What's Growing Part 7

Aw man! I didn't get to guess on anything!

I would have guessed the underside of a mushroom (but not quite right) and a delphinium.

OK, now I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 10....?

Is it 3.14 - because I know you love pie.

Al, that's GIHUGEICK. What a beauty.
Sorry Dave, there is not much question as to what this one is from today.
Andy P

WOW Andy!!! What beautiful blooms! That just took the "Miss Photogenic" title, sorry Al.

Al, You got it!

Andy, Can I guess hybiscus disco belle anyway?

Thanks Pixie.
Dave, YOU WIN !!!!!!
I saw that trio of Hibiscus behind some spent Hosta flower stems. They are in the back of my "Square Inch" garden, very dense. I was snipping the Hosta when I noticed this.
ANdy P

Andy ~ I found one in one of my beds the other day but couldn't get a good photo. Great job! Did you stick that in the forum for "Bug Banner"? It really should go...it's an exceptional photo!!

Thanks Pixie. I've already submitted 5 pics, there is a limit of 6. Now I have to be choosy about the last one before the deadline. There are some mighty fine pics being submitted.
Andy P

Very nice Hibiscus Andy.

I have 2 hibiscus but neither has bloomed yet. One is about to pop, the other, which is kinda variegated is always smaller and slower.

Got my first ever helenium flower and my compass plant (cup plant) just flowered too. Cup plant 'cause the adjoining leaves form a "cup" that holds water and is used by the birds. Compass, I believe, because the leaves point N,E, S & west.

Dave, where's the pics on the helenium and compass plant? hmmmm? I was just reading about the water 'cup' for the birds the other day. very cool.

anybody know what kind of spider that is? great pic, Andy. the hibiscus are amazing!

Al, just catching up. that is one gorgeous dahlia.

Gram ~ I believe they are called Golden Silk spider or Banana Spider http://davesgarden.com/bf/showimage/782/

The spider is an Argiope aurantia - an orb weaver we call the Zipper Spider, and the only reason I know that is because somebody just identified them in my tomato garden a few days ago. Here's an interesting article about them. One of our webs has the large female and her 'zipper', and the little male is hanging out on the edge of the web.

http://home.att.net/~larvalbugrex/argiope.html

edited to add the link - oops

This message was edited Aug 7, 2006 8:15 AM

I finally got a shot of that spider, he's been in the same spot for three days now. It took an overcast morning for me to get a clear photo.

And this guy just sits inside my daylily, almost didn't see him as he blends in so well. I have no idea what he is, looks like a cross between a spider and a crab.

Edited to say: He is indeed a Spider Crab, they don't build webs, they sit in flowers waiting for flying insects to come that are attracted to the flower. They can change colors from yellow, pink and even light blue! Amazing little spider...even if i hate the darn things!

This message was edited Aug 7, 2006 1:53 PM

another shot:

spiders and crabs are very closely related- thats why i won't eat crab. i know it tastes great but.... those legs just gross me out.
mccool- i am a florist and i refuse to put stargazers, freesia, peonies and a few other flowers in centerpieces for weddings. brides get annoyed until i explain what 100s of lilies in a closed room will smell like.

One bulb of Rosey Dawn....never thought I would see this many flowers on one plant that is only on it's second year.

"Fire Tree" showing off for a second time.

"Black Beauty" in full bloom.

"Siberia" Gives you an idea of how big the flowers are.

A lost tag clump.

Why is it I always like the ones you guys post with no names the best? Very unfortunate that I can't ID, but my DH will thank you for saving our money.....

Ivy1 ~ I really didn't look very hard for the tag as the 2 spiders I posted above are in that garden right next to that clump!!!

Can't blame you for not sticking around to find out! We always get these big brown spiders in the fall, right next to the front door. I don't do any weeding over there after they show up. Luckily they only arrive around the end of September or so..... I like to think they are keeping all sorts of creepy crawlies out of my house.

Well, that's pretty neat, I can see the 'zipper' on Andy's shot.

Pixie, I don't know how you even noticed that little crab thing. the fact that it changes colors is ingenius. don't you just love Mother Nature?

the last 2 days we have what my son calls wolf spiders in the pool. they are clinging to everything. I looked them up and I guess that is what they are. A couple of years ago we were inundated with them. not in the main part of the house, thank goodness, but the basement, garage, and everywhere outside. hairy, brown at least an inch long. I've tried to explain to all of the insect life that if they stay out of the pool we're ok, in the pool, they're dead. If I just fish them out, they run right back in.

gram

Oh Gram ~ Yuk!! I really freak when it comes to spiders and snakes, especially if they have found a way INTO my house. Last fall one was in my shower, as I am showering I notice him. He was brown and furry and large , needless to say i made a hasty exit from not just the shower, but the bathroom it's self. I nearly missed grabbing the towel to cover up with as I ran out into the hall within full view of the front door. Where apon my DH and Son laughed at me uncontrollably and wouldn't even go kill the darn spider! Nope...I don't do spiders and snakes!!!

i'm the same way with earwigs and ants. they are so gross and if you see one you know you have hun dreds. kind of like roaches in the city, i guess.

I don't mind bugs that much , mites are bad for me this year - that I don't like

I really don't do much for color combination, but this one I like

this should be Morheim Beauty helenium, I'm not sure if it is. Might be red/gold hybrids or something else also.

This is Ruby Tuesday helenium, small flower

Nancy - you'll have to post a full photo of yours similar to compare and see if it is.

Al ~ I like the color combo on that too, dahlia's and is that a japanese maple?

Pixie - that's a 'diablo' Ninebark, real nice shrub

I really like the shape and color of the leaves.

No lilies...just odds n' ends.

Here's mine, Al. They are awfully similar, but I see a difference in the leaves. Yours has sort of jagged edges, and mine has straight edges. Is that significant?

I've named this collage "ruby tuesday", in your honor, Al.

Could be your best one yet Nancy - thanks. Possibly not Ruby Tuesday, maybe Moerheim, but there are a lot of helenium. I hope you like it.

No lilies Pixie, still nice.

nap ~ Nice collage! Love those colors and such a neat flower.

Thanks! I usually prefer the "softer" looking flowers, if you know what I mean. Big, delicate, graceful, pastel. Like irises, roses, dahlias for instance. And lots of black-eyed susans and coneflowers. And your lilies, Pixie. I also have a lot od smaller annuals, like impatiens, petunias and pansies, for bright colors. Whereas this one seems bold, hard, dark. And small. I like it, but it isn't where my eyes go when I look at my garden.