Too Much of a Good Thing

July 8, 2009 at 7:57 pm (Weather)
Tags: ,

“Too Much of a Good Thing”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana

For weeks now, I have been lamenting the lack of rain and high summer temperatures – 100+ degrees.  June was a horrific month.  Well, of course, the old saying  ”Be careful what you wish for”  has come true for us.  Last Thursday, we had a terrible thunderstorm come through, and even though it brought much needed rain, it also included 70 mph wind gusts which knocked our electricity out for fourteen hours.  We have also had downpours on this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  It is predicted for one more day of rain and then back to hot, dry weather.

Needless to say, with over four inches of rain in such a short time, every thing is waterlogged.  We have puddles in the yard now that will take a day or two to dry out.  There is a big one by our oak tree.

Puddle by Oak Tree (redu)

The circle garden is soaked.  This area has slightly raised beds, and so the rainwater has accumulated along all of the edges.  I know these plants needed a good soaking, but this is ridiculous.  It is a good thing the beds are raised because now there is standing water twelve hours after it rains.  I wish I could send some of our excess rain to Texas where it is really needed right now.

Puddle (redu)

I won’t even talk about all the mosquitoes that have shown up in just a few days of rain.   Those annoying creatures must hatch in hours not days.  I couldn’t believe how they were swarming around me this morning as I was trying to take a few photos.

It has been rather nice not having to drag the hose around watering all the container plants and borders ( I rarely if ever water the lawn).  The cooler temperatures that the rain showers and cloudy weather brings are also welcomed and will be missed I am sure in just a few days when the sun is beating down again.  But, I won’t miss the squishy lawn and the puddles that seem to be everywhere.  We need to dry out.

10 Comments

Dead or Alive?

July 7, 2009 at 6:49 pm (Plants)
Tags:

“Dead or Alive?”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

How do you know a plant is dead?  Well, that seems like an easy question to answer, but I, who have been gardening for years, am unsure about one of my curry plants.  How do you tell when a gray foliage plant is dead? 

I put in four curry plants in the spring, and one of them is not doing too well.  I think because of the heat and dry weather it is at best struggling and may even be dead.  The one curry plant I planted last year is doing very well, but, then again, it is better established.

I can still see some gray-green in some of the stems the sick curry plant (which gives me hope) even though the leaves look pretty far gone.  Here are some close-ups of a few stems.

 

Curry Plant Clsp I (redu)

 

Curry Plant Clsp II (redu)

 

Here is what the whole plant looks like. 

 

Curry Plant Sick (redu)

 

Pretty pathetic, huh?  I am thinking that maybe the heat stressed this particular one more than the others, and then, maybe, with having to water so much earlier in the summer, it didn’t like that.  I know that most gray-colored foliage plants do not like a lot of humidity which is why so many melt in our humid summers.  But last year’s plant has thrived. 

Here is what another curry plant that was also put in this spring  looks like; it is doing so much better.  To be fair, this afternoon’s shower does make this look greener than it actually is.

 

Curry Plant Alive (redu)

 

The reason I am hesitating to pull this one out is that I have planted the four curry plants equidistant in a flower bed, and taking one out would ruin the symmetry.

So, what do you think?  Am I not facing reality?  Is this plant a goner?  Should I give it some more time before yanking it out, or should I just accept that this particular curry plant is not going to recover, and I need to pull it out now?

19 Comments

Keeping Busy

July 6, 2009 at 8:07 pm (Gardening)
Tags: ,

“Keeping Busy”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

Finally, we seem to be getting back into our normal summer pattern of afternoon showers every three or four days.  We had a big thunderstorm last Thursday, and unfortunately lost our electricity for fourteen hours.  Thank goodness it was from 6 at night to 8 in the morning.  I don’t think I could have taken the daytime heat.  We had another good shower today and received 1.07 inches of rain with more expected tomorrow.  The rain does bring cooler temperatures and much needed moisture to the plants, but it does stop any garden work.

About the only thing blooming right now is the cannas.  They just love the heat.  Tropical Sunrise is one of my favorites even though this is only the second summer it has been in our garden.

 

Canna Trop. Sunrise (redu)

 

Before the rain started, I discovered azalea caterpillars on the front azalea bushes.  Because of the Fourth of July holiday and a family get together on Sunday, I haven’t been able to do my daily walk around the garden.  This is when I am able to just check things out and catch problems like the caterpillars early.  Boy, these guys can chomp through azaleas in no time.  I usually don’t find any of these caterpillars until around the end of August, but they seem to be early this year.  I guess I need to check all the other azaleas that are planted in other areas even though I haven’t had any show up anywhere but on the front azaleas.  But, of course, there is always a first time.

