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I'm loving being back in my own house for a few days, even if it's only a very few. It's been raining, so everything is green and lush, and we cleared out the worst of the weeds this morning. August to me is the worst month for southern gardens, so I don't expect much to bloom, but the lantana and althea and what I call turk's turban (red twisty flowers on a perennial bush that dies back in winter)are always victorious, no matter how hot, dry, humid, or mildewy things get--the coneflowers are just about done, and the Mexican petunias are just getting started. Grape tomato plants are completely gone, as are blueberry bushes--didn't survive the drought and heat of mid-July--and the basil is giving in to some kind of black blight, but the jalpenos and cayennes are charging on. The best part is that the hydrangeas and ferns I planted in a shady corner are doing well! I believe Elmer really did come by and water, as promised (and paid for). Also the pittosporum and rubrum and some other grass, as well as some Carolina jessamine and a lorapetalum, but I knew they were all indestructible.

My garden is definitely natural selection in action--if it can't take care of itself, it's outta here.