Garden Bloggers Bloom Day ~ August, 2012

Mexican Sunflowers are this year's favorite new addition. An outrageously orange annual, planted by seed, in an old whiskey barrel on the deck.

They say it's going to rain. But, it never does. And, the stark contrast between the two halves of my property is very sad, indeed.

Phlox pretties up a sad sack pack of tired blue Delphiniums.

Haven't the heart to show pictures of the back half of the yard. The dry brown area that relies on rainfall which never comes.

Heavenly Blues

I automated everything in the lucky half of the yard. An in-ground sprinkler system plus timers on the deck, and timers in the veggie garden, too.

My previously 'Always Thirsty' flower patch is quite delighted to no longer have to rely on the slacker gardener [that would be me] turning on the hose.

Sweet Pea Climbing Vines

With all that wonderful, consistent water to get new perennials off to a strong start... I decided that this should be the year of the climbing vines.

Giganto Wisteria

I'm gaga over the delicate pink color of these dainty Sweet Peas and those Morning Glories [above] ~ Oh, my! What a stunning sky blue...

I gambled on a cold hardy Kiwi Vine (zone 5 ~ Do you believe it will survive? I'm skeptical.) Plus, 3 bright orange trumpet vines, 4 purple Clematis climbing vines.

And! One vine to rule them all... 

A Wisteria! She's grown 15 feet in her first summer. Once she reaches the roof, I'll be training her to wrap around the room addition. Truth be told, I've killed more Wisteria than any other gardener on the planet. But, I have high hopes for the Missus. She seems to really like it here.

Pop over and say hi to Carol @ May Dream Gardens, Creator of the Bloom Day Meme.

Here's a whole bunch of bright August bloomers, photographed early this morning while in my jammies. (The new neighbors are never too appreciative of that stuff.. but they have learned to look the other way.)