tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13974692177817112172012-01-27T09:49:53.609-05:00Planting seeds, bulbs and rooted pieces; dividing perennials, striking cuttings and choosing hardy plants.NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.comBlogger8661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-52199481203978777222012-01-25T20:00:00.001-05:002012-01-25T20:00:51.035-05:00

Pantone anounced the colors for spring 2012. These are mostly intended as fashion and home decor colors, but I like to include them in garden planning where practical. Listed in order of popularity, Spring 2012's It-Colors are (from top down) Tangerine Tango, Solar Power, Sodalite Blue, Cabaret, Starfish, Margarita, Sweet Lilac, Driftwood, Bellflower and Cockatoo. The least favorite is

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-40380648067573247262012-01-23T19:30:00.000-05:002012-01-23T19:30:11.217-05:00

I've found a new source of ideas for garden styling. There is a string of Swedish blogs in my feed reader. Reading them is a 3-step process: open the reader, go to the site, translate in Google Translate which doesn't work in the reader. Since there is a language barrier that complicates getting permissions, I am illustrating this post with my own photos that suggest ideas I've seen in

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-76567987363639672112012-01-20T21:42:00.000-05:002012-01-20T22:51:02.697-05:00

I'm a big fan of fragrance in the garden and year-round flowers. No group of plants better fits this need than bulbs. We include those with an underground storage organ: corms, rhizomes and tubers along with bulbs. My hyacinths have commenced bloom. Daffoldils from last March. String lily Crinum Americanum with Elephant Ears, Colocasia species. Rhodophiala, late summer.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-80619906712649685712012-01-18T12:25:00.001-05:002012-01-18T12:25:29.241-05:00

Our garden shed has three rooms. One was once the washhouse. The open windows to the south wereclosed and the wash room is now garden tool storage. The center room was the smokehouse, now storage including some rough cedar planks cut off this place some fifty years ago. They were intended to make cedar chests. It never happened. Included in the treasures in this area are two ancient

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-35569885131800951282012-01-12T22:31:00.000-05:002012-01-12T22:31:41.965-05:00

I rearranged so there's more than one seat. That pot of foliage just beyond the little white pot with pinkish stripes? Those are tulips! Walmart had cut tulips in a bunch today for $5.24.I was on the way out the door with ice cream and other perishables,or I'd have gone back for some. As it was, I just asked the greeterif she would call maintenance to mop up the drool I left. I put the cart by

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-55360467673246456632012-01-10T20:03:00.000-05:002012-01-10T20:03:13.146-05:00

I left my washing in the launderette You can put some money on it, you can place a little bet That when I see my washing The black will be grey and the white will be grey But the Blues are still Blue ---Belle and Sebastian A rusty old pitchfork with a broken handle made a good base for refurbishingmy bottle tree.  I fashioned a holder using some pipe stuck into the clotheslinepole holder,

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-67544460681156945252012-01-08T21:25:00.000-05:002012-01-08T21:25:16.263-05:00

The freeze earlier in the week gave way to warm and sunny with zephyrs from the southwest again. We're waking to heavy fogs early. Ugly clouds are looming on the horizon and we know another freeze will follow rain. Meanwhile today was a beautiful afternoon to be outside. Daffodils are popping up much too early. Not all have been tricked by a warm January.  Clouds are gathering, here seen through

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-69121027233174811102012-01-07T21:11:00.000-05:002012-01-07T21:11:11.067-05:00

It was delightful to look at Swedish and other Scandinavian blogs through the Holidays. Their advent decorations include forced bulbs like Hyacinths and Amaryllis adorned with moss over the soil and tied with twine or raffia. In 2011, I forced paperwhite narcissus and Amaryllis for Christmas bloom with some good success. Paperwhite narcissus grown indoors grew long, lanky stems. I carefully

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-34309250311462581392012-01-04T09:24:00.000-05:002012-01-04T09:24:02.171-05:00

We came through the night with a low outside of 23.2 F and 37.2 in the greenhouse. There were several trips outside before midnight to adjust the two little heaters to optimum warmth without burning out the heating elements or letting plants freeze. Would you like to come inside? I've been looking at Pinterest members who have a board with pictures of home greenhouses with labels like 'Someday'

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-10350382746924159762012-01-02T15:34:00.000-05:002012-01-02T15:34:42.415-05:00

The New Year is starting off with beautiful sunshine after rain yesterday. Yesterday's zephyrs from the southwest have turned into northwest gusts bringing cold air. Tonight we expect a low of 27F. Recent mild termperatures convinced white azaleas to bloom.These are late March flowers as a general rule.For some reason this particular azalea loves to send out early blooms.I bought them as

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-44879394187640110922011-12-30T18:32:00.000-05:002011-12-30T18:32:24.923-05:00

Keeping New Year's Resolution are easier when they are broad and less restrictive. I found a list last year that I thought inspiring. Finding joy is easy when there are flowers about. Gerberas came inside to bring pleasure through cold months. Caring for plants remind us to care forourselves as well. A caregiver cannotdo an excellent job without caringfor themselves first. My rooster looks

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-89227233168808998632011-12-28T19:45:00.000-05:002011-12-28T19:45:35.908-05:00

One of my greatest joys is forced bulbs when the weather is cold. My paperwhites did bloom for Christmas. Paperwhites in tall glass amaryllis vases did not do as well as I'd hoped.They grew as tall as these in a cache-pot lined with a plastic tub.These got morning sun for a brief period every day. I think the secret is light. These were in the greenhouse with good light daily. The blooms are

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-9844407354739255492011-12-26T14:58:00.000-05:002011-12-26T14:58:12.747-05:00

