Midsummer

Early to mid-summer is not quite as showy as spring and fall, but there are still some things going on.  The Dracunculus Vulgaris blooms  in late June, with a terrible smell; like rotting flesh.  Flys are attracted to it for the one day that it puts off the odor.  The flys do an effective job of pollenating.  The plant stands about 3 feet high and the flower is roughly 15 inches.

The foliage is nearly all gone now with only tall stocks remaining, supporting clusters of berry-like seed pods.  The seed pods of the Dracunculus are similar to those of its cousin Arum Italicum...

In another month these seeds will turn bright orange and then the stem will give way and deposit the ripened seeds on the ground.  Almost all will germinate.

Jan wanted me to plant Zinnias this year; they are starting to show their color...

I'm not a huge fan of Day Lilies, but I do have a couple colors I really like...

And who does not like the Asiatic Lilies....

The Amarylis didn't do as well as I had hoped; little too much shade, I think, but there is some color...

Several years ago a friend gave me some starts of a daisy-like perennial; I don't remember the name of it, but it has been a consistant bloomer...

My dad turned 94 in May.  He enjoys just sitting in the yard...