Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Garden Coaching
  • Travel
  • Contact
  • My Gardens
    • The Back Garden
    • The Potager
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Garden Coaching
  • Travel
  • Contact
  • My Gardens
    • The Back Garden
    • The Potager

Long spring, hot summer

13 June, 2020 By Dee Nash

by Dee Nash
13 June, 202013 June, 2020Filed under:
  • Blogging
  • Color
  • Gardening

Did you miss me? I’ve missed you in more ways than you know. It’s been a very long spring and we’re heading into a long, hot summer. Get that drip irrigation out and going as soon as possible. Oklahoma summers can be merciless in your garden.

Hemerocallis ‘Easter Star’ looks bigger in this closeup than it really is. I love the pattern on the petals.

Does anyone even read blogs anymore? I know I’ve read more blog posts this spring. I found I needed longer pieces to reflect, but I’ve also felt like I have nothing new to write. This is my thirteenth year of garden blogging. Can you believe it?

Hemerocallis ‘Raspberry Goosebumps’ daylily has nice teeth on its edges.

I’m also on Instagram, but haven’t felt like sharing much on social media either. I hope you understand. Maybe, like me, you also feel overwhelmed by the news.

Hemerocallis ‘Buddy’s Yellow Bird’ daylily looks great against the foliage of ‘Tightwad Red’ crapemyrtle.

However, blogs have been a source of comfort for me this spring. Something to remember if things ever get back to a better normal. What blogs do I read? Well, my footer has several I frequent, and here are a few I’m particularly enjoying right now.

  • Hayefield by Nan Ondra. Nan only writes on Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, but I always learn something new.
  • Plant Postings by Beth Stetenfield. Beautiful photos and beautiful, heartfelt words.
  • Growing with Plants by Matt Mattus. Scrumptious photos of unique plants, and new ways to grow them.
  • May Dreams Gardens with my co-podcaster and friend, Carol J. Michel, is humorous.
  • Dirt Therapy by Phillip Oliver. I love Phillip’s writing.
  • Garden Rant by many illustrious horticulturists.
  • Each Little World by Linda Brazil is a fabulous blog.
  • Urban Rose Garden by Joshua Alexander, a new find for which I’m so grateful.
  • Rock Rose by Jennifer Stocker is a Texas blog of wildflower delights.

There are many, many more, but I hope these will give you some ideas for reading too.

Hemerocallis ‘Buddy’s Wild and Wonderful’ daylily (J-Hall 2008)

I was in a total funk last week and even yesterday, but Wednesday night’s Zoom meeting/talk on attracting butterflies, bees, and moths for the Wednesday at Will’s folks helped me focus on beautiful things. Yes, even moths are beautiful. Before COVID, I had seven talks scheduled after the Oklahoma City Home and Garden Show. As you know, everything is pretty much canceled through July while we wait and see what happens.

Phlox paniculata with White-Lined Sphinx Moth. The phlox isn’t blooming yet, but will be very soon.

Maybe I’ll get to do my two talks at Bustani Plant Farm’s Fall Festival. I sure hope so. I’m so bored. I want to see all of you again. I want to hug people again.

Outdoors, I’ve been taking my societal frustrations out on my garden. Being angry at the world is good for weeding. It’s also time for the summer cutback also known as the Chelsea Chop. The roses finished their spring flush, and summer flowers like Shasta daisies, rudbeckia, sunflowers, zinnias, echinaceas, gaura, and others are just about ready to take over.

Hemerocallis ‘Sherry Candy’ daylily (Stamile 2006). This daylily always looks this good even in in the brightest sunlight.

The daylilies are blooming, I go out each morning to deadhead them. New flowers open better that way, and it takes me out into the garden to do something light instead of heavy work. I ran out in the middle of the day today to take some pictures. They aren’t as good as normal. The sun was just too bright for my best pictures.

Hemerocallis ‘Radiation Biohazard’ daylily is always a stunner.

As for garden chores, I’m chopping all of the asters, mums, and autumnal sneezeweed in half. That way, these overachiever perennials don’t cover up other plants and bloom too soon, while flopping into the pathways. Sometimes, I get to this chore a week or two earlier. I’m a bit late this year, but who would know?

