A Day of "Firsts"

The other day, upon returning home from work, I had all kinds of "firsts".
It started with spotting this White Dogwood tree my "good" brother brought over. He said it wasn't doing well at his house and thought maybe I could save it.


White Dogwood ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )


Okay... so it's not really a "first" for things being brought here to plant... but it's the first time one has begged for assistance.





( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

I also noticed the first blooms on one of the Crape Myrtles.





( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

The Crocosmias seem to be a tad early this year. Usually I don't see them until at least the middle of June.


Crocosmia ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

The Lily of the Nile finally bloomed and it has a special "first meaning" to me. It's the plant that led me here trying to ID it... my first post here!



Lily of the Nile ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )


And now for some first-time-ever blooms on some new plants.

I almost didn't see the fenestraria aurantiaca - baby toes' bloom. It's a pretty decent size flower, I just wasn't expected it to bloom!




fenestraria aurantiaca-baby toes ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

And now for my favorite "first". Another new plant I got from the mark down rack a couple months ago ($1.99). Clerodendrum ugandense or Blue Butterfly Bush.
Not really sure if it attracts butterflies or not... but one look at the photos and you can see why it's called that.





Blue Butterfly Bush ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )






Blue Butterfly Bush ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

 

Hello Cheryl,

This is an interesting posting with some interesting pics with stories and significance to you.

The Clerodendrum ugandense I find to be a lovely flower. Yes, I can easily see the swallowtail effect the petals present.'
Ach--even if it doesn'tattract bees or butterflies. the beauty of the bloom itself is reward enough....and all for 1.99!
Meid, you did goed.

 

Beautiful photos Cheryl. I love it when new plants bloom for the first time

 

Awww, such nice blooms! I especially like the Clerodendrum. I tried to grow it as a potted plant a few years ago, but since I'm no good with house plants...

 

Hi Cheryl,
hope you can answer the HELP cry from that White Dogwood Tree,..i agree with the comments so far about your Clerodendrum ugandense or Blue Butterfly Bush,..it surely has the look of Butterfly,..and a cute flower on that fenestraria aurantiaca-baby toes,..ah that Crape Myrtle is going to give you a bumper display of blooms,..and your very early with your Crocosmia,..nice post Cheryl.

 

Cheryl-

I love the orange of the crocismia against the white wall. Not many flowers/colors can stand up to a white background. The bloom on the fenestraria aurantiaca-baby toes is amazing1 Who woulda thunk? And I agree with others, the blue butterfly bush tops them all.

 

What can I say??? :-? I'm jealous of the crape myrtle I'd love to have one but I just don't think it would like my zone 6a. The baby toes is adorable and that butterfly bush is to die for :-o

 

Thanks everyone. I, too, am loving that Blue Butterfly Bush. I showed the photos to a co-worker and she wanted me to cut off some of the blooms and put them in a vase on my desk. My reaction "Are you nuts?!?!!"
If she wants to see them in person, she'll just have to make the hour drive out here!

 

cherylad, Enjoy your photos greatly. Crape Myrtle... :'( :'( Wish mine would bloom.

Wishing, and Hoping, and Thinking and Praying for mine to bloom. The longer they don't bloom, the more I get. I now have about 8 plants.

Barb in Pa.

 

Barb, the Crape Myrtles are everywhere around here. If you see a house without at least 3 or 4... there's something wrong! This first one to bloom is relatively new.. about 8 years old. It's grafted to have 3 different color blooms. We have a very young one, probably 3 years old and then there's the 3 or 4 really old one's back in the pasture.. all are the pink blooms. The white one's are nice. Might just have to add one more some day.

 

all are fantastic :-D
Years ago I had Blue Butterfly Bush But my very spoiled by the watering
I am glad very much that I see in your garden :-D

 

I really like that Blue Butterfly Bush!! Just beautiful!

 

ROTFL, at your reaction to the co-workers suggestion to cut the flowers off the Blue Butterfly bush; 'WAY-TO-GO', Girl! ! !
Hank