Southern Garden in July. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We're continuing to breathe in torrid, humid, sticky air as the temperatures 

remain stuck in the 90's, and have been for almost a month.

Today we should see 98F by mid-afternoon. 

The garden is now sad. . . . . patchy, browned out grass, nothing much blooming, 

color mostly just shades of green.

Gardening in the South is on the back burner at this time of year.

I planted very little this Spring. Knowing we'd be traveling often and not wanting to 

bother the neighbors with watering chores, I just said forget it - there's always next year.

 No veggies, and no annuals for color other than seeds in pots for these annual 

morning glories - they seem to survive with little attention.

There's something magical about waking up to blooming morning glories - wide awake 

and clambering up whatever they can wind their tendrils around - here mine grab on to 

the jasmine vine, and the old peeling paint potting bench which to me is just too pretty to 

repaint - yet! 

They are glorious in the morning, then close their petals in an almost audacious swirl 

by afternoon. This continues daily for several months come rain or shine.

I did purchase two hanging Boston ferns for the porch on my return from 

England - I'd even put that off because they would require drinks and daily misting 

in the expected high temperatures. 

So gardening friends, I have nothing much to show you right now. 

Soon I'll be sharing more of my dear friend Jackie's beautiful English garden. 

You'll then understand why I could easily move back just to be able to 

grow real cottage garden flowers.