Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea alba)

It has been very hot and humid this week, so I’m laying low in terms of any vigorous gardening. Evenings seem to be the most tolerable time to weed and do a bit of trimming.

Here are just a few of the floral highlights in my garden this week :

Zinnias (Z. elegans ‘County Fair’) are so vibrant, one needs sunglasses to look at them–

I’m loving my Dahlia ‘Voodoo’ with its rich, burgundy blossoms.

Other hot pinks in the garden are Cosmos (C. ‘Sensation Mix’) and Zebra Mallow (Malva sylvestris ‘Zebrina’).

Spider Flowers (Cleome hasslieriana) are charming me with their shape and color.

The Sunny Knockout Rose

‘The Sunny’ Knockout Rose that I rescued from the bargain table at Lowe’s is living up to its name, blooming like crazy. The buds start out lemony, then fade into white.

Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) continue to bowl us over…