What's Blooming? #13

and this is a new visitor this year, a flying bloom. I have to look him up to find his name, if anyone knows what kind he is, let me know. :)

Its about 6' tall, just one stem, had another but wilted back. This is the first really full sized bloom with the blue around the center. The other blooms have been small and all red. Came as a tiny little guy so I am pretty pleased with its progress considering the dry weather this summer. I have been watering but still it makes a difference if they can get some nice fresh rainwater. Planted it late last summer after I grew it in a pot for a couple of months.

Oh meant to tell you it blooms on old and new wood so it blooms all summer off and on.

ngram, the Love Plant is in the plant files as : Love Plant, Cupid's Dart 'Amor Blue' Catananche caerulea

Great photos!

Thanks Pix. Cupids dart, heard of that, I just love the color.

I have other candidates for the Love Plant, but I'll refrain.

Oh come on Victor. Don't keep me in suspense.

1 out of 15 huh Pixie? Hard to not improve on those odds next year. I like the carnation.

ngam - I like the grass, just a bit marginal or I would try it here.


I seeded some more Bachelor Buttons mid summer - this one is interesting.

I assume that Dahlia success rate is not typical. How did everyone else's do?

It's dry, dry, dry and I am guilty of not watering enough. I do have a mess of buds, but I think they are holding out for another drink!

I did have a few out of a hundred not make it, you didn't want my answer though :) I like to water too. Twice a week is good enough.

great shots today everyone..... love the love plant pixie

Love that you love it, Allison.

Victor - That Big Bee is a handsome guy, for sure, and ngam, I love that butterfly.....such a pretty pattern on its wings.....no idea what kind it is, but very pretty!

Celeste - I, too, love that orange and white combo!

All of the pics are so pretty! I finally have 3 blooms on my clematis.........but even those have been chewed up by the JBs........not sure which one this clem is, but it held me in suspense as to whether it would bloom at all this year......

Nice pics again today.

Pic #1 - my sedum slope.

I looked up the butterfly and it is I think an American Lady. How about that. Here is a site to look up the local ones. http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/construct-group-page.asp?gr=All

pic #2 - sedum slope after it was trashed by tree removal machine!! Eleanor

pic #3 - the slope repaired. Not very much sedum but we had the area filled in so that the slope is not very high. In fact I don't think I can call it a slope anymore. I have planted some other kinds of succulents for a little more variety. We are very happy with the results. Eleanor

Looking good!

Thanks Pirl!! It was difficult getting the grass to grow during a hot, dry summer, but we've kept it watered and the seed germinated and has grown well. Eleanor

Eleanor - that's lovely! The grass looks very lush....I'm sure there will be some benefits to having less slope. The sedum patch was very attractive though. Did you plant a lot of plants, or did they spread on their own?

It's the cool look to the photo that entrances me. The grass looks so soft and welcoming and the area looks like something from a painting. The photo encourages dreaming - a good thing.

Great job Eleanor. Considering the no show rain you did a really good job growing the grass in so nice and thick. Looks like it has always been that way. Sedum look happy among the rocks too. Give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done. :)

Looks great Eleanor. I remember the destruction!

Ngam - what a great butterfly site........so many pretty pics of them....that will be very helpful to have.....we have some pretty solid white ones that stand out against the colorful flowers, especially the buddleia and rudbeckia. I like the American Lady! Thanks for providing that link.

DonnieBrook - I didn't plant very many plants. That stuff spreads and grows like crazy. Here is a little patch that was not destroyed and bloomed. Eleanor

Grammy glad to see your slope is filling in nicely ....... thanks for the chuckle Victor

:)

That is nice Eleanor. I have a short red sedum. My neighbor lady wants me to design one of her beds for her and becuase she has a fear of worms I am trying to fill the empty spaces with groundcovers to reduce weeding. Fear of worms - you read right.

Al that's not the first I have heard of that..... a friend I was talking to asked how on earth can I garden with all THOSE bugs in there.... like worms.... don't you see them... I was asked

sooooooo I proceeded to inform that person that you can buy earthworms in the eggs and just plant them in the ground to improve the soil.... and the person actually stepped away from me....... and shrilled .... YOU WOULD DO THAT???? WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU GO NEAR SUCH A THING ON PURPOSE....

:)

still makes me laugh

Oh I tease her about it don't worry! It's tough because she wants NO maintenance not LOW maintenance. I have convinced her she can do her yearly cleanup in the spring when the ground is froze yet.

Stunning photos Al, Victor, Ngam, Everyone--I can't keep up.

Thank you for the nice words about my Moon flower way back. Anita, I didn't notice any fragrance.

Al, I came across 4 dahlia's and I want your opinion. Do you grow them, or have you seen any of these 3 in bloom if you don't own them. I want to know if they are true in color.
1. Zakary Robert
2. Uptown Girl
3. Nancilee
4. Peaches and Dreams (my fsvorite)

WORMS - good thing she desn't have my new garden area to work in. One day I was watching the soil move in my garden and the area was inching along. Soon a worm popped out of the ground and then another and another. I see evidence of them all over where the ground is hilled up. It kinda wrecks seeds that have been planted. Especially the thyme seeds that I put between my stepping stones as they are very tiny. Hopefully enough will get a chance to grow and then I can transplant them to areas that the worms have "tilled". Eleanor

My soil doesn't have a single worm in it. I'm not sure if it's because it's SO acidic or because it's so sandy but I have been playing in the garden here for over 10 years and never 1 have I ever seen a worm. It's too bad because they are SO great for the soil.
I remember once I received a plant in trade and when I went to "tease" the roots of the plant before putting it in the hole, a worm came slithering out. I dropped the plant and jumped up and down and then realized it was just a worm. Because I don't see them in my soil I forget that people actually do have good soil and worms *lol*

Al - that plant was real cool. I googled to see who had it for purchase. Tough to find http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/page41.html .
Eleanor, I agree with Arlene - very cool and relaxing/
It amazes me how many people are not lovers of soil and what crawls around in it. Then again, I know I amaze people with my fear of snakes. I knew someone that was afraid of cats. She didn't like their sudden moves.

Anita - that could be a fun thread: What are you afraid of in the garden?

Kim - go get worms! They're essential to good soil and there are no substitutes.

I browse this thread regularly...couldn't do without it! Just haven't been posting, but everyone's pics are wonderful and I am enjoying!!

I hate to say it, but I'm kind of glad to hear that not everyone has Al's success with dahlias. Out of 15, I have 9 that have bloomed, a few of them prolifically. Some of them that have not bloomed yet do have buds now, but hey, it's the middle of September. We'll probably have a frost within a month. I do water, but maybe not deeply enough...I see water stress on some other plants.

'Vancouver'

It wasn't my year for many dahlias either! Many have yet to bloom while others are finally showing off their colors. Wildwood Marie is so gorgeous. I'll download photos later and post.

'Lucky Number' is one of the best bloomers