It seems there is always something to keep a gardener busy.

8 Comments

Harvest

July 3, 2009 at 6:01 pm (Gardening, Vegetables)
Tags:

“Harvest”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

The harvest has begun in earnest.  Our four tomato bushes are still doing well and providing loads of fruit.  I can’t believe that fruit is still setting with all the high temperatures we have been having the last two to three weeks, though I don’t know how much longer we can expect that.  We have three Husky Reds and one cherry tomato that are growing in containerswhich is more than enough for the two of us.  We have been having to water a lot.  Sometimes two to three times a day, but it has been worth the effort.  Biting into a red, ripe homegrown tomato is just heaven.

 

Tomatoes (redu)

 

We have certainly enjoyed our tomatoes this year.  We have taken some of the suckers and rooted them for a fall crop.  So far these seem to be doing very well, so maybe this autumn we will have a repeat of our summer harvest.

Right now there are twenty of the Husky Reds and about fifteen cherry tomatoes on the window sill in the kitchen.  With the afternoon sun shining on them, this is such a wonderful still life that just shouts – Summer!

8 Comments

Double Beauties

July 2, 2009 at 11:50 am (Flowers, Gardening)
Tags: , ,

“Double Beauties”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

With all the unusually hot weather for June and lack of rain we have been having lately, it seems that most of the flowers in the garden are taking a break.  There is not the usual exuberant flowering that is normally around.  Thank goodness for the hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) plants.  They are going nonstop.  I have had these bushes for years, and while it is a pain to have to protect them in winter time, they certainly are worth that effort come summer.  All of my tropical hibiscus are doubles.

 

Red Hibiscus (redu)

 

This red double hibiscus is one of my oldest.

 

Peach Hibiscus (redu)

 

This peach-colored hibiscus is also an oldie but a goodie.

 

Dk Orange Hibiscus (redu)

 

This dark orange-colored hibiscus makes a nice transition color to put in between the above red and peach hibiscuses.

 

Dk Pink Hibiscus (redu)

 

Then, there is my absolute favorite hibiscus, this dark pink one.  I  absolutely love this color.  I just took some cuttings of this one to try and make a few more plants with this gorgeous deep pink.  I was thinking, if I was successful in getting the cuttings to take, this hibiscus would look so good interspersed in the garden borders when the other flowers take a break during the hottest part of summer.

8 Comments

July Muse Day

July 1, 2009 at 1:46 pm (Muse Day)
Tags: , 


“July Muse Day”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called 
Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana

2008-0405-fountain-reduce-v2-027

The Garden of Alcinous

Homer

Close to the gates a spacious garden lies,

From storms defended and inclement skies;

Four acres was the allotted space of ground,

Fenced with a green enclosure all around.

Tall thriving trees confessed the fruitful mould;

The reddening apple ripens here to gold,

Here the fig with luscious juice o’er flows,

With deeper red the full pomegranate glows,

Then branch here bends beneath the weighty pear,

And verdant olives flourish round the year.

The balmy spirit of the western gale

Eternal breathes on fruits untaught to fail;

Each dropping pear a following pear supplies,

On apples apples, figs on figs arise:

The same mild season gives the blooms to blow,

The buds to harden and the fruits to grow.

Here ordered vines in equal ranks appear

With all the united labors of the year;

Some to unload the fertile branches run,

Some dry the blackening clusters in the sun,

Others to tread the liquid harvest join,

The groaning presses foam with floods of wine.

Here are the vines in early flower described,

Here grapes discolored on the sunny side,

And there in autumn’s richest purple dyed.

Beds of all various herbs, forever green,

In beauteous order terminate the scene.

Two plenteous fountains the whole prospect crowned;

This through the gardens leads its streams around,

Visits each plant, and waters all the ground;

While that in pipes beneath the palace flows,

And thence its current on the town bestows;

To various use their various streams they bring,

The people one and one supplies the King.

Thanks to Carolyn of Sweet Home and Garden Chicago for sponsoring Garden Bloggers’ Muse day, a day to post an orginal or favorite poem about nature.  Be sure to stop by her blog to see other great nature poems.

6 Comments

Work or Sleep?

June 30, 2009 at 5:55 am (Cats, Wild Life)
Tags: ,

“Work or Sleep?”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

We have had another day of rain.  Hallelujah!  Yesterday we received another .7 inches of much needed rain.  Not only is the rain good for the plants, it does help cool things off a bit which makes it a little more pleasant for the humans.  The rain, however hasn’t stopped the activity in the garden.  The birds, bees and butterflies are still very active even if this gardener isn’t.

