June slipping into July

 I'm behind on my documentation.  I've been visiting gardens of friends, meeting new neighbors (with lovely gardens with perennials to be shared), and traveling.  Before Bloom Day, later this week, I wanted to throw in the end of June and the start of July.  The heat really changes things fast!

The last week of June.  My pots are finally filled in and oh so enjoyable

Purple Fountain Grass, Lemon Thyme, Coleus 'Bone Fish' and 'Henna' (larger
rusty leaf) and Sweet Potato Vine

Coleus 'Sedona' with a itty bitty Creeping Jenny peaking out of the bottom 

Purple Fountain Grass, Lemon Thyme, Persian Shield, Million Bells

After the MG Garden Walk in Champaign, I went to one of the local gardening centers (one giving a discount if I showed my ticket) and came home with some compost and this bundle of goodies!

Just back from the nursery!  Physostegia virginian a 'Miss Manners' - Obedient Plant, Echinacea purpurea 'Milkshake' (2), Mondarda 'Mahoganoy'   Hosta 'Vulcan'   Eupatoriim purpureum - Joe Pye Weed and Sedum 'Frosty Morn'

The scent of Bee Balm is heavenly.  I lean toward the lighter scents and have never appreciated the heavier smells of other plants, like Lilies.  I touch Bee Balm every time I pass it - even if it's someone else's!
If ya don't want me touchin' your leaves, don't' grow so close to the sidewalk!!
I appreciate the pollinators and I know these flowers are like crack to the buzzers, which means I want them far away from our outdoor dinner table.  The alternative is to have an empty flower pot of epipens creatively displayed.
No one wants that.
I put this 'Mahogany' next to the house, downwind from our dining area.  We will savor pleasantly perfumed breezes, while the bees can do what they do with our interference.

Bee Balm Monarda Hybrid 'Mahogany"

I've not seen variegated Sedum at my local stores, so I consider this find a SCORE!

Sedum 'Frosty Morn'

I do not grow and love Hostas for their flowers.  To be honest, many years I've cut down the blooming stalks before a single flower appeared.  The one exception to this is the Aphrodite.  I find that flower beautiful.  I don't have an Aphrodite anymore.  Below is the bloom of the Big Daddy
I've left the stalks on this year, just because there just isn't much else going on in the shade garden.

One more Astilbe in bloom - later than the others and this lil thing faded pretty quickly too.  But it is Pretty in Pink!

Another pink - which has been a show stopper, slam on the breaks, Wo!  What is that is my Pow Wow Wild Berry Coneflowers.  I can't get over how dazzling they are.  So far, they are on the top of the list for MVP award.

Echinacea 'Pow Wow Wild Berry'

My Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea is starting to come alive.  So very anxious to see her in full color.

Hydrangea 'Vanilla Strawberry' Flower buds

Hydrangea 'Vanilla Strawberry' Shrub in late June

Just 3 days later, flowers appear

(July 1)

Hydrangea 'Vanilla Strawberry' Flower

My Chocolate Chip Ajuga is doing great this year!  I missed their spring blooms because it was right in the midst of the replanting week.  As much as I love the tidy clump it's in right now, I'm tempted to take little chunks and plant them a little farther down, so I can watch them grow together.

I really want great combos behind the ajuga.  I have a Heuchera with rust and orange colors that play off the purple and green - but it's not enough (the Heuchera is still a bit small).  

What else grows very well with this?

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' gaurded by a dragonfly

Just a step back

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip" with dragonfly in July

Liatris. Liking it.  This one was purchased and planted last year.  The new ones that I grew from bulbs have not blooms yet (as of July 1 when I took photo)

Liatris in July

A step back

Liatris in July