Christmas Cactus lasted through Christmas. Paperwhites opened nicely and these do not have overpowering fragrance. The last Amaryllis buds are fully open.  Promises for the New Year are hyacinths which are beginning to show emerging buds in the center of the tips of green leaves. One pot of tulips has green leaves just starting to break through the soil. These will carry us through the dreary

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-44884759708313514832011-12-21T20:52:00.001-05:002011-12-21T20:54:41.473-05:00

Last year it was cold at Christmas and Camellias didn't venture many blooms. This week has been warm and damp and they've shown their prettiest faces. This is the first time I've seen this many blooms on this one.  A seedling that I've waited a long time to see bloom. It isn't a very large bush yet. Five blooms open. More buds to follow. Formal double; petals so beautifully arranged.The

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-75098348479007706902011-12-19T20:24:00.000-05:002011-12-19T20:24:25.844-05:00

Bringing down the Christmas decors started two weeks ago. Somehow that task is still not finished and precious little decorating got done. I do enjoy the memories conjured up with Christmas ornaments, like the time Etter Katherine was bringing me glass candy canes and Cynthia sat on them in the car. I still have all of them, including the one I so carefully glued back together. Cynthia will turn

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-57178366328872085642011-12-15T08:30:00.001-05:002011-12-15T12:12:08.737-05:00

We had some really chilly days first of the week. By Tuesday it was warm again. Yesterday I even saw butterflies hovering over what is left of the Lantana. Sunny Knockout Lantana montevidensis Red Shrimp Plant BES Paperwhite Narcissus against Oakleaf Hydrangea Camellia 'Mathotiana' White Petunias Camellia sasanqua Violas Have a Happy Bloom Day. See the links at May Dreams Gardens Secrets of

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-57275834830028482422011-12-12T16:45:00.000-05:002011-12-12T16:45:50.420-05:00

This big broken clay pot and some shards of smaller pots have been outside gathering patina for a while now. It was just right for filling a corner next to the water source. The broken-out side acts as a base to keep the bigger part of the pot from rolling and elevates the end. I started with some pieces of Graptopetalum and some leaves that broke off that will root and grow a plant in place.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-87915271279474985482011-12-10T16:41:00.000-05:002011-12-10T16:41:02.838-05:00

Tara always reminds us to look out the window. Here's the view from where the dog sits on the window seat to watch for visitors. 'Mathotiana' Camellia Japonica Mathotiana up close. Mathotiana was released by Flowerwood Nursery of Alabama in 1951. Blooms are light crimson with  sometimes a purple cast when the weather is cold. Tight buds ensure that replacements are available if a freeze

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-3225634120522908282011-12-06T19:45:00.000-05:002011-12-06T19:45:18.965-05:00

My Hippeastrum that might be Appleblossom bloomed fully on Tuesday. When I looked closely, I caught a whiff of scent. I'd never known there were scented Amaryllis other than Jewel.  On the other hand, I'd never planted Appleblossom, either. I bought kits with Amaryllis bulbs that included a plastic pot and coir medium for planting but I potted them in clay pots and regular potting soil. Last

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-18639706435449666412011-12-05T20:23:00.001-05:002011-12-05T20:24:57.854-05:00

All the Swedish blogs I read have hyacinths for Advent. When I bought hyacinth bulbs in the fall when they were first in stores, I forgot to put mine in to chill. They were not ready for potting in time for Christmas I'm afraid, unless they really grow in the next 3 weeks. Not to worry, they make great gifts when only a few leaves are showing and the promise of a bud to enjoy during the cold dark

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-8405946928771246672011-12-02T21:09:00.001-05:002011-12-02T22:09:34.206-05:00

My mother used to wrestle a huge clay pot of Christmas Cactus unto her Ford and haul it over to the Church to adorn the altar in glorious bloom on Christmas. Its blooms were brightest pink.  First of the week, the first blossom showed promise that mine would soon bloom. I bought this plant, a tiny one that failed to sell, marked down after Christmas one year for $1.25. First fully open bloom, up

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-89395341376740134652011-11-30T20:35:00.000-05:002011-11-30T20:35:59.006-05:00

I forgot to label them when I planted. This might be Star of Holland. I thought Star of Holland would be redder. The others I bought were labeled as pink. It could be a mislabeled pink.I am happy with it, whatever its name. Its companion Christmas cactus is pretty much the same color. Paperwhites are coming into bud, but not all bulbs in the same container are growing at the same rate. I used

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-85010673729119054352011-11-28T21:36:00.000-05:002011-11-28T21:36:55.473-05:00

Come on in and see what's blooming. It's going to be cold tonight but a freeze is not expected. I chose plants that will stand a chill but not a freeze. There's back up heat but not enough to grow orchids or sensitive tropicals. Violas bloom outside the doors. I added an old bathroom cabinet to the end ofthe potting bench for supplies. I wasn't expecting Amaryllis before Christmas. Christmas

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-6003129898679639402011-11-25T12:26:00.000-05:002011-11-25T12:26:56.093-05:00

The first Camellia japonica to bloom is Mathotiana, planted here almost fifty years ago by Lane's late sister. Mathotiana He pulled up the bush and moved it away from the house about 20 years ago, then went off to Texas and it died for lack of water. After a few years, a new plant arose from a piece of dormant root. After the blossom-on-the-plant pictures, I took the blossom and laid it on a bed

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-36263194338413398892011-11-22T20:14:00.001-05:002011-11-22T21:18:17.362-05:00

A tradition for many years, Gingerbread Houses were one of the most pleasurable crafts I ever made. Baked of a stiff ginger cookie dough and assembled with hot melted sugar as the glue, the fun part was the decoration.  Snow was a mixture of confectioners' sugar, egg white and vinegar in a combination that hardened. Candy raindeer waited below for the Santa on the roof . The chimney was

