Blooming Tuesday: 05/11/10 Clematis

I'm so happy to share all these Clematis blooms!!!
First multi-blooms I have EVER have!!
I think I planted this two years ago, and not only am I happy its alive, but even more happy about the blooming!!
WooHoo!

Happy Blooming Tuesday :}

Very Straw-berry

Soooooooo pretty!!
I'm loving watching these plants go from bloom to fruit right before my eyes.
My plants are fruiting very quick, probably because,
all though they were healthy adult plants,
were root bound and underfed in the old pot they were in.
Now they have room, good soil, and plenty of water.
Queen Uno suggested the strawberry tower for Blooming Tuesday today.
You will notice she takes it upon herself to personally to over see the growth of hubby's strawberries.
(I'm hoping to have some fresh ripe ones for when he comes home later this week.:)

~This message has been approved of by Queen Uno~

~Long Live The Queen!~

Happy Tuesday!!

Blooming Tuesday!!

Cats On Tuesday!!

22 years of Indian Paint Brushes

Every April 11th, for our wedding anniversary, my sweetie picks me my favorite wildflower.
One bloom for each year.
Hubby teased that he is working his way toward two dozen.
They don't last long in the vase, but they are SO pretty!!
Happy 22nd Anniversary sweet heart!!

Blooming Tuesday

Water Quality Control

Yesterday, as I took some Blooming Tuesday photos,
Queen Uno decided to point out the state of the pond...
(Queen Uno, ever the lady, drinks from her paw)

Although the water was clean,
it was getting a little low,
and the weeds surrounding the pond were getting a little tall,

After I tidied up last night, she and I surveyed the progress this morning.
We were both pleased to see the growth on the clematis this year (to the left).
Queen Uno thinks the angel could stand some touching up.
(I personally find her charming)
I agree with the Queen that the mirror behind the angel REALLY needs painting this year...


The button bush, and clematis on the right are doing well too
(I'm so excited, one vine is FULL of blooms, first time ever:)

So is the artemisa, thank goodness this pushy plant is in a pot.

The two water lilies look pretty happy too.
Queen Uno commented on the clear water,
but recommend some of the mossy stuff be removed.
Most of our pond stuff came from a local lake (the mossy, mucky stuff at the bottom) so our water tank/pond stays clear.

The bog pot is submersed half way in the water, so the soil is always wet.
The new addition of water cress is doing great.

All tidy, and ready to let loose!!

(notice my ONE bloom so far?)

Thanks to our resident Queen for the 'reminded' the pond needed attention.

~This message has been approved of by Queen Uno~

~Long Live The Queen!~

Cats on Tuesday

Blooming Tuesday

Blooming Tuesday: 04/06/2010

Today's beauty: Minnow daffs blooms in Shasta daisys, Dragonwing leaves in Obedient plant, Arugula blooms, Keria (?) blooms, and of course Bridal wreath spirea

Hope everyone is having a beautiful Blooming Tuesday!!

Where there is a will...

We went to the beach (20 hour drive) for a week, and on the way back, "just happened" to drive right by some plant nurseries.

(happy happy joy joy)

At the first nursery I bought a couple of beauties, both in 5 gal pots, which hubby made room for in the back of the truck by laying them on their sides.

Then I made a mega haul at the next nursery.
"Where will you put all that?" hubby (always) asks.
"Oh I'll find a spot."
Some road in a empty corner, some in an empty cooler, some in a bucket-under the black tent bag.

This Gerber Daisy (a freebie from the first nursery) rode up front,
these treasures in the bucket,
Hubby put the tent bag on top to protect them...

The Hawaii Hibiscus started out in the back, but due to the FREEZE warning in Austin (it NEVER freezes in Austin, TX), this baby was moved up front, to ride in the cab of the truck.

Luckily (for me) we had taken extra coolers, just in case they caught lots of fish, and after emptying out all the dirty clothes we had stuffed in the cooler...
It was filled with more treasures...

These hardy babies rode well in the corner for the 20 hour road trip home...

Finally home, everyone was unloaded fawned over...



I don't know what is more fun,
buying new plants,
finding a place for them at home,
or actually getting in the dirt.

I added a new begonia (dark maroon in the middle) to my kitchen window pot.

I bought a lot of different colored pothos, which I call arrowhead ivy, and added them to my kitchen table spider plant.
I also added in a purple leaved shamrock. I'm interested to see how these do together.



I added the Gerber Daisy to my tropical pot.
Can't wait for spring to really be here, and take this pot back outside and watch it go wild!!
Inside, I have to keep cutting the poor thing back.



Most of the other 'stuff' was just put in this pot with my Hawaii Hibiscus (which I cut all the way back).
Later I will spot light what is what in this pot.
Curious who will do well, and who will need to be moved here too.



Not sure what this is (not hardy, not a spirea), later it will go in my tropical pot.


My 'purple' blue bonnets smell yummy...

Beautiful and sweetly scented...
my hardy orchids (white and purple) are wonderful.

Uno was out this morning, overseeing the photo taking,
ever helpful, that's my old girl.
Have a Lovely Blooming Tuesday!!!!

Tri-Color Hau Tree

TRI-COLOR HAU TREE
Hibiscus Tiliaceus

This is the unusual tri-colored variety of the Hawaiian Hau.
The heart-shaped leathery leaves colors are green, a creamy white, and rusty-red.
They tend to flower in spring and summer, blooming with lemon-yellow flowers that fade to apricot, then finally turn red all in one day.

Indigenous to Hawaii, the Hau tree is normally found in moist areas near the ocean.
Hau has a history as a very useful plant.
The bark fibers of the hau were used by Polynesians to make strong ropes, net bags, tapa, shark nooses and sandals.
The trunks were used to make canoes, weapons, tools, fishing gear, games, strainers, and for rituals, ceremonies and healing.
Flowers of the tree were used for medicine.
They were eaten to cure dry throat.
Sap taken from the tree was used as a laxative, and was also used to reduce pain on a woman in labor.

Hau is very adaptable to pot culture.
It can easily be grown in a large pot and pruned to an attractive shape.
Give it sandy well-drained soil that is kept moist over the summer months and let go drier over the winter.
It enjoys full sun, and is hardy down to about 40 degrees.
It should not be allowed to freeze.
All these pictures AND info comes from alohatrading,
a seller on EBay.
(I have not used this seller, and other than enjoying the info and great pictures, can not recommend them)
I just bought one of these at a plant nursery ($10 for a FIVE gallon pot (insert BIG smile)).
Mine looks tattered, and I will be cutting it back, then posting pictures of it later.
I'm VERY excited.

I'm VERY pleased to rejoin MsGreen"thumb" Jean for Blooming Tuesday.
She had taken a break, and I must admit I was going through withdraw.
Bloom withdraw is NOT a pretty thing to go through. (just as my hubby:)

Have a great Tuesday!!
And thank you Jean for hosting us:)