- Lindsaylew82
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- Lindsaylew82
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No, I think it's just the edge of a cucumber leaf contrasting against the shaded area below. Big Kid would LOVE it if we had swallowtails!LIcenter wrote:Lindsay, is that a swallowtail chrysalis on the left stem of that plant, or is it part of something else?
I'm not really sure what's going on this year with butterflies and moths. I usually have a fair amount of them swarming my Lantana and marigolds. I'm not seeing them at all. We have their hosts! I'm starting to think this drought is affecting them... (I'm not complaining about the lack of hornworms though...)
- applestar
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I can't say about hummer "population" since we generally only have ones and twos visiting at a time this time of the year, and there WERE two chasing each other day before yesterday.
Butterflies -- hmm -- I'm starting to see our regulars ... Red Admiral, Fritillary, Hairstreaks, Silver Spotter Skippers, Tiger Swallowtails, ... I *might* have seen a Monarch the other day -- it was flying too fast to ID for sure which is usually a sign of the first scouts. They might be a little later than usual. Fireflies are finally starting to gather in numbers, and I'm sure they should have started their light show by late (3rd week) June.
Do you know if your local municipality might have sprayed for one of the pest moths? -- Gypsy moth, Tent caterpillar, etc.? I cringe every time people band together and clamor for the city to spray.
Butterflies -- hmm -- I'm starting to see our regulars ... Red Admiral, Fritillary, Hairstreaks, Silver Spotter Skippers, Tiger Swallowtails, ... I *might* have seen a Monarch the other day -- it was flying too fast to ID for sure which is usually a sign of the first scouts. They might be a little later than usual. Fireflies are finally starting to gather in numbers, and I'm sure they should have started their light show by late (3rd week) June.
Do you know if your local municipality might have sprayed for one of the pest moths? -- Gypsy moth, Tent caterpillar, etc.? I cringe every time people band together and clamor for the city to spray.
- Lindsaylew82
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I would hope that they would send out notification of that first! Wow that would really tick me off if I found that to be true...
We've been seeing bumblebee moths, SSS, and TONS of cabbage moths.... Going after the radishes (but bypassing the nasturtiums that are tucked down below the huge squash and zucchini canopies, blooming ferociously!)
Big Kid got to stay up late Friday night as a treat, and we caught 12 lightening bugs in 15 minutes! We released them around the garden. It was so much fun!
We have never seen Monarch here, but we get swallowtails usually. Not seeing them....
Not really seeing many squash bugs this year either...(DEFINITELY NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT EITHER!!!)
We've been seeing bumblebee moths, SSS, and TONS of cabbage moths.... Going after the radishes (but bypassing the nasturtiums that are tucked down below the huge squash and zucchini canopies, blooming ferociously!)
Big Kid got to stay up late Friday night as a treat, and we caught 12 lightening bugs in 15 minutes! We released them around the garden. It was so much fun!
We have never seen Monarch here, but we get swallowtails usually. Not seeing them....
Not really seeing many squash bugs this year either...(DEFINITELY NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT EITHER!!!)
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Our town does not do any spraying with the exception of mosquitos in the boggy areas. The private sprayers are using garlic juice on the Gypsy moth cats, which is very effective. Not too many Tent cats this year in my local area.applestar wrote:Do you know if your local municipality might have sprayed for one of the pest moths? -- Gypsy moth, Tent caterpillar, etc.? I cringe every time people band together and clamor for the city to spray.
- applestar
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Astilbe are starting to bloom. I have an upright kind and the drooping kind with staggered blooming time to extend the season. I think the drooping kind is the Ostrich Plume, but I can't remember the name of the upright kind. I got them both from White Flower Farm ages ago, I think. Maybe they still list it....
- Lindsaylew82
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- applestar
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Subject: Spring
This is one of the European plum trees DH keeps saying he wants to cut down....applestar wrote:Yep. The mini's and jonquils come up first. The minis are fragrant, too, and were holding up their heads better after heavy rain when I took the photo a couple of days ago. My minis were originally a little Easter gift flower in a 4" pot -- I planted them after Easter and they have spread.
My volunteer yellow peach is already blooming -- the grafted cultivar peach is only just starting to show pinkness in the buds (I took photos but they aren't much to look at )
So I'm a little behind, but had to share nonetheless...
Some blooms from April
Camellia Japonica 'April Rose' - I planted this last summer and got to enjoy these blooms from late March through the end of April this spring!
My shade garden is coming together slowly as I pull out daydallies and Lilly of the valley and replace them with more interesting things like this brunera 'Jack Frost,' foam flower tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket,' and epimedium. This variety of foam flower blooms significantly longer than any other in my garden... this photo was from early April and it still has new blooms pushing through mid May. Since this photo was taken I've added a 'Sugar and Spice' tiarella and an unknown variety I got from a plant exchange. I've also added another epimedium and plan to add more brunera as I make more space.
