Heat? What heat?

Although we don't want to live in a modern high-rise forever, I can say with certainty that the best thing about having my patio garden way up in the sky is that I can avoid the nasty summer weather down below. When I walk out there to water every morning, it's downright pleasant outside, even if the sweaty pedestrians eight floors down are battling heat in the upper 90s with humidity to match. The breeze, the views, the smells... June in DC on my patio is heavenly! Working from home doesn't really help my state of oblivion, I must admit. Yesterday I was absolutely convinced it was gorgeous out until I met T for drinks and the Nats game after work. It was awful down there. But up here on my happy little perch, life is pretty dang good... even in the heat of a DC summer.

So how about a garden update?

Gorgeous summer color

Barbara's Gardenia in full bloom! The smell is heavenly.

Mojitos, anyone?

Lantana is such a happy-go-lucky flower to me... mellow and unassumingly gorgeous

This basil plant is two feet tall - good thing it's my favorite herb (good thing also that I have four of them)

The newest dahlias. Isn't this peach color heavenly?

My oregano started flowering, which isn't great for the herbs... but the flowers make great rustic bouquets for bud vases. 

I spy tomatoes!

Finally, our patio mascot, little Fanny (whose name my grandma just approved of: "that's a good 'ol farm name"). It's such a battle getting her back inside every day. I swear she'd just live out there if she could, comfy laps and air-conditioned perches be damned.