So... Summer Arrives at Last!

Lamb's Ear, Paprika Yarrow and Salvia Blue Cloud

This Salvia Blue Cloud is HUGE this year!

Paprika Yarrow and Salvia May Night

After a cold, wet, Spring.... Summer arrived today in all it's blazing glory. Just in time, I say. It feels good to be warm and all of the plants are rejoycing in their new found warmth. I can't belive how tall many things are this year, after all the moisture we've had. It certainly made and difference, and I am enjoying the process of seeing how my "friends" are all reacting. Of course, I'll be complaining about the heat any day now. But maybe not. I think a bit of a cool-down is on the way. Here are some photos I took today of my plants rejoycing!

Lambs Don't Like to be Wet...

This is the way they do best... small, neat clumps.

Poor drenched Lamb's Ears

It rained (what else) late last night. Also sounded like hail, so I just buried my head under a pillow and tried not to think about it until morning. Everything was sopping wet but thank goodness I didn't see any hail damage. I realized on my morning "stroll around," that I have not taken the time this year to supervise the Lamb's Ears (Stachys lanata). If you don't, they tend to get away from you. AND they do not like to be wet! I usually pack them in with companions that like to support each other... this also helps when recovering from hail. If I keep the little Lamb darlings nice and compact and don't let them spread they do much better and add such a beautiful soft texture to the garden. I also cut back most of the flowers and just let a few strong ones stand. Sooo.... I'm sorry little Lambs... I'll pay attention and give you some tending. After all, we ARE supposed to be in a droubt, aren't we???

Today is finally a beautiful day (at least for the moment). I'd better get out there and get to work!