Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #53 visit with friends...

Sharon,

I have a Hibiscus just like yours. Never knew the name of it. Texas Star! Huh? Is that the official name of this?
I got mine about 6 yrs. ago from a DG'er from NJ. If it is the same--and it sure looks like it--it blooms only after 3 years from seed. And--it sure makes a lot of seed!!! Need a bit of patience here. I have plenty of seed, if anyone wants some.
Mine grows at least 6' tall and is blooming it's head off right now. It is NOT in the greatest location, as there is an old Juniper bush just a couple feet away from it. The one the snake climbed....

Ruby, I kind of allow the stems to die off a bit and then cut them back. You DO know that a perennial Hibiscus is late in breaking dormancy, YES? Not until end of May--beg of June. So, if you have one--mark the spot. You can also leave the old stems up a couple of feet to help support the new growth the next year. The old ones are strong--the new growth is quite "green"....I keep one of those high, white wire, loopedy-loop, folding fences around mine--or it would sprawl too much.

Here's mine Shar. Two peas in a pod--eh?

Wow, go to a shower and come back to all this beauty...I also have a hibiscus and it's just starting to grow now, this is it's 2nd year and I did transplant them this spring so perhaps I did them damage..lots of greenery - no pretty flowers...and here I'm looking for something red.. just going out to plant a shrub and a perrenial (which is red) into the garden, sky is heavy so perhaps rain...

I've never seen a baby shower quite like this one...there were nearly75 in attendance and many more sent gift who were unable to make it..she started opening gifts as soon as she got there and almost everyone was leaving at 5:00 instead of the 4:00pm and she still had not opened them all..can't believe what these youngster get ..tremendous help financially I'll tell you..

I stopped at Walmart and had 3 sets of photo's done, one the the 'new mommy' one for Suzanne and another for Marie who is here from the east coast for the shower...came home and now it's time to get at it...figure it took me 1 hr. per chair so if I sit and watch t.v. I can get the other 2 done then another project out of the way...

I have to drive in Mon/Tues and Wedn. as Suzanne is off the 1st 2 days and then I have a specialist appt. so I'd better get to bed early tonight..could have asked my other 2 nieces for a ride but not going there....lol

Will post a couple of photo's when I get organized later tonight...

Laura, will your daughter be staying with you indefinately??? Know it will be nice to be around grandaughter but let's hope things work out..(hope I read your post properly)..must go back and check...

One thing I did learn..we sure can get excited over flowers..lol

Gita,
Almost, but not quite. Look at the foliage on mine, it is very toothed....the leaves look almost like very skinny fingered maple leaves. The flower is similar, though...so not sure what yours is. I started mine from root. Also the petals on mine are a bit more squared off.
Yours is beautiful also. Love the color.

Oh....the foliage on mine has a dark reddish tint as well, not the lovely green of yours. And yes, it just started blooming on the 23rd, the day I took the photo. Still blooming like crazy, but it is about 98 here right now and too hot to go out to take another photo.

I don't think that I posted my Kwanso Lily and the sport I got from it. In fact I have two sports. One on each side of the garden. That is weird but nice. BEV

This is one of the sports.

I am in love with that kuanso's color. Gosh I will have to invest in more lilies. They don't have long roots maybe I can put them in my one bed that is shallow. Hm?

We went to the mountain town near here after church and went to breakfast, I watered and watched Nascar and took a little nap, which I never do. It was hot today again, but there is a nice breeze finally.

They have devil roots but you could try it. It depends on how shallow?? Bev

Bev's right, Kwansas need about 18 inches, they spread pretty thickly......but are easy to please, no fuss. Don't you think, Bev??? Mine are always the last to bloom, and they are going full force right now.

Just posted my next batch of pictures from my trip to Latvia.

This batch is a bit on the serious side......BUT--to me--very meaningful.

Right on Sharon.

Gorgeous..just finished the last of my 4 chairs so it's off to bed...I envy all of you your gardens..have to specialize more with mine next year...Bev, mind if I put the last photo on my screensaver...breathtaking as is all the flowers you've all posted...

