Audrey, Consider this - in October when it looks dead and ugly, dig up the bulb. Store it in a cool and dark spot. Replant in March (including a bit of bone meal to encourage the root growth). I do that with my cannas. Those who grow gladiolus around here do the same.

I think it's safe to say many of us envy you your hikes, Casey, including this one! Are those X's carved into the wood? Another view of yesterday's spider. I think it's a Grass Spider, the kind that make funnel-shaped webs in the grass.

Caflowerlover, I have an old snowfire bush, at least 40 years old. Not my favorite, but it's one tough bush, isn't it? Lots of stickers. Here's penstemon blooming in a local botanical garden. Another two-tone flower.

summer, the Winchester Cathedral is beautiful. I have David Austin's Charlotte blooming now. I've had to baby it through three years of uncertainty, this June it is healthier looking than ever it has been. My new project for the secret sunken garden. I want to add a monogram above and to the sides of the lion's head. Still brain storming on how to create concrete letters in a Baroque style. I epoxied a garden plaque onto an inverted paver stone I found at Lowes. ha I expect the cement to darken and have an aged look eventually.