Chaste trees blooming again!

I read in Southern Living recently that if I clip the spent flowers off a Chaste tree it might encourage a second blooming. So, out I went and clip, clip the old faded blue spires were gone, into the compost pile.

Well, here we are, only a couple weeks later, and my dear Chaste trees are once again boasting beautiful blooms, nearly as many as the first showing. A treat to have such color at the end of July, when we're still in the heat of summer.

If you don't have a Chaste tree, get one! It'll make you happy.
Georgia

Indominitable Dusty Miller

Who knew Dusty Miller could be such a knock-out plant? It over-winters here in Wilmington, at least in my garden. And it flowers! Tight, round yellow flower heads that last a long time--months!

I planted three Dusty Millers behind some red carnations and WOW! What a combination! Red and silver. Very nice. I planted some around a clematis because I know the latter likes cool roots and WOW! DM took over. The clematis managed to climb out and blossom, but it's overwhelmed and I'll need to dig up and transplant the DM to another location, leaving maybe two to block the hot, hot, hot afternoon sun.

Up north, Dusty Miller was so-so in my garden, nothing spectaculer, and I bought some plants here in Wilmington on a whim, because I like the soft, gray, lacy foliage.

Hey! I think it's a staple, providing nice contrast to more vibrant colors. And it's certainly hardy, drought tolerant and willing to dress a garden.

Get some!

Rain! Rain! Rain!

Six and a half inches of blessed wetness fell last night and it's cloudy again today. I hope it stays cloudy and even if more rain doesn't fall our trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals will have a chance to recover from the parching heat and blasting wind that has punished my gardens for several weeks.

Everything is standing up straight and tall, their roots stimulated by the cool, soaking rain.

It was a beautiful thundery night. Flashes of bright light charged the sky. A show of strength and promise from the Gardening Angel.

Thank you!
Georgia

Lady Banks goes wild

I fed Lady Banks a super-duper rose fertilizer in March and June and she's growing in all directions. Have had to cut side shoots off to keep her growing tall and over the arbor, but I can hardly keep up with her. If only Lady Banks bloomed all season, she'd be the perfect rose. So far she's evergreen and thornless (how remarkable is that!) and her yellow blooms are springtime lovely. Now, will somebody please breed a repeat bloomer? Is this possible?
Georgia