Shar, my goodness Ethan is getting to be quite the little man..will he be spending time with you i.e. a week or so before he starts school??? Not sure if you have Jr. Kindergarden????usually they start at 4...doesn't take long for them to grow up does it...

Didn't even download the photo's, perhaps I'll get up early and do so in the morning...lots for me to re-read and view tomorrow when I arrive at work...

Until then,
Night/night everyone...

Betty you are more than welcome to use any pic of mine that you want to. Makes me proud. Thank you dear. HUGS BEV

morning all,

judy, lol just take a hammer to the container lol it must be glued shut..
i could just see this comotion,you jumping and critter scurring around
and of all seeds thistle.

ruby, my you are busy cleanning! how fun all the company to arrive, oh
i saw the walk way nice job! i have heard of ambrosia what is in it i have never had it.

carol, love the pink one very pretty! how is the basement no damage i hope?

jaye, oh your lilys are beautiful to, lol at kitties have any pics of them?

bev, wow look at the variety of flowers you have simply beautiful!

gita, once again showered us with a spectacular flower show thank you!

deborah, your going to love her when you meet!!

shar, very pretty red! is this near your lilys? look how tall ethan is getting! such a cutie!
how are you doing, busy working in the garden.

betty, love the pic of glasses great job! wow the cake came out wonderful! good greif 75 people she'll need not to much now lol, that is alot of people, ok im going to send you a halo to wear! you think aunt muriel will want to go to?
you should of seen the amount of people on my bosses lawn we counted 33 at one point i brought all my .25,.50 and a few 5-6.00 items sold 25.00 worth of stuff so that wasnt to bad..
had a awful group of individuals who came out the van scattered and was trying to swindle my bosses aunt, i was waiting for the right moment to jump in.. but aunt rosie caught on thank god! but when that saying god punishes lol well well did she get bad carma! she asked for thease little shot glasses ,
rosie said 5.00 for the 4 they were old! she said no what are they for each?, rosie said oh 1.25 she said ok i'll take only 3 while wrapping them she took the 4th one, well she bent over to look at something and guess what came out of her purse and broke! ha ha we simply stared at them till they left but the other ones who came with them were trying to steel two pair of shoes my boss caught them and made them pay, it was quite a sight!
cant stand people who do such!
then another group who the young 12 year old trying to steel it was something to see!
yesterday i was in a fury to weed eat the dead lawn and clean up wow im tired today lol.

vicki, i dont know what is worse the screaming kid or the one who runs up and down the isle knocking things over,awww look how content ty looks, omg look at the corn have you tried the burpee one ruby queen its red se variety its real sweet such a conversation peice as long as its bbq, or steamed or microwaved it stays red. but this year not so good for corn think i need to move it somewhere else :(

hi laura, hope things are worked out with dd. you back to work this week?

hi jeannine got your x's on the calender time is comming up soon now.

everyone have a wonderful day

Morning everyone...shhhsshhh one of the nicest days this summer and I'm at work..Wayne called, will be an hour late as he has to stop by the doctors, Paul called, can hardly make him out so he's stopping at the drug store, Suzanne's on Vacation, the girls aren't in yet..I'm sitting, looking at the calendar at first thinking is this our holiday Monday, nope, thank goodness not, it's next Monday..but I could picture me coming to work and wasting 1/2 a day...

Stayed in bed an extra hour this morning then had to rush/rush - not good..saw a couple of minor things I should have done and out loud while feeding the furries I'm saying 'Betty it's pure laziness that you didn't do that' hey give myself a head shake, what a thing to say to yourself early Monday morning..so quickly gave myself some compliments on jobs well done this weekend and felt good by the time I left..

Went to look for my little camera chip with shower photo's, cannot find it, bet I left it at Walmart when I had the photo's made last night or on the counter when I paid for them so must get tel.# from 411 info and see if someone turned it in..just picked up that 'chip' while visiting Judy...

Here I am coming to work this morning and thinking of projects to do for next weekend - imagine...so came up with if weather co-operates making some stepping stones for the DG garden..I have a photo of Shar's flower which I'll cut out this week ready to insert into stone, know some of yoou love lily's so am sure one of you will have a 'lily' stone...

