost six years. This is the second family member I've lost to cancer and I have to say I'm pretty much sick and tired of it. Through the years I've lost both parents, all my grandparents, some aunts, uncles and cousins, but it seems odd losing a sibling. Between this, the oppressive heat, and the stupid Japanese beetles, my flowers are in limbo, much like me.

So sorry about this Rob. Cancer can be horrible. I do hope you take care of yourself and give yourself time to grieve. We are feeling for you.

Heartfelt condolences, Rob. I've never lost a sibling and can't imagine the heartache. In the weeks and months ahead I hope you can find some peace and joy in your memories of better times with your sister. Cancer is an insidious beast.

So sorry robw1963! Our condolences for your loss! I lost my sister in 2014 to cancer...:-(

The heat started today instead of tomorrow. I've been trying to get outside all day, but turn around and come back in. And, this is only the beginning. Lets all go to Jim's tomorrow for some cool relief.

Diane, I do love Rouge Royale. I never thought I'd say that about a red hybrid tea, but she is exceptional. My first RR that the voles got was more of a shrub shape, but this one is definitely upright and narrow. I hope she will get a little wider as time goes by. Once the deer let her give you one of her magnificent blooms, you will fall into her spell. They're huge with fragrance to match. Almost a Spirit of Freedom in red, only bigger.

I wish I could send help for your rose removing. Snag a neighborhood mow and blow guy who wouldn't mind spending a few extra minutes giving you a helping hand. It's near impossible finding good garden help. So few people actually garden. Most have low maintenance landscaping, consequently lawn care guys have no knowledge of actual gardening.

Your Love Song is the best of the best. If I can get Poseidon to survive and look half way decent, maybe I'll get over my Love Song failures.

In nitie all day, home alone, and ice cream for dinner sounds like heaven to me.

Rob,my heart felt condolences

You have had more than your share of losses. I haven't lost a sibling but I will be devastated when I do

Sending prayers for peace and comfort

Sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. My heart goes out to you and your family

Diane, here are some hydrangea pictures for you

Dang it, they wouldn’t all go through

Rob, I an sorry to read about the loss of your sister. That's a very rough thing to go through. I hope that when you feel a bit better, your garden will be a comfort to you again. Diane

Oursteelers, oh, thanks so much for posting your scrumptious hydrangeas. I thought pink was my favorite color, but the subtle colors of your last photo are so appealing. I love the lacecap which doesn't seem to be grown as much as the mopheads. Do you have alkaline or acid soil? You seem to be able to grow all colors. Can you tell us the names of these lovely things? Sorry for all the questions, but which one is your favorite? I would have a hard time answering that.

What a terrible tragedy, Jim. All that ice cream melted and lost in your heat wave. If only I had been there with a giant spoon. I did have a hot fudge sundae for dinner, though. I can't be trusted on my own.

Flowers, I finally got dressed to go outside to do some hand watering--gah, the heat. To foil the deer, I'm cutting every bud that's beginning to open off poor Rouge Royale and putting them in a bud vase. The first bud has outlasted a Munstead Wood, followed by a Twilight Zone bloom, and is still slowly opening. This RR bud could last for years in a vase. Somehow, I'll get those transplants done. I'm shooting for August 15 to get Rouge Royale out of its predicament. I wish you could have joined me for a hot fudge sundae. Later, I had a hamburger. I think my arteries have closed off--ha. Thanks for your nice comment on Love Song. I'll trade you one for Leo. My two LS are having a good year. It can be less nice if the previous winter is harsh. The Prince, nutcase rose, has gone bananas, growing and blooming like crazy, something this wimp has never done. Unfortunately, all his buds and blooms have been eaten our by either thrips or some mystery tiny bug which I have observed scurrying around. So--I have removed dozens of buds and blooms from that wretched rose. I think I keep him around to show me just bad a rose can be. The nasty little bugs have attacked Augusta who is blooming again. They are the only two roses showing this, though Abe Darby has a suspicious looking bud. So much obsessing about roses. I hope your roses are looking good and you come through the heat wavelet in good shape. Diane

Prayers robw1963! I still miss my sister like she only passed yesterday... God Bless!

Today's back to normal temps..Low 70's right now... :-)

And we got RAIN last night..lol

Our Rozanne was getting a little out of control so cut it back alittle...

CAMPFIRE is blooming...

Diane, thank you. I love my hydrangea! I’ve never tested my soil but by their performance I would say I definitely have a mix as I have pink, purple and blue. They are Mariesii, PinkSensation, Annabelle.

