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

Friday, August 28, 2009

Fertilizer Friday and !!

First things first. Thank you Carol at http://maydreamsgardens.blogspot.com for hosting the CobraHead give-a-way. No I did not win. EVERONE who entered won, how cool is that? VERY! Hung it right on my front porch to admire for awhile, after I squealed like a girl when I opened it.. Thanks to Anneliese Valdes who worked with Carol in conjunction with hosting this give-a-way!
Fertilizer Friday is hosted by http://tootsietime.blogspot.com You have to see her Canadian Gardens. She sure works hard for a beautiful yard with such a short spring/summer!
It's standard around here for my husband to go to Lowes and for me to shout, "Bring me a prize!" Yesterday he bought me this combination container. Blue Daze, Dusty Miller, a grass in the middle and the purple flowers. When I was a little girl this is what we called Bachelor Buttons.
I would love to know exactly what they are...anyone, PLEASE?
Red Firespike..
Painted Lady Hibiscus
Jane Cowell Hibiscus
Look how tall the Sun Loving Coleus--Oxblood is!
This is the first year I have had Torenia--Wishbone change colors! I like it in the mix.
White Salvia
UPDATE: For those of you that are interested in this process, I tried to get a photo of how beautiful the Monarch Chrysalis' are. See the necklace and the jewels.
Click on the photo and it will enlarge for more detail. (some people didn't know you could enlarge some of the photos) The first three stages are in the post below.

Last day of the first full week of school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

32 comments:

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

How pretty! I love the hibiscus. Could the flower be gomphrena?

Phillip Oliver said...

The purple flower is Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena). It is a great annual.

I can't believe I missed the cobra head giveaway. Darn it!

Gail said...

Darla, The Comphrena is my new favorite annual~~I have a delicious orange one. The chrysalis is beautiful jewelry! gail

Becca's Dirt said...

Hubby was so nice to bring you a surprise and what a nice one. Good taste. Your place is still looking great. Wow what a large coleus.

tina said...

Yup everyone told you on the globe amaranth already. Bloggers are so helpful. I love the color combinations!

Lois said...

You had a banner day with the cobra head and the surprise!

lynn'sgarden said...

Darla dear, I have an almost exact container garden with these blue and purple flowers! They've lasted all summer long. Cobrahead is my FAVORITE tool!

Anneliese said...

Hi Darla,
Thanks for participating in the CobraHead giveaway. I hope you get lots of use out of it!

Two summers ago, I found a monarch chrysalis just outside our back porch window. I photographed its progress over the next several days and eagerly anticipated the monarch's emergence into the world. Sadly, I missed the grand event -- because I took a nap.

Susie said...

How nice she gave everyone a Cobra head. I have never seen this before.

I really like the gomphrena. It blooms and blooms. Great annual to have.

Prospero said...

I love surprises. That gardening tool looks pretty interesting. Lovely Hibiscus.

Bonnie said...

Your Oxblood Coleus is gorgeous. That is going on my 2010 wish list.

Cathy S. said...

Very pretty, I too love Gomphrenas.
Happy FF!

-Cathy

Racquel said...

I agree with the others their definitely Gomphrena. :) Congrats on the Cobrahead, what a generous giveaway.

Patsy said...

That is a cool tool and the chrysalis is fabulous.
Patsy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post today also. I am impressed with your knowledge of plants.

Thanks for your visit to my Pick a Peck of Pixels Blog and for your comment there about the squirrel with one ear stuck flat down on its head. She is sitting in the snow eating a peanut. Pick a Peck of Pixels

Becca's Dirt said...

Darla - you have an award on my blog. Stop by and pick it up. I love to read your blog.

Jacki said...

That coleus is amazing. I had no idea that they could grow that tall. Is it just that variety that reaches that height? All your blooms look lovely, and congrats on the surprises (must get me a husband! hehehe). Happy Fertilizer Friday!

Millie said...

lovely flowers...
I usually grow gomphrena, but didn't get any this year. When I was doing lots of dried arrangements, they were a staple. I still like to dry them and have a touch of colour in the house in the fall.

momstheword said...

Your flowers are always so pretty! I love flowers and used to happily spend hours in my garden. Now I'll just enjoy other people's!

Meems said...

Darla,
I like your surprise from hubby... it's a nice combination. The monarchs are happy on your porch ... it will be great fun to watch them transform.
Meems

Val said...

I love surprises don't you??? As usual I always love your pictures.

Teresa said...

That cobrahead is the greatest! Beautiful flowers!

marmee said...

what in the world do you use that cobra tool for darla?
what a sweet hubby to bring you a surprise and a beautiful one at that.
it is so great to have your very own butterfly conservatory. lovely jeweled chrysalis.all this and tye~dye too...you are too much girl.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Darla: Very cool win, I always love your flowers and my how they grow.
Thanks for your comments on Jake.

Carla said...

Its Gomphrena, it re-seeds here, so I'm sure it would for you too. What pretty plants, too cool chrysalis, and I'm 'borrowing' that "Bring Me A Prize":) (I am also drooling over the cobra head hoe, let us know if you like it:)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Darla, I love all of the Hibiscus ---in all of those colors. It is so pretty this time of year. All of your goodies are pretty!!!!!

Hope you are having a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Tootsie said...

I am just in awe of how pretty your gardens are...and so jealous of your long season to do it in!!! My season is almost over...if I am lucky...another month...if that.
I love prizes like you got!!! School starts on Tuesday for us...and I finally think I am almost ready...but not happy about it...I could have used some more summer!

Twisted Fencepost said...

Your flowers a beautiful, as always.

The chrisalys is amazing! Thanks for sharing this.

George said...

You have a a wonderful husband to bring you a prize when he goes to Lowe's. I'd be bringing Betsy prizs several times a week if I did that (we're in the middle of a major project). Your garden is as beautiful as ever.

Frances said...

How funny you are Darla! Hooray for school back in session! What a fabulous giveway by Carol. I bought the cobrahead tool after meeting and getting to know Anneliese and her brother in Austin at the spring fling there. It is very useful for so many jobs, the list is endless! Have fun with yours and I love that your husband brought you a prize from Lowe's too. He did good. ;-)
Frances

Tootsie said...

hey gorgeous...when you get a moment...slip over to my blog...there's a message there for you!
love ya!

Greenhouses Kits said...

I like small plants such as Globe Amaranth, Red Firespike, Lady Hibiscus and any other kind, because it doesn't need a wide yard. We can just put them on balcony or anywhere. Collection in this post inspired me to have it all. Thanks for reviewing Them.