I thought I'd lost my foxglove as it hasn't done anything for 2 years, but I should have known better with this biennial... it's ALL over this year, but it's so beautiful I don't mind right now!
Some blooms from April
Camellia Japonica 'April Rose' - I planted this last summer and got to enjoy these blooms from late March through the end of April this spring!
My shade garden is coming together slowly as I pull out daydallies and Lilly of the valley and replace them with more interesting things like this brunera 'Jack Frost,' foam flower tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket,' and epimedium. This variety of foam flower blooms significantly longer than any other in my garden... this photo was from early April and it still has new blooms pushing through mid May. Since this photo was taken I've added a 'Sugar and Spice' tiarella and an unknown variety I got from a plant exchange. I've also added another epimedium and plan to add more brunera as I make more space.
I thought I'd lost my foxglove as it hasn't done anything for 2 years, but I should have known better with this biennial... it's ALL over this year, but it's so beautiful I don't mind right now!
- rainbowgardener
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I still haven't figured out how to upload pictures from my phone and windows 10 won't recognize my camera but right now in bloom I have virea (tropical rhodies), butterfly bush, agapanthus, daylilies, coreopsis, alyssum, pelargoniums, and some of the lavendins are also blooming now. The rainbow and golden shower trees are also in bloom.
I have a pink vireya similar to this one.
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/EW79GY/cluster ... EW79GY.jpg
Golden and Rainbow shower trees are planted in parks and along streets in Hawaii. They bloom in summer.
https://soniatasteshawaii.typepad.com/.a ... 0c1970c-pi
https://www.hawaiinavigator.com/stock/pr ... _tree.jpeg
I have a pink vireya similar to this one.
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/EW79GY/cluster ... EW79GY.jpg
Golden and Rainbow shower trees are planted in parks and along streets in Hawaii. They bloom in summer.
https://soniatasteshawaii.typepad.com/.a ... 0c1970c-pi
https://www.hawaiinavigator.com/stock/pr ... _tree.jpeg
Wow. Great colors Everyone. Really lovely.
To post pictures you must tap in the tab for upload.
Since our Zone 7b monsoon rains this gaura is a favorite behind some lavender.
Grows so well in desert heat once established. Tender shoots can be damaged by rabbits but once the stems get tough nothing seems to eat them.
To post pictures you must tap in the tab for upload.
Since our Zone 7b monsoon rains this gaura is a favorite behind some lavender.
Grows so well in desert heat once established. Tender shoots can be damaged by rabbits but once the stems get tough nothing seems to eat them.
My 'Winter's Snowman' camellia is blooming for the first time
The blooms are so big and bright that they can be easily seen from my kitchen! I definitely tried to plant it somewhere that I could actually enjoy the blooms.
The bees seem to be enjoying the blooms as well! Each open bloom contained a bee.
The blooms are so big and bright that they can be easily seen from my kitchen! I definitely tried to plant it somewhere that I could actually enjoy the blooms.
The bees seem to be enjoying the blooms as well! Each open bloom contained a bee.
- rainbowgardener
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- applestar
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VIOLETS
The patch of intensely fragrant violets that had been descimated several years ago when the neighbor sprayed herbicide over the fence is finally regaining ground. Also, when they went to seed, I scattered them in my front doorstep garden and they have formed approx 1ft sq patch of lovely purple blossoms just off the front porch.
Even a tiny sprig of 1/2doz blossoms scent the room as they dry. I have some in one of those little sampler jam/honey jars by the bed. I gathered about 1/2cup today. I’m thinking of harvesting more and making violet oil or hydrosol or maybe violet syrup.....
The patch of intensely fragrant violets that had been descimated several years ago when the neighbor sprayed herbicide over the fence is finally regaining ground. Also, when they went to seed, I scattered them in my front doorstep garden and they have formed approx 1ft sq patch of lovely purple blossoms just off the front porch.
Even a tiny sprig of 1/2doz blossoms scent the room as they dry. I have some in one of those little sampler jam/honey jars by the bed. I gathered about 1/2cup today. I’m thinking of harvesting more and making violet oil or hydrosol or maybe violet syrup.....
- rainbowgardener
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- rainbowgardener
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- rainbowgardener
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I think it is squill. If so, it is not a native wildflower, it is an invasive exotic.
