Category Archives: GBBD Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April 15, 2017

It’s Garden Bloggers Bloom Day,

Saturday, April 15, 2017.

Easter Weekend.

GBBD is inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” 

April blooms are the reward of the back-breaking bulb planting last October.

I may have thousands of daffodils. Each year I add a few more and some will naturalize. If it’s a mild winter, spring will be spectacular. A long, sever winter will kill off many varieties.

 These double daffodils are on the patio. It’s a subtle color, but the blooms are huge. I’m looking forward to their return next year. Maybe they will multiply as well. If you have any decking needs, you can get them done from services here!

Poet’s daffodils

Daffodowndilly
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.”
A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young

Thalia is One of my favorites. Thalia is an heirloom that offers beautifully scented white blooms. It’s no wonder this special variety is sometimes called the orchid narcissus.

Chillier, but daffodillier.
–The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1991

Butter and Eggs Daffodil. A very old heirloom.

Once daffodils and tulips have gone by, add bone meal to the soil for next year’s blooms

Daffodils are both deer-resistant and rodent-proof, as these animals do not like the taste of the bulbs in the Narcissus family.

Tulips are putting on a display today too.

There is no such thing as a black tulip but this purple bloom looks black on a cloudy day. It is much smaller this year, but a repeat performer. Because of our mild winter, many tulips are blooming for a second year.

Don’t let folks tell you pink and orange clash. Mother-Nature doesn’t clash. I posted these tulips on Facebook and folks haven’t stopped with the positive comments.

I’m happy GBBD happens the mid month. In another week the tulips will be gone. Thank you for stopping by. You are always welcomed in my gardens.

♣  On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers come together to share what is currently blooming in their gardens.  Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Get a signed copy of her new book, Potted and Pruned: Living a Gardening Life, on her website.

Patsy’s Vegetable Garden Update

The vegetable garden update

The vegetable garden update. See What’s Growing now, Including Today’s Harvest Basket and Plant Tips

Vegetables: My tomatoes are in the cold frame and about 6 inches tall, getting acclimated. So are the eggplants and a multitude of peppers. I’m growing  anchos, Anaheim, red, yellow, purple, chocolate and green color bell pepper plus a few padrone.

Herbs: There are lots of spring herbs already up and flavoring morning omelets. Chervil, chives, mint, cilantro are thriving,  There are 6 or 8 kinds of basil just in the seedling stage.

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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day November 2015

GBBD 11/2015

Velvety red Zinnia

Velvety red Zinnia

One more bloom before the winter.

Encore azaleas. I know. In November.

Encore azaleas. I know. In November.

 

So amazing. It’s been a late, long garden season. I have many flowers this year that would have normally succumbed to frost by mid November. Not that I am complaining.

 

 

 

 

A few more last blooms of the season:

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Dozens of the little butterflies visit daily. I worry that they should be gone by now…

Anyway, The are three or four kinds of marigolds still blooming nonstop. Who has the heart to pull up such hardy colorful blooms? I want tell you what kind they are, I collect seed year after year. Be happy to share, if you want some seed.

And then maybe just one more…

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Campfire™ Fireburst Bidens hybrid

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A trial plant, Campfire™ Fireburst Bidens hybrid from Proven Winners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I planted this hot little annual in a hanging basket this year, not the best choice. Next spring, I’ll grow this new Bidens in a mixed container of orange and yellow flowers.

Last Rose…

I posted one of theroses acouple of weeks ago and said "last rose of the year" but then the precious, fragrant rose quickly followed.

I posted one of these roses a couple of weeks ago and said “last rose of the year” but then this precious, fragrant rose quickly followed.

David Austin’s Crown Princess Margareta ® is often the first bloomer and the last bloom among the full size roses. So, again, “Last rose of the season”

Vegetables Too

I love that I am still eating garden tomatoes and basil in mid November.

The last big one.

The last big one. It’s not pretty, but it was tasty tonight. Yellow Brandywine.

This basket full of chard will become my version of spinach lasagne. The seed was from Renee's Garden.

This basket full of chard will become my version of lasagne. The seed was from Renee’s Garden.

The beautiful plant is container chard, “Pot of Gold” from Renee’s Garden There are no flowers, but the colorful stalks make this plant pretty enough to be in the front porch bed.

