Pics From a Long, HOT Georgia Summer

Well, y'all, have we not had some serious heat this summer? I mean, it's been so hot that I haven't had any desire to do A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G in my yard. Nothing. Nada.

I planted these flowerpots together on the same day, with the same flowers, from the same nursery. Look how much better one did than the other.
Honestly, I'm tired of taking care of them, but I do love the black petunias. I think if I water them every day and talk nice to them, they'll still be around by fall. Then I'll stick some orange and white mums in there for a while. When I bought these flowers at the nursery, they had them displayed in pots as college colors; the red, the black and the white. As you can see, my version of the display didn't pan out so well. Next year I'd really like to remember that the flowers that you buy in April as little babies are full-grown monsters by Mid August.

Even MaMa's wedding day rose hasn't been able to stand this heat.

It's okay, though. This little beauty is from Twin City, Georgia. One of the hottest places in the state, with 10,000 gnats per second swarming around your nose. I know she'll come back as soon as it cools off some. She'll be a shining beauty next May.

What about these hostas? They normally do so well there.

Oh, that's right. Last spring we cut down the tree that gave them the shade that they love so much. Boo me. Transplants next year? Maybe.

Tea Olive tree one didn't do so bad.

Tea Olive tree two didn't do as well. I think it's because of the huge, ugly cedars that are hogging up all of her water. The cedars may be gone next summer. They may be replaced by a privacy fence. No offense to our neighbors.

For a few days last spring, I watched the sun throughout the afternoon. The Japanese Maple seemed like it would be a nice, shady place for a few pink impatiens.

Unh-unh. These girls are HIGH MAINTENANCE. They want just the right amount of sun. The right amount of shade. The right amount of water. And if a handsome Japanese Maple can't take care of you? You've got problems.

And by the way, don't look at them funny either. They will take it personally. Impatiens, unless they're planted under a tall, strong Oak tree, no thanks.



Begonias normally do great here.  They're not very dainty and they don't need a lot of attention.  Apparently, though, they do need some.

It looks like a rabbit may have been giving them the attention that I haven't.

Oak leaf hydrangea.  Oh, how I loved you.  Your blooms were gorgeous.  They stood so tall and looked great in some arrangements I made.  Thanks for sharing your beauty.  Enjoy your down season.

Ahh, my prized hydrangeas.  I'm emotionally attached to these hydrangeas.  Their blooms always amaze me with their size and color.  Sometimes the prettiest shade of lavender.  Other times a sweet baby blue.

You couldn't have been prettier this summer.  Whether it was on a cool, windy May afternoon for a graduation party or a scorching hot Kimball July 4th party, you bloomed at your fullest at just the right time.  This fall we're going to move this hardy beauty.  She's going to the shade.  Bless her heart.  She has stood in that hot, burning sun long enough.  She never, ever let me down.  It's time she be granted the rest in the shade that she deserves.  She may share another big bloom or two this summer, but I think she's done for this year.  Live on Aunt Louise and Barbo's hydrangea.


This little rock garden thrived on neglect and burning sun. 

The camellia cutting that my daddy got from his daddy's house has continued to grow and, despite the heat, I think it'll be ready to be transplanted into the dirt next year.

Our cedar tree that we decorate every Christmas grew a lot and I'm already thinking of pretty decorations to put on it. 

Kelly's Mountain didn't seem phased by the summer heat.  That big ol' rock just sits there and takes it. 

I do love that old rock.


The vinca around our mailbox did great.  Vinca is kind of like a weed; it's very hard to kill.  I guess that's why it survived, because that area of our yard gets no shade at all.  And, yes, I do need a new mailbox.  This one won't stay shut and it looks kind of sloppy, don't you think?

Don't ask about this one.  I really don't know why there is an arrow stuck in the stump of the tree.  But it's been there all summer, so I guess you could consider it yard art.

Crazy heat apparently makes shrubs grow out of control.  Early spring I cut these ugly things back so much that I thought for sure they'd never come back.  But oh, no.  They're almost as big as they were when I cut them back.  All they are good for is for the 9999,000 pesky white flies that call those shrubs home.  Next summer, these shrubs will be gone.  Something else is going in that spot.  Something that knows its limits.  Geez.

This is actually two shrubs and a gardenia bush.  But due to outrageous growth this summer, it just looks like one green blob.  They need to have some space.  Another job for the fall.

So summer 2011, you've been great.  I've enjoyed your visit very much. 

But I know you'd hate to wear out your welcome, so anytime you'd like to go, it's okay with me.  I'll look forward to seeing you again in May 2012.



Till next time...