Ahhh, already forgot the name of the 4' shrub that's sitting in my car...stopped at Canadian Tire here in the city and picked up now I'm not sure if it's called Ceegee Hydrangea or Ceegee Hibiscus..was just pleased it was reg. $29.99 and I got it for $7.00 and it's quite a size...was running late but there is still lunch hour - saw a lilac, not 'common' but labelled 'assorted' now do you think it means it will have different color lilac on it???? it was reg. $24.98 on for $11.98 so think I'll just have to pick it up..few bare spots in the lilac bushes that form my secret garden...

So that's my morning so far...


Liz, you sound on an 'up' lol
At Michaels on Saturday I bought some bead strands and materials needed to make bracelets...brought it in to work..just not sure if I needed a needle, if I do then I'll drop into Michaels in the mall at lunch as well...we'll see how I make out...

Just wanted to pop in and say good morning to everyone.

I've enjoyed reading Gita's thread. I'm a history buff at heart and really enjoy seeing the old country with the seasides and preserved older buildings in the cities. Gita, do you have the asiatic lily named "Latvia"? If my memory serves me, it looks like egg custard pudding with cinnamon sprinkled on top.

I know I should wait until Sept or Oct to plant these shrubs I have in containers. It's just so hard for me to keep those in pots watered and still maintain a regular watering schedule for all of my gardens. I have several understory trees and shrubs that I'm going to go ahead and plant. I think I can better keep them watered in the ground than in these pots. I've got Vitex trees, Genista, Red bottlebrush, Viburnum, Hydrengra, Sambucus, Border Forsythias, Japanese Glory Bowers, Mock Orange, and a host of other perennials that have wore me out keeping them happy in pots.

hi there,

yes back at work 4 hours a day every second day and managed today quite well.
DD is staying for a while but not sure how long.
havnt been able to do any quilting with all thas been going on.
cant talk too much about flowers as i dont have that many but yours are lovely...

ope your all well.
betty have u heard back about your tests yet?
hugs to all

xx

Laura, I go this Wednesday afternoon...I've been doing good for a few weeks but it started up again Friday..I was bigger in the tummy than Danielle..we even measured yesterday...SIL Marg who doesn't talk to me much did come over and say she was quite concerned with my size..so that was something...barely got 2 words out of MIL...
Glad things are going ok at work...

Liz, got everything out to do bracelets for watch, beads all over..lol..but the roll of stretch cord was much too thing..will go at lunch and purchase another...

Deborah, many of the plants/shrubs you mentioned we don't have...I do have a viburnum and mock orange I planted last spring but no signs of flowers...disappointing as I love my mock orange .. at the farm I had about 40 and in the spring one could smell them even indoors...

OMG, Liz - girlfriend in Ireland just MSN's me, he poor Oscar, love of her life, miniature little puppy died Sat. - she had called me Friday night to say she took him to the vets and they said they'd keep him overnight...she had dogsat her friends dog, he got into absolutely everything, she said he messed all over the house...she just came back on MSN and said it was kidney failure..maybe it caught something from the other dog? When you live on your own, and these 'furries' become your family it is as traumatic as losing a child...she is so distraught..

Deborah,

NO! I never heard of a "Latvia" Lily!!!! Let me guess--it was either hybridized by a Latvian--or IN Latvia. Is it in the PF? I'll go see......

Gita

Yes, it is. Here's the PF link.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/49970/

Aren't they the prettiest..now tell me, once you purchase these lovely lily's do they multiply quickly...i.e. the one I purchased last year had more flower buds but not more stems..novice here..

Hey I'm excited, but been excited before..lol...Paul had been to see a building which is a rental in Barrie, which is about 10 minutes closer to home than the Innisfil one would have been..about 35-40 minutes ride versus over 1 1/2 hrs. each way..talked to the owner this morning and he was pleased with the outcome, sending lease so our lawyer can review...keep your fingers crossed, it would mean we'd be in Barrie mid-October....little prayer would help as well...