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-35594695779784741612011-11-20T07:31:00.010-05:002011-11-20T07:31:00.724-05:00

Graptopetalum paraguayense or Ghost Plant, a native of Mexico,succulent plant with rosettes of gray leaves. Tatyana asked about my succulent plants in the greenhouse after I posted this photo with Ghost Plant peeking from the left: She wanted to know about growing them indoors.I bring Graptopetalum in because squirrels or birds tend to nibblethe succulent leaves in a dry winter. I spent time

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-56997452880970539232011-11-18T20:56:00.001-05:002011-11-18T21:00:09.612-05:00

I noticed that the terra cotta pot of violas that looked so good for bloom day looked as if it had a haircut.  Some of the others looked 'pinched' too. I wondered who had been nibbling? Rabbits? Then I noticed bits of viola petals floating in the birdbath and that there is a path... I do not believe the wind blew viola petals all the way over here.I think they fell from deer lips. Water

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-84093995442048913342011-11-15T08:39:00.001-05:002011-11-15T09:06:50.766-05:00

We've had a freeze already. On a single night temps fell to 29F and frost took many of the outside flowers. We do have blossoms inside. Camellias and a few other outdoor blossoms persist. Inside blooms are a joy. Begonias in white and red, Pentas, Kalanchoes with buds, Purple Heart, Airplane Plants,a Gardenia on the right. Containers of marbles and water add humidity. There's a surprise.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-80521308250861082172011-11-10T15:29:00.001-05:002011-11-10T15:42:56.936-05:00

Seeing the little red paper poppies on Veterans Day is a good reminder that Poppies as well as other early spring annuals can be planted in November. Papaver rhoeas, Corn PoppyA reminder of the blood shed for Freedom. "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-18251202336058155742011-11-07T21:55:00.000-05:002011-11-07T21:55:49.083-05:00

"There ought to be gardens for all months in the year, in which, severally, things of beauty may be then in season." - Sir Francis Bacon Lilacina Crape Myrtles hold the color of November's Garden. The stain of grapes colour the last of Salvialeucantha under the crape myrtles. Orange Crape Myrtle foliage as viewed fromthe Upper Garden path where terra cotta potshold December's Violas. Hips

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-33488146780740369032011-11-02T13:00:00.000-04:002011-11-02T13:00:37.261-04:00

Some of our best fall color comes from Sassafras and, shown here Sumac -- not the poison kind. It's hard for me to find a poem that is suitable for our Autumn. We have no birches, no firs, no snow, no flaming woods, just an occasional brilliantly colored small tree, lots of green and we do have Harvest. "There is music in the meadows, in the air -- Autumn is here; Skies are gray, but hearts

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-37632063253154980432011-11-01T14:21:00.000-04:002011-11-01T14:21:52.054-04:00

Sheila's photo from Gardens of PetersonvilleThe Gardens of Petersonville in Southern California at Laguna Beach and San Juan Capistrano is a delightful blog to visit. Sheila gardens in two locations. She features some wonderful themes, one of my favorites being the White Garden. She has pets. I'm wild about 12 month gardens and she succeeds. Both her gardens are Certified Wildlife Habitats and

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-85126801548207365102011-10-29T23:05:00.000-04:002011-10-29T23:05:11.876-04:00

Humidity is aided by glass containers of flat marbles. This container has sea glass under the marbles, a seashell and a tiny cutting for rooting.The greenhouse has a center border of 16" pavers that form a path around a soil center. The soil is covered by a slat pathway on one side; Urbanite stones on the other with some rock to fill the gaps. The pavers and stones can be watered to increase

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-34861537521906141452011-10-25T17:12:00.000-04:002011-10-25T17:12:45.024-04:00

I'm always hoping to find a blog post that features a peek into someone's greenhouse. I'm curious what others use to fill the space. Tootsie and Bren have collaborated on a blog solely for greenhouse gardening. They garden where the winter is really, really cold and there is snow. Like Darla, I garden where there is never snow. If there is snow we find it really a novelty and it doesn't last.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-85446985879948410722011-10-22T21:08:00.001-04:002011-10-23T21:13:39.979-04:00

 I've potted, stuck cuttings, moved pots, prepared for the worst weather. It's still warm. White begonias behind bird of paradise foliage underplanted with ferns.Epiphyllums with a gardenia behind. Colocasia and Persian Shield with alternanthera weaving through-- a single plant that sprouted last winter from seed. Gingers on the right, Airplanes on the stand, gerberas in pots on the left. Tiny

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-7946850101161915002011-10-21T20:34:00.000-04:002011-10-21T20:34:40.278-04:00

Gardening with grasses did not come easily to me. I still think look at grasses and see them as weedy. Gulf Muhly could change my mindset. I happend to go out as the sun was starting to set behind the trees across the highway. Lighting was perfect and I caught the sun's rays through tree tops.   Coaxing Buffy to pose with the Muhly to give some idea of the size of the grasses took most of the

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-33457619009698577902011-10-15T07:32:00.005-04:002011-10-15T08:53:02.317-04:00

Gulf Muhly grass backlit by the sun.Duranta, Lantana and Tithonia in this bed still have blossoms.  Lemon grass with Periwinkles and a last yellow rosein the background. More lemon grass is already potted andbrought inside for the dog and cat to chew on in winter. Vetiver grass. The growing season is not long enough herefor it to form seeds so it is not a problem. It makes a tall screen that

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-5544880010640418502011-10-11T21:39:00.000-04:002011-10-11T21:39:11.481-04:00

