A Perfect Day in an Imperfect World

Lewis Nine Springs E-Way, July 23, 2026

"A Letter From Mother Nature," by Bud Morton

Partly cloudy, light breeze, 78F

Pollinators aplenty

Peak summer display

Swaths of blooming native plants

THE OVERVIEW

"Summer Guitar," by Amaksi

Gardener Delights and Desires

I played around with a graphic about petrichor, because this is what I currently desire--for myself and for the garden. You've probably experienced petrichor, but here's the Merriam-Webster definition:

petrichor noun

pe·​tri·​chor ˈpe-trə-ˌkȯr 

: a distinctive, earthy, usually pleasant odor that is associated with rainfall especially when following a warm, dry period and that arises from a combination of volatile plant oils and geosmin released from the soil into the air and by ozone carried by downdrafts.

I want this. Maybe you do, too? So many of us are living in dry, hot conditions this summer, and it would be wonderful to have some rain so we don't have to lug water around the garden, and/or watch our plants wilt, go dormant, and/or die. It would also help alleviate some of the rampant wildfires. There's hope it will happen for some of us soon.

Today it's time for "Six on Saturday," hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations, where we compare what's happening in our gardens. This week, I looked past the brown and wilting things toward plants I've watered or plants that are extremely drought-tolerant and "keep right on dancing."

First up, the Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) and False Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides). Both barely need water and, while they're looking a little tattered, they continue to bloom with abandon.



I'm regularly watering the potted foliage plants, so they are happy.



This little wonder gives and gives and gives. 'Summer Beauty' (Allium lusitanicum) blooms from midsummer through August, and it even looks fabulous after it dries ... until about December, when the first big snowfall flattens it. I rarely water it. I love it and the bees love it. I planted it around the mailbox several years ago, and now I simply enjoy it, whether we have rain or not.

Brown-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are somewhat drought-tolerant, but these are getting watered with other plants in the potager. They dominate the center of the bed.



The Tomato harvest won't be impressive (because of my garden conditions and the drought), but I must have Tomato plants for delicious BLTs. The pantyhose prevent insect damage and critter nibbling. (I don't remember which variety I planted this year, and I'm being lazy about checking the tag.)

Finally, the Zinnias: Like Tomatoes, they're a "must have" for me. Shown here are 'State Fair Mix' and 'Zowie Yellow Flame.'

Onward! I hope you'll get some rain if your garden needs it. If not, please send some my way. Head on over to Garden Ruminations to see what's thriving in other gardens around the world!

Buffalo's Best: Garden Creativity on Full Display

Many Buffalo-area gardens featured handcrafted garden posts, created by Fling co-organizer Jim Charlier and his wife.

If you've never attended a Garden Fling, I highly recommend it. No matter where you live, note that attendees travel from around the world to visit the garden scene of each year's chosen city. This year, that city was Buffalo, N.Y., known for its city-wide Garden Walk and thriving gardening culture.

Buffalo's gardeners welcomed us with open arms and gardens full of amazing plants and creatively designed and showcased displays. Here's a synopsis:



On the opening afternoon, we started with a walk out to Buffalo Harbor, where the main lighthouse and Lake Erie were on full display.



The Erie Basin Marina Trial Gardens offered glimpses of plant cultivars along with industry standards, grown and evaluated for future trade and sale.

The next morning, we began three full days of touring exceptional gardens. Included here are vignettes of creative displays and interpretations. First up, the lush gardens of John and Carole Hajnosz:

 












Fabulous plant forms and color combinations, creative water features, and artful displays greeted us. But what I'll always remember about this garden were the dappled sun and moist conditions, which allowed sun-loving plants, such as Zinnias, to be interplanted in the same beds with thirsty botanicals like Hydrangeas.

Next, we stopped at Wendy and Jeff Leyonmark's fully operational suburban farm:













The house, the garden beds, the planters, and the water features were exquisite.

Then add the couple's incredible edible garden. Not only did the crops look healthy and delicious, but they were displayed and organized so neatly--unlike any edible garden I've seen before. The edibles were truly as beautiful the ornamentals!

Our next garden, tended carefully by Beth and Nick Buscaglia, offered a scenic view of Lake Erie, with the Buffalo skyline in the distance:













The house itself, like so many homes in the Buffalo area, was beautifully constructed. And the creative combinations of plants and props were very pleasing to the eye.

Next, we traveled to Murray's Hosta Farm:













Wow, what an incredible collection of Hostas in all forms, shapes, shades, and sizes! Not only were they available for purchase, but their names were creatively displayed and ideas provided for landscaping and combining with other plants and props.

During the afternoon, we were on our own for self-guided walking tours of Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood. The following vignettes offer a few highlights of Allentown's urban garden magic: 



































I mean, words don't really do this justice. These are creative, fun, vibrant gardens!

Attendees at this year's Fling, or any Fling, are like-minded, special people. The gardens are fabulous, but the people make this yearly event truly one-of-a-kind. Special thanks to Buffalo Fling co-organizers, Elizabeth Licata and Jim Charlier, and the many volunteers who made this an unforgettable event.

And thanks to this year's Fling sponsors, and those of the past and future, who support us and the amazing gardens, gardeners, and cities we visit.

(Stay tuned for more highlights of the Buffalo Fling. And for more information, visit the Garden Fling website.)