"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Friday, July 31, 2009

Fertilizer Friday - Heat Wave.

It's Fertilizer Friday and this week has been HOT!  It was nice to wake up to overcast skies, although no rain is predicted, and the forecast of mid 80's today.  All the compost I added in early spring has paid off this summer.  It helped to hold the moisture in the soil after watering on these hot days, as well as adding organic fertilizer for the plants.  My husband even said he thought this was the best our yard has looked.  The grass is a different story, but honestly I kind of ignore the grass anyway, it would be so much nicer if there was less of it.  

The unknown pink rose is on about it's third round of flowers.

Liatris 'Kobold'

Rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus) 'Minerva'.  The one we have is grown as a standard, it's a great substitute for a place that isn't quite big enough for a tree.  This is always a late bloomer and it's flowers don't last too long, but they are very pretty while they last.

In the evening I found a big bumblebee squeezing into the bud of one of the flowers, another tried to follow it in.

This Phlox is looking great during the heat, no wilting at all, and full of flowers.  I've noticed that 'David' seems to be the most intolerant to heat, it wilts quickly.

This poor little Meyer Lemon tree was bought for us by my Father-in-Law.  I put it in the sunny side yard and kind of forgot it was there.  The leaves were crisp and falling off when I finally remembered it.  I bought a new pot and some new potting soil and it's already got a lot of new growth on it.  A few teeny tiny lemons starting too.  My in-laws are coming to visit next week and I'd have been embarrassed if they noticed it looking so bad, it was kind of expensive for such a small plant.

One flower open and a few more buds coming.  This one I smell every time I walk by.  It's a zone 9 tree, but from what I've read they can survive in the Seattle area if kept protected.  I haven't figured out what I'll do with it this winter yet.  Anyone overwinter them in Zone 8 or have any helpful hints?

Cardinal Flower (lobelia cardinalis) is a hummingbird attracter.  This is grown in a pot right in the pond.  I have another lavender one growing in a whiskey barrel.  It's interesting to see that the one growing right in the pond with lots of fish fertilizer is much further ahead of the one growing in soil.


Unknown Aster.  This is a fast growing one and will bloom into fall.

Larkspur 'Sydney Blue Picotee' is one I started by winter sowing.  It's very pretty, but I do like the 'Shades of Blue' better I think.

I hope you'll head over to Tootsie Time to find more gardeners flaunting their flowers!

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37 comments:

  1. Beautiful blooms, overwintering citrus is easy I just provide great lighting during the winter, don't water them too much. They are acid lovers so I always place used coffee grounds on top of the soil, they do better with fast draining soil.
    Your Larkspur is just beautiful!

    -Cathy

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  2. Good news about your lemon tree! I just love the scent of those blossoms. Let's hope some of your hot weather makes its way East over the Atlantic to Britain. We are having a dull Summer.

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  3. I want to dive right in to that first pink rose blossom!! Great shot. So nice to see Cardinal Flower again! I had a great colony going back in Sonoma, I used extra-deep saucers under them and had them in pots! Like having a hummingbird feeder. Those and the "Scarlet Runner" beans were the greatest hummer feeders ever.

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  4. Hi Catherine. I was so pleased to see your Cardinal Flower in the pond. I tried some from seed this spring and had no luck. I'll try again and will put them in the pond just as you have.

    My meyer lemon is ten feet tall, and when it is in bloom ... the citrus fragrance is just heaven.

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  5. I especially love your asters in today's pictures. That's the cutest little lemon tree. When Nalley's family lived in FL, they would send us lemons the size of grapefruit! Can you imagine what the grocery would charge for that?? Glad your weather is cooler and at least overcast today.

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  6. Your flowers seem to be holding their own in the heat. Glad you are getting a bread from the heat today. I love the pink rose. The flower is so big. And the phlox is awesome.

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  7. Isn't this weather wonderful? It felt so good to feel cold! I'm sick to death of 109!!! And 113 was even worse at my parents all day.
    Your rose is perfect! Such a beautiful picture you took of it. Hey you have Minerva - so do I and I just love her. How old and big is yours - I ask because mine is over 5 years old and still only about 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall. She's healthy and blooms great but I think it's just growing too slow. I'm thinking some of my plants grow slower or get stunted because of fir tree roots that are everywhere! Ya think? We may move her.
    Love your Larkspur. Remember the seeds I did - oh about 7 packets or more? Well I got 1 Bachelor Button, 1 Larkspur and a couple of Lupins. LOL A seed person I ain't! I might try the winter sowing though. Maybe I'll get lucky one of these days. Oh forgot - the Bachelor Button bloomed and the Lupin look good but not very big (6") and the Larkspur is also small and just kind of laying there. ;-)

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  8. Ooh, a lemon tree! How exotic! I hope to see one one day. The smell of the blooms sounds heavenly. Everything looks so pretty. Love the colour of the aster.

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  9. You have a nice collection of blooms for flaunting this Friday.

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  10. Awesome flowers! I bet that lemon tree blooms smell great.

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  11. What beautiful colors and blooms. I love you rose

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  12. your photos are just wonderful! I love how you got that rose so close! I love the blues you have in your garden...it is all just so pretty! thanks for flaunting with me...I love peeking into your yard!

