Bloom Day July 2012

As I started taking pictures this morning, plants were still wet with the previous nights rainfall, and as I publish this blog another storm is rolling through.  This is one crazy July, but I'm thoroughly enjoying all this unexpected  rain.

Despite the rain, not everything is looking it's best.  Some plants like these canna lilies are looking a little weather worn and I had to search for a few photo worthy blooms.

Luckily, I have these morning glories to set a good example for the other plants.  They keep blooming in dry or wet conditions, and what a glorious way to start the day!  

These butterflies don't seem to mind that the Gregg's mistflower is not looking it's best.

The Mexican orchid tree is always a favorite with butterflies and hummingbirds no matter what the weather.

Okra is one of those vegetables that is pretty enough for an ornamental bed.  The attractive flowers of the okra plant are very comparable to other plants in the mallow family like the pavonia pictured below.

Burgundy Okra

Pale Pavonia

Fall obedient plant blooming in July.  Yep, that's right, it's going to have to change it's name.

My mum's and other fall bloomers like this spider lily are blooming early this year.  I hope something is left to bloom in September.

This is my first year growing cleome, but I love this plant.  It hasn't stopped blooming since I planted it in the spring.

This little red climbing rose has really amazed me.  A friend gave me some cuttings last fall, and I grew them over the winter.  In the spring I planted them in pots and they have really taken off.  Today they are about 6 feet tall and covered in blooms.  Incredible.  What a great plant! 

I grew these burgundy castor beans from seeds during the winter and planted them around the garden when temperatures warmed up.  These plants grow so fast and they're so interesting.  I love having them in the garden. 

There are so many plants that I enjoy growing.  It's not summer without basil, and look how pretty it is.

I tried strawberry field gomphrena last year for the first time.  I've grown gomphrena's before and they're great plants.  This year I started these from seeds, which is a very rewarding and economical way to create plants for the garden.

Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph' is a non-stop bloomer.  There are lots of great salvia's out there, but I love the color and drought tolerance of this plant.

I hope you enjoyed Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.  Please check in with May Dreams for other great Bloom Day posts.