The last few days have been hot and humid here in the American South. Average daily highs in the mid 90’s and 50 % plus humidity tax a gardener’s physical strength. The formula, of course, is to start out early, drink plenty of water and seek the shade as much as possible.
A few mid summer bloomers have appeared and there are a couple of interesting visitors that I have to show you today. The perennials are blooming at their peak. The rainfall has been sufficient and well spaced. They are certainly enjoying this weather.
Wizard Scarlet Swallowtail
I started six different coleus from seed this spring and have them in containers. They are loving a shady spot on the deck which receives morning sun. I am glad that I went to the effort.
The caladium is from bulbs that I saved from last year. I kept them dry and dark over the winter. I planted them this spring once the ground temp was above 60 degrees. They just emerged 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I managed to merge them into one grouping and lost the name. They look wonderful in this shady bed alongside the Southern shield ferns.
I started the Rudbeckia triloba from seed this year. It is an Alabama native and it is just beginning to flower this week. It seems to be thriving in an afternoon sun area.
The Coral honeysuckle is also and Alabama native that I bought from a local native plant nursery. It is gorgeous and well loved by the hummingbirds.
The purple coneflowers, another Alabama native, have been prolific this summer. This one is being also enjoyed by this bumble bee. I leave the seedbeds on the plants throughout the winter for the finches which seem to thrive on them.
One of my Shasta daisies is being enjoyed by a pearl crescent. It is a medium sized butterfly and it was feasting on the nectar. Its host plant are the Asters.
Every Saturday morning come join us on Six on Saturday. This group of gardeners from around the world are hosted by Jim Stephens at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk.
Happy Gardening!
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We finally have had a few spots of rain, a couple of mm here and there has started to add up. Deep roots are still searching for a drink. Having lived 15 years in central Florida, I’m well aware of southern heat, but at least I had an offshore breeze being only 100 meters from the ocean- Gardening in southern summer heat is extremely difficult. For all the hard work, your seed cultivation efforts are all really doing well! Bravo! Pollinators are surely going to love & enjoy all your flowering plants 🙂
Thank you. The challenge is to find plants that will thrive in the brutal full sun of July and August.
I plan to try some coleus next year. I’m always ready for a gardening challenge. Lovely to see the insects too, well captured!
They are beautiful in containers. Then, I can move them around as I please.
Lovely! I have not seen any pearl crescents this year, but not seeing them does not mean they are not around. I especially like the coral honeysuckle!
It is always a pleasure to have the butterflies come visiting.
I bought a couple of tiny Caladiums last year and was concerned at how late they were to come into growth. I thought they were needing much more heat. Sounds like it’s just what they do, even in your heat. I am reassured.
Do you pinch out the coleus? I do and they get stronger with big stems. The sun you get will give yours the colors they need.
That coral honeysuckle is very striking
The coleus are stunning – such great colours in the leaves. Are you able to overwinter them where you are?
No. They would have to be in a greenhouse I think. Too impractical for me I am afraid.
You certainly have some beautiful color this week, and your photo of the daisy with the pearl crescent is just stunning. I admire that you are starting from seed, even with the Coleus. The Caladiums here were also very slow to take off this year. It stayed cool here too late into the spring. I actually just moved a tuber with a tiny bit of growth from the starting bin to a pot just a week or so ago. I’ve noticed that each variety comes into growth on its own particular schedule. Even with many varieties all planted and watered at the same time (indoors) each type develops at its own pace. This is the first year I’ve not ordered any new Caladiums and have just enjoyed those that overwintered. They do blend so nicely with ferns.
Lovely colours in your Six. I’m growing a Caladium for the first time and the first leaf emerged last week. Pearl Crescent is a lovely name for a very pretty butterfly
At last, I’ve found a link to your blog! You’ve been posting on mine and I couldn’t find a way back to yours. I do like your coleus, it’s a plant I don’t grow as it doesn’t get through the winter here. Lovely shot of the bee on the echinacea.
Glad you found the link. Sorry that it was difficult. Coleus doesn’t winter here either but I do like to some annuals as shade plants. I choose to grow those from seed.