Gladiolus Serviving The Heat Wave And Gushing Water Valve

Loveliness rules! In spite of the horrendous heat wave  I have been able to save the Gladiolus with the aid of a little sun protection.

It looks like there will be at least 12 long stems of White Gladiolus this year. When I bought the bulbs the package showed white flowers with a deep red center.

But, it looks like they are going to be all white and that is just fine. The bulbs were from Van Bloem Gardens and named Flevo Eyes. I don't see any red in the flower throat! This is the first time that something like this has happened in all the time I have been gardening. Probably packaged incorrectly. Little surprises! ! !

 They look so tall and majestic - - - don't they?

Gosh, I sure love my garden. It gives me so much comfort. The year has been so very difficult for me in many ways and I am so grateful for the pleasure my garden gives me

Yesterday I was able to buy some more planting mix, garden soil and peat moss so I can work in some more flower beds that need some invigorating.  The clay and rocky soil is so difficult to work with. For optimum results the garden needs a lot more amendments.

As I previously mentioned, the Fig Tree is huge. We can't even see the Angel Statuary at the base of the tree in this photo. It has really grown a lot since last year. And it looks like there will be a lot of fruit. I noticed the Blue Jay birds showing more interest in the tree lately. It is time for me to put up some silver reflective tape to deter their interest.

All the rains this past year have certainly given a pleasant dimension to the garden this year.  Everything is looking healthier and more abundant. So nice!

😟  Lately, it seems like each day I am faced with a new challenge. Today was no different. About mid-day I heard what sounded like water running forcefully. I quickly went outside to the main water valve on the side of the house to find lots of water gushing from a PVC water pipe valve next to the main valve. It is the valve pictured at the bottom of the next photo where you can see the red lever. It was installed years ago for the sprinkler system. 

This is the opening where the water was gushing from. This black pug was forced out and landed on the sidewalk. It looked like it had been glued in with PVC cement.

So, at this point, I am without water until a new valve is installed!  Stay tuned ! ! !

I'm tired and going to bed!

Mary

Fireworks Plants Coming To Life And More Daylilies

Yes, Really ! Take a look - - -

That means that only two more plants have to show growth and we will be on our way.

This is the way they looked last fall before I cut them back before the winter.   What was I thinking! 

I wonder how long before I see something like this.     If ever !

A few more Daylilies are opening and showing their beautiful colors.

Today I was able to get my car serviced and all went well.  However, the air conditioning will have to be checked out by a Service Provider that can work on computer diagnostics.

Thank goodness the weather was a little cooler today.  Especially, since I had to walk to and from the local Auto Shop. Only a few blocks away.  But, if it had been like the last few days there is no way I could have walked.

I hope your week is off to a Good Start.

Mary

Elephant Onion

Would you like to see some more of my garden? Let's do it. First, let me tell you how much I am enjoying all the bumblebees, hummingbirds, butterflies and birds that have been visiting me in my garden.

Now, what is this? It is a fun plant that I have told you about in the past. This is something that I picked up at a local farmer's market several years ago. It is called Egyptian Walking Onion. These perennials are interesting in that they produce clusters of reddish hazelnut-sized bulblets that form at the top of each seed stalk. The name 'walking onion' comes from the fact that if left untended, the onion stalks will bend down to the ground and take root all by themselves. The bulbs at the base of the plant can be used in cooking and the bulblets can be replanted.

Several weeks ago this is how it looked. You can see all the little new onions along side of the mother plant and the bulblets forming at the top of the stalks.

And now it is showing it's artistic and entertaining curly tops loaded with new bulblets!

 Isn't nature wonderful?  It's just another fun conversation piece. Kind of like my curly Dragon Lady plant in the next photo that I have previously blogged about !

Well Now - - - After eight consecutive days with temperatures over three digits I am very hopeful that cooler temperatures will prevail.

It is hard on the garden when the weather gets this hot. I have had to cover my gladiolas with shade cloth because the new blooms were shrivelling from the heat on the tender new growth. I hope they survive!

It's been a lot easier to keep up with blogging when it is too hot to be in the garden. Priorities - priorities!

Please stay cool and well and enjoy the weekend. OK.

Mary

What Happened To The Gomphrena "Fireworks" Plants

Well, last fall when I was working on the Front Flower Beds and revitalizing the Iris by dividing the creeping old rhizomes of the large variety of different colors and  species I ordered some perennials through mail order for the opposite side of the garden pathway.

