We continue to have very hot and humid days that are stressing many of the plants, but some are managing to bloom despite it all. Here are a few of them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsSRtybCLwciopQL9EkQvJVlKAzTbc4-Anrooi-MehyZ1-C6TAIKrEL_0d1oeI9wC3fHi7K5ob_EbnaPvH_Y6Ey6QInIIIdiHJFvbH1j-limQoaWEdWh0VlA6UUTecMIQ9TKho7THxQT4r3GkUzQkosN25tZRQ2hKbYgBQ6KkGUIYtvxV2NL98BVHk9M3/w480-h640/IMG_4384.JPG) |
The ground has cracked open because of dryness, but volunteer begonias are sprouting in the cracks. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEV1pV4sNRd03U5wcwqufaLwRbq8Rnf8qI-bVpjp2mWb43tpu5wL6Bz-f0smbd_RCnoBs6_0JyPI_PgbsMzqAAreK3Bk8VsoEPLQxyoOPUaqKSLSGRTPENrR_Z_Z-3uPWX6oaR5sw6MAOOiLv5y_Yoh6bfQLdVI8Ms-PykvneE5ynzwnL2iS2tFOgxQAN/w640-h480/IMG_4389.JPG) |
Our one day lily bloom. Deer ate all of the orange ones around the corner. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JdfQ3qLZ3ETB_GMK90hWZOdmQL0EdNKzBjHjVziENBaCMdez9gVJpk2ZWLk2Tv_d87p63MlSl6ET12frXr2L_xLxCD35hj8YKCkqzMeHlrI0HaUJIuD75M1JZptTo2bD_0kJFeqRdWPV_3yeY99tbEGGWiEvF8vR0r1TWcRnsTDWm09u4z3m9xjnBXqC/w640-h480/IMG_4391.JPG) |
The first surprise lilies have bloomed. More to come, I hope. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdPqYsmRVeLMYfwT1I-MktFdiebCyibFQjHrkO-4gMe2dQZbhwkaWcciyYD1Z4nyhedBQnlIgZo5nzR48aIVnPmtW8DImZqmLkIC4PhWL_t3zsDSkcQ5rACpJLt1wIAOCk_vaYnmfrSXExjTZ6BCcEXO-ngf28uK2hPS-6lrTSIuI13QItYprBuott2bP/w640-h480/IMG_4392.JPG) |
Black-eyed Susans, Maryland's State Flower |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_329qqr1Ky3tVCDaQXnaMCx8cwGK3IpUsbpxRl64PYOuQ6H3n5nsGhlQjfh19kY3ugfEY7AoNSvqfWNnz-42hCjuzr6Yuy38YDa3-_grvRxTiUs3JGzPytk30Uhf43ZivsN54Of6ee5WvvGMPgBDEkRACxAdaQ_M9yfI942LRC4wEdAfkqnmZaTQTTEl/w640-h480/IMG_4397.JPG) |
Purple sage |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHrzee8zRM_RGXT0fGXO7UfbCZa0dbSstCi0JOrFqt54ar3c5Ti6zuRl1cSXjhIIMcDiSZWxdCrorIDYD1E_hyT08Ypi2ii7lYDaFhxC0gsHVcG3t1YXPugl2dm8mUA2CYZ5e1Sa7Okq7kQ_0hX23aQDjfqPK7VEjfm5fxaMF0C4Ef4Icog2KraJxrnG6/w640-h480/IMG_4339.JPG) |
Allium (Millenium var.) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6VJMgkBpahEd9X98miRCbF_M5TOb-GDhlAs4pCg2OlQs_mGu1Ow0_AROzjYAaeKCtZjLoOK7DUshn4SJqUITd3eTrglBwADfSf9Ak6KtApL5CX7anW5xR7hglTiyw5FtgsCwWnvSCkRyR-4CvQNEUWnoi08SIaluKGF01uZOurps3-49pjrdZW4AL1Ur/w640-h480/IMG_4345.JPG) |
Dianthus |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO067feIfZIaJvxYf-GOudEoGoOec5Q9F-CoFSp9smy1mzrTxTs1lTnOTQyzPCJ_EOGe7EX8wtQiwpQUaDLMw3uuJmFo01AqV_U_iL-kZ1pCOIhGj5lrBOqkvjOKWQ-NGpIU8J4znAPpUh7xF_7T9iOn04Jb-4Z5Eqr8MJAAJiM5FwDo8ffIWQv-KMwly/w640-h480/IMG_4346.JPG) |
Abelia (Canon Creek var.) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Tmv84gLhBz0QPV48yk3W1RXbO7DjsOp1_cXaP-0aOG07AkrTjKov1fsDbEX7Zo4Lu6DKrOQmjJLvykSdsBGeJe54rHcsAcatTTjAEIyPOTGJK3sCQGlSgVBKh_gt5EItNTX6ECTXmIP8-f4vn3qWJoAhkHvzeKPeoy6ySbSAWJOk8TJFkUoKizdz4NA/w640-h480/IMG_4349.JPG) |
After a flush of blooms in the spring, the spirea is starting to bloom again. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA46yEoa0_uUcYf9f63E32sRvcTYsTT7GFIABqd9fuAX5ahnHVpRYgXb9mQgiCDiDfKjor6qwtl69TcKXxWReQM3PY1DawQqSrW1iKMXKTIdWS_bFm18llGlGxmOoqT1sFiW5dpmHuKC1w3vaCTrNLsRcL2n8RhrxCMUawa6CpmKeSXXqmAiTrr-CQIlGm/w640-h480/IMG_4350.JPG) |
Two late bloomers on the oakleaf hydrangea bush. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqrmy8r7oJ2WzeZo0UDImjuvqEypFqFEiHaG8KJXD1eSbAetGsXtHzReiesdVhNa6qKXo6HKIzM_g5kOA5V_MdSv20T_j8wfTFJVboy8PN0E-Dk7WrjjYveh_BUiR3BaLq0sx7_imD6gbLOavYiyXN-MrqXbEe4zm18q0xKTWs8ExSIiFMobbTW_ucUY5/w640-h480/IMG_4371.JPG) |
One of the zinnias that survived the attack of the earwigs. |
So, amongst the crunchy grass in some places and dying plants in other places, there are still plenty of things in the yard to make me smile - when I brave the heat to go find them. 😃
Until next time...