native plants – Page 4 – Fine for Friday

Autumn Colors 15 Nov 2024

Last week, I spent several days on the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. The area is known as the Florida Panhandle. It is about a 4 hour drive from here in North Central Alabama to the beautiful white sand beaches near Destin, Florida. It was a glorious time with excellent weather.

We had some rain 2 days ago so the fall colors are persisting. Fall clean up continues and most of the less hardy plants have been moved to places of shelter. It has not yet been cold enough to plant bulbs but there are many other tasks to occupy my time.

As usual, I will be sharing this blog with the Six on Saturday crowd in the morning. Come join us and see what gardeners from around the world are doing. The site is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk. If you wish, post 6 of your own by following the instructions that you will find there.

The dogwood is showing magnificent color. The one on the right is showing the floral bud which will not bloom in early April.

This camellia blooms in January. It is Kramer’s supreme.

This begonia will bloom until frost. I usually cut it down before then. It makes a drippy mess if you don’t.

The hardy mum is in its second year and is spreading and putting on quite a show. I believe that this one is ‘Mrs. Gloria’s Thanksgiving Day’.

The camellia is a sasanqua. I captured an image with the bud showing how the outer petals are pink while the inner double petals are bright white. This is quite a show stopper.

Hope you are enjoying the fall. Happy Gardening!

October Colors 26 Oct 2024

Frost is not expected for at least another 10 days. It has been dry and the skies have been so wonderfully clear. I stepped out to find bright or changing colors and discovered these for my six for this week.

Fall preparations continue. I have planted a few bulbs but most are waiting for ground temperatures to fall. My fall vegetable raised bed had been planted but it was decimated by a squirrel or some other digging creature. I had to bolster the wire fencing to fend off the rude intruder.

I am joining the SixOnSaturday group this morning. If you want to come and wander through the gardens of those sharing I am providing the link. We are hosted by Jim Stephens here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

First, the pinks and reds. The Confederate rose (Hibiscus mutability) photo shows the stages of color change from white to pink. It later become red before it shrivels to the lavender ball and then drops off to the ground.

The E. purpurea continues to bloom although this one is a little ratty.

The shrub is a sweet spire (Itea Virginia) which produces striking red leaves.

Next are the yellows. The Rudbeckia hirta is “Indian summer” I believe. This cheery after a long season of blooming.

The triloba is a native which seems to be quite happy in this container.

The Zebra grass (Miscanthis sinensis) is newly planted this year. I have planted several clumping grasses in this area as a barrier from the nearby gutter. I am optimistic they will form a worthy grassy hedge.

Happy Gardening!

October Moon 4 Oct 2024

At our latitude, the days are considerably shorter now. Sunrise is today at 644 and sunset at 628. There is less daylight to do gardening chores but the plants are definitely slowing down. This leads to more creativity in choosing items to photograph.

With so much less weeding and pruning, I have begun more planting and editing of the garden since we have several more weeks before frost. This is a good time to add new plants and shrubs the garden.

I hope to join the #SOS group tomorrow. I will be traveling to the Gulf Coast tomorrow for a week of change in latitude, change in attitude. I do intend to post my blog on the blog posted by Jim Stephens here https://gardenruminations.co.uk. If you have 6 photos to share from your blog or file, join us there. The rules will be posted to get you started.

The little yellow is a new butterfly to my garden. He was frantically looking for nectar and he was not easy to photo capture.

The mantis was very easy to overlook since he looked like a bit of plant debris caught in a spider web. He did not move and allowed me to close in to get the shot.

The ginger lilies are a wonderful late fall bloomer. I don’t have the specifics on this one since it was a gift from a neighbor.

The Tick Trefoil in included since it has a pretty pea shaped flower which I have not seen before. This may be its only saving grace. This plant is native and grows best in disturbed soil. I know it particularly since the seed pod sticks to your socks and pants and can be a real nuisance. It is commonly called beggar tick.

The blue ageratum is a beautiful color and adds such a soft presence in the landscape this time of year.

The Alabama croton is a native but grows nicely in my garden under some towering crape myrtles. It is beginning its fall display which was very striking last year.

I will be taking a break next week. Happy Gardening!

Fall Equinox 20 Sept 2024

After the long, hot days of August and the shortening daylight hours of September, Fall officially arrives in just 2 days. The welcome rains that came with Francine are gone and we are back to the dry days for a few more weeks. The cooler mornings are refreshing and the diminished heat of midday have given the garden some new life.