"This is a classic case of gardening gone awry. Siberian Squill was brought to this country as an ornamental and is still sold in Minnesota and elsewhere, but it has also escaped into the wild and become invasive. It readily spreads itself and is difficult to get rid of, as broken roots often resprout. It is very hardy and cold tolerant, and is left untouched by critters from voles to deer. Sadly, the same traits that make it attractive as a garden plant (besides the vivid color) are also what make it invasive. Large colonies of squill can be seen in the eastern counties of the state, from Duluth to Rochester. There is even an infestation at the University of Minnesota St Paul campus, just a block away from the Bell Herbarium. It is currently unknown how far west its range has expanded... Please, all you gardeners out there: stop planting this. Spring blooming native species with blue flowers you might plant instead are Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis), bluebells (Mertensia virginica or M. paniculata), blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) or any number of native violets. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) could provide bell-shaped blue flowers for the rest of the season." https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/f ... ian-squill
"This is a classic case of gardening gone awry. Siberian Squill was brought to this country as an ornamental and is still sold in Minnesota and elsewhere, but it has also escaped into the wild and become invasive. It readily spreads itself and is difficult to get rid of, as broken roots often resprout. It is very hardy and cold tolerant, and is left untouched by critters from voles to deer. Sadly, the same traits that make it attractive as a garden plant (besides the vivid color) are also what make it invasive. Large colonies of squill can be seen in the eastern counties of the state, from Duluth to Rochester. There is even an infestation at the University of Minnesota St Paul campus, just a block away from the Bell Herbarium. It is currently unknown how far west its range has expanded... Please, all you gardeners out there: stop planting this. Spring blooming native species with blue flowers you might plant instead are Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis), bluebells (Mertensia virginica or M. paniculata), blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) or any number of native violets. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) could provide bell-shaped blue flowers for the rest of the season." https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/f ... ian-squill
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- Greener Thumb
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It is lovely, Sandman. Sometimes beauty comes at too high a price.
We have stretches of tradescantia (spiderwort) blooming in blue-violet along highways. Right now, it will grow in dry areas as well as damp, but when summer heats up it's only viable where there is adequate moisture and some light shade.
Starting to see Gaillardia with bright gold and dark red centers in waste places. Salvia lyrata with low rosette of green and short spikes of blue-violet. Some rudbeckia, bright yellow. These are all often seen along railroad tracks here. One of the sorrels and seedlings of red maple supply random tufts of deep red. I was farther south yesterday and saw a field of phlox (pink).
Amaryllis planted in yards is blooming now, and some early crinums and agapanthus. Those strange rhizome less iris haven't really stopped except for a few weeks, so occasional tufts of sword like green leaves topped with flat blooms of white, violet, yellow. Viburnums and confederate jasmine are blooming to my consternation along with millions of other allergy sufferers. Every time I hear someone say they are getting a cold, I know they aren't. Oh, magnolias! Big creamy white blooms on trees with glossy forest green and cinnamon brown leaves. Leaf drop is a PITA, so I prefer them either in the wild or on office park berms.
Bright orange flowered shrubs called sesban sometimes in waste places, and invasive Japanese honeysuckle. Intense childhood memories with that last one.
Several different thistles, tiny yellow flowers and big purple ones.
I think I spied some Zephyranthes post a day of rain but it's quite dry now and they are ephemeral as well as deadly.
While not blossoms, my sister's retention pond has a Canada goose family with five goslings, and they invited two more families for a picnic yesterday afternoon. There are good sized snapping turtles in the pond so vigilance in parents is important. And two households here let their cats roam. They haven't found my small pot of catnip yet, though.
We have stretches of tradescantia (spiderwort) blooming in blue-violet along highways. Right now, it will grow in dry areas as well as damp, but when summer heats up it's only viable where there is adequate moisture and some light shade.
Starting to see Gaillardia with bright gold and dark red centers in waste places. Salvia lyrata with low rosette of green and short spikes of blue-violet. Some rudbeckia, bright yellow. These are all often seen along railroad tracks here. One of the sorrels and seedlings of red maple supply random tufts of deep red. I was farther south yesterday and saw a field of phlox (pink).
Amaryllis planted in yards is blooming now, and some early crinums and agapanthus. Those strange rhizome less iris haven't really stopped except for a few weeks, so occasional tufts of sword like green leaves topped with flat blooms of white, violet, yellow. Viburnums and confederate jasmine are blooming to my consternation along with millions of other allergy sufferers. Every time I hear someone say they are getting a cold, I know they aren't. Oh, magnolias! Big creamy white blooms on trees with glossy forest green and cinnamon brown leaves. Leaf drop is a PITA, so I prefer them either in the wild or on office park berms.
Bright orange flowered shrubs called sesban sometimes in waste places, and invasive Japanese honeysuckle. Intense childhood memories with that last one.
Several different thistles, tiny yellow flowers and big purple ones.
I think I spied some Zephyranthes post a day of rain but it's quite dry now and they are ephemeral as well as deadly.
While not blossoms, my sister's retention pond has a Canada goose family with five goslings, and they invited two more families for a picnic yesterday afternoon. There are good sized snapping turtles in the pond so vigilance in parents is important. And two households here let their cats roam. They haven't found my small pot of catnip yet, though.
