First Spider Lily 2011

Last year, my very first Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) bloom appeared around September 19.  Though in a different spot in the garden, the plant has once again made its initial appearance in late September.

Several of the bulbs have been planted in three different areas of the garden.  Last year, only one bloomed near the path.  This year, a single bloom has arisen from near the tree.

Another central group has yet to ever produce a bloom.  I'm hopeful that this will not be this year's only bloom.  But with the heat and drought, I'm happy to see anything!

Planted in Pots:

• Created a pot containing Vuurpylaalwyn (Aloe peglerae), Gasteria batesiana and Aloe jucunda (the latter two amongst my most recent purchases from the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society Show).

Foliage Follow-up: January 2011

Foliage Follow-up is sponsored by the Digging garden blog on the sixteenth of every month, where we get to celebrate the leafy aspects of our gardens.  On this dreary, drippy day, I decided to concentrate on the few plants I have that tend to disappear in our summer's heat but make a return in the coolness of winter.

Though only starting to peak out from the leaf litter, the Sweet Kate Spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Sweet Kate') has begun to produce some green amongst the brown.  It will primarily shine during the spring, but will fade once things get hot and dry.

Considered by many to be invasive, I threw caution to the wind this past spring and added White Shamrock (Oxalis crassipes 'Alba') to my garden.  It completely disappeared in the summer, but has been coming back strong this winter.

Back in mid-September, from the bare ground, up shot my first Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) bloom.  I'm hoping for plenty more blossoms next fall as the bulbs are producing good foliage this winter.

After almost completely disappearing over the summer, Bear's Breech (Acanthus 'Summer Beauty') always comes on strong once the temperatures start dropping.  Its huge leaves make an impressive show (though recent low temperatures have wilted the plant a little).

Another plant that is completely lacking vegetation in the summer, the Oxblood Lily (Rhodophiala bifida) is once again making its presence known.  Planted only last March, I have yet to get any blooms but hope some will make an appearance this fall.

Wasn't sure if my spring-planted Heartleaf Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) had made it through the summer heat.  Winter and early spring should be its time to shine, but I'm not completely confident with it yet.

Though present year-round, the Burgundy Glow Ajuga (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow') does add quite a bit to the winter color.  The burgundy coloration intensifies and spreads during the colder temperatures and makes it quite eye-catching. 

Be sure to visit Digging to see the foliage that other gardeners are sharing from their winter gardens.

Bloom Day Tardies

I kept telling them to hurry up or they were gonna be late.  They kept crying out "Just hold on, we're almost ready."  But Garden Blogger's Bloom Day came and went without them.  Three of my plants didn't quite make it (and two are still being slowpokes).

Days before GBBD, I watched as the very first Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) bloom stalk made its debut.  It shot out of the ground, but couldn't quite get ready by September 15.

A couple a days later, its red blossoms unfurled and are still putting on a show.  I have several of these planted in the area but this is my first Spider Lily bloom in the garden.

 The Ox Tongue (Gasteria liliputana) is also a little late.  The curled stalk is about a foot tall and should soon start producing some color.  This will also be its first bloom for my garden.

The third tardy member for GBBD is the Soap Aloe (Aloe maculata) which also bloomed earlier this year (stalk appeared in March, blooms lasted for most of April).  Its stalk seems to add inches overnight and I expect its show to start within a couple of weeks.

Better late than never!