birmingham – Page 9 – Fine for Friday

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

More Summer Blooms 10 June 2022

There was a heavy rain here on Wednesday. I recorded more than 9 inches at my house. That was a little scary since I did have some water enter the house after a heavy rain last spring. Good news!! All my efforts to divert water from entering the house worked. We remained dry.

The days are long and the temperatures are high enough that the summer blooms are magnificent this week. The daisies and black eyed susans are a joy to behold.

The heat of summer is upon us so gardening tasks have to be limited to early morning and late afternoon.

Here are the Shasta Daisies. I think these are the “Becky” cultivar.

The black eyed Susans are the “Indian Summer” cultivar I think. They looked defeated by the end of winter but they are truly gorgeous now.

The purple coneflowers are a very reliable flower in the Mens Garden. They have reseeded in numerous places.

The swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata or rose milkweed has also fully shown up now. It is a winner. It has not attracted many butterflies though. I am hopeful that it will.

The white caladiums in the big planters are filled in. They are so welcoming.

This vitex or chaste tree is now in its third year at the garden. It is a striking bloomer. This variety is one of the temperate zone species of vitex. It does resemble butterfly bush.

This canna which I think is Tropicana is doing well in its new location. It was showing signs of leaf roller damage but it seems to be rid of that now. We will see.

We took a day trip to see the Cahaba lilies near us. They are endemic to our area. They are said to bloom between Mothers Day and Fathers Day. We missed the best days but found a Red-spotted purple butterfly, Pipevine swallowtail caterpillar and a native leatherflower (Clematis).

Those are mine for this week. It has been a wonderful week. I wish you happy gardening and beautiful flowers.

Don’t forget the Propagator

Five for Friday plus One 3 June 2022

As the weather continues to warm and the days lengthen, the garden continues to fill in.

I did some travelling this past week including a visit to a watercolor art show in a nearby town. So, I am including a beautiful photo of a winner from that show.

Hope you enjoy this week’s photos.

These profusion zinnias are in the men’s garden. They are a wonderful splash of yellow and are quickly matching their name.

This grouping of alyssum and snapdragons is also at the men’s garden. The alyssum is a spring planting and the snapdragons are a fall planting. The snapdragons will dwindle soon and a replacement will need to be found. As for now, they look good a long the brick walkway.

This old fountain has not been functional for a long time but it serves as a planter for these succulents. The Limelight hydrangeas surrounding it should soon be blooming.

The sweetspire “Little Henry Virginia” is showing off now with the racemes of white flowers. This shrub is new to the men’s garden but it is thriving in the dappled shade.

The rose campion is invasive but can be forgiven because it is so beautiful. It is easily removed if it becomes overly intrusive.

I mentioned the art show. Here is one of the winners. It is truly a stunner.

Enjoy your gardens this week. I hope to have some tomatoes to show by next Friday.

Remember the Propagator. He is the inspiration for this blog.

Shade and sun

We have been through a few rainy days brought on by a tropical depression coming off the Gulf of Mexico. The sun has returned today and the garden will now burst forth. The trees and shrubs are fully arrayed in their leafy glory so there is plenty of shade. The shade will protect the more tender of plants from the intense summer sun which is coming.

This is a beautiful time in the American South. Here are my photos for the day.

This is a mock orange planted 3 years ago. It has had a slow start but lots of beautiful blooms now. It is a glorious sun lover.

This is a Rudbeckia (Indian Summer) that I started from seed. They are planted in a mixed bed with some dahlias that I also started from seed. They are doing well in this sunny location.

This daylily is one of a group that is thriving in afternoon sun.

The oak leaf hydrangea is in morning sun and some afternoon sun. It has been in this location for many years. It is particulary glorious this year. It is an Alabama native.

This hosta thrives on the shady side of the house protected by a lorapetalum. It used to suffer from slug damage but a little diatomaceous earth has stopped that this year.

The majestic caladium Candide proudly sits in this planter at the entrance to the Mens Garden.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of the sun and shade.

Be sure to check out the Propagator

Summer blooms and visitors 20 May 2022

The summer heat is here this week with temps in the low 90’s. It is breezy at times which provides a bit of relief but being outdoors in the afternoons makes me weary from the heat. Garden work must be done in the mornings. It has been dry but a welcoming rain is forecast for this weekend.

The summer bloomers are appearing but there has also been some unexpected visitors.

My first picture today is morning sunrise on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. The dunes are magnificent. This shot is overlooking the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge.

Next are the “Nikko Blue” hydrangeas. They are on the shady side of the yard where they have been happy but the last two years with drought and then excessive rain there have been no blooms. This late spring though they are coming out. Joy.

Third is the astilbe. I also have these in the shady portion of the yard where they add needed color and contrast. They grow slowly but they are now coming into their own after several years.

The butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is now mature enough that it will be attracting the butterflies. As a host plant, it is a needed food source for many caterpillars including the magestic Monarch. It is a beacon in the sunny perennial bed.

This blanket flower (Gallardia) is another beacon in the sunny perennial bed. It also attracts butterflies. This one has a skipper visiting.

A surprise visitor the other morning was this guy. He had flushed two female deer and was trying to run them down. He was outclassed in speed so he took a break on the driveway and had a scratch.

Enjoy the weather. For us in the southeast USA, it is time to stay hydrated and seek shade at mid afternoon.