Wow, such great healthy looking plants.

Because the soil in the flower bed had to be reconditioned before planting, I eventually had to transplant the new plants into larger pots.

Long story short - with all my fussing about - they were planted very late in the season and I trimmed them way back to give energy/strength to the roots!

Today, ONE of the six plants are showing promise. My tenaciousness persists and I am hopeful the others will catch up.

Each plant shows some hope - but, it looks like it is going to be slow going.  And, with the intense heat spell that we are in, frequent watering is a must.

There is so much to look at in the garden these days. This morning the Dayliles made their first appearance and that is always fun. There are a lot of varieties in my garden that are getting ready to "show us their stuff"!  Fun,  Fun, Fun.

Next time I try to take some photos I will take one of the Fig Tree. It has grown so large. Looks like double the size of last year.  And  -  it has just started to set fruit! I am just having loads of FUN.

With this day after day of intense heat it is very difficult to get much done in the house or outside except for hand watering.

This is what the thermometer at my front and back doors say most of the time and sometimes higher. I hope everyone is staying safe and continues to be mindful of the dangers of excessive elevated temperatures.

I think it is a good time to make some Iced Tea. Wish you could join me for "a little sit down".

Mary

Heat Wave Is On It's Way And A Garden Visitor

The next few days are reported to be the hottest this year. By hot, I mean over 100 degrees. Everything in the garden continues to grow nicely. It is taking some additional watering but that is OK. I have been doing some nasty dirty yard work and filling lots of yard waste barrels. My property is bordered on the outside of my fence with Red Oleander Shrubs that are blooming and growing vigorously. I planted the Oleander shortly after I moved here 20 plus years ago and they have needed some clean-up at their base. You know, weeds and some trimming. This photo was taken by Google Mapping a few years ago. The Oleander has given nice privacy and a deer deterrent.

The Hydrangea plant is starting to bloom.

They are nestled in front of the Star Jasmine that covers the fence. On the left the Gladiolas are getting ready to bloom. And, some Rosemary herbs are nearby.

That little Hydrangea Plant has come a long way since last year.

So seldom do I mention anything about Mother Nature's "Bambi", THE DEER coming into my garden looking for their dinner plate.

Well, I just noticed that I referenced deer deterrent in my first paragraph of this post that I started yesterday.   How funny is that?  Because, last evening I walked outside to be surprised by a fellow who looked similar to the next photo having dinner at the flower bed (buffet table) outside my living room window. I was so surprised and wondered how he got in. Then I remembered that the wire fence opening down by the seasonal creek was still open after the heavy rains. Sure enough, that is where he went to exit my garden by bending down to get through the opening.  And, then he had the nerve to stand on the other side and stare at me while I talked to him.  I guess my garden was just too much to resist!

Recently, I had noticed what I thought I was seeing in my garden as tell-tale signs of deer nibbling on many of my plants, especially the roses, along the one side of my garden. Sooooooooooo! Now I know why ! ! !

There really are a lot of deer that wander around my neighborhood every day, especially in the early evening. And, I still tend to get a little excited when I see them. I think they are so beautiful with their graceful gliding movements and their curiosity.

The Oleander are in full force!

And, the Pink Alstroemeria are starting to bloom. They are so delicate and the markings are exquisite.

That's all for today. Have a Good Weekend.

Mary

Fun With Something New In The Garden

This is something new for me. Never have I tried to grow outdoor garden Amaryllis. Last year I planted this bulb and look what I have this year.

A few days ago I was nicely surprised to notice this healthy looking blossom about to burst open!

Certainly worth the $2 .98 that I paid. Maybe, I should have bought more? It sure looks happy where it is planted so maybe it will spread and produce more flowers in the future.

So fun to watch it grow. Yes, that's the way we gardeners roll!

And, look at those Dusty Miller plants. I have never seen them grow that tall in the past.

WOW.  WOW.  WOW.  It opened so fast today.  There will be two blooms and they are lovely. Just like the picture. About six inches across.

It has been a nice Saturday Surprise.

I continue to try and work play in my garden about two hours a day. I so much enjoy it but I am having a lot more pain in my back and down my leg. And, unfortunately, there isn't much else that doesn't hurt as well.    Knees, shoulders, ankles, fingers, neck - you names it. OK here is my faithful saying - - - It is what it is!

Wishing a Wonderful Weekend to all. I am linking up today with Dishing It and Digging It  .

Mary