As we begin summer in the garden, let’s take a survey of what is going on. Texas betony is starting to fade. The winecups are still producing every day but have fewer flowers. The Mexican hat and the blanket flower are about finished. The day lilies in the front bed still have one or two more blooms yet to open.

Salvia greggii are still producing occasional blooms. Like the lantanas which are just beginning to bloom in our yard, their best season will come in the fall. We have three types of lantana - the blue, the gold and the pink and yellow varieties.

Zexmenia and turk’s cap are in full bloom as is the abelia. They are heat lovers. The flame acanthus is covered with red. The Mexican oregano continues to bloom steadily. Four-nerve daisy is always in bloom. The globe amaranth we planted last year has come back very strong. So far the ruellias have not bloomed as proficiently as in years past, however. Gaura is also not doing as well as usual.

Pavonia greets us cheerfully in the morning with bright pink flowers, as does the weedy widows tears with their bright blue flowers that we allow to persist here and there. Morning is also a good time to catch Jimson weed with its flowers fully open. They open just at nightfall and last until mid-morning.

We also have blooms on many of the roses. The iceberg in particular is doing well, but the rouletii also continue to flower steadily.

And of course the sunflowers.