Preparing a retreat for the dog and cat and myself for cold weather, I've been taking cuttings, potting up tender plants and bringing pots inside. Today we got the fountain flowing again. Kitteh believes it is a feline drinking fountain. He's already staked a claim over in the left corner near the lemon grass. I hope the dog will be deterred by the flowers in front of the fountain

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-78500334178155623272011-10-08T13:50:00.000-04:002011-10-08T13:50:25.768-04:00

Earlier this week I wrote of Buckeye butterfly caterpillars noted on Agalinis and showed Goldenrod, Lantana and Eupatorium in a self-planted vignette. Here are other delights noted when I visit the wild gardens. Silk Grass in bloom. Eragrotis in bloom and other grasses. Love grass has smaller, darker inflorescence than Gulf Muhly grass not yet blooming here. Yellow asters.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-58392463795827513262011-10-03T21:40:00.000-04:002011-10-03T21:40:15.892-04:00

Last spring I wrote about Toadflax as a Host for Buckeye Butterflies. Buckeye butterflies Junonia coenia are willing to lay eggs on different host plants, unlike some that will use only one plant, like those that use only a certain species of passion vine. The common element is that the plants that Buckeyes choose contain a certain glycoside that is a deterrent to predators. According to

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-9286954313340542462011-10-01T20:02:00.000-04:002011-10-01T20:02:11.656-04:00

Gulf Fritillary on Lantana montevidensis. If there's a choice, October Butterflies is the one you want. It is today's video. Sulphur butterfly with tattered wings. He was still flying, but nectared with his wingsslightly open, which is not usual. A tiny sulphur butterfly on Mexican Bush Sage. Datura, periwinkles, lantana, salvia leucantha Secrets of a Seedscatterer         

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-59790244815522436642011-09-29T14:01:00.000-04:002011-09-29T14:01:50.691-04:00

Used a clay pot and a plastic pot for comparison.Six Queen of Night each pot.Buffy will be 3 before these bloom.Baby Buffy ATE 2009 potted tulip buds.I'm hoping she's mature enough to leave these. Watered and draining; then into the refrigeratorto chill for 10-12 weeks.Hope for blossoms late January or early February.The pots are the same size, one closest just looks bigger. Hyacinth bulbs are

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-3677991101851536232011-09-25T12:43:00.000-04:002011-09-25T12:43:58.741-04:00

On seeing the pictures of my Night Blooming Cactus my nephew sent pictures of my sister, our beloved Tanky, displaying her Epiphyllum blooms back in the 1970s. Secrets of a Seedscatterer         

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-75473535888392769612011-09-21T11:26:00.000-04:002011-09-21T11:26:46.789-04:00

Last night happened to be one of those nights of garden excitement when Epiphyllum oxypetalum graces the greenhouse with fragrant spicy blossoms. You may know it by different names: Night Blooming Cereus (it isn't a cereus), Dutchman's Pipe Cactus because of the pipe shape of the bud or Queen of the Night. If you live in south Florida, it may grow upward for several feet into a tree.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-28652922545669397552011-09-19T07:08:00.001-04:002011-09-19T07:08:00.075-04:00

Lycoris radiata blooms around the time of the Autumnal Exquinox, signaling the end of a natural growing cycle. Many legends exist in other cultures about the flowers and their meaning. I just think of it as one of the last blossoms of the summer season. Since we have camellia blossoms all through the winter, there is no 'death and renewal' connotation in my garden. Spider lilies frequently

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-61372293345738694712011-09-15T00:26:00.001-04:002011-09-15T00:32:52.342-04:00

Wax begonias, pentas and other delights rooting for indoors for the winter. Yellow Lantana and Lilacina Crape Myrtles Madagascar periwinkles, Melampodium and Purple Heartare almost drought-proof but appreciate a rare drink. The first of Lycoris radiata. Naked stems are suddenly everywhere. Lantana montevidensis along my butterfly corridor. Butterflies find Duranta and Salvia leucantha behind

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-78285271772772400272011-09-11T14:49:00.000-04:002011-09-11T14:49:18.122-04:00

We're celebrating cooler weather. Butterflies are enjoying abundance of nectar on Lantana, Duranta and other nectar laden late summer plants. I'm already making plans for next year's butterfly gardens. I've taken cuttings of Pentas in all shades of red, pink and white to keep over inside as house plants. Sulphurs and Spicebush Swallowtails are fondest of Pentas. Pentas don't really start to

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-4666972762529959152011-09-08T20:49:00.000-04:002011-09-08T20:49:33.260-04:00

Sternbergia lutea that I moved from a too-shady location. Sometimes called Autumn crocus or winterdaffodil, they are actually of the Amaryllis family.These came from Barbara in Texas and I wasafraid they'd died out. Rains brought them into bloom. I brake for butterflies, especially when they are Tigers. Oxblood lilies bloomed two weeks ago.These Rhodophiala waited for the next rain.Stunning in a

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-48319963862880627232011-09-06T21:47:00.000-04:002011-09-06T21:47:28.042-04:00

After the storms of yesterday passed and the sun came out today, butterflies were swarming. I saw a 4 kinds of Swallowtails: Tiger, Giant, Pipevine and Spicebush.A big surprise: a large Monarch, uncommon here except when they migrate south.A Spangled Fritillary and the usual Gulf Fritillaries and Sulphurs were about.Buckeyes and little skippers were there, too.   Things were going great

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-84395117823500773702011-09-03T15:27:00.000-04:002011-09-03T15:27:44.053-04:00

My nephew suggested that he liked the still photos of butterflies best. There isn't much movement amongst the Angel Trumpets so everything is a still today. There first two are Spicebush swallowtails, first on Pentas. The shiny object is a tuna can that I use to measure irrigation and rainful.  I don't believe this Spicebush is really nectaring on Melampodium, just stopping to rest. They briefly

