Worry is like a rocking chair, it's gives you something to do but gets you nowhere!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Bloomin' Tuesday and ??

Gulf Fritillary on Homestead Verbena--This butterfly takes it's name from the fact that migrating butterflies are sometimes seen over the Gulf of Mexico.Abelmoschus manihot (Hibiscus manihot) I do love this flower. A large ornamental okra with dinner-plate-sized, sulfer yellow flowers with dark eyes. Each flower lasts only a day-unfolding slowly in the morning and closing gradually in the evening

I really would like to know what this plant is. It's seeds came from the seed exchange during the winter with my garden blogger friends. I think Gail at http://clayandlimestone.blogspot.com sent the seeds.......it was one of you nutty gardeners that sent a mixed seed package and I being another nutty gardener planted all of them!
I have 5 of them growing and they are over 7 feet tall now. If this is a tree it needs to be moved before it gets too large. Can I prune to shape, does it die back in the winter???????????
A little section of one of my other garden areas.

Finally the Golden Shrimp plant is beginning to look like a shrimp. This is not as hardy as the coral/red ones.
Thunbergia Blackeyed Susan Vine--as the story goes this vine is a very fast grower and will take over. The nutty gardener that I am...planted about 5 of these.........wonder what's going to happen next year with them? I love it though.
Over the weekend we had a dinner for my husband's nephew...He was home for two weeks and was getting ready to head back to West Point. (Why do kids make weird faces when you take their photo?)
While we were waiting dinner we found this lizard... Yeah, the small kid will pick up any animal..
See the blue throat? This is a male.
Sceloporus undulatus undulatus--Southern Fence Lizard--During mating and territorial displays males can be seen doing push ups to show off their blue undersides....(So male like)


Thank you Jean at http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com for hosting this weekly meme.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed looking at each of your photographs. I particularly liked the butterfly photograph. Butterflies are such gorgeous creatures!

tina said...

Cool lizard. Your mystery plant looks a bit like Coppertina ninebark or maybe a rose of sharon? Not sure. Weird it grew so fast. Nice foliage on it though.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Darla, Your nephew looks like he is having a great time!!!!! Your flowers --as usual--are gorgeous. Hope you are having a good day.
Hugs,
Betsy

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I bet your mystery plant is a Castor bean (Ricinus communus). They grow very large very quickly from seed. It's also highly toxic, so you might want to remove it. It might be perennial for you, but is usually grown as an annual.
Cool lizard!

Twisted Fencepost said...

Love the butterfly and the shrimp plant.
Making faces isn't only for the kids. I have a very hard time getting a decent picture of my Captain.
That lizard is cool!

Tootsie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MissyM said...

Wonderful pictures. I love that yellow hibiscus. I saw one at a nursery this spring and was tempted to try it but didnt. I had a load of blackeye susan vines volunteer this year.....they are growing through other plants and blooming like crazy. I enjoyed your butterfly picture.

Lois said...

What an interesting looking lizard Darla! Right now I have a gecko living in my house somewhere and it's so quick I can't catch it. Last week I caught two of it's babies though and threw them outside. They are not as quick as their momma!

Roses and Lilacs said...

I don't know what your mystery plant is but I like the color of the leaves. I'm glad we don't have lizards here. I know they eat bugs but I just can't like reptiles.
Marnie

Jake said...

Looks like everything is growing fast your way. I think the purple plant is a Castor Bean. As long as you cut the flowers as soon as you see them form you will be fine. My monster Castor Bean isn't the purple color I wanted. I have two dogs and they have neevr bothered any flower tht went to seed.

Jake

Prospero said...

Hi Darla, love your Pachystachys lutea. Lizard Push-ups would be a great name for a blog.

Prospero said...

Oh yes, I forgot. I think your red plant is a Castor Plant and it is very toxic. They make a very potent poison from the beans.

Tootsie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lynn'sgarden said...

Hey Darla, girl! I will put in my two cents that the mystery plant is a red-leaf hibiscus (pink flowers) and they get leggy like that. Let us know for sure when your research is done! Eww, lizards and me don't go together:(
I grew okra one year for their pretty yellow flowers..looks just like your picture. And my coral shrimp plant..still no blooms!

George said...

I always enjoy seeing your garden with its beautiful flowers. I'm sorry I can't help you with any identifications. You got great pictures of the lizard.

Dorothy said...

Lovely flowers! THe blue throated lizard is really cool!!

Jean said...

Beautiful blooms and sunshine! I don't know what your mystery plant is but I love the color. Cute lizard! Jean

Lona said...

Your mystery plant looks like the False Roselle Red Leaf Hibiscus that I am growing from seed. I had never grown it before but loved the red foliage. I am still waiting to see what kind of flowers it has on it.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

No idea on the mystery plant, but it really is pretty. Your gardens look beautiful as usual! Very pretty butterfly picture.

Ashley said...

Great post! I really like your images of the butterfly and the hibiscus flowers. They are beautiful!

Susie said...

Loved your comment about the lizard. "So male like". Funny!

Patsy said...

How did you catch the lizard ? They are to fast for me. Flowers look good.
Patsy

julian said...

We only get two types of lizard - and none that do press ups! :)

Anne Fannie said...

Hi Darla, long time no visit! Its good to see all your beautiful flowers again! I like the lizard!
~Ann

Dani said...

Very cool fence lizard!

Frances said...

Hi Darla, I don't see any weird faces, they all look great! :-) The lizard is cute with his blue beard. As for the mystery plant, is it Ricinis? If it is, watch out, very poisonous. Looks like others think so too. MMD is quite knowledgable. I didn't know Gail had this though, HA
Frances

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Darla: Great flower shots and what a neat lizard.

Unknown said...

Lynn's Garden is right.It is a red leaf hibiscus.It blooms in the spring.Cut it back to keep it from getting leggy.The cuttings root so easily,you'll have a yard-full before you know it.

Carla said...

I found one of these lizards in my yard this year. Only one tho, so I hope it had a mate. LOVE your okra! Wow! And of course all your beds look beautiful:)

Leedra said...

Beautiful photo of the Gulf Fritillary.

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Jessica said...

Great post...I love the butterfly and the hibiscus...WOW. Your gardens are always so pretty.

Thanks for sharing your story with me. What I thought was lumbar disc issues ended up being in my neck...I can't stand not being able to move my neck...it's crazy!

Take care & hope you will visit again soon~ J

Teresa said...

Everything there is so full and happy! Thanks for the tour!