It’s been a glorious summer in the gardens so far.
Even after a perilously cold winter in which the Roses died back hard, they have been lavish in their blossoms.
![IMG_4115 IMG_4115](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4115.jpg)
Our lovely Alba Maxima Rose had a particularly terrible winter. We were all so relieved to see her come back so strong.
![IMG_3982 IMG_3982](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3982.jpg)
This season is the first time this Charles de Mills Rose has bloomed for us as we just planted in April of 2013. It is mesmerizing in its beauty.
![IMG_3964 IMG_3964](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3964.jpg)
John Davis Rose covers itself in a zillion blossoms in its position right next to the door into the office.
![IMG_3725 IMG_3725](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3725.jpg)
This is a sweet old friend named Blush Damask Rose
![IMG_3988 IMG_3988](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3988.jpg)
This is a new very lovely Rose named Goldfinch.
On Facebook, I have had a hard time not putting up a daily (if not hourly) photo of Pink Pillar Rose which is so extraordinary in the beauty of its many moods.
![IMG_4297 IMG_4297](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4297-1.jpg)
![IMG_4281 IMG_4281](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4281.jpg)
![IMG_4117 IMG_4117](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4117.jpg)
The Clematis have also been happy this season.
![IMG_3535 IMG_3535](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3535.jpg)
This is a new one called Clematis Guernsey Cream.
![IMG_4335 IMG_4335](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4335.jpg)
Here is Madame St Germaine Rose in amongst a very old and robust Clematis friend.
![IMG_3649 IMG_3649](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3649.jpg)
This is Clematis Nelly Moser.
![IMG_4090 IMG_4090](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4090-1.jpg)
Our Clematis Jackamani seems to enjoy mingling with the climbing Roses.
July is annual Poppy (papaver somnifermum) time which I love. As do the bees.
![IMG_4299 IMG_4299](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4299.jpg)
![IMG_4326 IMG_4326](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4326.jpg)
As the perennials and annuals mix together, there are always some great combinations that happen unexpectedly. It is one of my favorite things about gardening- the surprises.
![IMG_4273 IMG_4273](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4273.jpg)
Here Maltese Cross sits cheek by jowl with Bee Balm, a color combination I would never have planned but one that works surprisingly well.
It is not too much of a surprise that the Bee Balm is part of this duo. It has gone a bit nuts in the perennial beds and is EVERYWHERE. After it blooms I am going to have to move 90% of it somewhere else.
Note to Bee Balm- You are SUPPOSED to be one of MANY in a perennial bed of many Flowers not the HOG of the whole bed! Yes, I know the hummingbirds will be happy but all those other plants you overtook, not so much….
![IMG_4331 IMG_4331](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4331.jpg)
Besides making many, many Flower Essences, we have been drying plants for herbal teas. Our dream is to make an organic blend we could someday share with you all as a way for you to take your Flower Essences!
This year we are saving a little bit of a lot of different things to experiment with what things taste like when blended together. Our hope would be to settle on a recipe this season then grow what we need for you next season.
![IMG_3822 IMG_3822](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_3822.jpg)
Chamomile is one of the things we are drying for the teas!
Another project has been making an Elderberry Flower syrup to add to sparkling water or wine. Katie Carpenter made our first batch which was gone in flash. With crowds clamoring for more, Sarah Porter (she who now knows a frightening amount about World Cup Soccer) and I made another batch this weekend.
![IMG_4262 IMG_4262](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4262.jpg)
Of course there is always lots of weeding, watering and mulching along with savoring the Flowers.
This weekend I mulched around the blueberries. I used a surprisingly large number of cardboard boxes for this- thank goodness we had them waiting after a long winter of saving them for just this sort of project!
![IMG_4307 IMG_4307](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4307.jpg)
![IMG_4308 IMG_4308](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4308.jpg)
![IMG_4310 IMG_4310](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4310.jpg)
![IMG_4311 IMG_4311](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4311-1.jpg)
![IMG_4313 IMG_4313](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4313.jpg)
Taking progress shots of this was what got me through hauling all this mulch ( Where were you Molly Sanders- Queen of mulch hauling?)
![IMG_4315 IMG_4315](http://www.greenhopeessences.com/wordpress/wp-contents/upload/2014/07/IMG_4315.jpg)
Now the blueberries are all ready for their netting!
I hope you all weathered Hurricane Arthur well, and that you are finding lovely moments with the Flowers of your world! We send much love and blessings to you all!