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-22173237945473588322011-09-01T21:35:00.000-04:002011-09-01T21:35:26.137-04:00

By the time I ambled back to the house for the camera, the Monarch I saw nectaring was gone.  I did get Spicebush and Pipevine Swallowtails and Gulf Fritillaries -- and I remembered to comment. There was a Buckeye. I forgot to focus on him when I started the second video. Swallowtails and Gulf Frits Secrets of a Seedscatterer         

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-73025129521337235122011-08-31T11:37:00.000-04:002011-08-31T11:37:24.029-04:00

Brugmansia buds are almost ready to open. I could not wait to make pics, so here are buds. A closer look at Strobilanthes in the previous pic. A view of the stick house over Persian Shield and through Magnolia. Secrets of a Seedscatterer         

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-22978909648863707912011-08-28T17:14:00.000-04:002011-08-28T17:14:10.734-04:00

Giant Swallowtails Papilio cresphontes are among the butterflies visiting now. Much larger than the other flying beauties, others tend to brush them aside as if considering them intruders. Watch for a Gulf Frit and a Pipevine Swallowtail giving chase. ... this was the best territorial show of all. Secrets of a Seedscatterer         

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-36532648493677292762011-08-24T16:47:00.000-04:002011-08-24T16:47:09.151-04:00

Oxblood Lily (Rhodophiala bifida) bloomed after the rain. Verbena on a stick self planted; carefully planted chartreuse alternanthera and Oxblood lilies. Last fall I noticed that my single clump had multiplied. I divided them this spring and spread them around.I decided to let dichondra grow as ground cover rather than fight it all summer. After a good rain, they literally come out of the

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-29283316437188131142011-08-22T13:31:00.000-04:002011-08-22T13:31:16.349-04:00

   We are grateful for 3/4" of rain yesterday afternoon. Purple Heart with Melampodium, Datura and Periwinkles. Lantana and Purple Heart blooming in front ofMadagascar Periwinkle. Rosemary, out of control, left of yellow lantana out of bloom. 'Olive Bailey Langdon' daylily failed to bloom in early summer.She's showing up now. Three quarters of an inch may not sound like much rain, but it

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-89486316920605301142011-08-16T15:19:00.001-04:002011-08-18T11:14:49.537-04:00

A Previous Spring I did not present a Bloom Day post. Last week I posted the colours of August on my other Seedscatterer Blog. Except that the daylilies are done, the colours remain the same: Esperanza, Bird of Paradise, Duranta, Datura, Porterweed. Crape Myrtle, Melampodium and Petunias. Mostly tropical, all tough plants in the face of drought alternating with humidity. Watering thirsty plants,

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-27162248571981198442011-08-14T16:23:00.000-04:002011-08-14T16:23:35.396-04:00

Dry here again. I heard that Texas is getting rain. I hope so. When it is not fit weather to be outside, I dream and plan, seduced by bulb catalogs into a delusion that I could have great drifts of tulips. It could happen. Here's proof that I have successfully chilled and planted timely and brought tulips into flower for a single season. Different seasons I've planted different colors. Some

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-84957236361759031652011-08-12T06:57:00.000-04:002011-08-12T06:57:00.246-04:00

Is a 'Green Thumb' a talent, or is it learned? Groene vingers in the Dutch, the Swedish have gröna fingrar,  the Italian, pollice verde. 綠拇指. We who speak English say green thumb or green fingers. The literal meaning comes from pinching, pinching. I frequently have a green thumbnail when I've failed to pick up secaturs before going into the garden. We learned by reading garden books, talking

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-56605263476491764722011-08-09T19:45:00.000-04:002011-08-09T19:45:22.486-04:00

We had a few rain showers, enough to make the grass head out enough to be mowed again and again. Chartreuse alternanthera contrasts with Verbena on a stick, self planted.   These change little from year to year. I've found whatworks and am reluctant to change. Alternanthera cuttings must be saved over the winter, the rest comesback without a lot of effort on my part. Lantana montevidensis,

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-81262234272192032272011-08-03T17:11:00.001-04:002011-08-03T17:14:07.927-04:00

Autumn Belle asked a while back about my Epiphyllum posts. Each event is exciting, but the blossoms look the same each time in varying numbers. Nine total this time, 8 of them on a single plant, opened on the night of August 2. They commenced opening by 8:30pm. Can you see all eight in this photo? By 10:30 they were half open: Fully open by 11:30 I made a video, below, of the open

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-12258144217348034072011-08-02T10:20:00.000-04:002011-08-02T10:20:23.542-04:00

Leaves of this dogwood have yellow edges. I noticed that one of the young Cornus florida seedling trees has yellow margins to its leaves. I looked at all the other seed-grown dogwoods. This is the only one with yellow edges. Variegation does not look like mineral deficiency whichusually manifests in prominent green veins and entire leaf discolored.  I searched dogwood diseases. We commonly see

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-13338085446203784422011-08-01T06:32:00.004-04:002011-08-01T06:32:00.506-04:00

"These tiny loiterers on the barley's beard,And happy units of a numerous herdOf playfellows, the laughing Summer brings,Mocking the sunshine in their glittering wings,How merrily they creep, and run, and fly!No kin they bear to labour's drudgery,Smoothing the velvet of the pale hedge-rose;And where they fly for dinner no one knows--The dew-drops feed them not--they love the shineOf noon, whose

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-5785858363711510492011-07-28T13:51:00.004-04:002011-07-29T18:27:10.958-04:00

