Summer Full On

With the record rain fall amounts of this year's spring, plants on Long Island's east end are responding with plenty of lush growth and impressive bloom shows. Early in the season, mild temperatures and the lack of any real, late-spring cold to challenge them, combined with ample precipitation, have set the stage for what looks like a near perfect summer of growth. My perennials are as healthy as ever and the hydrangeas in my collection are in excellent condition. I only hope the trend of regular rain continues, especially if this heat holds out.