It is hot and flowers are blooming!
This is the first big purple coneflower that really opened up. It is in the sunny part of the garden that we do not mow. The coneflowers in the shade are still getting their pink petals.
In the back of the last picture you can see the three false sunflowers that are blooming. Can you see the little monarda blooming in the background?
One little monarda bee balm is blooming among the weeds. Maybe others will get going.
From the patio I enjoy watching the goldfinch in the meadow. Here she was eating grass seeds.
A few days later the goldfinch was working on the coneflowers.
Nearby the Shasta daisies are still looking good. In the background is blue hill sage, or if you prefer blue hill salvia.
The zinnias are getting going…
This garden is near the patio and is cheery. I need to deadhead the gaillardia, frequently. The red hot pokers made an appearance. The spike speedwell will need to be trimmed back before long.
Red hot pokers in front of Miscanthus ornamental grass.
Coleus
Yellow marigolds
Agastache ‘blue boa,’ false sunflowers, and butterfly weed right by our patio.
Juvenile robin and coreopsis tickseed
Coreopsis ‘zagreb’
Swamp milkweed
Lady’s mantle, though not a great picture. On the left is blue fescue grass.
Prairie verbena grows next to dragon’s blood sedum.
My son, with false sunflowers and butterfly weed in the background.
Fireworks: On 7/3 I went to bed early, as usual, and I had just fallen asleep when the fireworks started, which I had forgotten about. I turned out the lights and opened the shades and saw a yard full of fireflies lighting up in the dark in nature’s own fireworks! I enjoyed watching them for a while, then read a good book until the fireworks died down. I do enjoy watching fireworks, but only make the effort to do it every few years.
Little Backyard World 
thank you for your wonderful missives that bring me into a garden I will never have…
Much of my life I looked at others’ gardens… I like to enjoy others people’s activities and adventures vicariously.
Great blooms. Our Swamp Milkweed looks like it won’t bloom for another five to seven days.
I have swamp milkweed in all stages. Some is finishing up and some just starting, depending on the sunlight. I love looking at the flowers in your garden!
Beautiful photographs! And it was hot in Illinois over the 4th! I, too, was struck by all the flowers in bloom. Your garden is a paradise for birds, insects and people alike! Thank you again for sharing.
It sure is hot, and lots of mosquitoes! But I love having a welcoming place for the birds and butterflies – and people.