Well, all hell broke lose around these parts about 3 weeks ago and I haven't been able to weed, water, harvest or fertilize since then. The cherry tomatoes have pretty much stopped producing because they are laden with rotten tomatoes going to seed. The basil is in full bloom for want of snipping, and the Mortgage lifter is failing from lack of water and fertilizer.

However, got a package from a northern friend with roots of two different crested iris, bloodroot and a pulmunaria that I made time to get planted this past weekend. None of them are permanently sited but are well planted where I expect they will grow just fine in the meantime, and it was good to have the brief restorative time digging in compost and getting them planted.

It is always interesting to contemplate the difference in climate zones. The bloodroot still had leaves. In my area bloodroot goes dormant by the end of June or early July.

Had the opportunity for the first time to walk through the yard at the old place. Anything that needed the least bit of coddling or tending is gone but the natives and some other flowering perennials are running riot, out competing both the bermuda grass and the microstegium vimineum (anyone else have battles with this extremely invasive oriental grass?).

The perennial ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum) has formed large, thick colonies and is just beginning to bud. A really tall and invasive goldenrod I transplanted has buds just about ready to bloom, , the tatarian asters have spread, the Physostegia virginiana is being it's customary disobedient "obedient plant", a few echinacea have sent up some more blooms in response to recent rain, in spite of many seed-heads well picked over by goldfinches, and the bronze fennel sports both light green seed heads and blooms on newer plants. The native perennial sunflowers are about 5' tall and will soon be blooming.

Earlier in the year, when I paused out front while waiting for my son, I noticed that ammi majus continues to self-sow, as does the hesperis and rose campion The opium poppies have not been able to compete and are gone. A few larkspur continue to self-sow. Common yarrow - the whites and the deep burgundies, persist, and will, I think, for years to come, as will the rose campion. Montbretia and crocosmia also continue to bloom.

The Goldenseal has spread very nicely, and the aruncus I had found growing in a ditch in the mountains, and which hung on by a thread through many years of extended, severe drought has finally firmly established itself with the more adequate rains of the last 2 years.

None of the roses are blooming, but they were earlier in the year, and I'm betting there will be a few blooms come the cooler weather of fall. They are no longer doing well, and in a year or so will probably stop blooming, but I think they will compete successfully enough to stay alive for a long time. They are all either old garden roses or early 20th century hybrids with staying power and at least survivable resistance to powdery mildew even if completely ignored.

5 or 6 years ago, a little redbud seedling arose in the middle of a flowerbed. I left it, thinking that by the time I was old and unable to come close to maintaining all those beds, it would be a nice tree to shade the front of the house from morning sun. I planted daffodils and other spring bulbs around it. It is now a significant sapling. I noticed this spring that the bulbs are still blooming. The tall weeds will eventually die out as it gets bigger and creates more shade, but the bulbs will be there to bloom each spring. The dahlias are completely gone, as are most of the lilies

Former neighbors have long been quick to complain to me about the state of the yard/garden since I left. The neglect began before I left, I simply no longer had the time to come close to maintaining it.   In the absence of any tending whatsoever over time, the gardens have transitioned from a clearly neglected cottage garden into a wonderful and wild field of hardy perennials, dissected with grass paths and a driveway, that continue to provide habitat and food for birds, rabbits, mice and voles, butterflies and other insects. I understand why it offends the neighbors with it's wildness and unkempt appearance in the middle of town. I am betting that eventually the town will use a city ordinance to make the ex cut it all down and turn it back into grass lawn.

I think it is still beautiful for those that have the eyes to see.