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

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Fertilizer Friday

I guess this is the first Friday of Fall..sure doesn't feel like it around here. We have not had rain at our home in over 3 weeks and the temps are still in the 90's. So here goes FF over at http://tootsietime.blogspot.com

First up we have White Impatiens which have over taken the walkway and the dried up Alyssum.
Mess..
I've read that most people don't let their Coleus flower, I like the white flowers though.
Look Ms. Doris, the Spider Lilies you gave me are finally blooming!!
Amaranthus, I find the colors and leaf shape very pretty. Mexican Bush Sage in the back.
I had this Zinnia in a container and it died out on me. Apparently it seeded before it died, hooray!
BES Vine is finally starting to bloom. This is one plant that came up in my tipsy container and because of my elbow surgery I just left it alone...glad I did.
I am most proud of this White Profusion Butterfly Bush. I rooted a soft stem cutting in May. It was maybe 6 inches tall when I planted it at the beginning of June. Not bad huh?
I'm testing this Jatropha..why you ask? I am zone 8. This is for zones 10 -11, damaged by frost and considered marginal in zones 9B and 10A...I know I am not the only gardener that tries things like this....right?
See the three Loofahs here? I have about 13 of them now. Soon, very soon, you and I will be picking, peeling, saving seeds and drying them!!

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Tonight I am Thankful for so, so many things!

30 comments:

deb said...

So that's what they are...spider lilies! I have some that came up...don't remember planting them, but thats fine. They suprised me, pretty!
Your impatiens are so happy! Everything looks so pretty...even your 'mess'!
*hugs*deb

Shelley said...

That zinnia was my favorite! Such a beautiful color!

Floridagirl said...

I think coleus blooms are lovely too. I try to keep mine pinched back, but they're back two days later. It's a constant endeavor. As for jatropha, I'm in Zone 9A (the very southern edge), and jatropha is practically invasive in my garden. It's a great plant for us, as we cannot grow certain other things...like your white butterfly bush.

Karen said...

Your temps are in the 90's yet, but your flowers still look great, how do you keep impatiens happy in the heat? That is amazing! 21 days without rain is a long time (I remember that vividly the last three summers here in WI) and now this summer, I wish I could share the rain with everyone because we received another 3" of rain overnight breaking records again.

And you are right, you are not alone with trying to grow plants in a bit cooler zone, I think we all do it. I have never heard of a Jatropha, but it sure looks neat! I'm glad for the update on the loofahs, too. Hope your elbow is doing better.

Kathleen said...

That's so cool you're growing loofahs Darla!
I love those spider lilies too. I've tried growing them but I don't think they're hardy to my zone? Had one bloom the first year then it totally disappeared. I love to push the zones too. I hope you have good luck with your jatropha.
Our summer has been very dry too ~ I can't even remember the last time it rained. I like it hot but a little moisture would help as long as it's not snow!!! ;-)

tina said...

Those impatiens are gorgeous! What a nice stand of them. You have a great weekend! Hoping for rain for you-and us too!

Skeeter said...

How do you keep the Impatiens happy during hot drought times of the year? I had them one year and struggled to keep them moist. I love how they constantly bloom but boy, do they need lots of water. I also let my coleus bloom. The bees really do enjoy them and I enjoy watching the bees. You will really enjoy the butterfly bush as they call in the flutterbugs like crazy! Looking good…

Carol said...

Hi Darla! I love your new look! What a great photo header. Gosh that Amaranth is stunning and fun! Lovely blooms all about ... you sure have a lot to be thankful for... just in your garden. Happy Autumn! ;>)

Susie said...

I saw some spider lilies on another blog this a.m. They really are pretty.

Hope you are doing good Darla. Happy weekend to you!

Sonia said...

Oh what a beautiful garden! Those spider lilies are wonderful and I love the white impatients alongside your path!! So pretty. Happy Fall Gardening!

Miss Bloomers

Unknown said...

I think the Coleus flowering is beautiful - I didn't know they flowered but then here they are only a house plant. Love your Amaranthus, it just pops doens't it? Sure wish we could send you some of our downpours of rain we've had here. I hear it gonna be in the 80s or 90s in a day or so. This does not excite me. Congrats on the Butterfly Bush - it really grew didn't it?

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

You garden is still looking pretty.

Dani said...

Looks great Darla!

Have a great weekend!

Becca's Dirt said...

Lovely zinnia and pretty color. Huge mass of impatiens. Have a nice weekend. I bet you are getting a little harey around there as the wedding date approaches. Can't wait to see how beautiful it all will be. Get a photo of you and hubby dancing too.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

You have great flowers even with no rain. I hope you get a break from the heat. I still love your impatiens en mass. So pretty.

Shirley said...

I love the original plants! I too try for the extraordinary. Spider Lilies are exquisite! Despite your hot temperatures and lack of rain your garden still blooms away happily. Looks great!

Missy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Missy said...

Darla, did you ever know that your name is the Spanish word for Give? It's a beautiful name. These flowers are beautiful too!

lotusleaf said...

Your spider lily is amazing. I have not seen a red one .Thanks for visiting my site.

Skeeter said...

Thanks for the answer :-)

I had mine under a tree and I think the tree was taking moisture away from the plants. We travel too much to be able to water that often. If a plant cannot go a week without water, then I cannot risk planting them. Sigh...

Lois said...

Hi Darla-thanks for your sweet comments. I'm glad to be back and hopefully I can start visiting everyone again on a regular basis. I hope you and your family are well. Maybe we will get some cooler weather one of these days!

Val said...

Beautiful as always.

Noelle Johnson said...

Hi Darla,

As always, your garden plants are beautiful, with or without rain.

I wanted to tell you that the Asclepias seeds you sent me last spring are germinating (I planted them a week ago). Thank you again :-)

Sandy said...

Your flowers are just wonderful .. wish I could get mine to look as good.. it will not stop raining!!
Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my deck.. darn thing really bothered me so I had to get it finished.. but am happy!
My heart, I have Heart Failure and my pacer/defib is in need of a new high tec change..but I'll be just fine thank you!
Will be back in a few days..
take care
Sandy

Twisted Fencepost said...

Very pretty, as usual.
Good luck with your experiment!

Unknown said...

They are all gorgeous! I'v had plants reseed & so enjoyed them.

We are travelling, will keep up as best I can ..
TTFN ~ hugs, Marydon

Tootsie said...

OH DARLA!!! Oh DARLAAAAA!!! I am jealous again...and will be until spring...cuz the killing frosts have taken my gardens from me!!! I have nothing...nothing but 40 industrial garbage bags filled with soggy frost burned flowers...and 12 large garbage cans filled to the brim...well that and 17 bare dirt flowerbeds!!! Your flowers are still so lovely...I wish I lived somewhere warm like you do!

Julie said...

Hi Darla- I sure like your beautiful mess in the one photo! I do tend to like messes pretty well...LOL. Everything lovely...those loofas are really neat...something I cannot grow here in zone 10!!! Well, now, maybe I can...I was thinkknig of gourds...I will have to see if I can do loofas!!! See ya later...

Anonymous said...

Darla you know in all the time I've known you I never realized you were a Zone 8 gardener. We're in the same Zone!

Your flowers look great despite all the heat you've been under lately.

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October 5, 2010 4:20 AMf