It’s a non stop producer, never bitter, always beautiful. I won’t pull it up until a hard freeze kills the plants. Use chard just as you would spinach.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day with this post. For more Bloom Day posts from gardens around the world, visit May Dreams Gardens

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day 8/2015

GBBD August 2015

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Moonflower Ipomoea alba just before bloom

Moonflower Ipomoea alba just before bloom.

Moon flowers are blooming wildly on these hot August nights.

A harsh winter and long rainy spring took its toll on spring blooms and my roses. But now, in the peak of production and seed making, many flowers are blooming with endless enthusiasm.

zinnia and nicotimia

zinnia and nicotinia

My zinnias have been the show off flowers this summer. Using galvanized watering cans, I’ve fill bucket of the back with zinnia arrangements. All the flowers are from a few packets of seed from Renee’s Garden. You can also contact experts from AtlantaTreeCompany.com to get your dream garden done with this beautiful plants.

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The Neked Ladies or Surprise lilies have multiplied every year, becoming thicker and more beautiful.Surprise Lily

Since I am the only southerner in our home, okra seldom makes it into the garden. My husband, Mr TD&H, helpfully weeded all the okra seedlings out of the garden every year.

I love okra’s big, soft yellow flowers, so, I planted a few seed in the flower beds. The variety is over 8′ tall and steadily producing. Picked small, okra makes the best refrigerator pickles.

Make an extraordinary dish like authentic New Orleans Gumbo and even my California Dreamer will eat okra. Occasionally. Try my version of fried okra.

White Gladioli and purple Zinnias

White Gladioli and purple Zinnias

I was fortunate to meet Elizabeth Lawrence. In her book, she wrote: “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.”
As she signed my much used copy of the book, she said she was pleased that someone was actually putting the book to good use.

Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

It’s fun. GBBD ends up being a journal of your garden’s year round floral display.

Nicotiana alata

Little white trumpet flowers, Nicotiana alata are popping up where they please. They have volunteered from last years plants.

The old faithful geraniums, marigolds and nasturtium just keep on blooming nonstop. Rose of Sharon’s, Hydrangea and hibiscus are all in full bloom.

There is more, but you have other blogs to read and I need to water my flowers.

Thank you for stopping by. My garden is in southeast Missouri, zone 6b. There are porch chairs on every side of the house. The sun tea is brewing on the patio.

Stop by anytime to sit in the shade and have a cool drink. Should you be so inclined, there is also a pruner, a weeder and a watering can o each side of the house.

GBBD May 2015

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 15, 2015
Never waste a single day of May. It is perfection. May is the only time I think I might become a poet.

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I have hundreds of peonies about to bust forth for Memorial Day. The added bonus was early bloomers for Mothers Day.

I have hundreds of this bright pink peony.

I have hundreds of this bright pink peony.

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Iris are just finishing up for the season.

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May is perfect and there are flowers every day. These are just a few of my favorites. And, in May, they are all my favorites.

color spires

Proven Winners – Color Spires® ‘Crystal Blue’ – Perennial Salvia

This Perennial Salvia was a trial plant last year. It is available now at garden centers. Color Spires® ‘Crystal Blue’

GBBD: http://www.maydreamsgardens.com

GBBD 1/ 2015

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

January 15, 2015

The only thing blooming is a Meyer Lemon tree. GWA members were given seedlings years ago. Mine did not make it home.

Blooms everywhere.

Blooms everywhere. The leaves are looking better, greener, everyday.

However, this past summer, I bought a Meyer Lemon tree. It was on the clearance table at a garden center.

It sat, potted, on the patio wall. Lush and green, it was outside until threats of winter approached.

A few weeks ago, I noticed the pale, yellowing leaves and the dry container. Rescued once again, the 2 ‘ tree is thriving with gro=lights, fertilizer and water.

Then, the lemon tree began to bloom!

I am exited, because you don’t see many citrus trees in the Midwest. It has thorns. I snipped them off – like you do roses in a vase.

It is the only flower I have this January. Plus. the poinsettia from last month still looks good.

 

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The true flowers are the tiny ones in the center. PBH 

*GWA: Garden Writers Association

What’s blooming in your garden on this January bloom day?

Join in for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day and show us what’s blooming in your garden now. It’s easy to participate. Thanks to Carol.