Hemerocallis ‘Man of Sorrows’ daylily.

Several of you wrote and asked about my daylilies. I feel like I inundate you each year with their faces, but they are fabulous, and you asked, so…this post is full of daylily shots.

‘Dan’s Garden Party’ always has trouble opening up. It is such an exquisite flower, but the ruffles hang up.

I’m also still recording our weekly podcast episode with Carol Michel. I enjoy recording it because we talk on Skype and can see each other as we record. We make each other think and laugh, and that is good.

  • Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ is really pretty this year.
  • Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Minnie Pearl’ phlox.
  • Good strong scapes (stems) are what you want to see in a daylily. You don’t want the blooms way down in the leaves.
  • Hemerocallis ‘Pink Lemonade Party’ daylily.

That’s what I’ve been up to. What are you doing to stay cheerful in spite of the news? I’d love to hear.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Post navigation

Previous Post Vegetable garden report
Next Post Daylily magic

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Indie says

    26 June, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    What gorgeous daylilies! And I just love the photo of the moth! I certainly understand your feelings – everything is so crazy now, and it makes it even harder when we can’t even get together with our loved ones. I’ve been taking some some respite in the garden, as well, and I think I will try to make an effort to learn/do something new while I’m stuck in quarantine (painting, maybe?). We’re going a little stir-crazy, ha!

  2. Pam's English Garden says

    22 June, 2020 at 5:49 am

    Did I say, Texas? So sorry! I know very well that you are in Oklahoma. x

  3. Pam's English Garden says

    22 June, 2020 at 5:46 am

    I still read blogs, Dee, and should leave more comments. I love yours. Your Texas garden is so very different from mine in PA, and that makes your blog so interesting to me. Everything, like the daylilies, blooms earlier for you and that gives me something to look forward to. I know how you are feeling — all my talks, plus garden tours here, were cancelled through July and maybe beyond as I am one of those vulnerable old ladies. Skyping with Carol must give you a real lift! I could use one of your hugs right now! P.x

  4. Ray says

    21 June, 2020 at 9:59 pm

    What am I doing? More Gardening. More Zoom happy hours with friends and taking the computer into the garden to show it off since they could not be here. I started an Instagram account too.

  5. patch405 says

    15 June, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    Check me out at http://www.Patch405.com … your Oklahoma neighbor!

  6. Heather says

    15 June, 2020 at 7:53 am

    I’m avoiding the news. As a wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law of police officers, I’m struggling not to worry about the wonderfully brave men in my family who work in and around the Chicago area to keep our neighborhoods safe. My garden has been a source of calm for my daughters and me as we work through very difficult emotions. I’m grateful for this therapy and blogs like yours. Thanks for sharing your beautiful gardens, Dee.

  7. Stacey says

    14 June, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    Dee, I’m just following you all over the place girl! Here…Instagram…and the podcast. You share plant knowledge with a little life wisdom mixed in and I like that. Hang in there…this will pass and in some ways, I believe we will be better for it.

  8. Patricia Evans says

    14 June, 2020 at 10:14 am

    Yes, I still read blogs and I’m very thankful for the people who continue to blog. It was 38 degrees at 6:30 this morning in western NY, which has me exceedingly depressed so I’ll just leave it at that for today.

    • Dee Nash says

      14 June, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      Patricia, 38°F in June? That’s just wrong. It’s 92° here btw. I’m glad you came and commented. It made me feel loved. Hang in there. Spring has to come to your garden sometime soon.~~Dee

  9. Lisa at Greenbow says

    14 June, 2020 at 5:36 am

    Good to see you Dee. I understand your feeling of being out of touch and a bit lonely. I sure do read blogs and I feel like I need to read more right now. I also understand that you feel like you have not much to say about your own garden after so many years of blogging about the same space. Maybe we need to move and start a new garden like Phillip did. 😉 I also agree about his writing. I especially feel close to those I have met at Blogger Flings. When I read their blogs I feel like I am visiting with old friends. I look forward to seeing if their gardens are on the same schedule as mine or if they are having problems or joys that lift them up. Like seeing your daylilies blooming. It makes me anxious to see mine burst into bloom. We are in a dry spell here. I had my first daylily yesterday. So looking forward to new ones. Cheers and big hugs to you.

