alabama – Page 13 – Fine for Friday

Butterflies and a Ginger Lily

In the American South, we are having more below average temp and some rain chance most every day. It has been possible to get out and do some shrub pruning. The garden is beginning to look tired and a little ragged but some fall flowers are appearing.

Butterfly numbers seemed to be below normal this summer but this week I have been surprised to find much more butterfly activity.

Here is the collection.

Here is a hardy mum. Unsure of name but this is thriving enough that I have divided it and have it in three locations now.

The vitex of chaste tree is very happy and continues to bloom.

The American beautyberry is beginning to show off its purple berry collars. It is a very reliable native shrub.

The “Katy Road” rose is showing some new buds with the let up in the heat. It is such a beautiful pink. The leaf beetles really get after it but I am trying to keep them at bay with some weekly Neem oil applications. Sorry that it is a little fuzzy.

The encore azaleas are really showy this week. I just had to show them off again. They really look good along this paver path.

Here is a gulf fritillary on the profusion zinnias. The host plant is a passionflower. I would show it but the caterpillars have chewed it up.

Here is a monarch. These zinnias are right next to the butterfly milkweed. I just had to stand between the two in order to get a good photo.

The ginger lily bloomed this week. I have them in some pedestal containers at the garden entrance. I was not expecting them to bloom this year so it is a surprise.

Hope you have some rain and moderating temperatures this week. It makes the gardening such a treat.

Remember the inspiration of this blog, The propagator blog.

Summer Blooms are on the Wane

Here is the American South, we are enjoying some slightly less hot weather. Soon, the weekends will be filled with the passion of our region, college football. Fall practice has begun.

This week the Shasta Daisies have been all deadheaded. Soon, they will be cut back and the compost bin will begin to fill. The black eyed susans are still glorious but there is some one or something eating on them that I will have to sort out.

The encore azaleas are giving a fresh display of blooms.

There has been sufficient rain that the irrigation system has not had to be given extra duty.

Here are my photos of the week.

This is a lantana “Miss Huff” which usually attracts plenty of butterflies.

The zinnias and the blackeyed susan looks great together.

The container of sedum and agastache are also harmonizing. The sedum “Autumn Joy” is beginning to show some fall color.

These pentas have been laggard this year but this group looks like it is perking up a little.

This milkweed is called Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) and was taken by an acquainance while visiting in Kansas. It is showy indeed.

Here was a visitor on my deck this week. He was acting like he wanted to drill my chair but he eventually flew off. The iNaturalist couldn’t completely identify him except to say he was a wasp.

That is my lot for the week. Hope your gardening is successful and brings you joy. The day light hours are shortening and soon we will have some cooler temps.

Remember to check out our British friends on the propagator’s blog.

Summer Bloom 5 Aug 2022

The glory of the summer is still with us here in Beautiful Alabama. We are having a minor amount of relief from the heat along with some refreshing rains.

My tour around the property revealed full summer blooms. A recent three day vacation to the Northeastern portion of Alabama revealed two other additions to my group of photos today.

First up is a pretty pink butterfly bush.

Next is the remnant of a cicada. This one was the size of my thumb. Those compound eyes can be creepy.

Back home, I will begin with a majestic white blooming Crepe Myrtle. You can see the brown bark which makes it a show in winter.

Here are two cultivars of butterfly bush. No butterflies in these pictures but they have been there.

I scattered some zinnia seeds where my little potato patch had been this spring and they are beginning to bloom smartly.

The caladium and coleus containers are full and at their peak now.

Finally, here is the first of the Brown Turkey figs. I hope to get my share before the birds and squirrels find them.

Happy gardening!! Be sure to check out the propagator. He is the inspiration for this blog

Hummingbird 29 July 2022

The weather is warm but pleasant for the last several days. Humidity levels are tolerable. The garden and plants are in full bloom. I always have several hummingbirds in the yard but I took the time to identify what was catching their fancy.

We have the ruby throated hummingbirds here. I have not seen any other species. Unfortunately, I could not capture a photo of any myself so I downloaded a photo of a pair from the internet.

This photo is from the Alabama Wildlife Federation website.