Tiger Swallowtails are here. I went out to make a little video. I was out there exclaiming about the Tigers and after I had five videos on which I point out Tigers when I realized that one of my Tigers is a Giant Swallowtail. At the end, two Tigers fly high into the sky. You may want to watch it again full screen -- use the little icon in the right hand corner opposite the play button. A

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-43820013132171113802011-07-28T06:12:00.003-04:002011-07-28T06:12:00.687-04:00

Cooks in the south historically cook hard pears and make preserves, pear honey, and pear pie or some other delicious baked goods. When I was a child, we had pear trees that had tiny sweet pears that usually rotted on the tree. My MIL used to can pears but they were always grainy and kind of chewy compared to canned pears from the grocery. I wanted sweet juicy pears that you need to eat in the

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-22151672613639380212011-07-26T14:20:00.001-04:002011-07-26T16:44:35.183-04:00

Hot and humid weather leads to inactivity which leads to boredom. I went out to get another butterfly video and just missed a hummingbird at the Duranta. The contraption at lower right of the Duranta is an armadillo trap. Our new plan is to catch and release up at the hay field to root up fire ant mounds in our hay field. We noticed that they were eating fire ants in the yard. Fire ants

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-61882940114892099022011-07-24T14:48:00.004-04:002011-07-25T10:53:48.368-04:00

Someone asked if I planted seeds from my gardenias. I'm not sure that I've seen gardenia seeds. There isn't much at the base of dried gardenia blooms that looks like a seed. I had never considered such. My propagation book says 7 years from seed to bloom. I can't wait that long. A cutting will root in a bottle of water in a north window this summer and bloom if not the next summer, the next, if

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-27418014899510677722011-07-22T21:53:00.000-04:002011-07-22T21:53:45.950-04:00

I stopped to visit across the fence with the neighbor's donkeys.My camera batteries died and I did not bring spares. "What a dumb-ass," they said and ran away.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-71757840035141194382011-07-20T12:16:00.002-04:002011-07-22T11:32:55.043-04:00

Every gardenia blossom in late July is potentially the last. This one is the only open bloom today and pretty enough to show up from a distance. A little flight of steps leads up between gardenia bushes to a landing and path through the azaleas to the Upper Garden. Lirope is starting to bloom. I favor begonias over impatiens because they can get by without water for a whole daywhen impatiens

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-47512610168742525482011-07-19T06:46:00.005-04:002011-07-20T23:48:11.785-04:00

I was just looking at a blog whether the writer was reluctant to show much of her garden, fearing that we might judge her for some imagined shabby gardenkeeping or was it that we might invade some private area? Here I was about to show you the whole front yard! A panorama of the front lawn inside the driveway loop.We hung a new flag yesterday on the anniversary of the Monkeyman's death.He gave

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-87186760241682781352011-07-17T17:15:00.000-04:002011-07-17T17:15:41.109-04:00

Somehow I let Stachytarpheta die out. I could have taken cuttings last fall and didn't. A plant or two could have returned from the roots this spring but failed. I saved no seeds. I could have made a trip to a Florida nursery. Dear Susie brought Porterweed plants to Church this morning for all the ladies who garden. Butterflies here will be delighted with the long bloom spikes once mine starts to

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-56620195663469040542011-07-15T09:53:00.001-04:002011-07-15T09:55:08.352-04:00

When I went out to make my Bloom Day pics it was starting to rain and thundering.I hurried to get okra bloom shots combined here with a previous days' picking. Tithonia, Tecoma stans, Pride of Barbados and yellow Zinnias Butterflies and their favorite delights were what I had hoped to show today. Those above are some from drier days this week. The following link is from Sunday.  What Do

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-33451873362577576052011-07-12T12:13:00.000-04:002011-07-12T12:13:12.124-04:00

Tropical shrubs that are root-hardy in my climate are a delight from July to Frost. The dead trunks are cut to the ground and winter is a barren slate waiting for early daffodils. Spring is full of other beauties and when those are done, Summer Stars come out. I'm so happy to have discovered Duranta. I passed up Gold Edge and regretted that. Since I found the regular Duranta erecta, I'm not

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-23037176350824433952011-07-10T15:57:00.000-04:002011-07-10T15:57:05.569-04:00

Except for tithonia and an occasional daylily, most of the oranges are gone from the front garden. Yellow roses and a few yellow and white companions persist in the background. I'm pulling rudbeckia as they fade. Mostly fuchsia Madagascar periwinkles are taking their place. You may know them as Vinca. Pulling Black eyed Susans bring the vinca seeds to the top where they quickly germinate in hot

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-72721035694990038862011-07-08T06:24:00.000-04:002011-07-08T08:38:20.690-04:00

When Crinum Jagus bloomed the stems were so heavy they had to be tied in place. This crinum has a sweet vanilla fragrance. Buffy commenced to bark as I was getting abetter fix on the crinum with the 7'Solidago behind it. I stood and looked around to see this: Take a closer look, there under the foliage: Picture this: I was near the crinum.I had been in there to tie up the stalks.Then I was in

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-14617555729462852011-07-05T12:08:00.002-04:002011-07-18T00:00:56.738-04:00

Last evening I went to watch my neighbor do her electronic blood test that can now be done at home instead of weekly at the doctor's office. Around a high-limbed pecan tree was a bed of yellow lantana and heirloom orange daylilies. Visiting was a Pipevine Swallowtail, a Zebra Swallowtail and an American Painted Lady -- and I had no camera! Butterflies seem not to mind that rain clouds keep

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-37616628275446177732011-07-02T15:20:00.001-04:002011-07-02T19:11:34.503-04:00