We can have flowers nearly every month of the year. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

GBBD December 15

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

December 15, 2014

I got nothin’.

I found Waxt Bulb at Lowes. This one is has one more bloom, but it is about spent. Photo PBH

I found Waxt Bulb at Lowes. This one has one more bloom, but it is about spent. Photo PBH

The only blooms in my house, indoors or out, are store-bought. Still, I have some interesting things to share. This Amaryllis, with 8 big blooms, required no soil, no water. Called a Waxt Bulb, there is not a lot of info on the web. But this is a great gift idea.

It’s just about foolproof. You don’t water it or feed it. You just watch it and enjoy. That makes it the perfect gift plant. Aunt Ellie can’t under or over water it. The cat can’t knock over a pot of soggy dirt or rocks.

Most of my Amaryllis are scheduled to bloom after the holidays, when I can really use the color.

Most of the 8 big blooms are gone by bloom day.

Most of the 8 big blooms are gone by bloom day.

 

 

 

Christmas Cactus will be in full bloom by Christmas.

Christmas Cactus will be in full bloom by Christmas. Photo PBH

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a poinsettia.

The beautiful red leaves are not the real flower of this plant. The true flowers are very small. Photo PBH

The beautiful red leaves are not the real flower of this plant. The true flowers are very small. Photo PBH

What is currently blooming at your house?

Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” inspired Carol of May Dreams Gardens to start Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

 

GBBD 9/15/14

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day September 14, 20014

Finally, cooler weather.

Since the weather has cooled down, some flowers are busy blooming and making seeds.

Our house is nearly 170 years old.

Crape Myrtle are a bright spot in late summer.

Our house is nearly 170 years old. The one acre lot has plenty of room for experimenting with a variety of trees and shrubs. Birds will love as these seeds made from so many flowers this fall.

Last echinacea or coneflower of the year.

Bird food

Last of the sunflowers.

Last of the sunflowers.

 

I’ve been collecting vegetable and herb seed for next year. Flower seeds will be collected by the birds.

 

Night blooming Datura.

Night blooming Datura.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Datura flowers will often self seed. The plants get huge and take up a lot of space.

 

Nicotiana are blooming nonstop.

Nicotiana are blooming nonstop.

 

Morning coffee on the patio.

Morning coffee on the patio.

Why does coffee taste better on the patio in the morning? For me, it’s the best time to write. It’s cool and quiet except for the beautiful soundtrack provided by the songbirds. My brain is not crowded with the with the activities of the day.

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Privacy screen on the patio.

I tried to grow morning glories for a couple of years before I finally got them to grow. Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glories are now as out of control as dandelions and grass. Still the hummingbirds love the morning glories that create a privacy screen on the North side of the patio.

“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence.

Carol at May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. What’s blooming in your garden? Share with other garden bloggers on the 15th of each month. Leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

 Thank you for visiting my blog: Oh Grow Up!

GBBD 8/15/14

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day
August 15, 2014

Once again, there are sunflowers in bloom and if I am lucky I will have even more next month.

These are about 10 ' tall.

These are about 10 ‘ tall.

These are heavy flowers an have faced down all week.

These are heavy flowers have faced down all week.

 

I am guessing this sunflower is 12 ' tall.

I am guessing this sunflower is 12 ‘ tall.

 

 

There are lots of sunflowers on my Pinterest pages.

Sunflowers are big, happy flowers. I love them.

The common name “sunflower” applies to the popular annual species Helianthus annuus.

You can buy the seed at Renee’s Garden.

 

 

Datura

Datura is a night bloomer.

Sometimes they open on cloudy rainy days, thinking it is night time.

Sometimes they open on cloudy rainy days, thinking it is night time.

 

There are night moths that come when these flowers bloom.

There are night moths that come when these flowers bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, we have flowers 24-7 at the Hobson Estate in the summer. Datura, sometimes called moon flower, is a “witches weed.”  Datura has a history of causing delirious states and death. It was well-known as an essential ingredient of potions and witches’ brews. The seeds are produced in lots of spiky balls. Fail to pick up every single seed pod, and you will have more every year. They take up lots of space.

Resurrection lily, Naked Lady, Surprise Lily, Magic Lily.

Sometimes called Surprise Lily, or Magic Lily.

 

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Sometimes called Naked Lady or resurrection lily.

