November Blooms

Here are a few things that have been blooming these last two weeks.

We are having more crazy weather, which for those of us that live here in Texas is pretty normal.  Yesterday it was 80, today 36.  We take it all in stride, just the way it is, nothing new.

The Kalanchoe 'Donkey Ears' by the door is getting ready to bloom.  Love this plant.

 The yellow Shrimp Plant in the front bed is full of blooms.  

The Calandrinia is getting ready to open up.  Another all time favorite of mine.

 A little fall color- we don't have much of it but we have some, the Japanese Maples are stunning. 

The Chinese Pistache is boasting it's fall color as well.  This one is fruitless which is nice.

 The Citrus- I could do an entire post on the citrus - the oranges, lemons, tangerines, everything - all the trees are loaded with fruit.  People always assume oranges turn in the summer, nope.  Oranges take a full year and start being ready at least here in Texas about now.

And to end up the post I saved which I believe is the best for last.  The Ligularia is one of my very favorite plants.  Look how pretty the blooms are!!!!

Tuesday Tidbits

The Cereus have bloomed- this is one of about 50 more blooms to come- they are completely loaded with blooms.  I have never seen them so full of blooms.  This week I have been arriving early just so I can see them all.  Today one is open, looks like about 4 will be waiting for me in the morning.  The bees are already at work and happy.

This is such an interesting Kalanchoe to me- it looks like a Venus Fly Trap.  We have several Kalanchoes but this is the most interesting I think.

I am happy to report that the front bed is full of the ice plant and the Calandrinia that I planted in there in February is big and full and happy.  I can't wait for it to bloom again.  I am still happy with this arrangement- everything in this bed is happy and getting along beautifully.

The Large Cigar Plants are beginning to bloom- I have been waiting to see these in person and it was worth the wait. No wonder they call this variety Candy Corn!

The Yellow Trumpet Vine is thriving and full of blooms- I like the orange one as well but the yellow is stunning to me.

And last but not least is a shot of my latest arrangement - I must admit I am happy with the way it turned out.  I like how the colors all seem to bounce off each other.  I have the St. Elmo Firecracker Ferns at the front, the Yucca rigida behind, then the Salvia Black and Blue then the Thyrallis.  Behind the Thyrallis is the Bottle Brush which started coming into bloom yesterday. 

Hummmmmmmm

Finally! I captured the hummingbirds.  There are 5 that are constantly buzzing around the nursery and I have yet to be able to get a good picture.  Until now.  I have had so much fun out there with them- they buzz right by me and make the most unusual little sound as if they are chirping while flying.  

There is one that loves to swoop down then go sit on a branch and just observe.  They have been so much fun to watch.  

They are confused I think by the Bay Laurels, as there are no blooms right now but they continue to go over there in hopes to find one.  The Black and Blue Salvia and the White Salvia leucantha seem to be the top two favorites.  Then it would be the Trumpet Vine and the Calandrinia.  A few find their way to the Hamelia but tend to stick right there in the group of four I have been calling it as I can stand right there in the middle of it all and they fly around me.  Hopefully I will have more photos to post soon!

Enjoy!

The Blooms are Coming!!!

 The Cereus Cactus are getting blooms on them.  I can't wait.  They are night bloomers but I get here early enough that I see them in the mornings.  I don't remember how long it takes from this point but I just noticed these and there are 5 between two of the cactus.  So exciting!

 Here's another one and you can see behind it is yet another!

Not sure what this is going to amount to on this little guy, maybe this is all it does?  I have been watching this develop for a while now wondering if it will bloom or if this is it's thing.  This is the Peruvian Old Man Cactus.

Here is a shot of one side of the front planter- it was just planted up so it is going to take a while to fill in but I like the way it looks.  Shonna did most of the design/placement, I must give credit where credit is due.  Here we have a  mix of things and I think they all compliment each other nicely. The Furcrea gives it nice height I think.  Other plants in there are the Hamelia (which the hummingbirds have been all over by the way), Variegated Sedge, Delospermum Ice Plant, Queen Victoria Agave, White Salvia leucantha, Crassula Silver Dollar, Tecoma stans, Calandrinia, and  Schizocentron.

Here is a shot of the outer bed- it is not finished but it's a start.  The Mystic Spires Salvia are going strong and the Chocolate Mimosa I think adds a nice tropical touch to the bed.  We put a few grasses in there and two different types of Caesalpinia- the yellow form of the Pride of Barbatos and the Bird of Paradise.  I like the yellow and the purples together so I threw in a Buddleia with purple blooms to round it all out.  I am not done, still have to mulch etc... but I like the way it is coming together.  I will do close ups of the blooms and post but it is just too sunny right now to capture them nicely.

Sunday Favorites

The Queen Victoria Agave is always a favorite.

The Abutilon seem to be happy doing their upside down flower thing they do so well.   These have always intrigued me.

The Hamelia are not only a favorite of mine, but of the hummingbirds as well.  There are two that hover around the Firebush, and no, I still have not captured a good picture of them.  But I have not given up.  

The Calandrinia spectabilis is, and will always be a favorite of mine.  Almost every one we have is in bloom.  I think the blooms are such a pretty color and such a nice contrast to the plant itself.  

And last but not least for the day is the Hypericum, the St. Johns wort.  These are always surprising me with their changing foliage and flowers.  I have to admit these are my favorite shrub. 

What a beautiful day.  Just a few shots of things that stood out to me today.

Happy Sunday!!

Chilly Morning!!

It's chilly out there but looks like it is going to be another beautiful day.  The last few days have been incredible and the plants seem to be responding.  We have butterflies everywhere- the Monarchs, Swallowtail and a few I don't know the identity of but all are having a grand time.  The hummingbird is still buzzing around in the front area but still too quick for me to capture a good picture of him, but I am not giving up.

A few blooms I captured today- the Butterfly Iris which I never get tired of seeing (first photo).

 The Calandrinia is so pretty- I have been anticipating this bloom for weeks!!!  They are finally starting to open up.  It is such a pretty contrast against the green/silver of the plant.

 The Philadelphus Mock Orange is so pretty- it reminds me of the Dogwood blooms.

 The Mexican Bird of Paradise continues to open up- the Caesalpinia gilliesii; truly one of my favorites.

 The yellow yuccas, Hesperaloe parviflora 'Yellow', I think are just pretty- a subtle yet really unique color combination I think.  

 The Pomegranate 'Wonderful' is starting to bloom, I am excited about what is to follow- I love pomegranates!!!!  Can't wait till the fruit is on and ripens!

And last but not least today is the Mexican Olive Tree.  I finally got a shot of the bloom though I am not entirely happy with the shot but the wind started to kick up so inside I went.