Duranta repens or Duranta erecta? You may know it as pigeon berry or Golden Dewdrop. It finally commenced bloom. In a more tropical climate Duranta is a small tree. Here it dies to the ground at frost and comes back in spring from the roots. Like Esperanza and Pride of Barbados, bloom comes with hot weather, Duranta being just a little later than the others. Duranta is an annual in climates

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-49544879101273940802011-06-30T17:18:00.000-04:002011-06-30T17:18:24.390-04:00

Daylilies are traditionally propagated in the garden by division of the plant fans. Planting seeds from pods that ripen on a daylily scape generally results in offspring with differences from the pod parent if fertilization resulted from pollen from another daylily cultivar. Seed pod where dried bloom dropped off. Dry seed pod and seeds. Some daylilies develop new plants on the scape

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-12837261819145399782011-06-28T06:37:00.002-04:002011-06-28T06:37:00.353-04:00

Tecoma Stans and Caesalpinia pulcherrima Both Texas Superstars.Texas Superstar is a registered trademark owned by Texas AgriLife Research. You might know it as Esperanza or Yellow Bells You might know it as Pride of Barbados or Mexican Bird of Paradise  Caesalpinia and Tecoma stans return fromthe roots every year when the weather warms. Daylily that might be Stella, bought labeled as a pink, I

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-9687905782330590782011-06-26T07:41:00.006-04:002011-06-26T09:25:23.378-04:00

Pentas lanceolata attract butterflies in the summer garden. They come in various shades of pink, in red and in white. The white is lovely as is the red. Butterflies seem to prefer the brightest pink. I like bold magenta shades, too. PentasCrinum Perennial Phlox. Salvia leucanthum, Strobilanthes and Crocosmia. Salvia will bloom in the fall.Crocosmia is coming into bloom with beautifully clashing

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-40795418030147708892011-06-24T06:24:00.001-04:002011-06-24T06:24:00.084-04:00

Frances defended Yellow at Fairegarden and our new Blotanical member, Paul, wrote about his White Garden up in Alabama not far west of where my own Mama gardened in Georgia. I went out to look and photograph and decided to show you all some Purples, from pale lavender to brightest Magenta and on to richest Purple. When I reached the lavender Lantana montevidensis, there were Pipevine Swallowtails

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-74851727858305438642011-06-21T14:54:00.000-04:002011-06-21T14:54:51.895-04:00

...or how I bartereded a dozen tomatoes into a full meal and more. On Saturday DH went to Johnson's produce and picked a 5-gallon bucket of ripe tomatoes. Our neighbor John had white peas to pick, so I carried him a bag of tomatoes and we picked peas in which I got the better deal because he was picking peas before I got there. He said that if I had more peas than I wanted I might give them

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-23268230379447605742011-06-18T07:35:00.013-04:002011-06-18T07:35:00.687-04:00

I've written before about boxwood blooming. The blooms smell of grape Kool-aid. Tiny, cloverlike blossoms. They bloom in late winter or early spring. Sometimes I don't pay attention. I noticed today that the Boxwoods looked 'funny.' Could they be dying from the drought? Did they have some kind of growth? A closer look revealed open seed pods everywhere. Many pods had dropped their seeds.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-13554700565599304032011-06-16T07:35:00.002-04:002011-06-16T07:35:00.245-04:00

You know it is hot when the cat drinks from a birdbath while birds play in the sprinkler over in the azalea bushes. Daturas are opening quickly in the heat.Purple Datura below in bud. Hoses are in every picture.Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus Hot Tropicals: Pride of Barbados and Esperanza. 'Watermelon Pink' Crape Myrtle, tall as the security light in the back yard.Crape Myrtles are a

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-44234224275669080912011-06-14T06:23:00.005-04:002011-06-14T06:23:00.123-04:00

Fearless gardeners never let a plant grow to huge proportions before deciding that it may NOT be 'something.' They know whether they planted 'something' and do not expect a rare native to wander into their garden by sheer luck. Photograph gardens of others. Neat gardeners have plants lined up; if not in straight lines in swooping curves with never a missing plant that died or an off color

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-60132923477400082622011-06-13T07:17:00.000-04:002011-06-13T07:17:00.189-04:00

Zebra Swallowtail May 2010Zebras were here earlier in the year. They disappeared. I expect them back when Tithonia which is in bud, blooms.They also like Lantana. Host plants for Zebra Swallowtail caterpillars are Asimina species (pawpaws)  In the Southeast, a variety of other Asimina species besides A. triloba are utilized. A commonly-used host in north Florida and south Georgia is A.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-52629559197701908982011-06-11T07:46:00.001-04:002011-06-11T07:46:00.054-04:00

We are approaching the peak of Black Eyed Susans. Rudbeckia hirta is an annual in my garden, short lived perennial in some climates. In areas of my garden that are highly visible from the highway I try to maintain a succession of something to attract the eye. Late February and early March, daffodils attract attention in a bed of dry lantana stems. By April, Larkspur and Poppies attract are the

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-72563668269358435652011-06-09T07:49:00.051-04:002011-06-09T07:49:00.243-04:00

 Agapanthus africanus sp. early June, 2010 Last year the islands in a parking lot at a big box store in Tallahassee FL some 60 miles south of here were filled with Agapanthus, huge, stunning Agapanthus with heads almost the size of soccer balls. My agapanthus were not nearly so showy but lovely just the same. We went to Tallahassee on Tuesday. The agapanthus are spotty, a few here, a few there.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-42098478697952450542011-06-07T07:46:00.001-04:002011-06-07T07:46:00.632-04:00

The edible member of the Malva family is 0kra (Hibiscus esculentus or Abelmoschus esculuentus ). Gumbo is a term applied to soups or other dishes which contain okra. Okra requires a hot growing season, about two months from planting to beginning harvest. Harvest will continue as long as nights stay warm. Okra planted in cool soil germinates poorly or not at all. Seeds may be soaked for a few