I have been into more fall tasks. I have spread mulch from the compost pile. Some fall vegetables have been started from seed. Weeding delayed by the heat has been resumed. I have some bulbs to plant and some other bulbs that I will purchase for planting.

I will plan to join the Six On Saturday group tomorrow. If you want to read more gardening blogs, navigate to the site https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Join us if you like. Take 6 photos and post them on a blog or a file. Follow the instructions at the website. We would love to see your garden.

The zinnia section of my garden has been outstanding this year. The bees are in agreement. The hardy hibiscus is a beautiful color don’t you think.

The Ruellia (Mexican petunia) is refreshed and blooming again while the Ageratum is just beginning its autumnal glory.

This is the first year that I will harvest from the Japanese persimmon. It looks like that will be soon. The wood aster (Eurybia divaricate) is a delicate bloom with large leaves. It is a reliable fall bloomer.

I hope you are enjoying your gardens. May the weather be enjoyable for you.

Happy gardening!

Hurricane Francine 13 Sept 2024

We had 6 weeks of very dry weather but all that has changed with Francine. Yesterday, the storm gave us a glimpse of her strength. She struck Louisiana and brushed past New Orleans and Baton Rouge. She then set her path along the Louisiana Mississippi border and proceeded north. That path is about 200 miles to our west.

We began to notice gusty winds early yesterday morning and experienced them until about sundown. According to local weather watchers, we had gusts approaching 4o mph with sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph. It has settled down today. Fortunately, no trees or tree limbs were blown down but it did knock down a lot of leaves, pine straw and small branches. Some of my perennials also took a beating and I had to do some cutting back to restore them.

Rainfall was less than 1 inch for my yard. There is still some expectations of rain for the next 3 days as all the upper air disturbance has its effects.

Here are my photos for today. I hope to join the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. https://gardenruminations.co.uk/. Its an easy drill. Take 6 photos and put them into a blog or an upload able file. Navigate to the website and check out the rules for joining. Read about some gardens from locations around the globe.

The coreopsis is a late bloomer. It has a very bright and cheery color.

The Surprise Lily (Lycoris radiate) has several common names including Red Spider Lily. It is completely invisible until it sends up the shoot with this striking bloom each fall.

This Sedum is putting on this rosy color and so I am submitting it again this week.

This beetle also has several common names including Lady Bug, Lady Beetle and ladybirds. To me, most importantly, they are consumers of aphids. This one looks a little battered from the aphid wars.

The coneflowers are still blooming as you can see. I wanted to show the seedheads which are frequented by the goldfinches. I will leave these food sources undisturbed for them.

Happy Gardening!!

Labor Day is now history 6 Sept 2024

The dry and very warm weather is continuing. We have had a rain forecast for today but it was “just an empty” passing by. The poplar leaves are beginning to change.

I have been preparing the vegetable garden for fall planting. Plans are for radish, lettuces and some spinach.

As the daylight hours decline, the blooms are definitely decreasing.

I will be visiting the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. The drill is take 6 current photos and post them along with some text if you desire. Check us out at https://gardenruminations.co.uk. We are hosted by Jim Stephens.

The Sedum has begun to take on its fall color. The purple beauty berry has its signature fall berry display. The variegated liriope is also showing off its fall colors.

The Stoke’s Aster is in bloom again after a very productive summer. The obedient plant (Physostegia Virginia) is anything but obedient. It is self propagating but is displaying beautifully.

The last photo is a feral cat that is being fed by the next door neighbor. He likes to hang out with me when I garden. He will not approach me but I have not held out food for him. I could also call him “terminator” for his actions with a resident chipmunk.

Happy Gardening!

Thinking about Fall 23 Aug 2024

We returned from our cool getaway in the North Carolina Mountains. We are back to the heat and the dry conditions. I have begun fall planning.

It has been very warm here during the afternoons but the mornings are marked by the faintest sense of cool. There is also relief given by light breezes. Watering has been necessary both by hand and by irrigation. I favor the irrigation when possible because that is recorded by a separate meter and is not subject to the horrific county sewer charges.

I also have begun some consideration of fall cleanup and assessing my hydrangea project.