    • Dee Nash says

      14 June, 2020 at 2:59 pm

      Hi Lisa, the news has been so grim for so long I can barely watch it anymore. In fact, I mostly read it online these days. Bill likes to watch both local and national news so I’ve been cooking while he does that. As for blogging, I try to think of new things to write about, but there is definitely a pattern. One day, maybe I’ll have to move back to the city. It won’t be this day though. I love Phillip’s old garden and his new one. I love that he still blogs. I feel the same way about bloggers from Fling. I feel like I know them, and I want to keep up with them all. Hugs from Oklahoma. ~~Dee

  10. Alice Fowler says

    13 June, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    This year I plan on removing some day lilies. We have a green belt area behind out house and the deer LOVE day lilies. They also like morning glories and Hollyhocks. Very disappointed when I went out yesterday and saw that the deer had been there. I have to spray stinky stuff every evening to save them.

    • Dee Nash says

      14 June, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      Hi Alice, can’t say I blame you. Daylilies are definitely deer candy as are so many things. I’m not really a deer fan. I’m so sorry you have a problem with them. My dog keeps them in check so far here. ~~Dee

  11. jenny says

    13 June, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    It has been both a pleasant, weather-wise, and difficult spring, and I know it is going to be a long hot summer with no respite from the life we have come to know in the last three months. But we have our gardens and many do not. I hope it will bring more people into the gardening world. I know many are trying and I hope they will continue. I always get both inspiration and knowledge from reading other gardener’s blog post and hope it will be that way for all. Your daylilies will certainly give them inspiration to grow what many find to be an easy and rewarding plant. Enjoy every moment of their beauty.

    • Dee Nash says

      14 June, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      Jenny, the garden definitely helps. I am so grateful for it. I do hope more people stick with gardening now that people are going back to work. I worry that they will give it up when it gets so hot. I love your garden, and I’m so glad you still blog.~~Dee

  12. Karen says

    13 June, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    I like to read blogs when I don’t want to get immersed in a whole book. I have been reading a lot of garden books during the stay at home orders. I have learned a lot. I always thought if you had to weed it was because you were a bad gardener. Now I weed with purpose ! I have read Gertrude Jekyll books and Johanna Silver, The Bold Dry Garden.
    Dee- I love the Raspberry goosebumps. I had not seen lilies with teeth. Thanks for posting. I enjoy reading your blogs.

    • Dee Nash says

      13 June, 2020 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Karen, you’ve been doing some good reading this spring. I’ve read a little myself. I love the Bold Dry Garden. No, if you have to weed, you’ve actually created a thriving garden, something we all strive for. Thank you for reading. I like Raspberry Goosebumps too. ~~Dee

  13. Linda Vater says

    13 June, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    I sure hope you can be at Bustani for a big hug from moi!

    • Dee Nash says

      13 June, 2020 at 4:59 pm

      Linda, I’ll be there! Would love to give you a hug.~~Dee

  14. ginny talbert says

    13 June, 2020 at 11:48 am

    I don’t know about others, but I’m still a blog reader! And I’m thankful for those gardeners who are still blogging, for sure. I’ll check out those you listed above. One you might enjoy is Garden in a City, Jason in Chicago.
    Your daylilies are ahead of mine, which are budding up but not blooming yet. You’ve got some beauties!
    I’m already SO tired of watering. It’s gonna be another hot, dry one here western Maryland. And an irrigation system is not in my budget!