Sometimes called Surprise Lily, or Magic Lily.

The leaves sprout and grow in the spring, then die back during June. Then in late July or early August the flowers appear.

When I first moved here it was a long time before I got to plant these bulbs. I gave away a lot of these bulbs. The original few I had were given to me by two different friends. Before I moved to Cape, I dug up a small portion the many that bloomed every year in the hottest part of the summer.

If you have these lilies, how did you get yours? I gave about six bulbs each to at least 5 different people. Every year I think of the friends who gave them to me.  It looks like it is about time to divide them again.

 

“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence.

Carol at May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. What’s blooming in your garden? Share with other garden bloggers on the 15th of each month. Leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

 Thank you for visiting my blog: Oh Grow Up!

 

GBBD 7/15/14

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

You can never have too many flowers.

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I love sunflowers.

So do the birds and the squirrels. The sunflower-seed-loving  gold finches are here.

IMG_0056While practically standing on my head, I took this picture. The yard is exploding in lilies. I didn’t know I had taken a selfie and until I saw me attempting to photograph this lovely orange lily after a rain.

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Thousands of unusual orange daylilies.

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I have a gazillion of these double daylilies. Their name is a mystery, I haven’t a clue. If you know, please educate me. I’ve looked and looked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Yucca Plant in bloom above.

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Bachelor buttons and nicotina (L) and Coleus (R)

 

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Did I mention the food garden is blooming and blooming? This Green Tiger zucchini plant is huge, about 4′ tall.

 

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Radish seed (L)  from the white icicle radish that is blooming non stop. (R)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lavender flowers of Little Prince container eggplant from Renee’s Garden

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If I didn’t eat eggplant, I would still grow it because of the flowers.

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There are many more flowers in the yard and gardens that I would love to share. But I think I better go out and pick the zucchini while it is still small enough to carry.

Get ideas about eggplants on my Pin:  Ratatouille, or loads of garden vegetables ready now.  and zucchini on my Pinterest sites.

The Tomato Pages here,  on Oh Grow Up!

 

“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence.

Carol at May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. What’s blooming in your garden? Share with other garden bloggers on the 15th of each month. Leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

 Thank you for visitiing my blog: Oh Grow Up!

GBBD 6/15/14

June Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

I love July. Everything is green and growing. The bugs and drought haven’t gotten to everything yet.

This is ‘Going Bananas’ Daylily is a Hemerocallis from Proven Winners crowded into a patch of Black Eyed Susan . Others see how beautiful they are. I see more work. These daylilies already need to be thinned out.

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Going Bananas daylily and Black-eyed Susan “Chocolate Orange”

Black-eyed Susan “Chocolate Orange” is a dark chocolate color outlined by bright orange. Strong stems and showy long-lasting flowers are perfect for cutting.

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‘Going Bananas’ Daylily Hemerocallis hybrid

It is a lovely shade of yellow. There are three different yellow daylilies blooming in the garden now.

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Miss Mary Mary Is blooming single blooms now. Next it will be double blooms on the same plant.

 

 

Black-Eyed Stella an old favorite for good reason.

Black-Eyed Stella an old favorite for good reason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-Eyed Stella

Introduced in 1994 at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. East of the city on U.S. Highway 50 in Kingsville, MO 64061

To introduce this flower to the public, they were giving away Black Eyed Stellas. We stood in line, a long, long line, for a long, long time to get that little dayllily.

Finally at the front of the line, I was handed a scrawny bare root plant. I figured it would die before I could get home and plant it.

It thrived and multiplied and multiplied. It wasn’t long before there was a 3-foot wide border along the back of the house. Plus, for 6 years, I potted up 25 clumps to sell for the garden club every spring.

20 award-winning daylilies have been selected for the coveted All-American title for their scientifically proven and superior performance nationwide by the All-American Daylily Selection Council (AADSC).

The neighborhood mailbox spot is a bit of a gathering place

The neighborhood mailbox spot is a bit of a gathering place.

“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence.

Carol at May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. What’s blooming in your garden? Share with other garden bloggers on the 15th of each month. Leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

Patriotic Petunias, red, white and blue  flowers will only live as long as I remember to water them.

Patriotic Petunias, red, white and blue flowers will only live as long as I remember to water them.

 

 

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