Carol's Garden

Recently I have been taking photos in my garden and when traveling.
It is hit or miss, but here are some of the hits.

Black-eyed Susan  Rudbeckia hirta
A Picture Within a Picture
This is called sheer luck! Not until I had the photo uploaded did I see the reflection in the raindrop.

Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' buds

   This member of the amaryllis family produces multiple, long-lasting blooms from late summer through early fall.

Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet'
In bloom

These blooms stand tall above the sword-shaped leaves. It doesn't seem to care where
it grows — perennial border or tropical garden. The bulbs are large and pest resistant.

Night-blooming Cereus
 Epiphyllum hookeri

This member of the cactus family is
spectacular if you are fortunate enough
to catch it blooming. I inspected the bud carefully
 each evening to see if it appeared ready to bloom,
but still I was surprised when I happened to go out
early one morning. The bloom faded quickly,
and it was just luck that I captured this photo.

Agave americana
Century Plant
or
Agave parryi Engelm.
Parry's agave

Native to arid landscapes, this plant was growing in Guadalupe Mountains National
Park in July. The Park identified it as A.americana; however, my research
 suggests it is Parry's agave.

Agave parryi
In bloom

    This agave is often referred to as a Century Plant, but in warm climates it will generally bloom in 10 years. It is monocarpic — it dies after blooming, but it produces offsets or "pups" throughout its life.
 

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta

    This common wildflower has been hybridized
for the flower garden. Its many varieties are easily grown from seed and should be sown where it
will get at least six hours of sun.
 

Blue-eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium bellum

    I first discovered this wildflower growing in a crack
in the sidewalk. I collected seed, and I now have it growing in a bed of thyme underneath a crape
myrtle. I guess I am drawn to it because it is a
member of the Iris family and because its incredible blue is something to behold.

Rainbow Hedge Hog Cactus
Echinocereus dasyacanthus

    This cactus resides in a pot and bloomed shortly
after my husband brought it home. Although
it is a short-lived bloom, it is fun watching the bud
develop from what could be described as a
"growth" on the side of the barrel-shaped cactus

Amaryllis
Hippeastrum
(unknown hybrid)

I bought this "bulb-in-a-pot" in early December so it could be part of my holiday decorating. It finally bloomed in March! But I had a great time taking a photo each day to document the stages
of bloom — this is on the eighth day.

California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica

   In the early morning rain — the first rain of the year, March 11, 2009
This poppy grows profusely along roadsides in California. It makes a wonderful bedding plant that provides an early spark of color and
re-seeds easily in hot, dry areas.

Artichoke
Cynara scolymus

 On impulse, I bought an artichoke plant though I knew nothing about caring for it. Miraculously we harvested two artichokes which are actually the
flower buds. Then, as summer turned up the heat,
the remaining buds opened and flowered
before I knew it.

The Parsley Worm

I happily sacrificed two fennel plants so this
little guy and his countless cousins could grow up
to be beautiful swallowtail butterflies.
I titled this photo Good to the Last Bite.

 

Monarda
Monarda didyma

Sometimes known as bergamont or bee balm,
this beautiful flower makes a great cut flower.
It is a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds,
and bees. It has just one problem — it is extremely susceptible to mildew in our hot, humid summers.

Papa Cardinal is a frequent visitor to my garden
and is not the least shy about posing for a photo.

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