    • Dee Nash says

      13 June, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      Ginny, I love Garden in a City. They are wonderful people. It’s a beautiful blog. My daylilies are just really starting. They seemed a bit late actually, but maybe not. It is supposed to be very hot and sunny this week which they love. I understand about the irrigation system. For 25 years, I watered this garden with a series of soaker hoses and Y-connectors. I don’t enjoy watering either. ~~Dee

  15. Lucy Corrander says

    13 June, 2020 at 11:40 am

    It sounds as if you need quite a lot of virtual hugs to come winging your way – here come some, zooming across the Atlantic and more!
    On the one hand I feel in a permanent state of terror and panic, on the other I think I’m doing a good job at staying calm. Contradictory.
    Because of the stem cell transplant I’m one of the ‘shielded’ – ie, the government directed that we should not leave our houses at all. We are now ‘allowed’ out for walks (!) as long as we don’t go near anyone. Along with the hospital saying I should have nothing to do with earth because some of the bacteria in it could be bad for me, I’m not doing very well on the gardening front! However, I have been blogging and reading blogs and using Twitter and have been grateful for these possibilities because they have kept me in touch with other people in the world beyond my own four walls.

    • Dee Nash says

      13 June, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      Hi Lucy, I think I understand terrified and calm simultaneously. I felt that way when my youngest daughter was thought to be exposed. Two weeks of real stress. I think I just miss people. I’m so sorry you can’t touch the earth. The earth and God are what sustain me. I love the feel of soil under my fingertips.~~Dee

  16. Anonymous says

    13 June, 2020 at 9:55 am

    Dee, your posts always bring me joy. Thanks for the education and “eye candy”.

    • Dee Nash says

      13 June, 2020 at 9:59 am

      Thank you! I hope they do. I’ll try to write more and watch less news. ~~Dee

    • Anonymous says

      13 June, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      Dee I so enjoy your posts and your beautiful flower and garden pictures, thank you for that

      • Dee Nash says

        13 June, 2020 at 5:02 pm

        You’re so welcome! Thank you for commenting. I think I’m just a bit lonely, and the world has made me sad.~~Dee

Primary Sidebar

About Dee

Hi, I’m Dee, a professional garden writer and speaker born and raised in Oklahoma. Here you’ll find all my best dirt on gardening and travel. Welcome!

Read More

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Subscribe Here To RDR Updates.


* indicates required
Email News
Email Format

Garden Coaching

Garden Coaching

Grow a beautiful and manageable garden with personalized pointers from Dee!

Learn More

Give my podcast a listen!

Our podcast logo! The Gardenangelists.

Search me baby!

Travel

It's time to get the leaves off of the pansies.

It’s time to plan for next year’s garden

9 November, 2022 By Dee Nash

Yes, I know we're all exhausted from the summer from hell in Oklahoma and Texas--or is that just me? But it's time to start planning for next year's dream garden. Trust me, it's time, and who knows? Maybe next Read More

Fun days at the daylily national convention

16 July, 2022 By Dee Nash

For July's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I want to share my visit to the daylily national convention. A region of the American Daylily Society puts on the AHS National Convention each year. Region 15 put on this Read More

Road trip to Yellowstone National Park

28 October, 2019 By Dee Nash

Bill and I traveled all summer. I'm not gonna lie. It was tons of fun, but after getting back from our road trip to Yellowstone National Park last month, I am tired and will be staying home for a while. I Read More

GOW Footer Widget Header

Ask me a question!

Please feel free to ask me a question here or at my email addy: dee@deenash.com.
I’ll try to answer every question and get back to you as quickly as possible.

Contact Us

Footer

Blogs I Dig

  • Clay and Limestone–TN
  • Cold Climate Gardening–NY
  • Dirt Therapy–PNW
  • Each Little World
  • Faire Garden–TN
  • Greenbow–IN
  • Growing With Plants
  • Joanne's Cottage Garden
  • May Dreams Gardens–IN
  • Redeem Your Ground
  • Rock Rose–TX
  • Toronto Gardens–Canada

Red Dirt Sisters

  • Curtiss Ann Matlock
  • The Not Always Lazy W

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Let’s bring back the Monarchs

Let’s bring back the Monarchs
For more info about speaking and other work, visit my other website!

Dear Friend and Gardener

Join our virtual garden club and share all summer

Join our virtual #garden club and share all #summer

Disclosure Notice

Red Dirt Ramblings participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and its affiliates.

Occasionally, I also accept some garden items for review. If I review one of these items, I will let you know in the post. Thank you.

© Copyright 2023 Reddirtramblings.com · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Sitemap

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...