Here in my area, you just cant beat the Esperanza. It really demands nothing and just blooms every month but say January. Most of the time it is covered in blooms but the rain or the wind will knock them off temporarily. Blooms smell a little like honey to me.
August Blooms
Up here, it dies back in the winter and needs heavy mulching. It's late to emerge in the spring. Once established, though, it requires very little care during the summer.
I love Yellow Bells too, wish they did better for me, they bloom very late for me, I think my yard is too shady.
When you go to buy one, make sure you get one of the new cultivars. I have, apparently, an older one that grows very tall every year, dies back every winter, and doesn't get around to blooming till fall. Everyone elses has been blooming nonstop all summer. In fact I am digging it up as soon as I have enough rain to get it out, it doesn't do anything for me green. I just bought one of the new reds, it is gorgeous, can't wait to get it in the ground.
This message was edited Aug 28, 2013 7:39 AM
Yes, the newer cultivar was groomed to be shorter. If you get the older original plant, it can get VERY tall.
I found Gold Star Esperanza at Sooner Plant Farms. They are sold out, but I'll keep my eye on it. That red looks pretty cool. Looks like a plant I will be looking for in the near future!
I get to see this potted arrangement from my kitchen window. These are actually waiting to be transplanted or potted up into bigger containers. Cape Honeysuckle, Mexican Milkweed, and Native Petunia.
Close up of the cape honeysuckle.
I have lots of Esperanza seed pods, if anyone want some. These are yellow. Mine excel in full sun and no care what-so-ever, I don't think they do too well in shade. One of my babies hatched today.....
Beautiful Monarch Sweetmommy, did you raise it ?
WTG Sweetmommy! Thanks to you too Stephanie for putting up with the aphids for the BSTs.
Anyone coming to the fall Arlington RU on October 20th .........I have loads of white petunias and a couple pinks to go with all those purple you guys have. Just LMK in time to dig and pot them.
Here is a few shots from my summer bloomers.
1-Desert Willow
2-Moss Rose
3-Carolina Phlox
4-John Fanick Phlox
5-Wild Native Petunia
Several more......
6- Turks Cap with Gulf Fritilary visitor
7- Flame Acanthus
8- Salvia Coccinea or Scarlet Sage and Black and Blue Salvia
9- Frostweed beginning to bloom
10- Fimbriata for the Pipevine butterflies http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63661/
Excellent pictures Sheila.
Here are my Mex Petunias. The white has wider leaves and is easy to distinguish when they aren't blooming. They also seem a little less agressive than the purple.
Sheila, I cannot come to the RU because I will be near Plano judging a sheepdog trial on tha Sunday but I would love some of your white and pink Mexican Petunias. I will talk to you closer to the RU to see about meeting up with you before I head back home that day.
Thanks,
Joy
Beautiful blooms Sheila! My white mex petunia that you gave me at the Spring RU is blooming away. My fimbriata is not nearly that big though.
You bet Joy. Just send me an email when you will be close and I will try to get with you. If I think about it I will go ahead and dig a few to make sure it wouldn't be stressed in the car.
Glad to hear they did well Marty. My pipevine bloom is only about dime or nickel size, the picture was enlarged. It seemed to grow very slow the first couple of years, but each year increases.
Sorry, Josephine. I missed this one. Yes, I took this chrysalis inside to ensure the chickens wouldn't eat it. I've always had so many different butterflies and plant specifically for many of them but I had so few this year. I'm hoping it was the chickens and not nearby chemical use. I can build fences to protect from the chickens but no such luck with drifting pesticides and herbicides.
Yes, butterflies have been very scarce this year, so disappointing!!
I have seen two or three Monarchs lately but not much, such a shame, I think it is the mosquito spraying, bur I could be wrong.
Yes, butterflies have been very scarce this year, so disappointing!!
I have seen two or three Monarchs lately but not much, such a shame, I think it is the mosquito spraying, but I could be wrong.
I am with you on the spraying Jo. So glad Fort Worth hasn't done that yet. They are treating ground water and encouraging personal protection more.