Far and Near

BY SKEETER

 I am forever showing close up photos of blooms in my GEORGIA GARDENS. Close-ups give glory to the bloom while the plant seems to be lost.

 So today, I will change things up a bit and show some plants currently blooming. Hydrangeas are new to me as I have only been adding them to my gardens the past two years. I knew nothing of the plants but know they are a staple in a Southern garden.

 McCorkles Nursery (Giant Plant Sale) has Hydrangeas at such great prices that I decided to give them a try. I just love this "Mini Penny" above in my newest of gardens.

This Mini Penny is a Repeat Flowering Hydrangea and has hints of a creamy yellow with the blue coloring. 

 This Mini Penny is in the Semi-Formal Shade Garden.

This Mini Penny is the same plant as in the before plant but has more Blue to its flowers. More pine straw in this area for sure. 

 Midnight Duchess, as well as all my hydrangeas, had a rough start being planted during the peek of our 3 year drought. I really babied the Hydrangeas in my small collection during the drought. 

 Plentiful rains during Spring and into Summer have them shining. I really do like those purple-black stems on Midnight Duchess!

 Vitex  or Chaste Tree was added a couple of years ago and is doing great! 

 Bees love these blooms. Can you see the 2 bees in this picture?

 Rose of Sharon is a favorite of mine as it reminds me of my childhood home in Tennessee.  

 Here you see Sharon in the color of purple. I also have her in the colors of White and Pink. See the bug on this bloom?

 Balloon Flower has been with me for several years but will not seem to fill in for me.

 Even though it seems to be a slow grower for me, it does bloom each year. Am sure the recent rains are helping to make it stronger as the drought is finally over! Well, for now...

 I have 2 Trumpet Honey Suckle that are doing wonderful.

 Their bright red color attracts many pollinators.

And they are producing the most beautiful berry's as well.

I almost removed this Lantana from my garden this spring. It was late to return and I was clipping what appeared to be a dead bush when I spotted new growth. YIKES! 

I am so happy I spotted that bit of growth. I would have missed out on some beautiful blooms had I kept cutting the bush.

 Crepe Myrtle is now blooming. This tree is in the mending stage as it is "Miss Myrtle" that did the Splits on me in 2011. Click HERE to see that mishap.

She is bouncing back and blooming FAR AND NEAR, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Seeds and a Mystery Plant

BY SKEETER

I have mentioned before how I do not have luck when scattering seeds in my Georgia Gardens. Last year, I scattered many packets and containers of seed with little to no luck. I decided to try a different route this year. The plan was to add plants instead. Seedlings started to pop up before I got around to finding plants for this area. As you can see the only seeds to work for me is Black-eyed Susan. When everything else fails, they always shine.

This plant starting popping up as well. The Saint and I argue if it is a weed or plant that came from the seed packets. I told him to keep his hands off it as I wanted to see what would happen.

It is a very tall plant standing about 4 feet tall. It has branched off and has yellow blooms on the top of each branch.

It has very large green leaves and is healthy and happy even during these hot drought conditions.

The yellow blooms come and go daily. 

It has fuzzy buds.

Japanese Beetle and Aphids like it.

Here is a yellow bloom. Sorry so dark but as I said, the blooms come and go quickly. I spotted this bloom in the evening.

A pretty little bloom.

Do any of you know the name of this plant? Or Weed?

It is enjoying the Susan's, Lily, Gladiola and Balloon Flower.

Only 3 Gladiola's came back this year. Either the Vole's got them or the bulbs do not like to return with our mild winters.

Susan mingles with Balloon Flower, SEEDS AND A MYSTERY PLANT, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Balloon Ride

By SkeeterHere is a new addition to my Georgia Flower Garden this year. Imagine this flower bud turned upside down.....Okay, I will help your imagination along with the click of a button. Can you see this bud resembling the shape of a Balloon? I like to think of a Hot Air Balloon Ride when viewing them. I had never seen these flowers until Tina showed me some in her yard at Tiger Gardens. I think they are awesome little buds and found some on the cheap this spring.
They are Chinese Bell flowers and thus far, are doing well in my Semi-Formal Flower Garden.

I had them in colors of blue and white. I did not snap a picture of the white blooms but think this raindrop picture might make up for the lack of photo snapping.

Once the Balloon has burst open, it takes the shape of a star!

They did well when the soggy conditions killed off the roots of the Phlox planted near them at the same time. I hope they continue to do well in my Garden by surviving their first winter.

I have enjoyed the BALLOON RIDE, In the Garden...