More Midsummer Garden Views

With temperatures hitting the 90's this week (upwards of 32 degrees C), it really feels like summer.  It has been a slow process to get more midsummer color in my garden, but I feel like we are finally reaching that goal.  In the front yard a few daylilies are blooming along with 'Walker's Low' catmint, but most of the interest comes from different leaf colors and textures.  

The long-blooming 'Walker's Low' catmint is ready for a trim to get rid of the spent bloom stalks, then it will keep producing flowers until frost.

I posted lots of pictures of this area last week, but I can't resist a few more.  The 'Red Velvet' lilies are at peak bloom and I've fallen in love with this new addition to the garden.  

'Arabian Night' and 'Purple Haze' dahlias are blooming behind fragrant 'Purple Prince' lilies.  Despite the name, this trumpet-shaped lily is actually a deep pink.  The color plays well with the second round of blooms on 'Caradonna' salvia and the main flush of blooms on 'Millenium' allium.

This is the best July ever for this section of the garden.  The lilies are such a special addition.

In this view the 'Fujian' Orienpet lilies are opening behind the 'Red Velvet' stalks.  'Fujian' is a show-stopper with large flowers that are strongly fragrant.  Both types were ordered from B&D Lilies last fall.

The 'Big Smile' daylilies are opening next to the swing set while the 'Lady of Shallot' roses in pots take a break from blooming.  The honeysuckle growing on the frame has hosted several Pine Siskin finch nests this year, and at least two of those nests have been taken over by bumblebees.  

A view toward the northeast corner of the backyard is very green and calm.

The area right behind the swing set is full of floppy 'Chantilly Peach' snapdragons (they'd like more sun) and several types of Veronica.

I just planted a 'Thoweil' Hinoki cypress in this area and have another in a pot to plant in fall after I transplant a viburnum.  The dark, wavy texture will be pretty all year.

The white section of the garden features an 'Annabelle' hydrangea and 'Meidilland White' rose in peak bloom.  Dahlias, anemones and more lilies are set to open soon.

I replanted another white clematis at the base of the arch after the first one died last summer (I think it had fungal wilt), and it's slowly starting to climb up the side. 

Just past the arch are 'Purple Candles' veronica and a young 'Invincibelle Blush' hydrangea next to the birdbath.  

I'll finish with the view of the east side of the house.  Short 'Maggie Dayley' and tall 'Purple Candles' astilbe are in bloom in front of a 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' clematis.  I love the chartreuse leaves with the mauve flowers.