Thursday, October 15, 2009

garden bloggers' bloom day


ornamental black pepper

I confess: I'm feeling VERY lazy today, but I did wade through the heat and 90 percent humidity to snap some photos. (And I DID walk the dog this morning--yea, me.) Many Austin gardens are unusually lush right now because we finally got some long overdue rain! Go to Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens, to see other gardeners' blooms today.


rosemary, cenizo, victoria salvia, blackfoot daisy, silver ponyfoot, mexican bush sage


victoria salvia


mexican bush sage


blackfoot daisy with silver ponyfoot


black and blue salvia


purple fountain grass and rosemary


turks cap


abelia, I think


scutellaria hybrid purple fountain (still haven't found its common name)

Also blooming are ruellia, blue plumbago, leadwort plumbago, society garlic, indigo spires salvia, rhea salvia, mexican heather, lantana, and potted oxalis.

15 comments:

Bloomin'Chick Jo said...

Such gorgeous photo's! Happy Oct. Garden Blogger's Bloom Day!

TexasDeb said...

What fun to be able to spend bloom day listing rather than complaining, eh? So many choices but such heat! I put in winter seed rather than taking photos. I know - supposed to be all done with that by now but I wasn't and the 90+ degree day didn't help me feel "winter is on the way" either. Maybe next month will be my bloom day premiere. I keep thinking that, anyway. Thanks for being SO much better organized.

Rock rose said...

Introducing that gorgeous deep colored ornamental pepper is a wonderful idea. Variations in foliage are not always easy here in Texas but they add so much. Happy October and I think tomorrow it will finally feel like October.

Iris said...

Jo--thank you!

Deb--I tried not to complain TOO much in this heat/humidity... I look forward to whatever day you might premier your bloom day post!

Lancashire rose Jenny--That black ornamental pepper was simply irresistible. Lately I've really got a thing for dark-foliaged plants, which, as you say, are hard to come by here! Happy October to you, too!

LindaCTG said...

Your garden is so lovely! I especially like that it looks so "organized." Very nice designs you've got there. I simply must have that pepper next year! Hope it's as easy to find as the salvias (yes, the White Nymph will be everywhere next year). I also want to get the peach one but kept missing it at the nurseries last year. It's in the Nymph series too.)

Iris said...

Linda--Strategic photo cropping may give the illusion that our garden-yard is more "organized" than it is in real life, but thank you! I guess it's sort of organized but not particularly tidy/neat. I'll keep my eye out for the White Nymph salvia!

Annie in Austin said...

Your Turks Cap looks extremely happy, Iris - and all the blues and purples look especially good with the grasses. You're also giving me ideas about combining Blackfoot Daisy with Silver Ponyfoot.

Skullcap is the common name for Scutellaria - is that what you mean? I've seen your plant on nursery lists as 'Purple Fountain' Skullcap.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Iris said...

Hi Annie--Yes, I meant "skullcap" but didn't want it to be confused with the more readily seen pink or purple skullcap. I think your answer is best: "purple fountain skullcap". Thanks! And you're right, that turks cap is happier than I've seen it in years. Thank you, rain!

Bird said...

My purple scuttelaria are all finally blooming too! I love that plant! They guy at Shoal Creek told me that it isn't too common here, but in Victoria and parts further south it is.

Iris said...

Neleh--I wonder if that (what the nursery guy told you) means we might need to cover our purple fountain skullcap if/when it freezes this winter? Thanks for the info!

renee said...

Iris, your pale purples and blues look so happy and peaceful after the rains. And I love that deep purple pepper.

Unknown said...

some really wonderful color combinations in those photos!

Iris said...

Renee and Bonnie--Thanks! The rain deserves most of the credit, for sure!

ConsciousGardener said...

Nice collection of soft gray and lavender colors...your garden is beautiful!

Iris said...

Thanks, Cheryl! I've enjoyed seeing pictures of your fantastic garden from last weekend's tour that I missed, unfortunately.