A Very Merry Un-Bloomday To You...

 I had some discouraging moments in the last few weeks , having feared that I had lost all my photos from the last 10 years or so. As it turned out I only lost some of 2015 and the rest are hanging out in the wrong year folders.  Even though something like this pales in comparison to what others in our nation are experiencing , it just made me feel worse and basically galvanized me into inactivity. Except for the garden. I have been more present there this spring than I have in decades-working from home has benefits.Instead of changing toner or checking on how much coffee is left or gossiping about company dysfunction, I go out and pull a few weeds or water a few containers.
  Once I solved the photo issue (a small triumph) I started to mentally slap myself around to get back into gear. Helping me along the way was the news that one of my favorite get-away coastal retreats in Mendocino County will open mid-June. This particular spot is stand-alone cottages with pretty much no common area. You can go there, and never see anyone less than about 20 yards away . A few days looking at the ocean from my little private deck is just what I need.

  Having missed last Bloomday , and with a spotty blogging record the last couple of months I thought I'd just pretend it is in fact Bloomday today and carry on with some floral action from majestic zone 9.

 I am enjoying my Verbena bonariensis very much this year. Here it is with a sunny backdrop of  Eriogonum nudum 'Elsa Nelsons Yellow' . 

  Clematis Rooguchi blooms all summer and into fall.

 Lobelia tupa is opening. So happy I can grow this ! My patch is expanding.

I really do have a love/hate relationship with Daylilies. The snail damage, the crappy foliage, the unstable colors. But this spider (String Bikini -sorry, I didn't pick out the name) has been enjoyable this spring.

  I think this one is Calico Jack .

I'm afraid I'm going to have to take some action here with Knautia macedonia. I have a grove. Fond of the plant but I really don't need a grove of it. One does have to keep up with the seedlings. I am determined to do better.

Sally Holmes. A reliable climber along the fence, disease free.

 Sanguisorba 'Pink Tanna' . I should really do a Sanguisorba post. I love them all.

 This Verbascum reseeded itself adjacent to the driveway and the cable box. 

Angelica stricta purpurea 

And seen here with it's neighbors-the grass is Pennisetum 'Red Bunny Tails' 

The only bloomer here is African Blue Basil , but I posted this just to see if anyone thought I have gotten carried away with chartreuse/gold  foliage. 

 I'm including the lovely Agave weberi 'Arizona Star' . I am very attached to this plant as it was my very first purchase from Cistus , possibly in 2009. I had it in a pot for a few years and finally moved it into the ground I'm thinking in 2017. Placement was ill-advised and unfortunately it has outgrown it's space and has to go. The good news is I have already potted up one pup and there is at least one more so all it not lost. I have Agave 'Cornelius' waiting in the wings -a much more demure variety.

As I have said many times  and will continue to say, the world would be abetter place if everyone was a gardener.