Wildflower Bed is Currently an "Annual Bed"

Well, I think that I have fulfilled my little goal for the wildflower garden bed as much as possible for now. I decided to fill in the garden with some annuals to last for the rest of the summer. I may plant bulbs in the fall, or I may just plan on scattering more seeds next year that will bloom later in the summer.

Although I would like to completely clear out the California poppy plants that have stopped blooming, I still need to wait for several of the seed pods to dry out and burst, particularly for the plants closest to the front of the house. I think I the pods will finish bursting in another week or so. I shouldn't have to wait much longer: As I worked in the hot garden this afternoon, I heard several dry pods burst and scatter seeds. It was actually really cool to hear that happen several times. The snapping of the pod and the sprinkling of the seeds made my feel like my garden was alive, in a very audible way.

I was able to work in the part of the garden that is closer to the back of the house, though. This morning I discovered Minter's Earlington Greenhouse, which currently is holding a 50% off sale on their annual flowers and vegetables. I'm really excited about this greenhouse and hope to be a regular customer. They have a great selection. Anyhow, in my excitement I think that I might have bought some flowers which are not ideal for this bed. They may need a little more watering and care than I originally hoped. But, we will see. This is what I bought and planted:

• Nicotiana: "Perfume Deep Purple" and white
• Zinnias: "Profusion White"
• Salvia: Coral Nymph, Blue Bedder, Forest Fire
• Ageratum: "Blue Horizon" (I love the color for these flowers, but I think they will need more watering than I had originally planned for this bed.)
• Gaillardia (These flowers in the sunflower family are drought-tolerant, so I hope they will do well without constant watering)
• Reseda Odorata (also known as Garden Mignonette) (These are described as having a "spicy fragrance. I also think these plants will need more watering and I worry they might not do well. The gardener at the greenhouse said that these sometimes reseed, so it would be nice if they thrive.)
• Asters

Also, about two weeks ago we got a Lucifer Crocosmia to go in the area where the allium failed to thrive. (Boo!) This plant has been doing well and even attracted a hummingbird while I was gardening this afternoon. You can see the bird if you look closely in this picture. The dahlia to the left is the largest dahlia we have in the garden. Many of the dark purple dahlias have bloomed, but the yellow ones haven't opened yet.

I feel like it was a really successful gardening day. I usually only have time to really work in the garden on the weekends, so today's work felt special and rewarding. Plus, I had a few unique discoveries. I found a bright-turquoise-blue bee (!) which had died by getting entangled in a sticky flower. I also found an abandoned bird's nest that was nestled on the ground between some of the tall, dead flowers in the back garden. I'm glad to know that the garden has been hosting and inviting all kinds of life this season.