Summer solstice scenes

This time of year, the sun is high in the sky, the days are long, and the scent of roses is in the air. Here's an account of what's in bloom from the back quarter acre.

Along the house
Going: Peonies
Holding steady: Siberian iris "King of Kings," larkspur, angelonica, Salvia farinacea "Victoria Blue," bellflower Campanula persicifolia "Chettle Charm", climbing rose "New Dawn"
Coming: Phlox panticulata "David," shasta daisies, yarrow Achillea x "Summer Wine"



New side bed
Going: Bearded iris, columbine Aquilegia "Grandmother's Garden" and "McKana Hybrid"
Holding steady: Yellow foxglove Digitalis grandiflora, hosta "Gold Tiara"
Coming: Astilbe japonica "Rheinland"
Neither coming nor going: Lirope



Old side bed
Going: Bearded iris, columbine Aquilegia, peonies, bluestar Amsonia
Holding steady: Lady's mantle Alchemilla vulgaris, catmint Nepeta x faassenii "Walker's Low"
Coming: Phlox panticulata "David," shasta daisies, Ladybells Adenophora confusa



And just breaking ground: Dahlias!