Gardens – Page 11 – Fine for Friday

Summer Heat 4 August 2023

This week, it continued to be hot but today and for the next 7 days at least the forecast is for cloudy conditions with daily rain chances. That will bring some relief. I was even able to get out into the garden this afternoon to begin to catch up on some much needed weeding. The fall catalogs and seed house emails are beginning to entice with offerings for fall and spring. I even have hopes to get a start on a fall garden.

The glorious summer perennials are definitely past their prime. The summer ball is over. Before long, they will be memories.

Here are my six for today. If you are available, check out the Six on Saturday gathering of gardeners from all around the world. It can be found at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. It is hosted by Jim Stephens.

These Black eyed Susans have definitely taken the prize for spectacular this year. Purchased at Barton’s Nursery https://www.facebook.com/bartonsgh/, I am unsure of the cultivar but being perennials, I will be anxiously awaiting their return next year.

The spider plant is a surprise. I had one in a container at the front door and the next year, this one appeared in the flower bed nearby. It is very near the step and derives enough protection there that it has become a permanent resident. This is the first year that I have noticed the blooms.

This liriope caught my eye. They are frequently used by homeowners as an edging plant. The inflorescence is pretty although the plant itself can be a nuisance because it spreads readily.

The blackberry lily grouping were prolific this year. I entered this photo because the seedpods resemble Habanero peppers.

The Prairie coneflower is a native but it is fitting well into my perennial bed amongst the lantana and the lilies. It is past its prime but the seed cones are well loved by the local goldfinches.

The milkweed seed pods certainly resemble okra. These okra bugs certainly love to hand out on them. These pods will soon begin to dry and crack open revealing the seeds with their parachute like attachments.

Until next week, Happy Gardening!!

Summer Heat 28 July 2023

We will be at or above summer norms for the next 10 days. It is mid 90’s today so 35 C. Our group of workers were out this morning at the Corner Garden early. By 830, it was 90 or 32 C. There were thunderclouds to the west of us but despite the noise and a couple of bolts of lightning in the distance, there was no rain on us. The irrigation system will have to suffice for now.

The garden is past its peak now. The plants look fatigued from all the heat but it is still very beautiful.

Here are my six for today.

The Canna Lily is a showstopper even though it has morning shade. These have been transplanted from an area which seemed to suffer from leaf roller disease. They are happier here.

The salvia is still thrilling. I named it blue because I couldn’t find the full name. It looks wonderful against the yellow of the Black eyed Susan.

The coneflowers are definitely fading in color. I have left the seedheads on since the yellow goldfinches love to feast on them in the fall and winter.

The daylily is still producing. Unfortunately, not sure of the name here.

The Lamb’s Ear has the tall flower stalk. It blends well with the Shasta daisies behind.

The sedum is beginning to show some bronzing of the flower head which will become more pronounced as the days progress.

Saturday mornings a group of gardeners from around the world share their 6 best photos in the forum hosted by Jim Stephens at https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. Come join us, bring your cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the beautiful plants.

Happy Gardening!!

Hot Summer Days 21 July 2023

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.

Coleus Kong Lime Sprite with
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!

Summer 14 July 2023

The garden is lush, healthy and bloom filled. We have had sufficient rain to keep things that way. The butterflies are increasing in number and the air is filled with the buzz of insects. The hummingbirds are regularly seen getting their fill.

The dilemma is that the heat keeps my outdoor tasks restricted to the mornings. The afternoon heat is too energy sapping. We were out of town for several days and upon returning it is noticeable that the weeds are getting a little out of control. A need a few days of effort to right the ship.

Here are my photos for this week.

The Casablanca Lily has really shown out this year. The stalks are about 4 feet high and I have had to stake them to keep them erect. You can see the repurposed fountain in the background. It became non functional so it is now a succulent planter.

The Rubeckia ‘Gloriosa Daisy’ has a blend of colors. It has been a great performer.

The Dahlia ‘Gallery Singer’ is a first timer for me. It is in a grouping of 3 Dahlia Singers and 3 Dahlia Serenade. The deep color is a standout.

Two varieties of Buddleia here. The white natchez shrub grows over twenty feet. This one is still small so the blooms are easily seen. The watermelon red is well established and lines the driveway very majestically. The crape myrtle is the staple shrub here in the American South and I think these photos say why.

The oak leaf hydrangea is a native shrub. The blooms in pannicles come out white and then the color becomes reddish to bronze in summer and fall. The blooms remain as an appealing brown during the winter. This is a good look at the pannicle.

The Buddleia is a Sungold I think. It is 3 years old and beginning to assume an admirable shape. The butterflies and insects are attracted to it.