 

Bee on Cash. Bouquet (redu)

 

The bees have been very busy visiting the cashmere bouquet.  I haven’t seen too many honeybees around, just bumble bees.  I mostly see the honeybees at the birdbaths during the peak of the day’s heat, but the bumble bees are out among the flowers all day long.  Such hard workers.  They love the pink vitex and the agapanthas, too.  Butterflies are all over the place now that the weather has warmed up so much.  It is so difficult to photograph them since they never are still very long.

 

Bee on Pk Vitex (redu)

 

Of course, with all the recent rain, the frogs have been singing almost constantly.  The little tree frogs are all over the place and are still staying inside any flower that will hold them. Here is one peeking out of a daylily.

 

Plum Tree Daylily w Frog (redu)

 

Not every creature in the garden is active as the bees, etc.  Rusty, the garden cat, knows how to deal with the summer heat – find a shady spot and sleep the heat away.

 

Sleeping Rusty (redu)

 

So with the rain and the heat keeping me from working in the garden, a mid day nap sounds awfully nice.

 

 

 

 

14 Comments

Desert Rose

June 29, 2009 at 8:02 am (Tender Perennials)
Tags: , ,

“Desert Rose”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

My very good neighbors have been out of town for a few days, and I have been taking care their plants.  With all the heat and little rain, the container plants especially needs looking after.  Fortunately, we had a much needed rain shower late yesterday afternoon, and it dropped 1.7 inches of rain, the most we have had in months.  So, this morning when I went to check on things, I brought my camera to take a photo or two of their desert rose plant which is in bloom.  I just love the color of these flowers, a dark cherry red.  The camera just does not show the true color, unfortunately.  There really isn’t that much pink in the center when you see it in person.

 

Desert Rose (redu)

 

I would love to have one of these plants, but it is hardy only to zone 10 and would have to be protected during the winter.  I already have too many plants that I bring in or cover when freezing temperatures are predicted, and I just can’t add any more, so I will have to enjoy the neighbors’ flowers.  But, every time I pass by this container of gorgeous, red flowers, I want one of these plants.

 

Desert Rose II (redu)

 

The desert rose (Adenium obesum) seems to be an easy to care for plant, just very tender.  If I didn’t already have so many plants to take care of in winter time, this plant with the showy, red flowers definitely would be on my patio right now.

6 Comments

Second Time Around

June 27, 2009 at 7:49 pm (Flowers)
Tags: ,

“Second Time Around”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

 

Certain daylilies are blooming a second time around.  Of course, there are the dependable ones like little Stella d’Oro and Happy Returns.  They will bloom just about all summer as long as there is adequate moisture and fertilizer.  The old yellow daylilies from my mom have started their second blooming.  These daylilies must be from at least the very early 60’s because that is around the time she got them from a neighbor.  I’m thinking they must be one of the first reblooming daylilies.

 

Yellow Daylily (redu)

 

Another daylily which has just started reblooming is Eye Yi Eye.  This color is perfect for what is now our hot summer weather.  It is so nice to have the reblooming daylilies because now that the temperatures are so high, not as many plants are flowering.  The garden is starting to look a little too green.  Thank goodness for coleus and hibiscus flowers; at least, they are giving some color.

 

Eye Yi Eye (redu)

 

There is one daylily that is supposed to be a rebloomer, but, in all the years I have had it, it has never done so.  That daylily is Custard Candy.  I certainly wish that it would rebloom since it is such a lovely flower.  In fact, I wish all of my daylilies would rebloom.  I’d love to have them in my garden for a second time around.

11 Comments

New Daylilies

June 26, 2009 at 8:53 pm (Flowers, Gardening)
Tags: ,

“New Daylilies”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana. 

 

The daylilies I purchased on my last garden center outing have bloomed.  The first one is a double pink that did not have a label on it.  I did see a label on the ground next to it, but it only said “Pink Daylily”.  I really don’t like it when the correct name is not on a plant.  Even though it has no name, it is a lovely daylily and will fit right in that area of the garden which has mostly pink flowers.  I think with its ruffly edges and chartreuse green throat this is certainly a great addition to my daylily collection.  It was very reasonable considering there were three fans in the container.

 

Pink Daylily (redu)

 

The next daylily was labeled (correctly this time, I might add) and also is gorgeous.  It is Mac the Knife, a deep red flower with a bright yellow throat.  This one is going in the entry garden with all the other red flowers.

 

Mac the Knife (redu)

 

These seem to be late bloomers.  All my other daylilies have finished blooming, and the repeat bloomers have already started their second flush of flowers.  I won’t mind if these are the latest of all the daylilies to bloom.  It just prolongs the colorful daylily season.

10 Comments

« Previous entries Next Page » Next Page »