GBBD: 7.15.12

The tremendous heat and dryness we've experienced in Southern Wisconsin, coupled with our accelerated bloom schedule this year, means that not much is in flower this month. Street trees are dying and I'm seeing Serviceberries in gardens dressed in fall color and getting ready to drop their leaves. As of July 10th, the U.S. Drought Monitor had bumped southern Wisconsin up to "severe drought." 

But I do have one flower that is giving me a thrill in the garden this year, especially since it hasn't bloomed for the last couple of seasons. As you may have guessed, this is an Agapanthus. But it's a perennial version of the more common tropical Lily of the Nile. Agapanthus campanulatus, or Bell Agapanthus, is hardy in colder climates. I bought mine from the late Seneca Hill Perennials, which noted that it was "hardy in open gardens in central Illinois," and suggested it as a Zone 5 plant. 

But some of what I have since read suggests it is not really cold hardy to Zone 5, which may explain why mine grows but does not always flower. I have been assuming it needs more sun, but I'm not sure if that's the problem. Given our intense heat this year, maybe what it really wants is dryness and tropical temps. Whatever the reason, its beautiful blue blossoms are one of the few bright spots in the garden this month. 

To see what's blooming in other gardens, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens who hosts this monthly meme.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

What a treat in this crummy weather this summer. I hope all your garden survives. Our county has been declared a disaster area. The farmers are brushhogging their fields. SAD. My garden isn't quite that bad but I have been able to water some of it.

[Les]

Even though my garden is in zone 8, I can't seem to get this plant to bloom. I read that it needed to be root bound, and I have not divided it ever. The fact that a Mercedes ground the foliage to the ground probably did not help. I wish you rain for GBBD.

[Barbara H.]

I'm so sorry about your drought conditions. In my area it finally started raining again, just in time, but counties all around us haven't been so lucky. We're still far behind on our normal rainfall. That's a beautiful shot of the Agapanthus.

[Altoon]

At least you have a small consolation from the terrible weather. Here's hoping for rain!

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Thanks for all your comments.

We are still not as bad here as Lisa, so I am afraid to think about how bad it might get. Warm weather truncated the maple syrup season, warm followed by frost killed the cherry crop and now heat and drought has pretty much axed the corn crop. I am guessing folks are "brushhogging" around here as well.

Waiting for rain and continuing to water. So far the city has not told us to stop.

[Graphicality-uk.blogspot.com]

What a shame we have got all the rain over here in Britain this spring and summer, and you have none - wish I could send you some, I have much more than I need! It has rained practically every day for 3 months, my garden is 4-5 weeks late and I am desparate for some sun...

[Patsy Bell Hobson]

It is heart breaking for a gardener to wait all year for beautiful blooms and get a no show. Agapanthus are a favorite of mine.

[Julie]

Lovely blue--such a pretty photo! Wishing you much needed rain. This is the first time in years that SC hasn't been completely parched in mid-July. Still, our lakes are low and we always need more rain. Hoping some sprinkles head your way soon.

[Debbie Teashon]

I wish I could give you our over abundance of rain this year. We need to stop being rain hogs! Thanks for the beautiful pics of your garden and hoping you get more rain!