That’s the round up for this week. We are still at peak summer. Soon the inevitable slow fade will begin so I am enjoying the beauty as much as possible.

Every Saturday a group of gardeners from around the world share photos of their gardens. This is hosted by Jim Stephens at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Come join us and see what is happening.

Happy Gardening!

Summer 7 July 2023

The Fourth of July is over. This marks the middle of summer. We had plenty of food including a steak done on the grill. We like to watch the concerts that are on the Capitol Steps in Washington D.C. and from the harbor in New York City with views of the Statue of Liberty. Of course, this was ended with spectacular fireworks in both locations.

It has been a hot gardening week. The perennials are in full bloom now. The Limelight hydrangeas are magnificently blooming. My potatoes and onions are officially done. A few tomatoes are beginning to appear.

Here are my photos for this week.

The hardy hibiscus is new to me. Planted last year, it almost expired during the December deep freeze. There are two others in the same raised bed and this is the most advanced.

The Dragon Wing has been a stalwart. It is an annual but I keep it alive during the winter in the cold frame. In the spring, I take cuttings and manage to propagate enough to fill another planter and my window boxes. It is my most reliable annual.

The Big Red is shy. This is its first blooming of the season but when it does, it really shows out. It is also a cold frame resident and I have also managed to propagate several more containers of it from cuttings.

The coreopsis continues to shine. It is very happy in its container and is content to have some mid day shade.

The calla lily is at the front door. It is in the location where I intend to have a White Garden. A mature white azalea is right behind it. I need a third white bloomer to complete the grouping. Have not made a decision on that as of yet.

The Shasta daisies are in full bloom now. As usual, they are spectacular.

I am really enjoying the garden this summer. The heat limits the work but the majority of that was done this spring.

Before I end this weeks post, here is a watercolor done by my friend Walt in celebration of Independence Day.

Come join us Saturday morning when Jim Stephens hosts our Six on Saturday group. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

You will be able to enjoy gardens from around the globe.

Happy gardening!

Summer 30 June 2023

It is hot this week! It is very hot this week! The county warned of poor air quality. Temperatures will be near 40 degrees C both today and tomorrow. The forecast is for some increased rain probability over the next week and that will lower the temps down a little perhaps to as low as 35 degrees.

The garden is at a maximum. The plants are green and lush. The blooms are abundant. The butterflies, pollinators and birds are very busy.

Here are my efforts for this week.

The crocosmia photo is a little blown out but you can see that this cultivar is aptly named. The foliage is gladiolus like and it does want to lay down from rainfall or the wind. The plant is a little agressive and I have to pull up plants on the advancing edge of the thicket.

The ruellia does have a beautiful color. It is another plant that minds its manners the best if kept in a container.

The Stokes aster is in its glory. It is doing so nicely with a little shade at mid day and with the backdrop of the Southern Shield ferns.

The coleus are in a container in the shade garden. They do get enough morning sun to thrive. They did not like the coolness of the spring but they are thriving now.

The limelight hydrangeas are a showstopper. They are a very popular shrub in our area now. They are not afraid of the sun like other hydrangeas. This is the original and they are tall. Smaller varieties are now available like ‘Little Lime’ and ‘Hobo’ which are smaller and can be grown in front of other shrubs.

As promised last week, here come the Shasta daisies. This cultivar is ‘Becky’ I think. You can see that there are a lot more buds waiting to open this week. This daisy always puts on a good show.

One more photo for you today.

This is the ongoing project of the propagation of limelight hydrangeas from cuttings that began in March. 5 hydrangeas are progressing well. It may be these will be used to replace some of the azaleas that suffered damage from the December deep freeze.

Every Saturday, Jim Stephens is hosting Six on Saturday. Join us and see gardens from all around the world. Sip on your coffee or other beverage and enjoy. Here is the link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

Happy Gardening!!

After the summer solstice 23 June 2023

The Alabama summer heat means that garden work is best done in the morning. Be sure to stay well hydrated and limit very strenuous tasks. For me, I am trying to limit myself to pruning, weeding and watering.

The blooming plants are approaching their peak but the good news is that there will be 10 to 12 more weeks of abundantly blooming summer perennials. The butterflies are appearing in ever greater numbers and the birds are singing happily.

Here’s a selection from today’s shoot at The Corner Garden.

The Texas Star (Hibiscus coccineus) is indeed a star. It is also called Scarlet Rosemallow. Each year it puts out more stalks that are more than 6 feet high. The blooms last only a few days but they are magnificent and at least 6 inches across.

The Rudbecki hirta “Indian Summer” is a repeat performer. It looked beaten after the December deep freeze but it is coming back beautifully. Good mix of it with the purple coneflower in the background.

