Saturday, May 15, 2010

garden bloggers' bloom day


santolina

Over the past 24 hours or so, Austin finally received a good rain--my rain gauge indicates 4.5 inches--so some of my blooms are a little battered right now. [EDITED May 17, 2010: In my excitement about the rain, I read the centimeter side of the gauge--doh! So we actually got 1.8 inches, not 4.5 inches.] Not complaining! Visit Carol's May Dreams Gardens blog to see blooms from the rest of the world today.


first plumbago bloom after extra-cold winter


Provence lavender


indigo spires salvia


gaura


blackfoot daisies and first Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) blooms


bicolor iris


last red cascade roses for awhile


Texas bluebells (Eustoma "Florida Blue")

Other plants somewhat battered but blooming today are society garlic, victoria blue salvia, purple and white ruellia, balloon flower, marigold, torenia, verbena, "Diamond Frost" euphorbia, and trailing lantana.

10 comments:

mss @ Zanthan Gardens said...

Wow! 4.5 inches of rain. I got about half that just south of Lady Bird Lake. But I'm grateful for what I got. We've need the rain so desperately this May.

Both my plumbago plants froze down to the ground this winter. They're coming back but they aren't anywhere near to flowering. Seeing yours gives me hope. I love that cool blue during our hot summers.

Iris said...

mss--That is my biggest, most well-established plumbago, and I covered it during two of the hard freezes. I'm thrilled it's bouncing back so well.

Two of my smaller, younger ones are behaving like yours. Their cool blue keeps me somewhat sane in the summer.

My rain gauge is small and simple, but I think it's fairly accurate. I'm so grateful for that rain!

Larry said...

I love plumbago, but of course it won't grow in Wisconsin other than in the greenhouse... lovely photos... Larry

Annie in Austin said...

Wow on the 4.5 inches of rain, Iris! I thought my 2" was terrific... well, I still do.

Your lavender is going to be incredible - and your garden must smell wonderful!

My plumbago was frozen to a few inches tall and it turned out to be A Good Thing for the nearby plants who had been oppressed by its thuggish ways. While the plumbago regains strength they are enjoying the space & sun.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...

Like you and MSS, I need that Plumbago coolness to visually cool me down also, Iris. But mine are just babies of green right now; cross fingers for blooms. Great purple show in your yard going on right now!

Iris said...

Larry--Thanks! Too bad plumbago doesn't do well there, but I bet you can grow some things that don't do well here. Peonies? Hydrangeas?

Annie--I'm happy your plumbago wasn't a complete loss. Very cool that it's providing more room for its neighbors.

getgrounded--Keeping my fingers crossed you get some plumbago blooms!

LindaCTG said...

Beautiful plants! I'm overwhelmed at the 4.5 inches. And your flowers are way ahead of mine. Interesting what a few miles difference makes. Lovely GBGD!

Iris said...

LindaCTG--Thanks! I'm really happy so many of my perennials are doing okay. Glad I covered a few of them during the two hardest freezes.

ConsciousGardener said...

Beautiful show! My plumbago died to the ground but it making a comeback...I probably won't see those powdery blue blossoms 'til late in the summer! Oh, I got 2.5 inches, and one inch last night!

Joan Nora said...

My mother was good at gardening. Unfortunately I did not inherit her greet thumb. I always admire those who thrive gardening. It seems rewarding. Thanks for sharing.

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