June updates and surprises

The Cleome's are starting to bloom. They just keep surprising me. If you recall, I was surprised that the came back. I am not surprised that they are blooming, rather that some of them are only 6 inches tall and blooming.

Revisiting some of the plants that I felt were worthy of an appearance on the blog. Along with some random photos from the gardens.

The Purple Queen is starting to live up to her name.

I was checking out all the roots that are growing out of the pots, when I saw this little guy amongst the roots.

I still have no clue what this plant is, but she is impressive. IMO

The tip of the purple moon flower. I hope she is in full bloom for the wedding.

Here is the moon flower when the blooms are not opened.

This is my little Lowe's Clearance Mandevillea. They don't have to be pretty when you buy them, just cheap. With the right amount of attention and patience, they will come into their own.

Our Variegated Hydrangea is having a beautiful bloom. I have not seen her bloom before. I am thinking that maybe last year she tried, but with no success.

Here are a few photos taken from the Serenity gardens.

The Woodlands.

Imagine this Clematis covered in white. And hopefully this next spring the Wisteria will bloom.

The Lanai Garden.


The Lanai Patio.

Update. She is definitely going to bloom. Red Plumeria.

One of my new favorite Day Lilies. She is very delicate. Mostly white with a tinge of yellow and rounded out with some Chartreuse.

My other favorite Day Lily. This year anyway. I do not remember her looking so vibrant.

And what else can you say about this beauty.

I was going to move her last year, if you recall. Well here she is sitting in the same damn spot as last season. Maybe she will get her moving panties on this year. Unless I forget again.

Another Lowe's clearance plant. This is the only Hibiscus I have that blooms in this fashion.
Love it.
I could not be more happy with the Bee Balm this season. I have this planted all of the yard, and she is dazzling everywhere. I will say she is not attracting the Hummingbirds like she has in the past.

June happenings

We are getting ready to host a wedding this August, so there are many things to do. I can only hope that the Serenity Gardens are ready. All will be fine if Mother Nature cooperates and the mole problem is eliminated. I have put some Juicy Fruit gum into the mole tunnels, they say that it works. Lets find out. We gathered up every folding chair we could lay our hands on. Most of them were brown or dark brown, it was time for a change. The following set of photos are a rough idea of how it will be on the wedding day. No I will not leave the chairs there until August. They do however take a few days for the paint to really cure. This is a much better place for them, rather than in the driveway where they were painted.

And yes, they will get straightened up when I place them in August.

Where you see the limbo pole at the front, is where the wedding arbor will be place.

Here is an update on the plumeria buds. As you can see, the buds are really starting to pop out.

The following photos are some of the day lilies and the Oriental lilies that are beginning their debut.

This double bloomer will greet you the moment you enter the secluded garden.

I was trying to get all fancy and snap a really great shot of the different lilies and the ceramic statue. It wasn't quite what I expected. lol


These lilies are even darker than the Blackout Lilies.





Blackout Lilies


Aunt Mel gave my dad this Moon flower plant. I tried to grow them from seed but I could not even get one to germinate.

There is always next season. I have to have this in our gardens.

Now how gorgeous is this little beauty. She was a graduation present to Honey from Aunt Mel.

We thank you Aunt Mel, we will be enjoying her all season.

Late spring update

I would like to start by posting a picture of the thousands of Fireflies in the field tonight. Trouble is, I don't have a picture like that. Tonight, when I came home from work there were thousands of Fireflies putting on a spectacular show. By the time I thought of taking a photo, it was an hour later and the show was over. Sorry. I am not sure it is possible to capture them with a camera, but I am going to attempt it. If only out of curiosity. I have to wait for the next perfect night.

The following photos are a random collection of things happening in the yard at this time.

I still am hoping someone might be able to identify this flower. Not the yellow one, btw.


The Chenille plant is still standing in her splendor.


OMG, can it really be happening. I am thinking all signs are pointing to YESSS. OK, I am a little excited and I will be a bitter mess if this turns out not to be, but I do believe she is going to BLOOM!!! I will stop being a freak, however, I do think that is a bloom in the center of those new leaf sprouts.

For the amount of fertilizer and attention that I have given her, I would be ticked off if she didn't bloom. lol

Here is a wider angle of the two photos that follow.

The Caladiums are starting to come up in this planter. I remember them far earlier last year. Guess I better take a peak back. I am just happy to see them.

Here is the petunia plant that I have posted in earlier post. I did not know what it was. I think its blooms looked a bit different then. Now that they are in full bloom, I can see they are petunias. As you recall, they came up volunteer, and what a fabulous surprise. I think it has to be the handy work of a bird.

The Black Out Lilies are starting to bloom. Many of the other lilies are going to be blooming in the next week or two. A lot of the day lilies are blooming as well. I will post photos when they are at their peak.

The green beans are up and taking off. They are even larger now than depicted in the photo. The photo is only two days old.

Can you see the path that leads over the creek. Can you even see the creek? lol

I had completely forgot about this guy. Its called Tritoma, or Torch lily of Red Hot Poker. I happened upon this in the garden and then remembered her history. I had started her from seed two years ago. I planted her in a hurry and she got lost in the flower bed. I thought she had died out. This is the moment that you realize that you clearly need to spend some more time in the gardens. My bad.