I’m so pleased with the way things are coming along in the garden. The combination of blooming shrubs, perennials, and annuals is keeping things interesting for now.

The back center bed may be too full, but I had to get drastic after it was hit hard by one of our hurricanes last year. The tree stump now supports a large planter filled with lantanas, which are just starting to bloom. I’ve been looking for a new bowl for the broken birdbath, but the blue ceramic dish will have to suffice for now. You see the circle of white begonias and impatience that dominates the bed. I tucked in some other things for splashes of color, but they haven’t all started to bloom yet.

After severely pruning the hydrangeas, I believe I did the right thing. The leaves look healthy with lots of new growth, and their big blossoms are looking good too.

This is another one of my seven French hydrangeas, sometimes called bigleaf hydrangea. I rooted all but the original two of them. The oakleaf hydrangea behind it is starting to fade, but it has been beautiful this year.

I have two varieties of perennial blanket flowers (Gaillardia) in the sunny bed on the south wall of the house. I don’t usually plant these hot colors, but I’m stepping out of my predictability this year.

I separated this perennial Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia), and all sections are doing well. It is a filler-type plant that has these easily overlooked tiny blossoms. These are in the same sunny south bed.

The knockout rose is getting a second wind. A new pink and yellow lantana underneath its hot pink blooms will be a joyful combination until frost.

Shalom, Dottie

Don’t forget to check out the Propagator’s WordPress website to enjoy his wonderful blog. After all, Six on Saturday was his idea. He is also on Twitter @cavershamjj https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/