New callas of May

The callas are blooming. First up: Flame. These blooms display brilliant yellow, with a touch of orange or red. I am assuming that as the weeks go on, they will deepen in color per their namesake. As an aside, the single blooming purple flower of my Devil’s Wine calla has barely faded but held its true shape. It’s a testament to how long-lived these calla blooms are!

My Blossom Farm order came in last week, but 2 of the lavender plants I ordered do not appear to be faring very well. I’ve been keeping a close watch on them, but it appears the smallest of the 4 has given up the ghost. I’ve messaged Blossom Farm for assistance…perhaps they are not beyond rescue. I’m just glad that I have one each of the 2 larger specimens, Coconut Ice and White Provence.

I’m not too thrilled with the Bewitched Purple potato vine (which appears to be mislabeled) threatening to take over my planter. While the palmate shape of the leaves are attractive, they are much too large and overshadowing the neighboring plants. I intend to pull it out as soon as I can find a suitable replacement, preferably a petite-leaf purple potato vine, similar to the compact bright green potato vine (which may be a Sweetheart Light Green) in the other planter.

Today is an example of a perfect morning on the patio, cool weather and warm sun. I should invest in a folding patio set. Perhaps I can shop for one this holiday…if the fiance will let me out of bed this weekend. 😀

5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (1) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (2) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (3) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (4) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (5) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (6) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (7) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (8) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (9) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (10) 5/20/2009 On the Patio Again (11)

Emergent callas

While I am lamenting the loss of the purple pepper plant in the second box planter on my patio, my first brightly colored planter is hosting an emerging calla show. It appears that the Mango callas are bursting out of the ground…no sign of Flame yet. Here’s hoping to see it soon!

Luscious calla

More photos of the patio garden. The Devil’s Wine calla lily has risen in blooms and a magnificent deep purple-red flower. It pairs beautifully with the 2 Purple Flash ornamental pepper plants on its flanks. The peppers, incidentally, will not grow taller than 2 feet high. Also featured in this photo string is a shot of the pale leaves from the top of my asahi zuru. I imagine due to the lack of chlorophyll they are not faring too well. Beautiful colors anyway…

3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (1) 3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (2) 3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (3) 3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (4) 3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (5) 3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (6) 3/27/2009 Callas in the Patio Garden (7)

The Patio Garden

I added to the garden this weekend: a white salvia from Plants & Planters; red and white dianthus, yellow and red/orange french marigolds, and yellow potato vine (Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Light Green perhaps) from Cristina’s Flowers; Sweet Caroline Bewitched Purple potato vine (which actually looks like a Caroline Purple) from Lowes, Devil’s Wine Calla Lily and 2 Purple Flash Ornamental Peppers from Home Depot. The troughs are divided between the yellows/reds and the whites/purples plants. I still have two mini troughs that are begging for attention. I am thinking about adding another rosemary shrub to the garden, and I’m contemplating white hostas.

3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (1) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (2) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (3) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (4) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (5) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (6) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (7) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (8) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (9) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (10) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (11) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (12) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (13) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (14) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (15) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (16) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (17) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (18) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (19) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (20) 3/23/2009 March Patio Garden (21)

A visit to Gunters

I made a stop at Gunter’s greenhouse on my way to work today. I had wanted to see if they had anything unusual to add to my patio garden, but as usual, the orchids are the biggest draw. I stepped into the prehistoric jungle and wended my way among the spectacular blooms. Orchids rock! I recommend the place highly if you are looking for something different in plant life.

I potted up a couple of dark red dianthus with my calla lily/jasmine. I also have 3 planter troughs now, sitting on my patio, waiting for paint to dry. I imagine it won’t take much for me to find something to plant in them. Methinks I’ll be needing another bag of garden soil now. I intend to put a mix of garden and potting soil in each of the troughs, to gently remind them that they will find a home in a real garden some day.

Around the apartment complex where I live, the indian hawthorn are bursting with flowers, and the pink and white salvias are starting to show their colors. I plan on stealing a couple of sprigs of white salvia so that I can grow them on my own.

Now where are my cosmos seeds???

3/20/2009 Orchids at Gunther's (1) 3/20/2009 Orchids at Gunther's (2) 3/20/2009 Orchids at Gunther's (3) 3/20/2009 Orchids at Gunther's (4)