Trouble in Paradise is a pretty rebloomer, and Better Than Ice Cream looks good for triple digits! The roses and zinnias are so pretty, and the cardinal photo is fantastic!

Debra

My Better Than Ice Cream is just starting a rebloom scape. For me, I've had a good rebloom season...........Vivid Heart sure is vivid. Very striking.....On to zinnias. I was wondering the other day if I could sow zinnias in our over 100 degree heat (105 yesterday and today). I don't know how sensitive they are to hot soil temperatures. Any clues? Sown later then early spring , they can be an adequate substitute for a few mums in fall and be a lot cheaper..........I've grown Tithonia in the past. The bloom to foliage ratio wasn't as good as I would like given my small planting area. But they do brighten up a spot later in the season.........I was talking to a rose friend of mine the other day and couldn't remember the name of your pink rose, only that I liked it. The foliage looks remarkably clean in your photos. Always enjoy seeing other things blooming when the daylilies are about over...............Maryl

Debra, I gave that birdhouse to my husband as a Christmas gift and it has been so entertaining but I thought this photo extra cool!!

Maryl, you are correct-there is a lot of foliage in the Tithonia but watching the bees, butterflies and hummers on those blooms is worth it. Plus, that bright orange is a great spot of color as you said. On to zinnias-in my experience zinnias like warm soil. Germination (on good seeds) is usually just a few days and they grow quickly. My mass planting was July 12 and they are already beginning to bloom. I actually threw a few more seeds out over the weekend and they are up. Keep them watered and go for it!!

Kate, your gardens are lovely! I love the zinnia photos. I wonder if my climate limits what I could do here, of course I need more space.

It sounds like our weather this season has been similar despite the distance. rain was feast or famine.

Sherry

The butterfly shot is my favorite--such a nice contrast of colors, with the stark details of the yellow and black swallowtail against the searing monotone of the red sunflower, and then in the blurred background the yellow of the zinnias.

Yes, rebloom flowers are often nicer. Vivid Heart has Big Apple in its background. Is it always clean?

I'm surprised that Debra hasn't mentioned the deluge of rain that Indianapolis had. We had way too much here.

Sherry, zinnias germinate very quickly and grow very fast. So if you are interested in them, I think they would grow well. And they love to be cut so you have fresh vase flowers all the time in summer! Nurseries often have them as plants, too. You have shown some great perennials-I try to add at least one new plant to my garden every year even if it is an annual.

Mantis, thank you! I had three butterflies on that bloom but 2 flew away just as I snapped the photo. Kinda glad they did!!

Yes, all the flowers on Vivid Heart have been very clean. Thanks for the background info on it-you know I never research that.

Mantis - Indianapolis has not had the deluge of rain that areas in the eastern part of the state have gotten. My part has gotten a few short downpours, but mostly light rain. Our rivers and creeks are swollen with water, but I do not live near a waterway.

Debra

That baby pink zinnia is very pretty! Lots of great pictures. Vivid Heart is a nice bright color. The mexican sunflower with the butterfly is a great picture.

We got 4 inches 2 days ago, another inch yesterday. The daylilies love it--it's been great for the bud builders especially--but so does the grass. I can't keep it cut. I've been transplanting daylilies and come in a muddy mess. I've had only a few rebloomers, but that is typical for here.

Lovely garden photos! I especially like the photo of the butterfly on the Mexican sunflower.

Nancy

Brad, so true about the grass!! It is so hot I can’t attack the grass in the beds. I need to move some plants around but so far have only managed three moves.

Nancy, I like that photo too!! Thank you.