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  13. Hi Catherine, so glad to hear your temps have softened some. The rose is exquisite. Your aster might be A. frikartii 'Monck' maybe? And thanks for the idea of putting the lobelia in the water. I have always wanted to grow that but we are way too dry. I do have a pond however, and fish to fertilize it. Do you leave it in over the winter?
    Frances

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  14. Such a pleasure to see all your colorful flowers. Back in the spring, I transplanted the Liatris from our yard to our son and dil's yard. There were three of them and they are blooming. Not quite as pretty as yours though. Still computer/blogging issues on my end. Not going to worry about it now. I'll read what I can and comment when it agrees to process. Earlier today I was even unable to upload photos from my computer to blogspot.

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  15. I love Minerva. That color of pink is wonderful. I dont have a pond, but I am thinking next year I might could make a small water feature in a whiskey barrel and maybe try some water plants. Hum...yeah, now I have something to plan.

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  16. Cathy - Thanks for the citrus advice. I'll definitely use my coffee grounds on the soil.

    Linda - I think you should try the winter sowing. I had very little luck with Larkspur last year, this year they are all over.
    This Minerva is grafted onto a "tree", but the actual shrub itself is not fast growing at all, maybe 3 feet high. My sister had one in full sun and it was gigantic, mine gets just part sun and it does have pine roots to compete with too.

    Frances - Thanks for the possible id on the Aster, I'm going to look into that. This one came without a tag, but I liked it too much to care.
    I do leave the lobelia in the pond during the winter and it always comes back. Last year I thought I try planting some right in the ground and it dried right up. I think planting it right in the water is the best.

    Donna - Sorry, to hear about your continuing blog problems! I'm glad you were able to visit today, hope you can get some pictures posted soon.

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  17. Very beautiful Catherine! I love that your rose bush is on it's third round! Wow! I just got my second round. Don't you love Rose of Sharon? I've got a bush in my yard, too, and love how the bees swarm to it. I've been on vacation, so I'm playing catch-up! Looks like you've made some great posts while I was gone!

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  18. Nice save on the Meyer and good luck with it this winter. I am a slave to my potted tender things.

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  19. Your unknown rose is beautiful. You inspired me to go out and try shooting my phlox again. I think I finally got a clear picture of them. Your blue flowers are great. I have only one actual blue flower.

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  20. Gorgeous blooms, Catherine and it's nice to come back to see such vibrant colors. Glad the heatwave didn't do much damage, but this summer killed few of my plants and made my other plants go through pains. The Larkspur - I thought it wouldn't do well in summer, or does it?

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  21. Phew, wasn't today lovely in comparison? Our house is still a little hot for my taste, but not nearly so miserable as before. I sat on the porch last night at midnight just to feel a cool breeze for the first time in forever! I have been noticing liatris a lot lately, I think I need to get one. Is it a bulb or a perennial? Never mind, I'll just look it up. My phlox is finally just opening - wonder what took it so long? Glad your Meyer lemon is recovering in time for the in-laws' visit. :) I have read that people bring them in to a sunny spot here in winter but then they can get weird stuff like scale. I know the ones in California are unhappy if it ever freezes, so can't imagine they could stay outside in our climate. But maybe you'll find out otherwise and if so I want one!

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  22. The larkspur and the blue aster are stunning. The lemon will pick up!

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  23. Heard about your heatwave on the National News Catherine....your flowers are gorgeous. Haven't forgotten about your Crocs........will be mailing them next week.

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  24. The rose is gorgeous! All of your pictures are beautiful...You have my dream pond and garden, too. :) Thanks so much for coming by~ have a great weekend!

    J~

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  25. Your garden does look very happy! I'm glad you're getting a break from the heat, and I bet you're glad too!

    The Cardinal Flower is gorgeous.

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  26. Everything looks so pretty around your pond.
    I love the blue aster and your larkspur. So pretty.
    The Liatris 'Kobold' is so very pretty Catherine. I have tried to grow it with a couple of times with no luck but maybe I should try again. The cardinal flower is so bright and lovely.It likes the dampness around your pond.

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  27. Chandramouli - Hi! The Larkspur here is getting close to finishing blooming, it starts blooming later here than some places. This is the first year I've had such good luck with it.

    Karen - I'm hoping maybe my husband can build some type of mini greenhouse to put it in, I'm afraid it'll get scale or spider mites in the house. It feels so nice today!

    Darla - Thanks in advance, I have just the spot for them!

    Jennifer - Thanks for visiting! I'm going to check out your blog too.

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  28. Amazing photos, Catherine! Hope you get some relief from the heat soon..you know I would send you rain...if I could!!

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  29. Hi Catherine,
    Do you get hummers on your Cardinal flowers? They look like a great attractor for them.
    Beautiful gardens!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Rosey

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  30. Hi Catherine! Your unknown pink rose somehow reminded me a bride - so innocent. My cardinal flower is far from blooming yet. It has a lot of shade, maybe that is why. I think we are getting cooler weather!

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  31. What a lovely variety of blooms! I particularly like the Liatris and the Lobelia.

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  32. My cardinal flower is growing right in a pot in my little pond too, and is finally starting to bloom. I hope you do get some rain, we've actually had a lot this week. I have to be careful what I wish for, now I'm constantly cutting the grass it's growing so fast!

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  33. Nice pics! I'd like to try the lobelia in our pond.
    I have a friend who keeps a lemon tree in her house all year long, near a sunny window.

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  34. They are all amazing to have survived all this heat and still look fresh and beautiful!

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  35. Your garden is looking great! I love the rose of sharon!

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  36. the unknown rose is so pretty!

    those meyer lemons are tougher than one might expect. I killed mine (I thought) over winter inside the house last year, and put the pot outside so I wouldn't have to look at it anymore - and new braches came out of the brown trunk!

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