to dispel the myth believed by some blogging buddies that i am a master gardener:

here's what's left under the birch tree.. one verbena and one celosia
(i blame the wandering animals who mark their territory there for the other plants' failure to thrive under the tree)

hosta with slug holes and crooked flower stems
note the verbena and snapdragons that i should probably just pull out from in front of these

half-eaten black-eyed susan plants (and not so gorgeous buds)
i do hope that since we scared the most recent bug infestation off with sevin,
with a little tlc these may thrive

the mid summer re-blooming of the day lilies, surrounded by withering glad leaves
i suppose that if i did not water these, they would not be re-blooming.
at least that's what i like to think!

my gardening observations:

• bugs happen
• animal poop & pee happen
• drought happens
• do your best to take care of things anyway, but don't blame yourself if your efforts aren't as well-rewarded as you hoped
• (unless you spray round up on green peppers instead of insecticide!)