The funny thing about a swamp is...there you are, walking along, trying not to careen through any gargantuan spider webs that would-- of course-- contain gargantuan spiders somewhere within their midst, suspiciously eyeballing the dark and murky water that is mysteriously bubbling off to your right, when suddenly, you turn around a corner and BAM!!!

A beautiful, big-as-your-Aunt-Myra's-head-before-the-surgery Lotus blossom is staring you in the eye.

It was breathtaking, truly. Almost pretty enough to make me forget about the bubbling.

Almost.

Around another corner appeared a HUGE hibiscus, pictured below, big as a dinner plate. Which is, at the present time, smaller than Aunt Myra's head.



>sigh<

All day today I stared at a wall and counter with only a stapler and tape dispenser and paper clips and paperwork to break up the monatony. I had to step out into the greenhouse to see some color, because I missed it so. And then was promptly bombarded by customers who descended upon me while I was clearly sniffing the hibiscus.

Who, tell me-- WHO in their right mind would be planting shrubbery in this kind of heat??? Well, okay, so some people would, and yes, they just might--- MIGHT, I say!--be in their right mind sort of... but from working around plants, I can tell you honestly and from the root of my soul that

PLANTS DON'T LIKE TO BE TRANSPLANTED IN THE BAKING HEAT OF SUMMER.

Ah, the word is out now...I feel better. Thanks for helping me get that off my chest. Need a new tree? Sod? Tea Olive bush? Wait until late August/September to plant it. Trust me.

I am SO off the horticulture soap box now. Don't forget to take time to smell the jasmine. (Not the verbena, it stinks to high heaven. Even the angels have complained about it.)