It’s finally time to race. The parties are over, the hype is blown out, and the betting windows are closing.

The flowers are in the gate. CHACONG! They are off.

We are underway here at the Independence Day Dash.

Bee Balm establishes herself in the lead.

Gloriosa Daisy is caught in the pack.

C’mon Gloriosa. This is a DASH, dude! There is no time to spare.

Forget-Me-Not and Zinnia are right there with Bee Balm

It’s a bit early in the season for Zinnia’s big show, but she registered for the race and she is showing well today.

Liatris is standing tall, sticking right there with the leaders.

Coneflower and Shasta Daisy are bogged down, caught in the pack.

The annual wildflowers including Wild Marigold, Cosmo, and Poppy are racing their hearts out but it doesn’t look like they can get free of the pack.

Elephant Ear lumbers along.

He’s not the fastest racer, but Elephant Ear appears to be enjoying himself immensely.

Daylilly looks like he has no get-up-and-go. The bloom season is old for Daylilly and he seems destined to hold down the back of the pack.

As the race crosses the half way point, Bee Balm puts on the gas and begins to pull away.

Wow! Whoa! It’s the Bee Balm Show!

Everywhere you look, it’s Bee Balm.

But wait! Liatris is making a move.

Liatris calls on his greenhouse cousins and together the Speedwell crowd breaks into second, chasing Bee Balm.

Forget-Me-Not falls back but won’t give up.

While Zinnia stands tall and proud,

showing off her beautiful self.

In a surprise move, Hosta breaks free of the pack and chases the leaders.

Spiderwort looks great but seems to be struggling in the rear.

Phlox is a study in too-little too-late.

But how about the newcomer Russian Sage?

And the Spring Bloomer Ox-Eye Daisy?

As they near the finish line it is Bee Balm all the way.

Bee Balm pulls away

And wins the race in a romp

Liatris crosses in second, followed by Forget-Me-Not.

With a fine showing by Zinnia, Hosta and Gloriosa Daisy.

That’s That Race Fans! Three Cheers for Bee Balm.

She has won the Independence Day Dash!

Paired with her big victory in the Memorial Marathon, Bee Balm has now won the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

Can she pull out a victory in the Dog Days Derby and establish herself in the history books as a Triple Crown winner?

Can Bee Balm beat Zinnia in August? Can anyone beat Zinnia in August?

We’ll find out in August. Until then, enjoy the weather and may your garden bloom beautifully.

(Editor’s Note: With that, my friends, I’m checking out for the rest of July. Yep – I’m off on a grand adventure, the likes of which I haven’t been on in years. I’m going to swim in one ocean and cross another. I’m going to drink beer and wine and enjoy good company in exotic locales to which I’ve never been. I’m going to turn off the iphone and depend on paper maps, my sense of adventure and the patience of my companions. The gardens will wait. I’ll be back. Until then, I wish you well. Goodbye. Later Dude. Auf Wiedersehen. A Bientôt. Salut. )