They really like the dragon wing begonia and the hardy begonia.

This torenia or wishbone flower is also a favorite.

This Rhythm and Blues Wave Petunia in a hanging basket on the deck also attracts them.

The shrimp plant and this red trumpet are also go to plants for them.

Of course, they also can find their way to the feeder.

They are delightful visitors and if you have more than one visiting, you will be entertained by the jousting tournaments in which they engage.

Happy gardening and remember to visit the propagator

The bloom continues 22 July 2022

The weather has cooled today after thunderstorms last night. No significant damage at home or in the Mens Garden but there is a lot of small limbs and leaves down. It was humid this morning but it was overcast so some tasks could be done without excessive perspiration.

The Shasta daisies were deadheaded. They have almost finished their season but the Blackeyed Susans are magnificent.

The Crape myrtles and the limelight hydrangeas are in full regalia now. Unsure of the name of this beauty.

This limelight is in part shade and it is really thriving. It is filling in this space and will need some pruning since it is hiding a camellia behind it.

This looks like a mulberry tree protruding through the fence. It is past fruit stage which kept the squirrels very busy.

This milkweed is past blooming and now carries these unique pods. The milkweed is the host plant for so many butterflies including the Monarch.

Another versatile native is the purple coneflower. I leave the seedheads on as a food source for the birds.

Hope your weather has been favorable for getting in some summer gardening. Keep hydrated and keep a measured pace.

Don’t forget about the propagator

Bird Project 15 July 2022

I noticed that my bluebird houses have attracted pairs of Eastern Bluebirds for the second time this year.

I have several houses at home and one at the Mens Garden.

I have followed the recommendations of the Audobon Society in building them in order to keep other birds away. I built them out of red cedar donated by a friend.

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-build-bluebird-nest-box

Bluebirds are almost exclusively insect eaters. They capture insects, crush them and feed them to their young. As you can see from the nest placement, they prefer to nest near a lawn or farmland so that they can capture insects easily.

I also inspected the trees nearby since they are abundant sources of caterpillars for the bluebirds and for other birds.

I know I have hackberry trees host to 6 different butterflies including the hackberry emperor.

I also found a shagbark hickory which is a host plant to many butterflies included the hairstreak.

In my search, I also found this in my side yard. He was perfectly still until I emerged enough to take this picture.

Finally, I hope you enjoy this Casablanca lily which just began blooming this week.

Happy gardening!

Be sure to check out the propagator

Summertime

The song says that the living is easy. It is hot here so its easy if you are indoors. Rain is forecast tomorrow which will break the heat for a while. In the meantime, it is sufficient just to keep the outdoor plants watered. Had to take care of the vole problem today. Applied a newly acquired treatment suggested by the local hardware store.

This pink spiderwort stood out today. I see it is also called Purple Heart. It loves the heat and spreads every summer and self seeds as an added bonus.

The rose campion has started to bloom again. It seems undefeated by the summer heat. Its delicate nature is beautiful. It is also self seeding but it is welcome.

The Rose of Sharon is also enjoying the summer heat. It is an old time favorite and I can see why. The blooms are magnificent. There is also a white bloom with a red throat.

The white caladium “Candide” loves this shady spot. It does get enough morning sun to keep it healthy and looks spiffy in this urn.

This old recycled fountain looks great set back amongst the Limelight hydrangeas and sports some thriving succulents.

The voles are inhabiting most of the lawn at the Mens Garden. The hardware store recommended this remedy. It attacks the Japanese beetle larvae which are the main food source for the voles. In addition, I have applied some repellent that was also recommended. Hope this works. All the runways in the lawn are unsightly.

Meanwhile, be careful in the heat. Seek shade whenever possible and remain hydrated.

Remember the Propagator

Happy Gardening

Bird Project 1 July 2022

This past week, I noticed a pair of goldfinches feeding on the liatris in my perennial bed. The male was that bright gold color. They came out of the thicket along the edge of my property where there are some pine trees and a mulberry.

I have had them come to my bird feeder in the winter but I have not seen them in the summer. It made me think about what I could do to keep them around all year.

My research showed that their diet is mostly seeds unlike the majority of songbirds.

