A couple dahlias to dress up the cafe.

Those are just wonderful Candee! Your Zinnia blooms are almost the same size as the hosta leaves! I've got some big pink and red ones blooming but can't bring myself to cut them, maybe I'll plant them in the garden in front of the cafe.

Thanks, I hated to cut them as I only have a few this year, but they are so great in arrangements couldn't pass them up.

And they last quite a while don't they? I really need to grow more this year, only 2 plants really took off but they have gotten quite large. The mildew is starting to set in though

We had quite the zinnia crop this year, thanks to the oldest 2 children. They started a million (or so) for the MG plant sale. It's fun to see them all over town, and my garden was full of the extras. They didn't handle the heat and drought, though.

I had a great sunflowers, which I sold at the farmer's market as cut flowers. Sadly, I can't get any to germinate for the fall, but I suspect it is because the hungry birds are stealing the seeds! I should try some more indoors in the next day or two.

I. Need. Dalias.

I keep saying that, but I really really do. It would help make up for not being able to grow peonies, and not having enough shade for hydrangeas. At least, that sounds like pretty good justification to me!

You should try Dahlias from seed Trish! They flower only 3 or 4 months from seeding and they would probably do very well for you in the cooler months, they love cool weather!

Candee - I got a bunch of zinnia seeds this year, with great intentions to sow them. But, that did not happen, so will have to wait until next year to try again. Yours look great.

Trish - I live in zone 9a so I am able to leave my dahlia tubers to overwinter in the ground. But, since I was told to divide my tubers at least every 2-3 years, I will need to dig some up this year. I will be happy to send you some tubers.

In regards to peonies, there should be some that grows in 8a. Which ones have you tried?

Steven- I have grown them from seed, but it's been about 10 years ago. I had forgotten how easy they were. That was when we lived in TN...We hit 69 days of over 100 degrees here in TX this year (if you haven't seen my blog post, check it out http://garden.org/blogs/view/T...), so you saying that they do well in cooler temps makes me very nervous right now!

Diane- I'd love that, thanks!
It's been so many years since I attempted a peony after our move from TN to TX, I can't remember which one(s?) I tried. I just remember being very sad that they melted in our heat. You saying that brings me hope, though! I'll definitely check into it!!!

Oh My, 69 days of over 100 degrees. Here in Ca, we are extremely lucky to have one of the mildest summer in recent times - maybe only 5 days of over 100 degrees. We never get any summer rain, so we do have to irrigate in the summers. Tomatoes are only starting to turn red. I have some early peonies that bloom before it turns hot, so I am able to grow a few here in zone 9. Tree peonies do well.

With 90 acres, the extended drought is a huge disaster. Hopefully you will get some relief soon.

Trish, Dahlias will do well in the heat but they may slow down and rest a bit when temps get that hot. I'm going to take a guess that for you they may do better in spring and fall and just spend the summer months taking a rest.

Ahhh- I should have looked closer at Mamajack's Tree Peony co-op, then. Well, I'll keep my eyes out, and it might be good for me to wait until I have more shade to help out on that front.

We built this house and moved in almost exactly 2 years ago. The first spring, I was pregnant, and Dave had to hold down the fort with the entire farm, so nothing to speak of was done with the flowers, then this year when we finally were able to get started we had this horrific drought. I do miss my gardens!!

Steven- I was thinking that was the case, but hadn't made time to go search yet. I do think I can grow them just fine here, especially if they can get established before the summer heat kicks in!

Here's a small bouquet of dahlias for one of the cafe tables.