This.

"Did you know you have thistles in your yard?" -My mother in law. Trying to be helpful.

July 15th - it briefly stops raining

What's in bloom on July 15th.
Hosta. I just planted these a few weeks ago in a shady spot on the side of the house.
Lupines -- not quite in bloom, but they will be any day. Their colour is lovely.
Creeping Jenny -- I know many people consider this plant not much more than a weed, but I like it. The little yellow flowers are so delicate.
Pink catchfly, an heirloom variety from Heritage Harvest seed.

The pots behind the garage, in the alley. The succulents on the left having the beginnings of blooms on them, as well. This seems late compared to last year, but I guess that isn't surprising, with the way things have been going.

In bloom on July 9th

In bloom on July 9th - old-fashioned vining petunias. I raised these plants from seed, starting them in the house months ago. It was not worth the effort.
Sweet peas, of course. I planted a flat of these from Holes earlier in the spring, scattering them throughout my garden. They are now in bloom everywhere. Beautiful!
And a bizarre succulent that looked like Hen & Chicks in the store, but when I planted it it began to grow two of these giant spikes, and now the spikes have beautiful, delicate pink flowers on them. Since it didn't have a tag, I shall name this plant "Space Oddity."

I got at least three mosquito bites in the process of running outside and taking these few pictures. Also it is raining. Normally Edmonton has one of these shortcomings at a time in summer, so both at once is interesting.

Lots of other things are on the brink of blooming, including lots of other succulents and the lupines, but in order to photograph them I have to order a telephoto lens from Amazon since I am OBVIOUSLY not going outside.

in bloom july 1

in bloom july 1, originally uploaded by jocelynb.

sweet peas, arugula & yarrow, potentilla, something red (I forget)

the arugula bolted the first hot day. It's actually quite pretty. I tasted one of the leaves this morning and it was VERY spicy -- but I might still eat it. Depends how hungry I get, har har.