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-70781944059947766582011-06-05T13:16:00.000-04:002011-06-05T13:16:43.244-04:00

Time for Hope Grows seems to come 'round quickly in hot weather. Last month I was hoping for ripe fruit in June. Blueberries are ripe on three bushes; two are later but loaded with berries. Blueberries in my shadow, LOL.We've already enjoyed Blueberry Crisp and Blueberry Cake. My okra patch with grapes and blueberries in the distance.I'm hopeful of okra to fry or at least enough to add to soup

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-2120397420476269192011-06-03T07:35:00.011-04:002011-06-03T07:35:00.874-04:00

A unusually cold January left some of my  younger hydrangeas with many dead limbs and a noticeable lack of blooms. First the good parts: Hydrangeas at the birdbath are blooming as usual. These were cuttings just stuck in the ground by the birdbath.When they took and started to grow, I moved the birdbath. Hydrangea serrata "Woodlanders" bloomed as usual.Variegated 'Mariesii' lacecap did not bloom.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-60239139448145474452011-06-01T07:18:00.006-04:002011-06-01T07:18:00.940-04:00

A something in a summer's Day As slow her flambeaux burn away Which solemnizes me. A something in a summer's noon -- A depth -- an Azure -- a perfume -- Transcending ecstasy. And still within a summer's nightA something so transporting bright I clap my hands to see -- Then veil my too inspecting face Lest such a subtle -- shimmering grace Flutter too far for me --

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-52090266152569831942011-05-30T08:34:00.002-04:002011-05-30T08:59:50.348-04:00

Epiphyllum oxypetalum buds A week ago I said I thought it took two weeks for a bud to mature on Night Blooming Cereus. It only took a few days to go from a small bud to opening Sunday night. Notice another very small bud on the leaf where this one bloomed. They will bloom periodically throughout the summer and into the fall. I read that this is called 'Tab Hua Kai Lei' in China which

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-66892402418468771622011-05-28T17:05:00.001-04:002011-05-28T17:07:34.729-04:00

On Friday I blogged about yellow in the garden. Directly opposite yellow on the color wheel is violet. Using a 12-color wheel, the adjacent colors to yellow are yellow-green and yellow-orange. These are the colors in the island beds: chartreuse, yellow, orange, and purple. Lantana montevidensis, California poppies and the last Corn poppy. A Variegated Fritillary nectars on Lantana

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-83117497897158955112011-05-27T08:54:00.000-04:002011-05-27T08:54:19.180-04:00

You may not be a Banana, but you can be one of the Bunch who use Yellow in the garden. My fav Orienpet lily, Orania. First blooms opened today  just as Oakleaf hydrangeas are fading to pink.Dazzle LA lily and Black eyed Susans. Rudbeckia hirta is just beginning to bloom. They act as an annual here. I'll pull them when the Madagascarperiwinkles whose seedlings are just coming up, start to bloom. A

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-3188113412602552992011-05-24T10:57:00.000-04:002011-05-24T10:57:17.683-04:00

Yesterday southwest Georgia had record-breaking high temperatures for late May. Daylilies in full sun tend to melt, especially the dark shades. Byzantine Emperor held up beautifully in high dappled shade. This Byzantine Emperor in a sunny bed beside the driveway was melting along the petal edges and the color was fading by mid-afternoon. Fleshier petals of Algarve LA lily (or is it Elodie?)

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-56440967400337956442011-05-21T15:16:00.000-04:002011-05-21T15:16:23.274-04:00

The book and movie To Kill a Mockingbird  presents the unfairness and cruelty of life. This morning the mockingbirds were screaming: Snake, snake, snake! Most birds were high in the trees. Then I noticed a pair scolding and fluttering around a rose bush. As I went closer, I saw that the rose trunk was wider than normal. There was a rat snake draped along it, bracing himself by his tail with his

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-44426029401943337912011-05-20T13:17:00.000-04:002011-05-20T13:17:37.882-04:00

After the sun goes down the garden takes on a new appearance. Scents are noticed that were not there during the day. Certain blossoms require darkness to make their appearance, opening for pollination by night-flying insects attracted to their fragrance. We can take advantage of those characteristics for a Moonlit Garden.  Epiphyllum, November 2009. Two potted Cereus plants have a bud each now.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-75277132890881291142011-05-19T10:17:00.000-04:002011-05-19T10:17:26.018-04:00

Seeing a poppy in your dream symbolizes fertility, and abundance. Alternatively, the dream suggests that you let go of the past and look toward the future, according to the Dream Moods Dictionary. No mention was made of daydreaming about huge beds of poppies in the garden. Some years I've planted Iceland poppies to bloom in mid-winter here as they are from a cold climate where our February

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-21442056348708321612011-05-18T07:36:00.002-04:002011-05-18T07:36:00.596-04:00

I sought to copy the beautiful Red Bed Garden of a precious gardener in  a zone 5 Garden. Common sense would tell me that I can't grow exactly what she grows but I thought I could substitute more appropriate plants for my climate in RED. I'm still working on this bed, but the name changed to the Fiesta Bed. If my goal was a glorious Red Bed during just one season of the year, I could have

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-51849940504522824872011-05-16T07:11:00.002-04:002011-05-16T07:11:00.271-04:00

Panicked when Blogger was out toward the end of the week, I reopened my Wordpress account to prepare for Bloom Day. Early Saturday, I decided to wait until Sunday morning to take pics because the garden changes so rapidly. Big change! Saturday afternoon we had hail that tattered some of the blossoms and some leaves. Laura Bush Petunias with their little hail-tattered blossoms. Sunday morning

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