July 2023, Week 27, Day 189

 

Dusty Miller & Petunia

Nearing mid July, we will be at peak Summer here in this Northern Hemisphere. 

I still have a sense of waiting for summer to arrive. 

On the bright side, Neutrogena* Beach Defense sunscreen SPF 30 doesn't irritate my facial skin (applied lightly).

Mosquitoes I've seen this year, haven't reached a high level due to regularly spraying repellent before I go outdoors, especially my foot area. I read last year mosquitoes are drawn to the odor of feet. Mind you, feet can be clean and still have a scent. That explains  why my feet were bitten so often when I got in my vehicle. 

Last week I was reminded of website glitches. Walmart, for example, (using a cell phone), sends verification codes that are rejected when I'm trying to change my phone number. On my computer, I can't log in because Walmart requires sending a code to my old phone number. No other option is provided. Contacting and, sending feedback about the problem has yet, in I think a year plus, helped them fix the glitch.

In order to have correct information on my Walmart page I had to open another account. Imagine a business with duplicate accounts. 

The glitch is not unique. There are other websites I've used that have similar problems. To their credit, Google is not one of them.

To be fair, human glitch. I couldn't find my phone. Using the Google Search, I found my phone on the phone stand right beside me where I put it. The problem...I also put a paper in front of it to cover the lens.

Ugh.

The more I shop online, the more I love feet in the door at a real live in person store. 

How was your week?

*Not a sponsered post

The Flower Planters & Pal 2023

Petunias are happy this year.

Not sure if this is sage or catnip 

Round 2 foot shape in clumps.

In the ground, not a planter.

Anyone recognize it?

These two photos (above, below) are the same planter taken at different angles.

A larger view of the unknown plant, lots of spikes with numerous flowers, long bloomer.

The other planter isn't as fast to bloom. It has longer shade and open exposure to deal with. The lobelia are the only plant in there producing well so far.

Dusty Miller & Bee Nests

 

1 July 2022, Dusty Miller

In July 2015, while sitting on the deck enjoying the outdoors, I happen to see a bee with a tiny ball of fuzz in its mouth. Ah ha! The reason is revealed that Dusty Miller is losing the white fuzz/tomentum on its leaves because bees harvest the tomentum to line their nests! (blog post, 15 July 2015)

Since then, I have noticed a decrease in the harvesting of tomentum, (for the years I planted Dusty Miller). Bee sightings have also decreased along with fewer Monarch Butterflies. 

This year I am hopeful with more flowers around, the garden residents will increase. Fireflies appear to be doing well, but not in great numbers.

A Summer garden needs its magical creatures. 

How is your garden doing so far?

Bee Nest Building & Dusty Miller

Bees will remove the white hairy leaf covering (tomentum) on Dusty Miller to use in nest building.

Bee actually seen moving around the center leaf on a white ball of stuff, and then fly away with it. Huh?

A few Googles later...learn something new every day. Amazing.