Destructive Beetles

These beetles are singing "all you need is love" right now and they are eating and copulating like the world is ending. Which of course it is for them right now - their life cycle is about up.
Meanwhile they have caused destruction to my climbing hydrangea.  The good news is that they are leaving my roses alone, and the hydrangea is a tough plant that can withstand the devastation.

Brown holey leaves show the effect of the Japanese beeltes voracious appetite. 

They are beautiful with their coppery brown body and green jeweled head.

badly eaten leaves have a lacey quality

Almost every leaf of this large vine hosts a beetle

Perennial Mid summer gardens

Perennial gardens are a challenge. Mid summer gardens can be bereft of flowers, if you don't know your zone and don't plan for changing seasons of colour. There is a reason most gardens tours are in late Spring when things are fresh and green and not eaten by bugs.
Of course you can always take the easy way out and put in annuals which will carry you through this time of year.
Every year I plant morning glories for this time of year and they never fail to impress.

Morning glories and hibiscus

Daylily

Phlox

My favourite phlox

Monkshood, tall and stately, but need to be staked - you don't find this colour of blue on many flowers.