when temperatures hover around 100 day after day after day??
There is work to be done but only if the "gardener" is not adverse to major perspiration.
The seating areas are appealing but the most pleasant time to enjoy them are early in the morning:
and late in the evening:
The sun won't be scalding then but those are prime times for the bumper crop of mosquitoes inhabiting the garden this year. It's almost impossible to win.
Sometimes the best bet is to observe the garden from indoors and run out like a mad woman when something flits by to photograph ~ like this butterfly:
I think it's a Fritillary but I couldn't positively identify which one? The best side view I was able to capture is the one below:
Perhaps there will be other opportunities as it seemed to be really interested in Clematis texensis 'Duchess of Albany:'
It's one of two "texensis" varieties grown here. The other, 'gravetye beauty,' you've seen many times:
I had butterflies on the brain this spring when I planted two new Asclepias Incarnata but I have yet to see any light upon them ~ there's 'Princess:'
and 'Ice Ballet:'
It's too early to give up tho ~ I usually see the most butterflies in August and we are (too) quickly approaching that month.
Something else occupying (worrying) me during this heat wave is an injured Robin:
He's been hanging around the garden for over a week now trying to recover from what looks like a narrow predator escape. His left leg has to be broken (I never see him put it down), he's missing feathers including most of the tail ones (which you can tell better in the photo below:)
I'm also uncertain about his left wing (whether it's broken or not.) I know the odds are stacked against his survival but I'm pulling for him. I've done an online search for a rehabilitation place in my area but can't locate one ~ what would you do???
Poor little robin. I would make sure he or she has plenty of food and water and that no predators in the form of four legged ones come around. Your clematis are superb.
Posted by: tina | July 24, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Makes me sad to see that poor robin....I wish I knew of a place to take it! Wonder if you could call Wild Birds Unlimited to get some advice? I think there's one in Ft. Collins isn't there? And yes, your flowers are amazing as always.
Posted by: Dana | July 24, 2011 at 06:13 PM
Poor Robin, I hope he either heals quickly or it is over quickly....hate to see them suffer.
I do love your colors on the chairs. We are debating on some colors for chairs for down by the water. But as you said, it is too hot to sit out there this time of year.
Posted by: Janet, The Queen of Seaford | July 24, 2011 at 07:40 PM
Your garden looks like it's enjoying the heat, but I'm sure it would be hard to work in it. We don't see many butterflies around here, but even fewer with the cooler temps this year. I finally found my own C. texensis!
Poor Robin, I'm not sure I would do either, other than maybe make sure it could get to some food and water. Hope he makes it.
Posted by: Catherine | July 24, 2011 at 07:40 PM
I am enamoured with the Clematis too, how beautiful. I've tried 'Ice Ballet' but it never bloomed for me because the Monarch cats loved it so much, far more than the other milkweeds for some reason. Poor robin, I would provide water and let nature take its course if you can't find a wildlife rehabber.
Posted by: sweetbay | July 25, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Poor little Robin! I hope he's doing OK now. I agree with the others that your garden appears to be doing just fine with the heat. It looks very inviting.
Posted by: PlantPostings | July 26, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Oh the poor bird. I wish there was a facility nearby where you could take him. I guess just hope for the best. Maybe dig up some worms for him. I want 'Gravetye Beauty.' Your photo makes me drool. Your seating area photos look like they belong in a magazine. I hope you get a cool-down soon.
Posted by: Grace | July 26, 2011 at 10:42 PM
I can relate to your predictament Kathleen, it's too hot here as well. Early morning or after sunset is the best time to do any work in the garden. Love those sitting areas of yours, the colors are very bright & inviting. I've been eyeballing those new Butterfly Weeds, the colors are very pretty. :)
Posted by: Racquel | July 27, 2011 at 06:32 AM
I am sure that a great many gardeners relate to your post this year... mosquitoes seem so much worse when it is really hot and "perspiring" weather... probably not a word is it?! at least in this context. The past few years I have resorted to spraying all two acres with a hose end mosquito treatment and it has been wonderful not having to deal with the critters. Once the dew point is above 70 with temps in the high 80's or more, we tend to let the gardens take care of themselves. Your seating areas look wonderful and your photos are excellent! Larry
Posted by: Larry | July 28, 2011 at 03:01 PM