baby, it's hot out there! 6/24 update

somebody please make it rain.  the grass is crunchy underfoot.  the garden is droopy and the gardeners are melting.  luckily, we have a few dedicated volunteers who make the trip out to the garden to water the plants.   here is a current view from the demo garden:

grapes in the arbor

 we have green grapes and red grapes.  these red grapes are coming along nicely-just don't eat them yet, they bring sour to a whole new level...

 many of the plants have a fungal infection, called black rot and we cannot eat them.

 i like to look at the leaves and see just who has been visiting.  any ideas who may have left these?

 looks like a leaf miner was here too

 cleome in full bloom in the zombie garden.  

 red noodle beans in the vertical garden

 missouri wonder pole beans also in the vertical garden

 mexican petunia in full bloom

 texas star hibiscus-love this one!  when fully opened, it is a bright red star shaped blossom.

 artichokes have wonderful foliage

 the herb garden, or perhaps i should say herb jungle

 the cannas would like to thank michael for their lovely new home and all of the room they now have to spread and grow.

 grasses have the most unusual blooms and are so tiny.  this is switch grass, cultivar heavy metal, in full bloom.

summer savory in full bloom.  how do i know it is summer savory and not winter savory?  summer savory has lavender blooms (the photo doesn't show that very well) and winter savory.has white blooms.  either way, the plant is under utilized in the kitchen.  the flavor is very similar to thyme but a little more earthy.   whatever you think of it, it is a great plant to use in your landscape since it needs little care and spreads nicely.

and speaking of summer savory, today's cake was an orange poundcake with summer savory leaves and blossoms in it.  it was rather tasty!