The mix of Echinacea purpurea and Rudbeckia hirta on the right is just a blanket of outstanding plants today. It is very thick. I hope you can see the glimmer of Lambs’ Ear at the edge of this bed which adds just the right amount of color to make the bed stand out.

Meanwhile, here are more from the Corner Garden shoot.

The Stokes Aster is well established. You can see the abundance of blooms and buds with blooms to come. It is self seeding and I have established a second bed of plants nearby. They seem to be managing quite well.

The oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is beautifuly. It is alongside a roadway and in front of a sprinkler head so I keep it well cut back. Despite this, it is thriving with these whitish pannicles taking on a reddish tint. This is a volunteer shrub that originated from a mother plant across the roadway. It may be the “Ruby Slippers” cultivar.

The coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) on the right looked so good in this overhead shot. This native perennial is a prolific self seeder. We started with one and there are now dozens dotting the perennial bed.

I am really enjoying the garden this week. I hope you are doing the same.

Join us tomorrow for Six on Saturday hosted by Jim Stephens. Gardeners from around the world join in to share 6 photos from their gardens. You can find it at this link https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

The other good news is that the armadillo twins have not returned.

Hasta la vista baby! Not!

It is summer 16 June 2023

It is Father’s Day on June 17. I am grateful for my father and also my mother who are my inspiration for my love of gardening. My father taught me the basics of gardening: light, water and soil. My mother inspired my love of flowers.

The weather in central Alabama has changed from 3 weeks of dry weather to a week of daily rain with some thunderstorms with damaging winds. How about just a steady drizzle!

The heat is associated with increasing humidity so morning gardening is preferred but late afternoon also allows for some garden work time.

The annuals, perennials and shrubs are growing rapidly now and the blooms are rapidly emerging.

Here are this week’s offerings:

The Prairie coneflower on the left (Ratibida pinnata) is blooming so prolifically that the recent rains have knocked down the stems. Once the blooming stops, I have been advised to cut the stems down at least half which will encourage a second blooming in the fall. This native has attracted a lot of pollinators.

The chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is thriving and the abundant purple panicles are a show stopper. Some owners prune it up to tree form but I prefer the shrub’s natural multi trunk look.

The canna lily is also a show stopper. The large blooms are appearing rapidly now. The striped leaves are very attractive. Later in the year, the leaf roller will damage the leaves but I have learned to cut those leaves out and allow new healthy ones to grow.

The Rudbeckia (Indian Summer) is a returning bloomer that survived the December deep freeze. I am glad since the blooms are so beautiful.

The Shasta Daisy is just beginning its lengthy bloom period. I think the cultivar is “Becky”. These usually bloom into September.

The Leopard lily is Iris domestica and is also commonly called blackberry lily. It is a tall 3 foot plant. I collected seeds from it last year and was surprised how successfully they sprouted. I planted the new plants this spring and they are off to a good start.

This is one of a pair that came in to my garden yesterday while I was picking some blueberries. It is said to be mostly a nocturnal creature. I have never seen a live one during the day. It primarily roots for grubs in lawns and perennial beds. I am not too happy to see them so I hope they will move on.

Don’t forget to check out the Six on Saturday blog hosted by Jim Stephens tomorrow. You can find it here https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there.

It is summer 9 June 2023

It is summer 2 June 2023.

Here in the lower Southeastern US, the weather is definitely turned summer like. We will be in the 90’s this weekend. The night time lows are upper 50’s. The humidity is rising as the plant life become more abundant and larger while putting off all that water vapor.

Unfortunately, that is also accompanied by less frequent rainfall so watering becomes a more frequent task. The mulch that has been put down and attention to weeding this spring has successfully decreased the amount of weeding.

I have been harvesting some vegetables this week including white and yellow onion, potatoes and a good crop of blueberries from the 3 bushes that I have.

The red potatoes are a Norland variety. They have been served as a potato salad which was very tasty. The middle plant is a hardy begonia whose name has been lost. The clematis is large and showy but it too shall remain nameless.

The Sega palm on the left is a surprise. We are located a little too far north to have this one in the ground but we did. Each spring it appeared done for but always revived and spread its feathery branches. After the dreadful cold snap of December, it surely seemed this was dead. We dug it up and placed 4 sections in containers like this one. To our surprise, three of the four have sent up shoots and are very much alive. The plan is to move the containers indoors whenever there is freezing cold weather.

The hydrangeas were grown from cuttings. Of 24 cuttings that we planted, we have 5 thriving survivors. Success!

The final photo is a butterfly on the milkweed. That is another great success.

Hope you are enjoying your garden.

Join us tomorrow for Six on Saturday. Many fellow gardeners are sharing their gardens on this site https://gardenruminations.co.uk/ hosted by Jim Stephens.

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