Happy gardening and don’t forget to look at the Propagator.

Some Gulf Coast Photos 13 May 2022

I have been away at the Beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. It has been marvellous weather. I am including some photos from there as well as some from home in Central Alabama. No matter where you travel in Alabama, you will be blessed with natural beauty.

This first photo is a Solomon’s Seal in bloom. It doesn’t bloom for long so you have to be watchful, especially so since it is in the shade garden.

I found this luna moth hanging out on the Encore Azalea. Its host plant is the tulip poplar which is in bloom just across the street from the Men’s Garden.

I found this iris on my walk at the Gulf Coast property where I have been staying. It resembles the Iris virginica at the Mens Garden.

Found this skink hiding in the iron plant. It must think I can’t see him.

Here is some cucumber leaved sunflower and sea oats framed against the beautiful Gulf waters. Makes you want to put up a sun umbrella.

Don’t you like this walking iris? It is sad that the bloom only lasts a little more than 24 hours. I have been able to propagate it easily. Just put the new growth that appears after the bloom fades into a small pot with some potting soil.

Found this magnificent Great Blue Heron lurking in the lily pond near our rental property on the Gulf Coast. He was probably feasting on some fish or crustacean found in the brackish water.

So, a mix of flora and fauna for you today.

Don’t forget to follow the Propagator. He is the inspiration for this blog.

Native Plants in the Garden 6 May 2022

It is steamy here this week but a front came through last night bringing some fresher, cooler air. The steamy air will soon return so it is wise to keep hydrated and rest more often. This is the kind of weather that makes me think of the beach and not the garden.

This week, I have been noticing the native plants in the garden amongst the nursery plants.

First, here is the elegant Golden Alexander. There is only one of these but it catches my eye often. Looks good with the macro lens feature on my iPhone.

The next is the native Columbine. Again, I just noticed this one last year, but I expect to see more soon. They do tend to reseed. The macro lens picks up the details and you can see the Japanese painted fern in the background. This is in a shady area.

The next is a pagoda plant. I bought this one at a native plant sale a few years ago. I think it is in the mint family. It loves the shade.

Next is the Alabama croton. It is a hardy shrub. It bloomed several weeks ago and has completely leafed out. These seed pods caught my eye. The leaves are waxy with silvery undershides that flash when the wind blows.

The gallardia just started blooming yesterday. It will soon get unruly but for now I am enjoying the beautiful flowers. This plant seems to tolerate dry conditions so it does well at the back edge of the perennial bed.

I have been watching my blueberry patch daily. These berries look like they should ripen soon. I hope I get them before the birds and the deer find them.

The cool spring is almost over here in Beautiful Alabama. The warm and steamy spring is beginning. Soon, it will be hot and humid. It will soon be time to garden early in the morning and keep busy with indoor tasks in the afternoon.

Happy Gardening.

Be sure to enjoy the Propagator. He is the inspiration for this blog.

Natives and Butterflies 29April2022

The glorious weather continues here in Beautiful Alabama and the yard tasks are numerous. There have been a lot of butterflies this week and I did manage a good photo of a Tiger Swallowtail.

My tomato and pepper plants are in the ground and growing. Soon, I will be replacing the daffodils in containers with caladiums I recently purchased.

Here are my efforts for this week.

Here is another beautiful amaryllis. I am getting better with the macro lens on my iphone13.

Here is roof iris. It is so delicate. These plants are now about 3 years old and well established in the Mens Garden.

Another beautiful one is this Iris virginica. I love the blue shades in this one. I got these from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and they have thrived in the Mens Garden.

Here is the native that I promised. This is a Golden Alexander. It is a native perennial. It is widespread in the eastern USA. I bought this one at a native plant sale a few years ago.

It is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly.

I have seen many butterflies this week. Here I captured and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail getting nectar from this red azalea.

Those are mine for the week. Happy Gardening. We have one more month before it begins to get really hot. I have several projects to complete before then so wish me luck.

Don’t forget the Propagator. He is the inspiration.

Irises, Columbines and More 22 April 2022

Greetings from the sunny Southeast USA. The weather is definitely warming and the days are lengthening. The flowering plants are responding with glorious displays. The work in the garden is never ending since the weeds enjoy this weather too. The tree canopy is now filled with leaves that are a darker green. I hope you have a chance to garden this weekend.

Here are my pictures for today.

First are two magnificent bearde iris. The blue, white and peach varieties are my favorite.

The second set are the columbines. They have been blooming for a couple of weeks now but there is a blue and a pink now blooming. They reseed and I have many around the yard.

The hosta “Avocado” is fully displayed now. It is in the most shaded part of the yard. It is behing the hydrangeas and the paperbush which is probably the reason the deer have not found it.

The Gerber daisies have appeared this past week and quickly began blooming. They seem to have had little frost damage this year so I expect some abundant blooming. This yellow is very striking.

The Gaura is kept in a container just beside the car port. It showed some green all winter but the last two weeks the blooming stems have appeared and now the blooms are emerging. I love the way they “nod” when the bees land on them

Lastly, here is a beautiful amaryllis. There are several blooming this week. These started out as a Christmas gift but I planted them in the yard. Now, the reward is amaryllis in April

Happy gardening y’all or as I heard in Texas last week – “Howdy”.

Don’t forget to look at the Propagator tomorrow. He is the inspiration for my blog.