perennials – Page 3 – Fine for Friday

MidMay Easy Street 16 May 2024

It’s time for summer bloomers. The heat is rising and they love it. It’s time to look for insect predators and to make sure the plants have enough water. We are ahead of the game since we have had over 6 inches of rain so far in May.

Tomorrow, I will join the Six on Saturday crowd. Come see what we are featuring in our gardens this week. This is the hosted website https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Take six photos, put them in a blog and post them. It’s easy and fun.

The cocotte lily is so reliable. It is the best display it has ever had this year.

This is a climbing hydrangea. I planted the vine 4 years ago and this is the first time blooming. It has grown more than 25 feet up the water oak. A hover fly and a bumble bee are enjoying the nectar.

The Rudbeckia ‘Indian summer’ doesn’t read the calendar and it is blooming in spring.

The leaves on the knockout roses have Swiss cheese holes. I finally found the culprit. Saw fly larvae. I expect Neem oil will do the trick.

I love this daylily and the flower stalks are taller than ever.

The lantana ‘Miss Huff’ is enjoying the container that I have it in and is rewarding me with beautiful multicolored blooms.

Hope you are enjoying your weather as much as I am enjoying mine. Nightime temps are consistently over 60F. I have planted caladium bulbs.

Happy gardening!

Our Beautiful Spring Continues 9 May 2025

Here in the SouthEast, we usually expect May temperatures to be in the 80’s. Wonderfully, that is not so this year. We have had mild weather and adequate rainfall for weeks now. It is very welcome.

The bluebirds are making nests. The songbirds are in full throat. The butterflies are fluttering by. The bees are buzzing.

My winter vegetable garden is bolting. I planted some tomato plants and peppers just to say that I am a vegetable gardener too. I do have a good crop of blueberries coming and a Japanese persimmon that looks very promising for fruit later this year.

The milkweed is blooming and ready for the Monarchs. This is the first Rudbeckia that I have seen.

The dahlias are from an assortment of seeds that I propagated a few years ago. The lambs ear is my favorite when it blooms.

The hybrid Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’ is a showstopper. It is covered in panicles now.

The Hydrangea panniculata is known to me as French Hydrangea. I do not know the cultivar. It is a long lived legacy in my yard. It does not bloom every year since it blooms on last years growth and is susceptible to cold winters. This is the second year in a row that it will bloom.

Those are my picks for this week. It is getting more difficult to cull it down to six.

Happy Gardening!

Spring Officially Arrives 21 March 2025

The meteorological Spring is here. The calendar Spring is here! Why do we still have the threat of frost this morning? Oh well, that last frost date is still the important one for gardeners.

The birds are singing. The bluebirds are nesting. Butterflies have appeared and the bees are buzzing. Lets check out the garden.

I have some pretty blooms to show. My plan is to post on Six on Saturday and see what my fellow gardeners are showing from their gardens. You can check it out at this website hosted by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

The first 3 will be called the pinks. First, is the Allium karataviense “Red Giant”. This is my first year with Alliums. I chose this one because it is suited our weather. So far, so good.

The Lorapetalum is very impressive this spring. I do not have the name of the cultivar.

The third is an Aroma Hybrid Azalea “Spring Sensation”. These azaleas are deciduous as you can see but the petals are marvelous. The Aromas were developed in Mobile, Alabama near the Gulf of Mexico.

This late appearing daffodil “British Gamble” is new this year. It is a large cup with subtle coloring.

The Pearl Bush is really magnificent this year. It has grown well this year and is now over 6 feet tall.

The Illyciium floradanum (Florida anise) has unusual blooms with elongated leaves. They like the shade and as the name suggests there is a hint of licorice fragrance to the leaves.

Happy Gardening!

Blooms and Greens 14 Mar 2025

Do you like Spring blooms? They are appearing finally. Do you like to see green leaves? They are appearing finally. Sunny days and warming temperatures are the norm these days.

Unfortunately, we have the chance of severe weather this time of year. The forecast is for severe thunderstorms with possible hail tomorrow. It seems the whole country may be under weather advisories. The wise will be prepared. iPhones have a setting for severe weather alerts and I have ours turned on. If necessary, find a safe place in the house. Usually that is at least a basement or a bathroom without windows.

I have a colorful set of photos this week. I will also be joining the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. Join us at the link. https://gardenruminations.co.uk .

Follow the guidelines at the website. Post some of your own photos on a blog and post your link.

Here are the greens. Both are sedums. The left is autumn joy awakening from winter. It does well in a container. The right succulent is also a succulent sedum.

The bearded Iris is here early. I planted these bulbs last year and I am certainly pleased with their appearance. The Camellia japonica is of unknown cultivar but it is a beauty.

Both of these azalea blooms are overexposed but they are gorgeous. The indica has larger leaves and bigger blooms than the kurume. These are classic azaleas now that by far the Encore azaleas dominate the garden nurseries.

Hope the weather is not a problem tomorrow. Happy gardening!

Still Waiting for Spring 7 March 2025

It’s been dry and then we had a heavy rain. It’s been calm and then we had 3 blustery days. It’s been pleasantly warm and then near freezing temperatures returned. I keep waiting for the sunny days of spring. Not yet.