Praying for you to get moved closer Betty!!!! Hey all you guys I want to thank you for the prayers for my knee. It hasn't bothered me since. Hugs BEV

Gita, mine bloomed in May with anywhere from 6 to 8 blooms per stalk. The stems are still green gathering energy for the bulb to bloom next year. When the stem dies back in the fall, I'll send 'Latvia' to you. You've just got to have 'Latvia' lilies. The multiply well so I've heard. Are you in the address exchange?

Saying prayers for Betty's news and Bev's knee!

Thanks guys, you have no idea what it would mean to be in Barrie..would be an extra 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. that I would have for relaxation..joke/joke...

Liz, went back to Michaels and purchased thinner elastic bead line, let's hope it's strong enough and not too big..will play around with it this aft.

Paul and Wayne went out to lunch, asked why I didn't go out...hello, the girls went and then I went..they took a double lunch..both smilling..

Thats ok bought 3 more shrubs, one being a lilac..will post names when I get home, can't remember from the car to my office..lol

Wayne shakes his head, can't understand why I spend so much money on plants/shrubs but then I can't understand why he spends so much on his fishing equipment, makes us both even...everyone must be gardening- lucky them..

Hello to everyone. Gita, I would love to have some of the Hibiscus seed. I want a red one. I think that all of mine will most likely end up being white ones. I finally got mine standing more upright early this morning. I will do as you said Gita and leave a foot or so of the old stalk in order to help with support next years. Mine was sprawled every which away too. While I was doing that I found two quite large flower bulbs. It looks as though something was planted there and rain water made a small gulley and washed the soil off of the bulbs. I have no idea what they are. If I find time later I will take a pic and see if anyone can identify by looking at the bulb.

Thanks to both Sharran and Gita for answers about cutting back the Hibiscus. I have been doing that each year and John is saying not to cut it back. I will tell him that I heard from two other person's, whose advice I respect and they said yes, to cut back. I don't want to look at dead stalks all winter either.

Liz, you asked about Ambrosia. It is a dessert salad that my mother used to make and I have been making it for several years from time to time. It is truly heavenly as the name implies. It is a mixture of miniature marshmallows, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, halved maraschino cherries and halved green seedless grapes if they are sweet. I stopped putting the grapes in mine because several times I got sour grapes and I don't miss having them. I don't do recipes, so I just use whatever the can size is that I have and one bag of marshmallows. I probably used a total of about 12 cherries and probably the same amount of grapes. You can play around with sizes and quantities and adjust to your own taste. To all of this is added about a pint of sour cream which gives it a smooth base. Oops, almost forgot a very key ingredient. About a cup of shredded coconut. Mix all well together and enjoy.

I have gotten some yummy recipes from epicurious.com. Since my mother's death in 2003, I will think of things that she sometimes cooked when I was a child and will hunt for recipes that sound like things that she made. You might find a very similar recipe on the epicurious site.

I found one recipe there that she didn't make but I sometimes make it when ground beef is meat of the day. It is called Kennedy Stew and is baked in the oven. The ingredients are crumbled ground beef, chopped or sliced potatoes, carrots, can of peas, cream of mushroom and cream of celery soup. It is wonderful!!! I think they are the ingredients. If interested I believe that epicurious is where I found the recipe. If anyone is interested, I will post a recipe for it here.

Deborah, I think that it is so cool that you pointed out the Latvia Lily to Gita. How wonderful!!!

I hope that each of you will have a wonderful evening and a good nights sleep. Ciao.

Ruby

Ruby isn't it encouraging to know that when we need to feel close i.e. to mom's and grandmothers even hubby's (as Roger loved to cook) having a recipe and making it makes you feel all warm inside...

I've had that desert as well, sure is yummy..can't make it for myself, goodness, I'd be eating it all in one helping..

Ruby, am sure John will agree with you ...Shar and Gita as well as others sure know their plants..cut it down..lol

This day is ENDLESS...I'm so very/very uncomfortable and some pain, don't know if I posted on this thread..but had to go and purchase 3x panties - tall figured so they could fit over my tummy..was doing so well and since Friday it's like someone took an airgun and blew me up...another 15 minutes and home I go..you'll not count the seconds till I'm into a nighty as to allow for more growth..if it weren't for Wedn. appt. I'd be back at hospital tonight..and it takes me a lot to get there...hate complaining, no one else to listen to me, so guess it's you all....just kidding...

