Random Things….

( From L-R: Pink Angelonia, Purple Angelonia and Blue Vervain)

(Large background: Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' and Small inset : Echinops Ritro)

Bloomin’ Tuesday

(From upper L-R across & down: Crepe Myrtle, Society Garlic, Phlox 'Robert Poore' and Pineapple Lily)

Purples and Pinks are strutting their stuff this week in my garden.   From the bright hot pink blooms of this ornamental Crepe Myrtle tree to the the softer lavender blooms of Society Garlic.  Crepe Myrtles are a commonly planted ornamental tree here and they bloom all summer long in shades of pink, red, white and lavender.   Mine is one of the most common colors of all but I love it anyhow.  It was an existing plant on the property when we purchased this house 14 years ago and one of only a handful that I kept. This Phlox is something I’ve had for a long time too and extremely tough.  My Pineapple Lily (Eucomis comosa) is budding up.  Isn’t this a fun plant?

(From upper L-R across & down: Buddleia, Profusion Zinnias, Lantana 'Miss Huff' and Rudbeckia)

Here’s another set of popular colors in my garden (yellow, orange & white).  The Buddleia or Butterfly Bush is blooming a bit early this year, not complaining though.  I moved my small pot of Profusion Zinnias & Sweet Alyssum into this larger container in the Woodland Garden.   Now they can stretch their roots a bit further. 😉   Two of my biggest performers this week are Lantana ‘Miss Huff’ and Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans).  They both attract the butterflies and the Goldfinches love the seedhead on the Black-eyed Susans in the fall.  Wish their was another Lantana that was hardy in my zone 7b garden.  To see more Bloomin’ Tuesday posts or to join in this week please visit Ms Greenthumb.

Money Plant

Lunaria annua ( plant, seedpods, seeds and bloom)

 Lunaria annua is a biennial plant that is native to southwest Asia and to the Balkans, however it has naturalized through Europe, North America and Asia.  It is commonly called Honesty, Silver Dollars and Money Plant.  It doesn’t bloom till the second season and then goes to seed and dies.  But the seed is prolific in self-sowing so that you will have blooms for years to come.  This summer I’ve collected quite a bit of seed from one plant, leaving some on the plant to replenish my garden.  If anyone would like any please email me your address and I will be glad to send you some.  Here’s some more info on this pretty plant:

• Grows 24-36″ tall
• Prefers Part sun
• Blooms in mid-spring
• Magenta blooms (pink-purple)
• Attracts bees & butterflies
• Flowers are fragrant
• Self-sows freely
• Direct sow seed in Fall
• Hardy in zones 4a-8b

Squash and Peppers: They thrive on neglect?

Summer Squash 'Dixie hybrid'

Ok somethings are just meant to be like this squash plant that is growing in my compost bin.  Now I know what you’re thinking, but this is not black gold in my bin so that is not the reason it settled here.  It’s the leftover potting soil from last year’s containers and maybe alittle compost.  However it is doing much better than the plant I deliberately planted in my raised bed this spring.  And the funny part is this one hasn’t gotten any extra attention such as watering, etc… Somethings just thrive on neglect don’t you think?  Another example is my Green Bellpeppers below:

Green Bellpeppers

The green Bellpeppers I planted in my blue pots this spring are thriving and producing little peppers like it’s no tomorrow.  Now I know for a fact that all peppers love to be ignored a bit.  That means no extra watering or pampering.  What gardener doesn’t love that?  However this doesn’t mean let them dry out to the point that the plant suffers, just don’t overdo it and you will be rewarded.  They love the heat too!  Which is a good thing, because our summers are hot, hot, hot.  And dry, dry, dry….lol  Do you have any plants that seem to thrive on neglect in your garden?

Wordless Wednesday: Bzzzzz

Echinacea 'White Swan'