The daffodils are up but they have not all opened. The bluebells are up but no blooms to show for it yet. The “Tommies” are up and blooming but the blooms don’t open until mid-morning. I am hopeful for the sunny days of spring. Not yet.

There are buds on the trees but only a few have leaves. The redbuds are blooming and so are the red maples. The blueberries are nicely budded but the blooms are not open.

Oh well!

I will be joining the #SixonSaturday group. Click the link and see what we are up to. Gardener’s eager to show 6 new things in their gardens for this week. We are ably hosted by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

Here are two of my overwintered dragon wing begonias. I am able to have them out in the sun at times. Mostly, they are still in my protected shelter. I will take cuttings next week and prepare 25 or 30 for window boxes and containers.

These white and purple “Majestic” pansies have fared well over the winter. The are hardy enough to have survived some freezing nights. I am proud of them.

The Heuchera also survived the winter cold. It is beginning show signs of new growth. I think this one is “Caramel”.

These are Narcissus “Orange Sunset”. I have shown them recently but these seem to be standing on guard in front of the pedestal fountain behind them.

The Asparagus fern has started to green up this week. It is Asparagus plumosus and is not really a fern but a member of the Asparagus family. It is a hardy perennial.

Happy Gardening! Hope the spring weather comes soon.

Setback 21 Feb 2025

It has been a cold, dreary week with no progress in the garden. There has been some rain and a flurry of some beautiful snowflakes. By my gauge, there has been about inch of rain this week. The forecast is for relief from the freezing overnight temperatures by late weekend or early next week

The daffodils continue to push up. Between them and the window boxes full of pansies, there is some bright color. The paperbush continues to provide wonderful fragrance throughout the yard. The rabbit eye blueberries are about to bloom. I am optimistic about the muscadine vines and the Japanese persimmon.

I did get busy with seed starting. I finished a flat of 72 cabbage and other late winter vegetables which I will transplant. I also did the same with native monarda and other native wildflowers. I am hopeful.

Tomorrow, I will join the Six on Saturday group. Keep up with us. Join us and post your own blog or file. The rules are on the website which is hosted by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

These small cupped daffodils are a bright spot this week. I hope the rest of the clump continues to open up after 20 degrees F this morning.

This Camellia japonica has over performed this year. I moved it 3 years ago and this years display confirms that I made a good decision.

The quince started blooming this week. It is a prostrate form as you can see.

This orchid resides in the humidity of the bathroom. There is plenty of indirect light from skylights. It has not bloomed for two years but diligence has payed off this year.

The holly fern has begun to put out new growth. Sorry, but the image is unimpressive. Pickings are still on the slim side.

I am anxious to do some outdoor gardening next week.

Happy gardening!

October Hunter Moon 18 Oct 2024

In these parts, first frost is from Nov 1 until Nov 15 according to the sources. We did have some temps in the 40’s this past week which is to be expected. I have been planning on moving tender plants where they will be sheltered when frost comes. I have also been cutting back spent stems and putting them into the compost bin. It has been dry so I have spending time watering perennials and shrubs.

Many plants have been rejuvenated by the autumn coolness and there are even some blooms to be seen in today’s selections. My bulbs arrived this week and I am waiting for the optimum time to plant them.

As per routine, I will be posting my blog with the Six on Saturday group. Come take a look over a cup of coffee and enjoy the gardens from many different parts of the world. It is easy to participate. Choose 6 recentish photos and link to your blog. The rules and website are here https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Jim Stephens is the host.

The bloomers today are a Confederate rose. This is also called Dixie Rosemallow. (Hibiscus mutability). The blooms begin white and may end the day as a reddish color. You can see a spent bloom in the background.

The Camellia sasanqua is a lavender like color as seen with small exquisite blooms. Sorry, name shall have to be anonymous.

The remaining photos are of various sedums which are all hardy in our climate. I have placed them in several non functioning garden fountains. The creeping Jenny makes a great “filler in containers”. I particularly like the Angelina and the Blue Spruce.

As always,

Happy Gardening.

Fall Week One 27 Sept 2024

The news today is focused on Hurricane Helene and the devastation in north Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. It is a very sad day there for so many. Reports this morning indicated that 3.5 million were without power. Some would be without power for several days. Flooding was reported in north Georgia and the Carolinas.

My location is about 100 miles from the eye of the storm as it passed to the east of us. We have some breezy conditions today but the sun has come out and it is beautiful.

The fall garden is beautiful. The milder temps are bringing much needed relief. It is showing up with a fall outburst of bloomers. The pollinators are out in force.

I will be joining the #SixonSaturday crowd tomorrow. If you would like to join us, take 6 photos and post them on a blog or file. All you need to know is found on this link hosted by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk

The goldenrod is a signature of the fall and it is just beginning this week.

I have posted the Autumn Joy in the last few weeks but this one is definitely at its peak.

The sasanqua camellia is early this year. It is so colorful that it overwhelmed the processor in the camera.

The pollinators were out in force this morning.

The painted lady is a newcomer to my garden and it is very welcome.

The gulf fritillary loves the lantana. They are my most visible and abundant pollinator.

The carpenter bee was motionless when I took this shot. It was waiting to warm up begin its day.

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!