I have spent the week in a lovely hotel.
Across this busy highway is a fabulous plant store.
I can not legally drive the rental care.
I am not allowed to cross on foot, so….
I have begged rides across. HA.
FLOWER finds a way!
Author: Flower Roberts
The Cutest Plant in California
I found a new baby in California.
Kanga Pink Anigozanthos.
It has fuzzy pink blooms that looks like paws.
There are other colors, but this pink is my favorite.
I must decide if I love it enough to ship it back to North Carolina.
Of course I do!
FLOWER
A Glad Day
It is a Glad day in my garden.
The colorful spikes of Gladioli are in bloom.
I have acquired many types over the decades.
My favorite hybrid is the well-known Priscilla.
I am also enjoying a new mix for the second year, called Mardis Gras.
Interestingly these Mardi Gras bulbs only bloomed white last year.
Their only distinguishing feature was the purple stamens, instead of the usual white.
More vibrant colors have emerged this season.
These flower spikes must have support or they will bend over, especially after a rain.
This year, I planted them inside a circle of tomato rings with a tall Hibiscus in the center.
It has been a much better arrangement than the “Glads Flop” row last year.
FLOWER
A Hoya
I have never had a Hoya that bloomed until now.
I think the secret is to ignore them. This one could not be reached with the hose.
My other three show no signs of blooming.
I first spotted little brown clusters hanging down from the stems.
Then the clusters enlarged and turned a pale shiny pink.
Then one by one the flowers opened to reveal the red, star centers.
The cluster slowly became a beautiful ball.
Today the clusters of flowers were fully open.
This is a real thrill!
FLOWER has a new flower.
The Town Parade
We always watch the parade from the funeral home. They have an awning for shade.
The Troutman parade never disappoints.
It’s a mix of characters and critters,
cars and campers,
patriotic symbols and patriots,
and of course there’s a band,
advertisements for businesses,
even real animals
but my FAVORITE of all slipped quietly by in the midst of all the action and noise.
A precious little lady in her bonnet, shyly waving to the crowd.
Oh! I love a parade.
FLOWER
An Anomaly
Infrequently, we find a freak in the garden.
The latest was found yesterday.
I mean an irregularly formed flower.
Sometimes calla blooms curl down as they get heavy with seed or full of water.
A normal bloom looks like this from the top. A folded spathe around a spadix.
I went to stake a droopy Hot Chocolate bloom back up and found a surprise.
The bloom included a double spathe.
FLOWER loves her freaks, too.
Blackberry lilies
The lovely flowers of Belamcanda chinensis are always welcome, no matter where they show up.
This is an iris relative. Its leaves are very similar to an iris, except they fan out from a central stem.
The name comes from the black seed clusters that resemble blackberries. (Not pictured)
There is a wide range of colors. They have mixed over the years.
I love their wiry, tall stalks and the butterfly-like flowers.
Upon close inspection you can see their pretty little spots.
Easy to grow, propagate and move. Just don’t eat the seeds.
FLOWER
An Easy Aster
Peachie’s Pick Stokes Aster/ Stokesia laevis is really showing off right now.
This wonderful plant has ragged purple blooms.
that are popular with bees and butterflies.
I have divided it over the years.
It seems to thrive in any sunny location.
FLOWER
Coincidental Combos
I am all about the plant. I plant them where they will thrive. If they don’t do well in one spot, I move them.
I do this over and over. So when a lovely combination occurs, it is usually serendipity rather than skillful selection.
Here are some combinations that I find fortuitous. I can’t take any credit for the mixes and matches. I will, however, take full credit for the health of each plant. They are my babies, along with the bunnies.
FLOWER goes with the flow.
