Summer 2026 - Garden Update

Summers here are intense.  Our last frost date is mid June and this year the temperatures stayed on the cooler side, delaying the transplant of annuals.  It also delayed outside work generally speaking as single digit daily temperatures persisted. I was so very glad when the Pink Saxifrage started blooming in June.  It was as if it looked up at the gray skies and said, "You don't frighten me, you silly English type!"

By June in many other parts of the country, spring is long done.  Not so here.  The lilac bushes wouldn't start blooming until early July.  between cold weather and rain, I was still transplanting annuals and seedling perennials well into July. 

I decided that next spring, I will start my annuals later than recommended. I ran out of pots and room in my studio and some seedlings spent far to long in confinement, so to speak, and struggled as a result.

New annuals (for me) this year included Borage, Lobelias (p Sapphire and White), inca Periwinkle and Bread Seed Poppy (pictured left).  The Borage and Bread Seed Poppy have done very well.  

The Borage grows into mighty plants with branches, thick stems and cascades of blossoms that the pollinators are truly enjoying.  They've thrived despite our gray, cool weather and have been covered in blossoms for at least a month.

The bees aren't as keen on the Bread Seed Poppies, but the hornets seem to like them.  I grew these mainly for the seedpods - as they are the poopy seeds used in baking.  It's still too early to harvest these so I've not yet decided what I'll do next year.  They're an attractive plant so regardless of how the seed yield turns out, I expect I'll plant a few.

The Vinca Periwinkle has yet to blossom and it is now August 11th.  I won't be growing those again.

Of course, the Calendula are as dependable as ever.  The nasturtiums are also blooming nicely. I had poor germination of the nasturtium seeds I picked but I made a mistake with all my seeds last year: I stored them in bottles.  I noticed a slight odor when I opened the jars (not a good sign!).  This year, I'll stick to envelopes and paper bags. 

I tried a dwarf Cosmos this year and think the smaller size works beautifully with Lobelia in pots on the porch.  

I started a few annual herbs too - summer savory and chamomile.  They've not enjoyed the weather, sadly.  I did start some Alpine Strawberry seeds (see left) and they've done very well.  I may actually get some fruit from them this year.

On the perennial side of things, I started some Red Yarrow, Purple Cone Flower, Wild Bergamot, and Icelandic Poppy this year.  The Icelandic Poppy is blooming nicely.  The others won't likely until next year, but most are doing well.

I also dabbled with a few perennial vegetables and planted some Lovage and Jerusalem Artichoke. We set some more berry bushes and two nut bushes. My various mints are still in grow bags, doing very well.  I hope to have them in a permanent location before the end of the growing season.

The summer season always seems to zip by so quickly.  The progression of blooms in my garden is a reminder that fall isn't far away.  Until then, I intend to make the most of what my garden offers.