Update of the Corner Garden

Lots of changes in the corner garden. I did so much work over the weekend that I was too tired to write about it until today. Unfortunately, about 70% of it was inside, and as much I'd like to post pictures of my laundry and my daughter's very clean room, I'll spare you. So here is what I did to the garden:

The garden a couple of weeks ago:



The garden now:
I added landscaping timbers and moved the two palms from the back to the new circle. I also moved some of the crinums along the fence, including my eBay find. I also added some white vinca in the front. It is an improvement, but I'm not entirely pleased with it. First, the mulch is mighty orange. I would have prefered a more natural color, but I worked with what I had. The second thing is something I didn't notice until I finished and took these pictures. Maybe it is the circle. Maybe its the arc of white flowers or the palm trees. All I know is I can't see anything else.

(Need a hint? Are you feeling happy?)

Can't wait until this sucker grows in.

Good Morning, Crinum!

My best guess is that this is a Crinum 'Stars and Stripes' C. × digweedii (C. erubescens × C. scabrum). If anyone out there who knows more about these plants can ID it, I would greatly appreciate it!

Update on the Crinum

I love this plant so much I want to jump on Oprah's couch.

Butterfly Hunting

Me and my daughter went butterfly hunting this morning. Don't worry, we only shot them with the camera. Even though I have fewer butterfly plants this year, I've noticed a ton of butterflies. A lot of different varieties too. Of course, when we sit in the garden, patiently waiting for a butterfly to flutter by, there none but this little dull one. Oh well, I did some seriously cute pictures of my daughter. The garden looks like a jungle from this angle:

Caught Red Handed

I knew something was eating my plants. The ginger was munched on, and a small banana plant was chewed to the ground. I blamed it on my husband, but I figured it was the work of a opossum that took up residence under the shed. This morning I woke and found the real culprit caught in the act:

On one hand, I'm sure the poor thing is thirsty. It hasn't really rained here in about a month and a half. On the other hand, when he munches on it tomorrow, I think it will have a distinct chili pepper kick to it.

It is a Gardening-poloza in here!

I have three days off - in a row - so I have a lot of stuff I want to accomplish:

1. Start a new circular bed in the corner garden
2. Get landscaping timbers for the corner garden
3. Remove the other bananas (finally)
4. Weed the front garden bed
5. Fertilize with fish emulsion
6. Laundry (I was told I need to make some time for that.)
7. Watch my crinum (above) bloom

Hey Anonymous!

Whoever identified the Medinilla in the Gainesville Butterfly Rainforest- THANK YOU! I've been wondering about that plant for almost a year.

I Love This Time of Year

I love this time of year! I don't feel totally depressed every time go out to the garden. The butterfly garden is looking pretty decent right now. The only flaw (and isn't there always one?) is the empty trellis where the passion vine just isn't taking off. The Stargazer lilies are beautiful and the pink guara by the bird bath have gotten very tall and spread nicely. But nothing compares to finding a little surprise like this one:
One of my Crinums, one of the ones I was pretty sure I killed, HAS A BUD!! I'm SO excited I'M USING CAPS!!!! (You'll be seeing more of this plant in the near future.)

Blooming Gifts from my Garden

I came home to presents this evening:

Canna 'Tropicanna'

Stargazer Lily #1

Stargazer Lily #2

Update on the Butterfly Garden

Just when I've written off a plant, it goes and does something that redeems itself. I was ready to tear out all of the lantana this year, just because it was ready to take over things. But check out that pink! I don't remember planting lantana that pink. And its a color after my own heart. I took a bunch of cuttings today, so hopefully I'll have more shortly.Here's an update of the Butterfly Garden. It is still a bit messy looking and I'm not sure how to fix that.

But next week should be pretty - my stargazer lilies are all set to bloom.

Update of the Pool Garden

The cannas are about to bloom. I should have some pretty pictures this week.

The pool garden is looking pretty good. Yes, the bananas are still there. I love when they look alive. I'm not sure when I'll pull them out.

Update of the Corner Garden

The corner garden is missing something. I think it's a focal point. I was moving towards an outdoor room like my inspiration, but now I am leaning back to my original plan of an island. I'd move the two queen palms closer to each other and fill in the circle with my lovely crinums. Big tall ginger would line the fence. Now that I have a source for cool crinum and gingers (eBay), I've got big plans for them. I'm still conflicted and I have to make up my mind soon because the queen palms will quickly get too big to move.

Speaking of my new eBay addiction, here is my first purchase. The pot came with this plant and two little pups. It's still small, but if it is like my other crinum plants, it will grow fast and multiply like rabbits.

Something, I'm not sure what, trampled my new shoots of ginger. A certain someone swears that it wasn't his remote control truck. Good, because I'd hate to see what would happen to someone's truck if it turns out it was in my ginger.

Update on the Shed Garden

The shed garden is coming along, but of course, not as much as I'd like. Mostly it is just uneven. The right side gets more sun and seems to be really taking off. The left is lagging in the shade. The butterfly ginger is looking very full and I'm looking forward to a lot of blooms this year. The lime green sweet potato vine is popping up in spots, but is no where near as lush as it was last year. The one thing really thriving in the shade is the small little hidden ginger, which loves the shade.
Beer Bottle Border! Thanks to the inspiration from Vert, I decided to create my own border with what is mighty plentiful around the house, beer bottles. This is bordering a new pie shaped bed that connects the shed garden to the corner garden. I'm a few bottles short, so we need to get busy. Party at my house!

My Ebay Purchase

Crinum x Menehune

I did end up buy the plant from eBay. This picture is from the entry, although this is a mature plant and I bought a seedling. It was really reasonably priced for such an unusual plant and I am very excited. I'll keep you posted.

I Just Need Some Pretty Flowers Today . . .

If you are having one of those days, here you are: Flowers from the garden over the last week:

Irises in the front garden.

The Peruvian Daffodil turned out to be a double.

Peruvian Sheild (Peru must have lots of cool plants . . .)

My Hidden Ginger was really hidden. I passed by it three times.

Canna 'Tropicanna'

Some Newbies . . .

I am usually strictly gardening, but tonight I have to feature a couple of blogs that talk about papercrafts. Why? Cause they are written by my Mom and Aunt Judy!! And for newbies, they aren't doing to bad. In fact, I think I have created some blogging monsters. So, if you are into papercrafts, stop by their blogs and give them some encouragement.

http://www.suzieqcreations.blogspot.com/

http://www.jkchristiancrafts.blogspot.com/

Have you purchased plants from Ebay?

I'm looking for people's input on buying plants from sellers on Ebay. I am interested in some of the rarer crinum lilies and there seem to be some good deals on Ebay, but the idea is making me nervous. I've never even purchased plants online from a reputable business, much less something from someone's back yard. So if this is something you have tried, let me know.