Right now the glads are blooming and the first agapanthus bud is out. The roses are budding up and a few are in bloom now. Gardenia, Jasmine sambac, cymbidiums, dendrobium and popcorn orchids are blooming ( they are a little early this year). I even still had a dendrobium anosmum bloom. The strawberries are actually putting out flowers and berries. Hibiscus, plumeria, amaryllis, sunflower, tithonia, lavender multifida and stoechas, coneflower, alyssum, dwarf chenille, cardomom, and the calamondin and peppers are flowering again for another round of fruit. My holy basils and perilla are in bloom as well. The begonia, kimi ginger, and sansevieria are blooming. They grow wild in my yard
- rainbowgardener
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Bee balm, purple coneflower, salvia, asters, gayfeather any day now, lavender, petunias, begonias, etc etc
mullein would have been blooming, but I cut it all back, so it will make multiple flower stalks, not just one.
(Special bonus, if you click on the bottom one, you will see one of our chickens in the background. I didn't even realize I was taking her picture. )
mullein would have been blooming, but I cut it all back, so it will make multiple flower stalks, not just one.
(Special bonus, if you click on the bottom one, you will see one of our chickens in the background. I didn't even realize I was taking her picture. )
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- applestar
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I have a super neglected Abraham Darby rose. I didn’t even weed around it this year, but it grows as a climber so managed to stay above the riff-raff.
I noticed it had put on two dainty (stunted) blooms today, and they smelled so wonderful that I decided to enjoy them inside. I found a few other blooming plants to keep them company in the vase (bottle) then walked around the garden with it, looking for a good background to take a picture in front of.
- The Portrait mode image on the right turned out nice, but the limited focal depth cut off the sprig of Red shiso at the top, making the arrangement look unbalanced.....
- Abraham Darby rose
- Autumn Joy sedum
- Blue Mist flower
- Garlic Chice blossoms
- Red (aka) Shiso (perilla)
- Goldenrod
- Aka Manma (red rice) flower
I noticed it had put on two dainty (stunted) blooms today, and they smelled so wonderful that I decided to enjoy them inside. I found a few other blooming plants to keep them company in the vase (bottle) then walked around the garden with it, looking for a good background to take a picture in front of.
- The Portrait mode image on the right turned out nice, but the limited focal depth cut off the sprig of Red shiso at the top, making the arrangement look unbalanced.....
- Abraham Darby rose
- Autumn Joy sedum
- Blue Mist flower
- Garlic Chice blossoms
- Red (aka) Shiso (perilla)
- Goldenrod
- Aka Manma (red rice) flower
- rainbowgardener
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Sunflowers still blooming, daylilies just quit a few days ago after blooming for months, beautyberry not blooming, but covered in those neon purple berries, reblooming azalea is reblooming, camellia is covered in buds (but they are small and will take awhile yet), my yard is covered in little red cypress vine flowers which the hummingbirds and sulphur butterflies love. (The cypress vine has now appeared in the front yard also, even though I only ever planted it in back. It is actually becoming a bit weedy and can tend to smother other stuff.) Asters of course. Sedum not blooming yet. Carolina allspice and lorapetalum keep putting out one more blossom here and there. Okra (I think their flowers are beautiful) and squash blossoms. New guinea impatiens just keep blooming and blooming. Goldenrod, zinnias hanging in there, black eyed susans still producing some flowers, especially the ones I did some deadheading on. Dianthus around the mailbox keeps blooming and blooming despite little care and being overtaken by the lawn growing back into their bed.
Added: I forgot, the blanket flower (gaillardia) in the front foundation planting keeps blooming and blooming. It is a solid yellow version, which I was not expecting. I think when it is done and the weather breaks, I will move it to the back yard and plant something there that goes with the color scheme better. Lavender is blooming. Not flowering exactly, but the pink muhly grass has its delicate pink seed heads and all the pokeweed is in deep purple berries.
Added again Some of the bee balm succumbed to powdery mildew (which monarda is very susceptible to), but some of it is still hanging in there and producing flowers. Annual and perennial salvias still blooming as long as I keep them dead headed.
Added: I forgot, the blanket flower (gaillardia) in the front foundation planting keeps blooming and blooming. It is a solid yellow version, which I was not expecting. I think when it is done and the weather breaks, I will move it to the back yard and plant something there that goes with the color scheme better. Lavender is blooming. Not flowering exactly, but the pink muhly grass has its delicate pink seed heads and all the pokeweed is in deep purple berries.
Added again Some of the bee balm succumbed to powdery mildew (which monarda is very susceptible to), but some of it is still hanging in there and producing flowers. Annual and perennial salvias still blooming as long as I keep them dead headed.
Last edited by rainbowgardener on Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:13 am, edited 3 times in total.