Those who follow this blog know that I will be joining the Six on Saturday crown hosted by Jim Stephens tomorrow. It’s easy to join. Take six photos. Follow the rules for joining that you will find on the website. Here it is. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

If you don’t have 6 photos to post, just come join us and follow the gardening exploits of gardeners from around the world.

Although, these two plants have almost finished blooming, a few more blooms may appear. I am leaving the seed heads for the goldfinches which fly to forage from their favorite place across the street.

The bold red Texas star is blooming again. It is a very showy flower.

The Ruby Slippers hydrangea is losing that red tint and the flower heads are becoming bronzy like their plain pale relatives.

The pollinators have been really busy. This photo was taken in a shaded area which leads to the muted color. This butterfly is really a brilliant orange

Here is an update on the Limelight Hydrangea product.

The cuttings seem well established. With the approaching fall weather, they should begin establishing more robust root structure. I hope they will be ready for planting next spring.

Hope your garden is giving you pleasure. Happy gardening!

Carolina Blue 16 Aug 2024

We just returned from a short driving trip to Highlands, North Carolina. It is situated in the Appalachian Mountains and because of the elevation (4000 ft), the temperatures were much cooler than here in Central Alabama.

I am posting some photos that I took there at the Highlands Botanic Center. This area would be considered part of the Nantahala Forest Reserve. The central area was a freshwater bog with numerous waterlilies surrounded by a temperate rainforest and featuring a native plant pollinator garden.

It was such a treat to enjoy the cooler weather amid this gorgeous property.

The flowers were at their peak. There was little evidence of heat damage or insect predation was seen. The Joe Pye was especially magnificent and stood 4 or 5 feet tall.

The Lobelia was tall. The bee balm was a standout. The anemone was elegant. There were abundant pollinators making a loud buzz.

Next week, I will be back to my garden. The summer heat is doing some damage and its near season’s end for the perennials.

Wishing you Happy Gardening! Love your day your way.

The Color Purple 9 Aug 2024

Could it be that there are some signs of the end of summer? There is a hint of coolness in the summer air. The humidity is a little less. The plants are past their peak.

Today, the photos I have chosen has a purple tone. At least, I think that they all do. I hope you enjoy them.

Tomorrow, I will be joining the Six on Saturday group. We are a group of gardeners that meet online and post 6 gardening photos for the week. Why not collect 6 of your own and join us. The rules are here on the website curated by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

The Rose of Sharon or Althea has such a beautiful shade. It is in its second blooming for the year.

The ginger lily has a beautiful bloom but since it is low on the plant, you have to be persistent to see it.

The Tradescantia or Purple Heart is also in its second blooming.

The Stokes has been prolific this year. This is from a group transplanted from the seedlings of the mother plants.

The Vitex is also in a second blooming.

The variegated liriope is rather non descript until it blooms. It then stands out from a distance.

Hope you liked today’s purple theme.

Happy Gardening!

Summer Solstice 21 June 2024

It happened yesterday. The summer solstice occurred yesterday afternoon about 4PM here in the Central Time Zone. Summer is here. Now the daylight hours will gradually ratchet back. It is hot here and it will remain so for the next 10 weeks.

I have been busy harvesting blueberries and tomatoes. I planted some beans from seed but they have yet to appear above the ground. My perennials are doing so well that they have crowded out the weeds which is a good thing. The blooming plants have really been impressive this year.

Tomorrow, as has become customary, I will be joining the Six on Saturday group and sharing my blog with 6 or so photos. Others from around the world will do the same. Come and see. Better still, come join us and share six of your own. Our host is Jim Stephens and here is the link to find the Six on Saturday site. https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

I started a lily garden 2 years ago and have grouped several species of the together. Here are two of my favorites at the moment. I started the Iris from seed given to me. The oriental lily was purchased on line. This patch can be seen out the dining room window.

The Peacock orchid is new to me. It is several weeks later than my other glads and not as tall. They are staying upright so far without need for staking. Yeah!

The phlox is in its third year and performing admirably.

The Tithonia is a pollinator magnet which really pleases me. It is a showy bloomer, sturdy upright and about 4 feet tall.

The next two photos are not from my garden but from a walk in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens yesterday.

The anemone is a native and striking alone or in the grouping in which I found it.

The skipper really stands out against the green leaf upon which it is resting. The skipper has love grass as a host plant of which there is plenty nearby.

I hope your weather allows you to enjoy the outdoors. I hope your garden is thriving and that your plans are working out.

Happy Gardening!