A Couple of Blooms

I was thrilled when I saw these two butterflies on the pentas and ran and got the camera and they were still there. Yea! They come and go so quick. Actually the pentas are the happiest of all the flowers. Not many blooms going on this time of year and the ones that are there are so sad and puny looking. We have had a lot of dry spells this year and it hasn't rained in quite a while.

I'm getting ready to place my seed order and maybe a couple of plants too. My goal is to plan for blooms throughout the seasons. I have to admit my planning for this year wasn't what it was the previous year and my gardens are showing it too.

This sweet canna is one that was hiding when I moved them this year. I'm glad that it did. It adds a bright spot in the garden.

Check out the black widow found in the shop at the office. Could have come here in some equipment. No matter how he got here it is frightening. This is my first time to see one. I don't know how the guys got it in the bottle and didn't get bit. I wouldn't have done anything like that - I would have stomped it to death. Check out it's hour glass on the belly. A perfect hour glass. I take that to mean you only have hours to live if bitten. 

I have been very busy at work these days and that is a good thing. It means that business is picking up. It also means that I have less time to blog and visit and work is more important. I still haven't replaced my home computer. I'll be by to visit as I can.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Almost TGIF

Not too much going on in my gardens this time of year. Actually all of the gardens are looking puny and straggly since I haven't had any rain to speak of lately. Haven't been able this week to get the garden hose out since I'm having some plumbing done this week. Anyway just thought I'd share a couple blooms today.

Canna

Red vervena

Geranium

My Little Buddy

I love stormy clouds. Well I just love clouds but especially stormy ones. Wish I could say I got some rain out of this. It went all around me. Made for a nice photo anyway.



Hope you all have a great weekend.

Cottage Flora Thursdays and Fertilizer Friday

I'm joining Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday's and Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday. So happy to find some blooms this morning so I could join you gardeners.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/ and http://www.tootsietime.com/

I was not impressed with the pentas when I first put them in the ground earlier this year but they are proving to be a wonderful performer. Tolerating our varying weather conditions from dry to too wet to the extreme heat we've had this year. I definately want more of this next year. I also love that they mound.

After clearing away some plants from in front of the geraniums they are giving me a few more blooms. This one is so hard to photograph and appears bright. I have to admit that from the road this one is easy to spot.

The okra hibuscus are not nearly as big as last year but I smile big when I can catch one blooming. Have to catch them early in the day because by the time I get home today this will be a memory. 

The dahlias are blooming sporadically this year. They are not so happy with the weather. They are not happy when it is so hot and often times dry. I am needing some rain. Though it has rained a good bit I haven't had any in the past 8-10 days.

This is Bill McKnight Dahlia.

The beautiful Rose of Sharon is gorgeous. But they are like the okra hibuscus in that this will be a memory when I get home today. They are very tolerant of the varying weather conditions. I'm planning on moving both of the ones I have. As you can see the plant is still small standing only about 15".

I hope you all have a wonderful day and great weekend.

Just want to say that I appreciate all of you blogging buddies. It's a good feeling when I can get on here and share things with you and you all are right there rallying for me and praying for me. It also feels good when I just feel like complaining and you cheer me up. You remind me that I am not alone. I love you all.

Just and FYI my son has moved back to the area 30 miles from me and that is nice to have one of my kids near me. May not be for long - depends on finding a new job. He lost his job and housing when he was admitted to the hospital. I'm thankful that he was able to move into the home owned by his dad. He and the bitch witch are divorcing. Thank you for your prayers.

Bloomin Tuesday and Tuesday Garden Party

I've tried a few times on some blogs to comment and blogger is being very selective today. Anyone else having a problem?

Hooking up today with Jean at Ms Green Thumb Jean
http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/ for Bloomin Tuesday and with An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party.  http://www.anoregoncottage.com/

I am finding a little color left in the gardens. They are the same ole plants as I've been sharing for a while now. Darla has stated and I agree that it is challenging to find anything interesting in the gardens this time of year. I am hoping I get the planning down pat so that I might have a more interesting gardens next year.

The pink vervena is definately a stand out and am sorry that I didn't purchase a flat of these. I only bought one pink one. sad face.

The red verbena is also a show stopper. I put down 4 plants of these and am wishing I had more. Any plants that are still blooming are keepers for next year and will add more. The plan is to put down a couple more garden areas. Keeping the fingers crossed I get this accomplished in the fall to better prepare for spring.

I have quite a few patches of the white dianthus and am really loving the dianthus this year. The white glows at night.

Happy to see another bloom on the Endless Summer Hydrangea.

Begonias were the show stoppers last year. But the plants that I have are hanging on and keeping their blooms.

The bougainvillea is still holding onto a few blooms.

Critters in the garden. What is this?

What is this little fellow? His wings never stopped. Reminded me of a hummer.

Look at the roots on just a couple of the weeds I complain so much about. Can't shake it back into the garden since it is loaded with these spider roots. Will be adding more soil to the gardens when I get ready to put out seeds for next year.

I love interesting clouds and I love rain. Thought I'd share what our weather has looked like lately.

And yes it brought some much needed rain.

Hope you all have a great week. I'm thinking of you guys in Texas. That is some HOT weather you are having.

PS check out my recipe blog -

http://beccascookingspot.blogspot.com/

I'm Still Here...

Good morning girlfriends. I am still here if anyone is wondering. Just going thru some things and a little stress. I'm feeling like I need to take a few more days away from blogging. Not much to share from the gardens. Gosh it's so hot here. I'll be by to check on you guys and what you are sharing.