Here at the solstice, in the dark of winter, I am dreaming of my garden at the summer solstice.

Here is a snapshot of what was in bloom within a week of the summer solstice.

First up, breadseed poppies and feverfew.

Breadseed poppies bloom for a relatively short window — each flower only lasts a couple days — but they can put on an impressive show when they’re in flower!

And in the autumn you get neat seedpods that hold the poppy seeds used in baking.

I tried a few new flowers this year. All of them were somewhat successful, and I will be growing most of them next spring.

Here, California bluebells and Bird’s-eye gilia join in a beautiful but ephemeral display. 

Both are wildflowers, so they have a short but spectacular bloom in late spring.

This is Schizanthus, with the rather rude common name of poor man’s orchid. It is quite beautiful, and unlike the bluebells and Gilia it continues to bloom all summer.

It also looks good both close up and from a distance, which is not always true.

The copper on the pot is to keep slugs away.

Signet marigolds are one of my favorite annuals.

I grow them in big pots, three plants to a pot. They don’t photograph especially well, but they bring lots of life and color. Close up, the reds are my favorites, but the orange and yellow form a tapestry with the other flowers.

In gardening, everyone draws the line between weeds and flowers in a different spot.

For me, mullein is definitely on the “flower” side. This one is just getting started. They become a handsome 3-5 foot spike, and the birds love the seeds!

Feverfew and foxglove behind.

Some flowers photograph beautifully.

For others, a photo just does not capture their charm.

Here, gentian sage rises in front of agastache, with signet marigolds in the background.

Sages and agastaches in general are charming — especially in person!

And Chantilly snapdragons!

I grew these from seed last spring, but unlike the others they are not true annuals. They often overwinter in our climate, and I have also discovered you can take cuttings! I have a bunch of babies in the basement.

Thank you for coming on this tour of my summer solstice garden!

I will be growing all of these again… and I may have ordered a dozen or two packets of seed to try in addition.

Happy solstice, and know the light will be longer tomorrow! 

Spring is off to a bounding and early start here.

Based on my photo rolls, everything is running 1-3 weeks earlier than usual.

Our early big red started opening a week ago, and is now in full bloom.

Last year, it was at a comparable bloom point 4/22.

I admit I’m enjoying the warmer weather, even as I worry about this summer.

Rob helped me set up a new nursery area in some excess driveway space. I’ve been busily up-potting a lot of the native trees and shrubs that we’re growing on.

A lot of them will go in the ground this fall.

I have a lot of native seeds in the “wait and see” stage. They require both stratification and patience!

Fortunately, I also have garden friendlies like signet marigolds to give me instant gratification in the meantime 🙂

I grew them for the first time last year, and thought them utterly adorable, so I’m doubling down this year!

I’m growing seeds from this beauty, some compact orange signet marigolds, and some burgundy signet marigolds. I have no idea how true they’ll come from seed, but only one way to find out!