Today we’re returning to Carla’s garden in Malvern, Pennsylvania, for a midsummer update. Here’s what Carla has to say:
July has brought a little of everything to my garden. We have moved from extreme heat to intense thunderstorms, with occasional stretches of unusually cool weather, before the cycle begins again.
Despite the deer enjoying a few lily snacks, I have had some amazing blooms. Roses are blooming well, along with more clematis and hydrangeas galore. I was recently in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York, which reminded me why I became so captivated by the many beautiful hydrangea cultivars found in gardens there.
My tomatoes are starting to fruit, and this has been a wonderful year for growing basil. I enjoy growing heirloom varieties, and this year I am growing Tuscan basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Tuscan’, annual) and Neapolitan basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Neapolitan’, annual) from seed.
‘Annabelle’ smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, Zones 3–9) is so beautiful next to a birdbath.
Despite the attention of hungry deer, this Oriental lily reached 5 feet tall this year!
Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum, Zones 5–9) are sunny and sweet, and love hot weather!
‘Millennium’ azalea (Rhododendron ‘Millennium’, Zones 5–9) is literally the last to bloom in my garden.
Tomatoes are something I grow in giant pots, and I prefer those grown by seed. Meet ‘Costoluto Fiorentino,’ an Italian heirloom tomato variety (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’, annual).
Texture and color are part of my garden. A threadleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum, Zones 5–8) mingles with hydrangea foliage and ‘Sun King’ Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’, Zones 3–9).
Lime Rickey smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens Lime Rickey, Zones 3–9) is a cool green touch in a hot summer garden.
‘Moroccan Rose’ (Rosa ‘Moroccan Rose’, Zones 6–11) is so beautiful and easy to grow. This upright shrub was collected by an international rose rustler in Morocco years ago. It has damask and hybrid perpetual qualities and is a repeat bloomer.
This is ‘Tie Dye’ clematis (Clematis ‘Tie Dye’, Zones 4–9), who took a couple of years to get herself established and now she is a prolific summer bloomer.
An owl carved from a red oak (Quercus rubra, Zones 3–8) that once grew on the property stands at the edge of the woods, surrounded by a planting bed filled with witch hazel (Hamamelis cvs., Zones 3–9), daffodils (Narcissus cvs., Zones 3–9), roses, lilies, serviceberry (Amelanchier cvs., Zones 2–9), and peonies (Paeonia cvs., Zones 3–9). What is in bloom depends on the season. The sculpture is sealed with a clear finish, preserving the natural color of the red oak.
It wouldn’t be summer without a sunny lemon-colored heirloom daylily!
Buddha contemplating the garden with a pink lacecap hydrangea. Cherry Explosion bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘McKay’ Cherry Explosion, Zones 4–9) blooms happily in the same spot.
Thank you, Carla, for sharing this stunning midsummer update with us!
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