I will try to show a few more, the deer got a lot this weekend so I’ll see if I can get any good pictures

DoubleDelight Stargazer

Wedding Gown

HaasHalo

Abracadabra Star

Haas Halo didn’t go through

Rob, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the loss of your sister. I’m so sorry, and can’t imagine the hole left in your heart from so many losses to this terrible disease. May time and the good memories eventually ease your pain. ♥️ Lisa

Oursteelers, thanks more for posting the new round of photos. You are a hydrangea expert in my opinion. I've never heard of a few of these beauties. It would kill me to have the deer eating them. Have you tried repellent--it works some of the time, but I fear might damage these delicate blooms. It doesn't affect the roses, though. I love all those lacecaps. Is Doubledelight Stargazer the same as the blue/cream/white hydrangea in your earlier group of photos? I still think that's my favorite, but they are all so beautiful. You must get lots of rain, I would guess. Diane

Jim, your Rozanne just kills me. It is so darn thick and healthy looking. I should start pruning mine, but there are so many other pressing chores. Whatever you're doing Rozanne likes growing in your garden. Diane

Opps! I don’t know why the photo of Love Songs nice red new foliage is up here, but that’s where Houzz decided to put it.

Diane, the red buckwheat is just under a foot tall, in my garden. It’s perennial, but only to zone 8a. It has self seeded just a little on my slope. It’s an easy one for me, because it requires NO summer water. I sometimes give them a squirt with the hose, if I’m in the area, but not very often. It’s critter proof, too. The gophers have left mine alone for all these years. I’m thinking it might be a good plant for you, Ingrid. It’s from Annie’s, like much of my “good stuff”. It’s not really RED, more of a rosy red/pink.

Oursteelers, your hydrangeas are incredible! I love them all. Is that ‘Peacock’ Hydrangea in the last picture you posted yesterday? I’m in love with that one. I tried to get it on clearance a few times, but was always too late. I’m sure it would bloom pink for me, even in a pot, and I’d want that luscious purple color against those black stems. My water is just too alkaline, and I’m not crazy enough to buy bottled water for it. Well..... I’m actually crazy enough, but as little as I go out, it would probably die of thirst before it could bloom. Why do we always want what we can’t grow? They are thirsty plants, and I have to keep all of mine in the shade. I think I better keep myself at the 4 hydrangeas I have. I’m trying to learn not to make so much extra work for myself as things get harder to keep up with. Yours really do tempt me, though. I would however, like to try again with a small reblooming hydrangea, like Jim grows. I’m greedy for those cut flowers!

Diane, your Love Song pictures are amazing. I really like mine, and it’s a champ in the heat, but it doesn’t look as ruffled as yours. I wonder why that is? Mine is just beginning another flush. Two blooms are fully open. See how mine has less ruffles than yours.

These have been open for several days in the heat, so they are quite a bit lighter than they were upon opening.

Since I’m up on the slope, I’ll take a few more pictures.

Wild Edric is starting up again. I love this one, especially because our dear Ingrid gave it to me.

Mel’s Heritage just keeps blooming, deadheaded, or not. Not, in this case. Oh my goodness! It’s suddenly raining big fat drops! Yeah!!!

A blooming cane of Cornelia

My Clotilde Soupert isn’t nearly as pink as she was in her shaded pot. This tings of pink will be gone by the end of the day:( That blue aster from Annie’s keeps spreading, even though I try not to let it get much water. They creep along, spreading underground. I need to pick some ASAP.

Oh oh! I’m already 35 minutes late for coffee time! How did that happen?!? Lisa

Lisa, I had to laugh at you trying to control your blue aster from spreading while I'm desperately trying to get mine to spread. I have 3 clumps that aren't doing a thing but sitting there begging for water and more water. It looks like the same variety, but I left the tag outside, so not sure. Your Love Song looks good to me and Mel's H is going crazy with blooms. I wish I had bought Wild E when Northland had him but I haven't seen him for awhle. Cornelia, Clotilde S and Mel's H are the type of roses I most associate with you - fluffy, ruffly, softly colored, yummy roses.

Diane, I wish I could have joined you for a hot fudge sundae, too!! I just ate a plate full of cold spinach right out of the can. How's that for mouth watering goodness. I just happen to like spinach that way. Always have, even as a child. Those deer of yours! We've all got to put our heads together and come up with a solution. It's the most sinking feeling to go out to see all the buds gone. It has reduced me to tears. I've never brought Rouge R in the house, but you've convinced me I need to. I hope Leo isn't that PAoK color you don't like. It's called pink, but definitely has some apricoty tones. The Prince is taunting you. He's showing off this year to win your favor, and deviously planning his next move. He can be so handsome when he wants to.

Crazy, unpredictable weather. Overcast, cool and pouring rain for about 5 minutes this afternoon. Can't wait to go out and enjoy the humidity. At least it's not as hot as expected.

Ron, my deepest condolences on the loss of your sister, which has come after so many other losses for you. When you mention six years of struggle with cancer prior to that, it makes it all the more tragic. My heart goes out to you and all those who loved her.

Am I in the TWILIGHT zone or what?... Posts in Houzz threads are all mixed up or missing posts ..What?

I started a NEW SUMMER THREAD:

CLICK HERE:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5751735/summer-is-here-seasonal-thread-part-4