Hello Friends!

Someone once said, every picture tells a story. I’ve seen plenty of captivating pictures, that’s for sure, and some of them communicated intriguing and sometimes beguiling stories. While the following photo doesn’t offer much as far as being ‘captivating,’ it certainly tells a story.

June, the previous month which showered us with so much rain, transitioned into July, which also carried a bit of that same theme into several days in the first week or so. Intersperse the rain with exceptionally warm weather throughout much of the midway point of the month, and we’re where we are now. I’m about at the ‘I need to go jump in the frigid Finnish lake waters to cool off’ moment of a hot Finland summer. HUMID HUMID HUMID. Ugh, it makes for a tough outing of carrying out garden chores.

It’s all about timing at this point. I’m able to get a lot accomplished when I dash outside just after the early morning humidity drops to about 70% or lower. Then putter away until just past lunchtime, when I realize I’m both hungry and slogging through the heat. Sometimes I endure, especially if I know rain is forecast, because this then means I’ve gotta jump on the lawnmower to cut grass before it gets any longer. Sometimes the forecast turns out to be a fluke, and it doesn’t rain. Well, at least the garden looks better for the freshly cut pathways.

All the rain and the cold spring has meant the garden looks pretty substantial and very lush. In some places, I’d even go so far as to say, ‘jungle-like’ as the plants have responded to the rain and heat by just growing like mad. We were fortunate to enjoy the Peonies well into mid-July this year, which is unheard of most years.

In addition to the lovely floral displays which greeted us at every turn, the fragrance of the two Jasmine added so much to the sensory overload. I know there is a night-blooming variety, but what we have are daytime fragrance providers. This one is situated near Pekka’s water garden and looks especially lovely with the golden foliage and white blooms. Throw in the aroma factor and this item just sends me off the charts. (Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’)

The display was truly memorable, but now the peonies are at rest, along with the jasmine and some of the once-blooming Roses. The first flush of rose flowers has mostly ended, and the repeating varieties are carrying the show until the Hydrangea emerge into full flower to carry the show through the remaining weeks of summer. Having Clematis, Salvia, Daylilies, Phlox, Dianthus and other blooming plants scattered throughout the garden helps to fill the garden with color and form.

At this point in the summer, staying cool, sitting down to relax, staying ahead of the growing grass, and enjoying the garden is about all I have going on, so I was especially delighted to host Luisella and her husband Risto who visited the garden this week from Somero. Luisella writes a very informative and lovely blog, Tra Italia e Finlandia which showcases not only charming Finnish culture and locales, but also of her home country Italy, the city of Verona and other places she and Risto have visited throughout Europe. She includes lots of photos and brings forth a very positive viewpoint, which is appreciated by her large international readership. I have enjoyed reading her blog and have traveled vicariously through her numerous holiday excursions! Give her blog a look for yourself 🙂

I guess I’ll venture outside to see if I wilt right away or just gently around the edges. Wish me luck! I hope all is well with you and your corner of the world.

❤ Until next time!