Sunday, June 3, 2012

Shady Happenings: May 28 - June 3

The San Antonio Rose Amaryllis (Hippeastrum 'San Antonio Rose') has been producing a few two-flowered stalks, but has yet to produce any foliage.  Even after a mild, wet winter, it appears the plant hasn't recovered from last year's brutal drought.

The Aloe brevifolia in my recently created succulent hanging basket already had a short bloom stalk when planted.  But its has grown significantly and is producing pale reddish-yellow blooms.


About a week ago, I planted a seed package of Early Call Mix of Morning Glory at the base of a tall metal pyramid trellis and the sprouts are coming on strong.  This is my first try with Morning Glories and it will be interesting to see how these do.

The recently planted Aloe 'Franco' must be happy in its new home as it quickly produced a multi-stemmed flower stalk.


And my Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus) really enjoyed life in the winter greenhouse, where several flower buds developed and have been popping out ever since.  It has such intensely-colored but short-lived blooms.

Finally found at least one Dyckia 'Cherry Coke' & planted it in the middle tier of the Three Tiers Garden.  Still looking for four more to continue along the rock border.

Also found in the Three Tiers Garden, the Pachyveria 'Exotica' is blooming and pupping.

In the back gardens, my Pink Crinum is sending up its first ever flower (planted two years ago).  Now I'll finally see if it really is pink!

Discovered growing in the dirt path near my shed, Texas Bindweed (Convolvulus equitans) is producing nickle-sized blooms.

At the recent Oracle Gorge cactus and succulent sale, I picked up four Aloes.  The largest purchase was this Aloe vanbalenii - I liked it's lime green leaves with the hint of red along the edges.

The Aloe 'Black Beauty' was on my incredibly lengthy Gotta Get list.  Its dark green and deep reddish hues are very eye catching.

A spontaneous purchase, the rosy wash over the leaves of the Snowflake Aloe (Aloe rauhii) are what led to me claiming this little plant.

As usual at Oracle Gorge sales, if you make a purchase, a small free plant is thrown in.  I picked up this Aloe 'White Beauty' but have not been able to find any online references to such a variety - so not sure of the label's accuracy.

3 comments:

  1. Very nice showing of the aloe in the hanging basket. Your D. 'Cherry Coke' looks at home in its spot. Will you be adding four more of the same or will you be adding other Dyckia spp? BTW, nice aloe loot.

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    1. Hoping to add more of the Cherry Coke variety - of the several Dyckia varieties I've tried (and lost), the Cherry Coke handled our unusually severe winter of 2010-11 (18 degree low, 36 hours below freezing) - with only a towel thrown over it, it had almost no damage.

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  2. It's been so long since my San Antonio Rose bloomed that I forgot what it's supposed to look like, RBell. I have leaves and 1 skinny budstalk pushing up so hope it will be as pretty as your plant. Good luck with the crinum turning out what you hope for!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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