dry, dry, dry...

The garden is dry...no rain for days.  The rain barrel is nearly empty.  Things are looking pretty sad.  Even though we don't typically sprinkle our grass or plants, I had to for the last two weeks, otherwise some of the nice plants we purchased earlier this year would have shriveled up and died.  But even with that, it's still looking dry and brown.

One good news item.  We have put down GrubX twice this year and we've seen only a few Japanese Beetles!!!  MUCH IMPROVED!  One more application this year and then 3 times a year for the next two years and we should be all clear.  Plus that should make it so those pesky moles move on.

Oh, and an update on the veggie garden.  There isn't one.  Not yet.  We've been real busy this year and haven't found the time required to invest in this project.  I believe it will be started this year before the winter, but who knows?  We still have several windows to paint and that project started about 4 years ago.  We really need to focus, but we are just jam-packed with things to do until probably November!

lots of pink...

astilbe x 'pink' (spiraea)

I had replanted these two astibles (spiraea) under the magnolia tree two years ago. They had been right in the sun and were being choked out by some property demanding hostas and other plants.

They didn't do well at first - this is the first time I've seen them bloom - and it's quite BIG! I'm very happy and hope they will continue to flourish under this big, shady tree.

There is a white one right next to the pink one that has buds, but hasn't bloomed yet.

As you can see, their neighbors are pachysandras.

carefree beauty (bucbi)

If you click on the photo above, you will see the scourge of the garden - a Japanese Beetle!!! Now all my roses and other flowers are going to start to look VERY shabby. These beetles are relentless and will devour the whole garden. They just started showing up this weekend.
Makes me sad :'(
A couple of pictures before they start looking ragged.