Here are goldfinches on liatris spicata which is also known as gayfeather.

The goldfinches will also feed on the seeds from purple coneflower which grows as a native in our area.

The purple coneflower will last until frost. You can keep the seedheads on through the late fall and into winter for the finches to feed on.

Another summerlong flower that they will feed from is a zinnia. Zinnias here will bloom all summer long.

8FFDEE27-C3D5-4E5C-8BF8-CA64D8146DEF — Gold finch on zinnia

The sunflower is another good food source. Sunflowers can be left standing into the winter and the goldfinches will come to them.

37F816C2-1793-4FC1-9EBA-22C81753ED8A — Goldfinch on sunflower.

The goldfinches will feed on native grasses in the winter in our area. These will contain seeds to support them in the winter.

Thought you might enjoy seeing these limelight hydrangeas in full bloom. The goldfinches do not use birdboxes. This one is for the bluebirds. It was erected in the spring but is not presently occupied.

Switching themes, here is a photo of this colorful canna. I am not sure of the name but I think it is Tropicana

Ending today’s photos with the agastache and a Stoke’s Aster which are both showing beautiful colors in the summer.

It is Independence Day here in the USA on Monday so it is a weekend of celebration and little gardening.

Be sure to check out the propagator

Reds and Oranges 24 June 2022

It is now officially summer and the hot weather is continuing. Highs in the upper 90’s (35 to 38 C) here in the American South.

Adequate hydration and avoiding the mid afternoon sun is the order of the day. I am a morning person so I do not mind getting out early. It helps to finish any outdoor work after 5 pm to avoid the searing overhead sun.

The plants are faring much better than us mortals. Today, I am offering some red and orange hues for you.

The first is this Hibiscus coccineus. This is the scarlet rosemallow also known as the Texas star although it is not found naturally in Texas. The leaves resemble cannabis It is a hardy hibiscus native to the Southeast USA. The large blooms are really striking.

This begonia is the red Dragon Wing. It has been a winner for me in window boxes. It thrives in the heat and prefers to be a little bit dry. This year I propagated all I needed from a plant that I protected over the winter.

This crocosmia is the Lucifer cultivar. It is a hardy plant in the iris family and is very reliable. It does have a tendency to muscle out wards and needs to mind its manners every year.

Dahlias can be a little fickle in the heat but I have found one successful bed that gets less afternoon sun and I have been rewarded with reliable blooming.

This rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a reliable bloomer. It does have the red throat.

This shot of my backyard shows the progress I have made in this shady area. More on that in future blogs.

We are expecting some rain over the next few days which will lower the temps soon. That will be welcome.

Happy Gardening.

Don’t forget the Propagator who is the inspiration for this blog.

Heat Wave 17 June 2022

Greetings from the sweltering Southeast USA. We have been in a heat advisory for the past few days. It is expected to continue for another week. Highs are in the upper 90’s and heat index is topping 100 every day. My plan is to limit outdoor work to early morning and just before dusk. Plenty of liquids are also in order.

The plants are flourishing regardless. They have an ample supply of water after the heavy rain of a few days ago. I am watering the newest plants from this spring.

I did do some volunteer work in the native plant area of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens so I am including a shot or two from there.

The first shot is this beautiful tall Tiger Lily. The plant identifier is calling it an iris.

This next is a Prairie Coneflower. Ratibida sp. I started these from seed a few years ago. They had a tendency to sag when in bloom but this year they are strong enough to stand tall.

The hybrid daylilies are beautiful. So many vibrant bright colors. This one stood out.

This garden cherub is shaded in the fern garden amongst the Natchez crepe myrtles. The fern is a Southern shield (Thelypteris kunthii). This stately fern is slowly covering the shaded area but it is deciduous and allows the daffodils to come through in the late winter and spring.

The blephilia is blooming again.

Thought you might enjoy this native hydrangea (Hydrangea aborescens)

Another native hydrangeas showing off is this oakleaf with the red tinted flowers of the pannicle. Hydrangea quercifolia.

It is hot this week but these floral displays are grand. Hope you are able to get out and do some gardening. Mine will be limited the next two weeks.

Don’t forget the the propagator