I just had to share that wonderful ‘Yellow Simplicity’ rose. I like how this one came out with a more golden color than they usually do.

My ‘Lapins’ cherries are ripening early this year. Not really sure why, because it’s been cool and wet lately. But it was very warm about three weeks ago, and maybe the heat back then boosted their maturing process. The birds are starting to eat them, but they’re not quite ready to pick yet. I suspect we’ll be picking later this week. I have sprayed them with malathion this weekend and two weeks before. Hope I got them enough to control the fruit fly larva! Sometimes I just eat them without checking for worms, because they’re so good and I don’t want to know if there’s a worm in there!

OK, from left to right, by row: 1) Iceland poppies are still going strong, probably because it’s been such a mild, cool June. I love the warm yellows that have opened up recently. 2) A little bit of Campanula poking out through the Lamium groundcover. 3) I have two kinds of California poppies somewhat naturalized in the front flowerbed – the pink, sort of frilly ones, and the typical orange-gold. It’s looking pretty nice out there. A lot of flowers are getting ready to bloom, including lilies, Delphiniums, coneflowers, and lots of other stuff. 4) Check out those new lavender blooms with some California poppies blurred out behind them. I love that shot. 5) I planted my two Himrod grape vines yesterday. 6) Just another shot of the front yard, with a peek into the back.

I also planted about 2.3 million bean seeds yesterday, along with a couple of rows of sunflowers (Lemon Chiffon variety). They are ‘Baby Gourmet’ green bean – thin pods.