2/4/9

I got this bougainvillea about six years ago. Each year I bring it inside, right before a killing frost. It has been in the same pot all these years. Bougainvillea likes to be root bound, so although I've changed the soil a couple of times I've kept the roots intact. It blooms for me almost every month of the year. The flowers are so nice while the plant is indoors that it is hard for me to put it out in the spring, but it does even better outside, so that helps!

2/3/9

I can't believe 2009 is already missing a month! January flew by! I've been busy in the garden, repairing, transplanting, mulching, etc. getting ready for a wondrous spring. I've been sowing seeds in the house as well and my house is a virtual greenhouse. I've started Rubeckia 'Cappuccino,' Nicotiana 'Cranberry Isle,' Petunia 'Balcony,' and different varieties of Yarrow. My pepper seeds have not arrived yet, and I am anxious! I usually grow ornamental 'Black Pearl' but have decided this year to try some other types named 'Calico,' 'Sangria,' and 'Medusa.'


The tropicals that are also living indoors are doing very well. The bougainvilleas are all in bloom and I have a 'Mexican Lime' tree that is blooming for the very first time, after a five year wait. It has gotten so large that I almost left it outside to perish last year. I'm so glad I didn't! I'll soon be making Limeades! This is one of the blooms.

11/12/08

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F.

Plants at The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens 11/10/08

A. Confederate Rose Mallow (Hibiscus mutablis)

B. 'Flamingo Feather' Celosia

C. Nicotiana and 'Flamingo Feather' Celosia

D. Butterfly Ginger (Hedychium coronarium)

E. Canna 'Richard Wallace'

F. Pink Turks Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus)

11/12/08

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B.
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F.

G.

H.

I.

Roses at The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens 11/10/08

A. Phalaenopsis (Found Rose)

B. Blushing Knock-Out (2004)

C. Spice (Bermuda Mystery Rose)

D. Souvenir de la Malmaison (1843)

E. Watercolors (2008)

F. Hot Cocoa (2003)

G. La Marne (1915)

H. Julia Child (2006)

I. Martha's Vineyard (1995)

11/12/08

click photos to enlarge

More pictures of The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens 11/10/08

11/12/08

click photos to enlarge

Knock-Out, Blushing Knock-Out, Pink Knock-Out, and Rainbow Knock-Out Roses at The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens - November 10, 2008

11/06/08

Gomprhena globosa and Ageratum houstonianum

I have one bed that only contains pink, blue and lemon yellow. There are always at least two of the colors in bloom. Each year the pink Gomphrena and blue Ageratum re-seed assuring the color combination for another season. There is something happy, to me, about this colorful union.