Melting in Maryland. Heat wave droops just about everything in the garden. These are some of the survivors.

Purple Balloon Flower (Platycodon) is now in bloom. The heat doesn't seem to bother it to much. I love the color and star shaped flower.

One of two Echinacea that survived the groundhog feast this summer. I don't know why it hasn't been on the menu but I'm glad it's still here. 

Lavender Phlox survived the feast and lived to tell about it. This is the tallest Phlox we have grown (about 5 feet).  It was pushed over by the groundhog but it is being held up by roses.

Pink Phlox next to the Monarda that flopped over in the monsoon a few weeks back. I wish this plant wasn't so tasty to critters.

A nice combo of Phlox and Mardi Gras Rose with Monarda in the background. I wish the lawn was in better shape!

It has taken the Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) several years to bloom but it still isn't fully realized.  I think it needs more sun.

Stokes Aster is doing well in the heat. We planted two this year to see how they will do.

This is a first year bed with two different Bee Balm varieties and Hyssop. The bees love both but usually the bumblebees swarm this combo. Not so this year.

Hyssop with a honey bee munching away. We have so few bees these days.

Crocosmia is an easy to grow perennial bulb that produces a tropical looking flower in a non-tropical locale. Give it plenty of sun or it won't be happy. It's cheap, winter hardy, loved by hummingbirds and has vibrant color. We will introduce the yellow and orange varieties next spring.