viernes, 29 de diciembre de 2017

Summer, blooms and bees

Despite the unbearable heat of these summer days ( 40 C- 104 F yesterday) and sudden downpours that only make things worse I have a reason to smile: The lotus are blooming!


This flower was so high up! I needed a chair to take the pictures


Mrs Perry Slocum day 1


Day 2


Day 3


Another Mrs. Perry Slocum plant


And yet another one (made lots of new plants in winter when I divided rhizomes)


Bees love the Lotus flowers! (and I love bees!)





The following pictures are a big achievement for me: I've been trying to take pictures of this big bumblebee for months and the lotus finally gave me the chance I needed!






The bees also love Roses







Bee on Ligustrum sinense



Roses without bees





Hibiscus syriacus is blooming



Hibiscus sinensis (I think I never posted pictures of these varieties before)



The water lilies continue blooming.. I often say I hate summer and my climate in general because I can't grow peonies, tulips and other temperate climate plants but when I see the all the water lilies I can have here I feel a bit better! (I'm still waiting for the real Queens of the pond.. shy blommers but spectacular! you'll see them)






Mirabilis Jalapa is beautiful but can take over easily if left unchecked!



See you next time and wish you a happy new year!



jueves, 21 de diciembre de 2017

Summer is here

Summer begins today in the southern hemisphere... it's definitely not my favorite season: Summer here can be brutal, in the hottest months of the year temperatures can rise to 45 C (113 f) and occasionally even more, rain is ample but evaporates quickly under the scorching sun and wind does not seem to bring relief. Nevertheless some plants thrive in these conditions....

Water lilies are the soul of the summer in my garden.

Blushing bride ...breathtakingly beautiful! one of my favorite lilies.


Closing by the afternoom




Blue star


I think this lily is Carnea


Golden west, a tropical lily


Lindsey Woods


Lindsey Woods with a dragonfly


Red Start with dragonfly


Red star again


Sasaki Pink


Hydrangeas..I love them so much! I want more hydrangeas in my life/garden



The first Agapanthus of the year


Fuchsias are blooming



Not many roses lately.. heat takes a toll on them... on contrary hibiscus love the heat






Mirabilis Jalapa.. cute but very invasive!


The lotus are almost there...

See you next time!