Ruby, in the Kentucky stew, do you brown the crumbled ground beef before mixing the other ingredents for baking?


OH BETTY, don't suffer, hon! Go to the emergency room or a clinic before going home.

Deborah,

You are too kind! I would love to have just a FEW of the Latvia Lillies. Don't have too much room to play around with. My forever dilemma. Have a relatively small garden and everything is so established. It is almost like I have to dig something up to add something new.

Can I send you anything in return? I have quite a few seeds. Please see my Trade List.
A couple of things I may be out of--as this list was made before our Spring Seed Swap.

Yes, I am in the Address Exchange.

Ruby, Will be glad to send you some seeds from the tall, red Hibiscus. Just remember--it won't bloom until 3 years from seeding time. It will grow--just not bloom. Mark the spot!

Gita

Mosquitos are carrying me away but I do have 4 shrubs to plant, came in for something to cover myself up with..thought I'd post a photo of niece Danielle and SIL Suzanne...

Cake time...

I had a terrible week last week. My son's car was stolen, but luckily, found only $3,000 with of stripped and trashed condition. Thank goodness it's now running again. Then, the air conditioner and dishwasher went on the blink. Air is now fixed but I'll just wash dishes the old fashion way. By ends week, our beloved lab, Kobe, was posioned, had seizures that scared us out of our wits. He's recouperating fine, again, Thank the Lord. Gita, you've already given me my smile back by reading your thread. With all my many troubles last week, thinking what will be next, nothing can compare to what you endured as a child living through WWII and losing your homeland. Your pictures and stories have put me on my knees. Your Latvia lilies will be mailed to you this fall just as soon as the foliage dies, already paid in full, sweetie.

Hi all,
I think that is wonderful that there is a lily named Latvia..and that Deborah can share some bulbs with Gita.
I looked at the link..very pretty.

Betty I hope you are feeling better since you got home and got into your nightgown.

I think your new shrub might be Pee gee Hydrangea....I have one..white flowers..

I had a Salmon Stargazer lily open today..antoher of my new ones
Gorgeous!

Accidentally posted twice

This message was edited Jul 28, 2008 7:55 PM

Going to read more of your thread Gita..yes, we take our freedom for granted..better say an extra prayer tonight to thank him for what I have...thanks Deborah for reminding me that my problems are minor compared to others....you've had a heck of a week as well..do hope this week turns out better for you...

Tried to make another attempt to go and plant but will have to wait till later in hopes they go to bed early..lordy I'm itchy...

I don't have a lily to post, am waiting on this one...hope it opens soon, it's the one with such a fragrance..can't wait..

Lucky you Carol, I'm waiting patiently for mine...and yes, checked the shrub and it is PeeGee Hydrangea, just a tag nothing to say wether to plant in full sun, shade..can you help me out....

No lily's but other beauties tonight..

Need to go shopping at a high end nursery and see if I can get some red phlox...I've pink/white and mauve but need red...

These greeted me today..

You are all brilliant with your flower/shrub names, I just say here is a pretty..lol..now I did get in one of my swaps plastic tags to name things...I want to purchase another shrub to put on the opposite side of this one..it's never had a flower, maybe it's meant just to change color, anyway it kind of has a brilliant green tone to it and matches the hops color that surrounds the arbor into the little room...does anyone recognize it??? could you help me name it???can't purchase a 2nd one if I don't know what the 1st one was..lol

Every time I go outside I forget to smell these lilies. I never knew they had a fragrance. I have really missed out huh? Betty pics are very pretty. Is that beautiful blue Baloon Flower. I am partial to blue!! God Bless that you have good reports Wed. You all have a good evening. HUGS BEV

Did you say Bev that was a lily? Looks different...

Also not sure what these will be..

Going to sit down and take some measurement..have a big dresser in the little hidden garden but it's too big, think I could easily make something, a challenge for this weekend...make it with roughcut wood..

Looking pretty, had a coffee in it before skitties carried me away...