The Last Roses Of Summer?

Each year for the past several years I get one beautiful flush of bloom and then the attack begins.  They are my foe the Japanese Beetles scheduled to show themselves about the fourth of July.

Pink Meidiland is a graceful shrub rose that looks like it is dancing all summer.  If you want a nice rounded bush this is not the rose for you, but it works wonderful in a full border.

Carefree Beauty is another free form shrub rose, grows tall and arching and excels in the middle part of the border with other plantings to keep it tamed.

Carefree Delight shrub rose graces the back of the border blooming in clusters.  I think the border is my favorite place to grow roses, looking very natural with a variety of shapes and colors around them.

All The Rage is a front of the border rose with glossy green leaves and blooms the entire summer, more resistant to those beetles.

Cinco de Mayo is an award winner, smokey in color and peeks out from many other plantings.

Mary Rose is a very fragrant David Austin Shrub rose, middle of the border and reblooms throughout the summer.  The beetles do like this one, maybe the fragrance!

The Knockouts never disappoint this one being Rainbow, my favorite.

 

The original Knockout combination of single and doubles

 

Knockout Blush

 

 

Knockout Pink

 

 

Home Run Red is part of the new generation beyond Knockouts, also more resistant to beetle damage.

 

Home Run Pink

 

 

Around The Garden

I should have a sign "Under Construction" on my blog like they do on websites in progress.  My kitchen has been torn apart for the past few weeks and has a few more to go before completed.  The only place that looks decent right now is the garden.

Henryi and Miss Bateman blooming together both Type II's

 

Geranium Magnificum

 

Krinkled White Peony

 

Iris Caesar's Brother

 

Clematis Fireworks on the pergola, Type II

I will cut this down to about six inches when done blooming, new growth will get some rebloom and will not get cut down again until next summer.  I treat all of my Type II's to a haircut and some food when they are done blooming.  This makes for a much fuller plant and less woodiness.

Rouge Cardinal Clematis

My first Type III to bloom

 

 

Geranium Karmina

 

The geraniums blooming now do not rebloom but they are worth having in the spring garden.

 

Ninebark Summer Wine

 

Tor Spirea

This one is a keeper, unlike any other spirea, low maintenance and beautiful three season interest.

 

Heuchera Pinot Gris

Strong growing variety, keeps it's color all four seasons, first to bloom

 

Heuchera Villosa Purpurea

This is the daddy of all of the new Villosas in the foreground, beautiful flowers, Southern Comfort in the back

 

Allium Schubertii

Unique, twelve inch globes

I grow this with new bulbs each year, don't always come back the same size.

 

Allium Star Of Persia

This is a fall planted bulb that is not that easy to find but certainly worth the effort, first saw this at Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin.  It blooms late spring and early summer, a great layering plant as it dies down to let others put on a show.

 

Rainbow Knockout

 

This is the earliest of all my roses, hope to get back with a rose show next week!