Friday, July 15, 2011

Flower Power: GBBD July 2011

On the fifteenth of every month,  May Dream Gardens invites us to post pictures of the plants that are blooming in our gardens.  With our continuing drought, extreme heat and, of course, my ever present shade, blooms are rare and are typically only found as singletons.

Established Plants

Still sporadically producing rainless blooms, the Zephyr Lilies (Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea') surprises with the occasional flower - though it fades quickly in the heat.

Another surprise is the additional blooms coming from the Chinese Indigo (Indigofera kirilowii) which generally has only flowered in the spring.

Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala) is, of course, still going strong with its bright pink blooms - though only 1-4 blooms at a time on the plant.

Likely the strongest blooming plant presently in the garden, the Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) has taken over the pond, completely covering the surface except where the waterfall splashes down.

Another pond plant, the Aztec Arrowhead (Sagittaria montevidensis) has yet another bloom stalk just beginning to erupt with its tri-petaled flowers.

New Plants in the Garden

On the tips of its sprawling limbs, the Pale Pavonia (Pavonia hastata) will sometimes produce its brilliant white flower.

Potted Plants

Aloe 'Doran Black' has had several flower stalks this year, with the latest blooms still going strong.

None of the Ground Orchids (Spathoglottis plicata) planted in the ground survived our winter, but this potted specimen that was protected has started to flower once again.

Indoor Plants

Finally slowing down, only two of my Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis sp.) have any remaining blooms - and only five total between them - but after appearing in five straight GBBDs, I certainly can't complain.


Tardies

Seeming to enjoy our hot, dry weather, the Ox Tongue (Gasteria liliputana) tried to get its flowers open for GBBD - but is going to just miss attending.

Be sure to visit  May Dream Gardens and see what is flowering in other's gardens.

15 comments:

  1. You have a great assortment of blooms in such inhospitable weather, from Orchids to succulents. The prettiest blossoms are always the ones that last only a day.

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  2. I'm always smitten with your ground orchid. Saw it at BSN the last time I visited and thought hard about it. I'm trying so hard to buy only what can survive the winter with minimal protection. Happy bloom day!

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  3. Ronnie, your garden looks great to me, considering what we are living through here. My indigofera and rain lilies are doing the same as yours, surprising me also. No complaints, it's about the only thing blooming in the shade! Except for my wonderful lemon mallow - you really need one of those for your shady yard, it does quite well. Nice post!

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  4. The water poppy photo is stunning. I could definitely see it in a plant catalog. And then the plant itself is beautiful! I'd want a pond just so I could grow plants like that.

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  5. For such a horrible drought you have some wonderful blooms! Thanks for your kind words on my blog. Happy GBBD to you too!!

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  6. You have some lovely blooms in spite of the drought. Don't you just love zephyranthes? We call them rain lilies or fairy lilies. I love to come upon their blooms after the sprinklers have been on. We get no summer rain so i guess they should be called 'sprinkler lilies' here! Mine don't bloom until August though. Happy Bloom Day!

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  7. I love that Chinese indigo. Great photos of everything.

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  8. I am sorry it continues to be so hot and nasty where you are. Despite the weather you have some nice flowers. Happy GBBD.

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  9. Wow! Awesome blooms! It is nice to know that not only do we find "relief" from the shade, but "beauty" as well! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Look at all the wonderful exotic plants in your garden despite the weather. I do not see these in my garden and loved getting a feast for the eyes....

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  11. You always have some really different plants and this selection is gorgeous. It's nice to see a longer shot of your garden. Those decks look really interesting. I love different levels. Hope we bloggers get to see it some day.

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  12. Your orchids are spectaculr. I love the Pale Pavonia too. Happy GBBD :)

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  13. Nell: I think I'm starting to favor the indoor orchids - long lasting blooms and air conditioning (hard combo to beat!)

    Cat: Think there is a more hardy flavor of Ground Orchid but not sure what it is - mine certainly ain't.

    Getgrounded: Will have to investigate the lemon mallow - sounds like it is doing good for ya.

    NotSoAngry: The water poppy is doing well - but it would certainly crowd out water lilies (which won't grow in my dappled light anyway).

    Emily: Glad I could enjoy your blog & thanks for stopping by.

    Dorothy: Wish I had even more of the rain lilies - they're such a nice surprise when they pop up.

    Commonweeder: The Indigo blooms are a pleasant summer surprise.

    Carolyn: You & me both! I think I'm ready for a change in the weather.

    Mindy: Thanks for coming by for a visit.

    Donna: Glad you could enjoy GBBD with me.

    Lancashire: You always have an open invite; though I'm may finally be starting to get brave enough to try participating in a Go-Go (though the calendar is already looking full for next year!)

    Christine: I'm still undecided on the Pale Pavonia - but sure do like the blooms when I get them.

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  14. Wow! You have some great blooms this month. That Chinese indigo grows here and I'm eager to buy one for dappled shade.
    Your deck/stairs with those potted plants is a terrific setting. I couldn't help but notice how full and nice that Mother-in-law tongue has grown. I now take mine in even when it hits 40...I don't wait 'til a near frost since they HATE cold weather.
    Great post.
    David/

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  15. David: Thanks - the Mother-in-law tongue has actually been spending most of its life indoors; but I decided to move it outside most of this spring/summer as it was looking a little tired. Seems to like it out there, but it'll be back inside long before cold weather.

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