David Copperfield, Where Are You?

Though they love to pose for the camera, you can see how water-logged these Gerbera blooms are.

“I’m just waiting for people to start asking me

to make the rain disappear.” – David Copperfield

What a  stretch of hot and humid weather we’ve had here in Nova Scotia — record breaking temperatures and humidex readings that rival those of tropical climes.  Add to that days of leaf-beating, bloom-ripping, mold-inducing, earwig-loving torrents of rain and, well, it’s not only been unpleasant, but downright nasty for the garden.  Or nasty for my container gardening, at least.

This morning, I took pruners in hand and removed every discoloured leaf and expired bloom I could find.  That helped a little.  Some things, such as the verbenas of all colours, are kaput — the wind and earwigs finished them off — so they were unceremoniously removed and tossed into the ditch (where they will probably take hold and bloom profusely for the rest of the summer!).  I combined two pathetic containers into one, where possible, and hope that we get a little sun later on to help start drying things out, although the forecast is for cloud straight through to Friday.  Gah!

So far, the hot, wet weather hasn't seemed to affect the Gerberas at all. These pink buds will soon open.

There are five distinct colours of lobelia growing in the garden this season, more by accident than design.  The large clump of dark blue/purple was bought as such — the rest came from a small flat of  ‘Regatta Mix’ I grabbed on the run.  I just love their little iris shaped blooms.

In this container, the lobelia consists of a dark blue/purple; a violet/pink in the centre; and a light powdery blue on the right, all at various stages of growth, obviously. (You can see the strip of aluminum foil in front of the door that is still keeping Mr. Pee Cat at bay!)

This white-with-blue/blue-with-white mix is very pretty.

And I do love this little clump of white which is spreading nicely in the little rhodie bed.

This 'Trusty Rusty' coleus is starting to take off; it can grow to a height of 18 - 24". I love the colour.

On these days that feel like a sauna and will frizz even the most well behaved hair dos, I’ve decided I’m only ever going to plant geraniums!  Geraniums and lobelia because nothing seems to phase them, and nothing seems to eat them.  Oh, and I do have one, lowly cosmos growing in a pot which has survived all of Mother Nature’s sense of humour.

David Copperfield, where are you?!

Dancing In (Spite Of) The Rain

Verbena - Hot Pink

“The good rain, like the bad preacher, does not know when to leave off.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Given the amount of rain and wind we’ve received over the past week or more — and that which is in the forecast for the next few days — it’s a wonder that anything is growing at all.  However, most of what’s in containers is doing pretty well, especially since things were only planted two weeks ago.  This hot pink verbena is going to be a favourite, I think.

Stars of the show...

The Gerbera daisies are putting forth the best effort, but they were well established when I potted them.

I had never grown Gerberas or African Diaises before, but I'll be sure to use them again.

Everything is looking green and lush this June — just look at the new growth on poor little Rhodie.  Though her blooms are almost spent, it looks like she’s enjoying the TLC.

New growth fans out from red Rhododendron

Geraniums are in bud, lobelia is stretching long fingers over the sides of pots, and some wildflower seeds have started to sprout, but none are picture-worthy quite yet.

Garden Bloggers’ Muse Day – “On May Morning”

Now the bright morning Star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The Flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth, and warm desire,
Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

– by John Milton, On May Morning

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Garden Bloggers’ Muse Day is hosted by Carolyn at Sweet Home & Garden Chicago on the first day of every month.  Won’t you join in?