Still in the garden

Despite the heat, we still have Dutch irises, even though they don't last as long: royal purple, white with yellow, yellow with white, white with periwinkle blue. The blue ones are pretty much gone, as are those that are entirely yellow. We still have blue anemones. The ranunculus bulbs really came through this year, and we have some that are extremely fancy, more pastel, and with picot edges. Drummond phlox is here for the first time in years in any quantity. All the species tulips are now cooked. The heat hasn't yet done in those returned Dutch tulips that have been so surprising. In Mack's yard are some unknown bi-colored tazettas that are short-stemmed and standing up well to the heat. The greatest surprise is that the two little one-dollar pots of clematis that we bought at the supermarket last year and that disappeared during the summer have returned. They must be clematis Nelly Moser. One has two spectacular blooms on it and at least three buds. These must not like too much heat and sun, in which case they're a lot like us!