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.

Flower Power: GBBD June 2011

Every month, on the fifteenth, May Dream Gardens invites us to share our gardens flowers.  As the drought continues, shady blooms are far and few between.  Its not unusual for there to be few flowers for my garden at this time of the year, but the growing number of 100+ degree days has certainly had an even more drastic dampening effect.

Established Plants

Always a consistent heat-loving bloomer, the Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala) is still putting out bright pink blooms.

An aquatic plant that rises out of the pond, the Aztec Arrowhead (Sagittaria montevidensis) isn't bothered by our ongoing drought and heat.  Flower stalks rise up, sprout, then fall away - only to be replaced by another.

Another pond plant, the Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) covers the entire pond surface, sporadically producing its three-petaled yellow flowers.

Quite surprising with our drought, but I discovered a single bloom on my scattered Zephyr Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea').  There has certainly been no sudden change in temperature or moisture - nor even a a thickening of cloud cover.  So not sure what inspired the bloom, but enjoyed it nonetheless (though would really like to see it after a rain shower!).

 

Also have one very late 'San Antonio Rose' Amaryllis (Hippeastrum 'San Antonio Rose') producing its two-flowered bloom stalk.  Don't believe I've ever had one flower this far into summer.

New Plants in the Garden

This is the first summer for the two Pale Pavonia (Pavonia hastata) in my garden.  Winter knocked one back to roots from which it is slowly recovering; while the other was damaged but has been able to produce a few of its white blooms.

Potted Plants

It must be happy as the Haworthia attenuata 'variegata' is producing its first bloom stalks.   All three are long and sprawling with several white blossoms alternating down their length.

Indoor Plants

Four of the Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis sp.) are still going strong.  The blooms have now lasted into their third month.

Be sure to visit May Dream Gardens and see what is blooming in other gardens.

First Water Poppy Bloom of 2011

The Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) has returned from winter - growing quickly and almost completely covering the pond surface with its foliage.  But this is its first bloom of the year.  They last only a few days, but more will be forthcoming.

Garden Tour: January 2011

Have seen several other garden bloggers post a series of pictures creating a tour of their garden or beds.  I have never done so, and I figured its about time - if for no other reason than to provide a baseline set of pictures of the garden's present status (guess this will also have to do for my tardy December Quarterly Report).

Front Yard

• Three Tiers Garden: This narrow bed lies between my driveway and the neighbors (my yard is to the right).  Dominant plants include Cast Iron Plants (Aspidistra elatior) & Soap Aloe (Aloe maculata).  A few medium-sized Live Oaks provide the shade.

• Front Left Garden: Small border bed that wraps around the base of a large Red Oak and goes from the driveway to the front door entry steps. Dominant plants include Cast Iron Plants & Autumn Ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora).

• Front Right Garden: Small border bed that continues from entry steps and wraps around the corner of the house.  Dominant plants include Cast Iron Plants & Boxwood (Buxus microphylla).  Plan on adding a row of Autumn Ferns in front of the Cast Iron Plants (similar to the left side).

• Front Side Garden: One of the forgotten beds.  Located on the left side of the house near the back yard entry gate/stone path.  Dominant plants include Nandina (Nandina domestica) & Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria 'Nana').  Shade provided by Live Oaks and Yaupons (and privacy fence on two sides).

Back Yard

• Side Garden: This is the "working" aspect of the yard - that side that tends to get ignored because its where all the unattractive stuff sits (i.e. AC units, garden shed, stone piles, etc.).  No windows look out upon it, so typically only seen when one happens to walk through it going from the front yard towards the larger, primary backyard area.  There is a bed that borders the fence on all three sides, with another island bed containing a bird bath.  Dominant plants include Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) & Dwarf Chinese Hollies (Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda').  Shade provided by a several medium-sized Live Oaks and Yaupons (plus the privacy fence on three sides and the house on the other).  But, since the large Hackberry fell this past spring, this is still considered my "sunny" garden spot.

• Pond Area: Leaving the side garden, one enters the backyard proper by rounding the corner of the house through a narrow area, stepping onto a multi-level deck that begins at ground level and extends the length of the house (ending six foot off the ground at the other corner).  The first garden area one reaches is around the pond with its dual waterfalls.  Dominant land plants include Dwarf Buford Hollies (Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana') & Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium); the dominant water plant is Water Poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides).  Shade provided by a very large Red Oak and some medium-sized Live Oaks.

• Path Area: A series of stone steps rise from the lower deck up to the back of the yard.  Much of my energy is spent (and recharged) in the backyard garden.  A considerable mixture of plants can be found in this general area, so even though there really are no dominant plants, one can find Manfreda 'Macho Mocha' (Manfreda x Mangave 'Macho Mocha'), Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus), Mexican Petunias (Ruellia tweediana 'Colobe Pink') and a few Dyckia species.  Shade is provided by medium to large Live Oaks & Red Oaks.

• Top of Path: The stone stairway leads one up to the highest level in the backyard.  Here are some views of the top and looking back down the path towards the deck.  

• Around the Bend: From the top of the steps, a path (combination decomposed granite & stone steps) bends around the corner. This back area of my garden is the least developed with most of the plants having gone into the ground in 2010.  I am still pondering the possibilities for the large empty area - it receives only a small amount of dappled light during the day as it is bordered on two sides by a privacy fence (which has tall cedar growing on the other side) and sits under the canopy of several large Red Oaks, Live Oaks and a large Black Cherry tree.

• Stepping Stones Path: The path bends around and leads into a series of stepping stones that go through the middle of another large bed and lead back down towards the deck.  Dominant plants include Liriope (Liriope spicata), Variegated Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon jaburan 'Vitattus') & Amaryllis 'San Antonio Rose' (Hippeastrum 'San Antonio Rose'), however, this garden is another that contains several  different types of plants.  Shade is provided by large Live Oaks, Red Oaks & Black Cherry tree, plus several Possumhaw trees

 

• End of Stepping Stones:  The path is supposed to lead back to the deck, completing the circle.  But presently it ends a few steps short as I continue to try varying "steps" (thus explaining the scattered flat limestone pieces).  Once completed, more plants will need to be placed around the path and extending out towards the side fence in a new bed.

Continuing to circle the house, one would cross the remaining side yard (home of the compost pile; very shady and consisting of only grass), exit the gate and return to the front yard.  Big plans abound for numerous undeveloped areas, but the large empty areas in the existing beds still cry out for attention - so any further expansions will have to wait (likely quiet a while) until I can fill in the bare locations.

Experiment Status
Zephyr Rain Lily (Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea') seeds: A couple still going strong.

Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium) seeds: After sprouting and transplanting, they faded away; thinking inital germinating mixture was too heavy
Bronze Dyckia (Dyckia fosteriana) seeds: Deceased; tiny plants had difficulty rooting in loose mixture (each watering caused them to float free of soil); will have to try different mixture in future attempts
Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Alice' (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice') cuttings: Stayed green until last month, then dried up without ever producing any new leafs.  Will have to burrow to see if any roots established.
Silver Squill (Ledebouria socialis) seeds: A couple doing really well.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) cuttings: Well, not cuttings - more of "oopsie, broke-offies"; started