We have HAIL, in the middle of July!!!! I live in ILLINOIS, not in arctic circle. Like large globes size of golf ball were falling today.

It too k me couple of minutes to figure out book 6 lol.

Gary those sunflowers are reaching to the sky, are you using them to grow some vine on it? My buddy in Chicago grows her cukes on them, but then she has tiny lot in the city.

I was thinking that I might have watered once for entire spring and summer. And now my air conditioner blasting inside and outside is hail.

Got new cream for mosquitoes and using my thermacell device helping. Amount of mosquitoes is very high by me. I will need to reapply my treatments tomorrow again as severe thunderstorms yesterday and today flooding again.

Does not look like good year for tomatoes and peppers. Have plenty of zucchini.

Lemon Meringue

Valley Blue Curacao still blue, love this hosta.

I had to come back and take a second look to get the books. And have you ever heard the actors on Gilligan’s Island say how nasty the water in their lagoon was? That they didn’t want to have to get in it. I wonder if the “cement pond” was any better?

Gary, I’m loving the big picture view of your gardens! So many hostas with room in between each one so you can see them. I can relate to having lost shade trees, but the upside is that I’m seeing a lot more hosta flowers than I’ve ever had before.

Lindalana, what crazy weather! Golf ball sized hail sounds scary, like that could do a lot of damage. I guess you can’t have a good year for everything at once. Your tomatoes and peppers might be unhappy, but your hostas have been looking lovely this year.

It’s been hot so I haven’t been getting that much done outside. When I do get out it’s weeding lots of lemon balm, VA Creeper, bindweed is going crazy, and the various other weeds we all fight.

At Lowes I found Salvia ‘Back to the Fuchsia’, which I’ve been wanting. They were drying out in their small pots, so I put them all into a bigger holding pot that’s come in handy this year. All leafing out again. I’m fighting the urge to go to the nurseries for more plants that I’ll have to hold over in the heat.

Good news is that I still have my Teaspoons hosta after I thought I lost it. No sign of the Stiletto that was next to it, though.

Sempervivan, Hens and Chicks flower

My second attempt at growing Kniphofia, Red Hot Poker, seems to be going well in my newer garden bed that I added last year.

It's daylily time here.

And I know a lot of people like grasses, but they remind me too much of my weeds! This is kind of pretty for a big ole weed. It's at the edge of one bed, so it's not hurting much.

I found the 6th book fast!..this one just clicked..

I never knew the “cement pond” was fake..

gary, lindalana and sandyslopes..I enjoyed all of your photos..sorry about the hail in IL lindalana..it could happen in IN too..

I keep moving my succulent garden in and out of the garage..we’ve had rain and I’m trying to keep it dry..some backyard pics today..

Hilo Beauty..this is summer #2 for it..

I have lycoris blooms..

Painter’s Pallet..all volunteers!..

Had that happen to me a few years back. Went from drought conditions toa foot of standing water. It was all drained away in a day and a half. A quick rince with the hose to get the mud off the hosta leaves and everything looked great.

Finally got a bit of rain in the last week. Not much, just brief showers which immediately sink into the dry ground. We have a drought in the Cleveland area, especially the western suburbs. Lindalana, you have had so much rain. It continues across Indiana and western Ohio and then just zips over Lake Erie, Canada and Michigan. My daughter doesn't have to water her rooftop garden in the West Loop since you've gotten so much rain. I have tons of weeds but since the ground is so hard, it's been very difficult to dig them out. The ground is like cement. My hostas came up well this spring but they are really taking a beating in the relentless heat and the lack of water.

Not much going on here, I just got back from a mini vacation/outing. A lot of wind while I was gone so lots of branches & leaves to clean up along with all the weeds. The heat, humidity and my body needing to recuperate after an adventure is slowing me down big time.

Lindalana, I’m just north of you on N side of Milwaukee. We had terrible storms last night but nothing like what you got!! So sorry you are having to deal with that…..

So many people are complaining of no rain and several of us have had tons of rain. I also don’t think I have had to water for a month now. Everything is growing well with the exception of some root bound hostas. I have not taken as many pic as usual because all my hostas have slug or earwig damage. One of my favs, Neptune looks aweful. ☹️

Here are a few shots from afar:

debra

One more

debra

Debra, I have no idea how to connect otherwise so please reach me at gmail.

It will be oerickson.

I say you still have too much grass 😆

Seriously love how you detailing your beds.

Old_dirt, hubby bought me inexpensive watch that calculates my steps, I walk 5-6 miles daily in my garden/ house alone ...sheesh. I hear you on taking a break.

Gary, you were right, water has subsided significantly. Still there but at least garden beds are clearing.

Sandy, I am looking for salvias too, gotta find Lowes to see any sales. Otherwise I will need to get some seeds and grow a batch. My spring look needs an improvement.

Are daylilies worth growing? How long that bloom lasts?

Nicholworth, I forgot about Lycoris, I think I am behind by at least 2 weeks from you.

Sometimes I don’t know if I should hit the “like” button or not. I like the contribution but not always what’s happening.

Lindalana, I’m back and forth on daylilies. I’m not adding any more unless I see something that’s so pretty, I can’t pass it up. The short flowering time is a drawback.

Ann, I’m liking your EE! And your trees make your property look like it goes on and on and on!

These are mine and they not bad. I think couple of weeks sure bloom. I might get one more from my friend. I am not sold on them either but they hit right period of bloom for me

Sandyslopes, Happy Returns daylily blooms early then reblooms sporadically for me. It's a smaller daylily with soft yellow (but rather ordinary) blossoms.

Lindalana, left you an email. 👍🏽

debra