“It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to observe a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a row of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green.”
– Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mosses from an Old Manse
9/19/17:
Regarding the plant with delicate pastel flowers that I wrote about trying to identify: it turns out to be Linaria, commonly called toadflax, or "three birds flying". Thank you, Savvy Gardening on Twitter for your help! Still wondering how it showed up in my yard, however. Maybe seeds bought at the Dollar Store were incorrectly packaged as asters or delphiniums? Or maybe it was included in the Flower Rocket seed-roll that I tried long ago? I'd given up on anything sprouting from this, and added whatever was in that pot to my general gardening soil supply.
Other flowering plants are also flourishing in this warm late summer. The dipladenia and bougainvillea that we brought in to fill an empty area near the south-fence hedge are growing well and continue to bloom, so we figure they like that spot. Steve painted the trellis for them to climb, then dug a hole, and I plopped them in. If the landlady doesn't like this setup, I guess we can always put the plants back in containers and move them to another sunny area. But I think it looks lovely.
Other flowering plants are also flourishing in this warm late summer. The dipladenia and bougainvillea that we brought in to fill an empty area near the south-fence hedge are growing well and continue to bloom, so we figure they like that spot. Steve painted the trellis for them to climb, then dug a hole, and I plopped them in. If the landlady doesn't like this setup, I guess we can always put the plants back in containers and move them to another sunny area. But I think it looks lovely.
Clicking on the small images below will bring up a larger version.
Dipladenia closeup.
A riot of begonia blooms.
Hydrangea.
The begonias from GrowIt! are still producing tons of blooms. The one that's doing best is in a metal planter box that doesn't have great drainage. I wonder if this container is placed in an optimal mix of sun and shade for a begonia, or is simply filled with nutrient-rich soil? I should find my soil tester; it's disappeared in the crafts closet.
I hadn't done much with begonias until recently. But I'd like to experiment with growing additional varieties in years to come. Hydrangeas are another common garden flower that I didn't have until I brought home a discounted little plant from the grocery store in January 2016. The flowers on this are just starting to bud again, I'm looking forward to seeing their full glory. I repotted it that spring in a plastic gallon-size pot, but now the main stalk is five times as tall as the pot. It falls over unless it's leaning against a hedge, so I'll eventually move it to one of the 5-gallon terracottas that currently hold tomatoes (those will likely be dying off in late October).
I hadn't done much with begonias until recently. But I'd like to experiment with growing additional varieties in years to come. Hydrangeas are another common garden flower that I didn't have until I brought home a discounted little plant from the grocery store in January 2016. The flowers on this are just starting to bud again, I'm looking forward to seeing their full glory. I repotted it that spring in a plastic gallon-size pot, but now the main stalk is five times as tall as the pot. It falls over unless it's leaning against a hedge, so I'll eventually move it to one of the 5-gallon terracottas that currently hold tomatoes (those will likely be dying off in late October).
Morning glories.
Oleander.
Another rosebud unfurls.
As I observe the progress of my flowers, herbs and vegetable patch, I am happy to see some perennial plants doing well for the first time in forever: such as the oleander bush on the left side of the hedge below the bedroom window. I hadn't seen blooms on it for about 3 years! And careful trimming and fertilizing have resulted in much healthier thyme.
Also, I have finally gotten peas to sprout; hopefully they will get enough sun to keep growing, as autumn's cooler temps and shorter days are just around the bend.
Also, I have finally gotten peas to sprout; hopefully they will get enough sun to keep growing, as autumn's cooler temps and shorter days are just around the bend.