Author: Flower Roberts

Through Purple to Orange

| Flower Roberts

I love this combination. It is colorful chaos and breaks rules.

Maybe that’s why I love it.

The tall Verbena bonariensis should be in the back, but it moved to the front.

Verbena bonariensis

At least Asclepias tuberosa has stayed in it’s place.

Asclepias tuberosa / Butterfly weed

I noticed some tiny brown grenades (frass) on its leaves.

Follow the poop to the pupa.

I am happy to see these.

They will by Monarch butterflies in a bit.

I consider butterflies airborne flowers.

Through the purple to the orange you will find someone wearing yellow with black stripes.

That will someday change to an orange and black ensemble and fly away.

My garden amazes me.

Flow

Rhipsalis Blooms Yellow

| Flower Roberts

I have had this lovely plant for years.

Rhipsalis

It decided to bloom this spring.

I was delighted to see these sunny yellow flowers appear.

The yellow blooms and pink fruit are bonuses.

I bought it for its lovely green segments.

Hooray Rhipsalis!

Circles and my Spy Chair

| Flower Roberts

I needed a free-form trellis for the back corner of the carport.

That is where my favorite Spy Chair is positioned.

It’s hard to spy in plain view.

Last year I hung a tacky mixture of things for Climbing Okra to cling to.

This year I wanted all circles. I had some peony support circles and some needle-work frames.

I found more bamboo circles on the internet. I connected all these with zip ties.

The vine of choice this year is Flying Saucer morning glories.

My neighbor Nancy saw me constructing my Spy Blind of circles to hide behind.

“What if I’m talking about you?” she asked. “I’ll listen.” was my reply.

We joke about reading each others mail, too.

FLOW

Reds, Whites and Picotee

| Flower Roberts

This title seems like the post will be about wines.

Instead it is the last post about my many amaryllis blooms.

Long ago Red Lion was one of only a few choices.

There were whites without names.

Now there are dozens of hybrids to choose from.

Picotee has the quiet beauty that compliments the reds and the whites at our small pond.

This is another favorite of mine. It deserves a closer look.

The reds and whites are my oldest amaryllis. Not showy, but steadfast.

Picotee is a new addition to the collection.

Picotee Amaryllis

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Fake Coyotes

| Flower Roberts

My neighbors do not like wildlife.

They really hate Canada geese and their babies.

So in addition to caution tape and reflectors along their shoreline,

They have added two fake/dead/stuffed coyotes from McNeely Pest Control.

We have real coyotes here, so I am excited to see how this turns out. I may have to get out the Critter Cam.

Stay tuned.

FURIOUS FLOW

I Love Foxgloves

| Flower Roberts

I could not let May end without mentioning my foxgloves.

I consider them fascinating.

Each thimble is designed to guide a bee into it.

The spots inside are like little landing lights.

The tall spikes of blooms and fluffy leaves below create perfect balance.

I have planted them many places from which they disappear, only to reappear somewhere else.

Digitalis purpurea

Seeds sown in the fall will sprout in spring and bloom a year later.

They are self-sowing biennials. Enjoy them wherever they choose to grow.

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Sarah’s Grand Entrance

| Flower Roberts

Sarah waits patiently while the other peonies finish their performance.

Sarah Bernhardt peony

Her buds have been on hold for the signal to start.

Then they all open almost simultaneously.

They start in attire of white with taffy edges.

The petals slip into a ballet slipper pink as the blooms open.

She is worth the wait.

Sarah Bernhardt is the star of my garden.

Sarah Bernhardt takes a bow.

Bravo!

Flower

Three Clowns and an Apple Blossom

| Flower Roberts

May is definitely circus month for my Amaryllis.

The clowns are putting on their biggest show ever.

Monte Carlo has on its brightest red and white costume. Pink Surprise is pretty in flashy pink. Apple Blossom is the rice between spice.

Minerva has formed a crowd above the stone wall.

Minerva amaryllis

Charisma has toned down the contrast of its costume with a blending of pigments.

Charisma amaryllis

Monte Carlo refuses to blend in with the surroundings.

Monte Carlo amaryllis

Apple Blossom has too much dignity to clown around and show off.

Apple Blossom amaryllis

I consider it the amaryllis for all locations.

I love each amaryllis for its own character.

Stay tuned. There are more beside the pond surrounded by ferns.

The show will go on!

Flow