
Summer in Portland is such a mixed bag. While we've had some periods of nasty hot weather, this year has been generally pleasant. We've been lucky to have mornings that are often cool and overcast...which allows time to get out and enjoy the garden (and accomplish the odd chores) before the sun emerges to send me scurrying for cover.
Generally, summer is one of the laziest times of year for me, aside from watering newly-planted plants. Overall, the garden is lush, full and makes me pretty damn happy. Of course, there is always something that doesn't perform...

...and while I can put up with some things, at times, I have to just bite the bullet and deal with them. In the middle of this picture, you can see the aging blooms of Salvia 'Purple Rain'. I got these plants a few years ago from the discounted rack at a big box store...for $2 each...quite a steal! They grow and bloom dutifully each year...and I love their wonderful, sculptural flower stems...which I find texturally valuable even after the color has faded. Unfortunately, this photo doesn't show how they look up close...

...which is this! I take full (well almost full) responsibility for this state of affairs. The north slope (where they are planted) is in full shade until about June...so the plants grow tall and lush...then flop under their own weight. Plus, the onset of hot, dry summer weather coincides precisely with the time that they start to get almost full sun...and the stress seems to trigger powdery mildew. This happens like clockwork. Every. Single. Year.

I put up with it for a few years...and, to be honest, I can put up with a lot from plants. While it's not my favorite activity, I've accepted that my not-so-ideal light conditions means that I'll have to stake the occasional plant. However, flopping and succumbing to disease are two strikes...and since I don't like spraying plants constantly, I decided a few weeks ago to enjoy the blooms for now, but they would be coming out this year. In the background, you can see the plants that were waiting in the wings to take their places.

Surprise, it's a grass! HAHAHAHA! Panicum 'Shenandoah', one of my long-time faves. While on a recent shopping trip with Heather, we stumbled on these at Means...large plants for only $7.99! I bought one, just because I couldn't resist...but in the back of my mind, I was already thinking I'd come back and buy more...for this very spot!

I already love them here...they just seem so "right" for the spot.
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So, here we are, much-improved, and I can once again enjoy the garden for a while, until I find something else to fixate on...

...oops, too late...already found something...this variegated Willow...I've decided to remove it this fall and replace it with...well, I'm not sure yet. I'm planning on enlarging the patch of Panicum that is adjacent to it ('Cheyenne Sky'), but other than that, haven't quite figured out what to do...any suggestions?