Monarda, roses & babies

The unrelenting heat this summer has me viewing the garden (more than I want) from indoors.  I don't remember doing that so much in past summers?  I've been trying to work around it by doing most of my outdoor chores during the early AM & evening hours.  Maybe that's how gardeners in warmer climates have always done them??   Here, we are usually lucky enough to have breaks between heat waves but not so much this year.   It will take some adjusting if this is the new weather trend. 

This morning, I realized the heat has also been affecting my photography ~ most of the photos I was loading were taken through glass (& often a window screen too.) 

Above photo of my back garden just as the sun was rising. 

It looks like a "jungle" out there doesn't it??   All the beds really aren't "blending together" ~ it just looks that way from this angle.  I guarantee there are pathways in-between them!

As you can see, the (unknown) pink roses are reblooming, making me SO glad I cut them back the first of June.  Below ~ roses again with antique birdfeeder (which was broken the first time around)

Sometimes being indoors allows for better photos ~ like it does for me with bird shots! 

Below:  Baby Robin on top of the arbor:

and a baby Bullock's Oriole on top of the 'Abraham Darby' rose obelisk:

There are baby Orioles bouncing off everything in the back garden ~ I've counted at least eight there at one time!  Their curiosity, energy & unabandoned enthusiasm are truly amusing (& fun!) to watch as they explore the world outside their nest.  Aren't I the lucky one that they choose my garden for that?!!

Now for some photos I actually ventured outside to take:

'Croftway Pink' Monarda (I think??) with Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant:'

I have three different colored Monardas mixed together in this area & I don't remember planting them that way?? 

The bees aren't complaining

and neither am I ~ I just wish I knew which varieties they were & where the tags went??  Maybe this happened during one of my "moonlight" gardening spells??  I'm not always responsible for what goes on during that hour!

Back to roses ~ the pink ones in the first two photos aren't the only ones enjoying a second flush of blooms ~ 'Abraham Darby,' 'Crown Princess Margareta' & 'Princess Alexandra of Kent' are too. 

Below ~ 'Princess Alexandra of Kent:' (just to keep the pink theme going....)

and again (because I feel like it....):

'Winchester Cathedral' Rose Standard (also reblooming) with another view of that Monarda mixture in foreground:

One thing I absolutely don't mind venturing out for ~ the first ripe Cherry Tomatoes:

SO sweet ~ like eating candy! 

I'm also growing Lemon tomatoes & Big Boys but neither have ripened enough to harvest yet.  Hopefully soon.  You can bet I'll be out there picking, heat or not, when they're ready!!

Comments

[Lona]

Kathleen your gardens looks so lush a lovely. This weather has really kept me from the garden in the heat of day too. My poor garden is suffering so and needs rain badly. That Winchester Cathedral rose is just so beautiful. How amazing to have so many Orioles in your garden. I have tried luring some in but have failed so far.
Your pictures as usual are just gorgeous. Have a wonderful week.

[Helen]

The garden seems to have stood up well to the heat. I have seen more of my garden from behind glass this year but due to never ending rain but at least I havent got to water so I suppose there is a plus side. To be honest I think I would rather have rain than heat so feel for you struggling with it

[PlantPostings]

Your bird photos out the window are fantastic! Your photography skills always amaze me, Kathleen. I never would have guessed some of the shots were taken through glass. This summer is tiring, isn't it? We finally got a nice, gentle soaking rain tonight--for 15 minutes. And we're supposed to have cooler weather tomorrow. Your turn next. :)

[shady gardener]

Hi Kathleen! I miss visiting you! Hope things are going well. Actually, despite your heat, your plants seem to be doing well.

Our weather is crazy-hot and very dry (again). Lots of watering going on - and I wonder how I can actually keep it up. It's only mid-July!!

All that aside, I gave you a "shout out" today! :-)
SG

[sweetbay]

Lovely pictures of your roses, Monarda and the baby robin!!

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

Pink monarda!!! Love love love it!! That little oriole is sure cute. My pictures have come from inside a good bit of the time too....really hot.

[Victoria]

Those monarda pics are just beautiful! Very nice on the baby birds, too.