First the Mimosa. I know... you either love 'em or hate 'em. I love 'em because they remind me of my grandparents' home. Mimosa ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Mimosa ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And the front flower bed. Still waiting on the Texas Star Hibiscus to start blooming... they seem to be a little late this year... or I'm just anxious to see them. front flower bed ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And just a few things I don't think I've shown this year. The Batface Cuphea. Batface Cuphea ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) The Moss Rose that has made it's appearance for the 2nd year since planting. Moss Rose ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And a new addition called Purple Robe. Purple Robe ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
I love Mimosa too and so do the Swallowtail Butterflies. Everything is looking beautiful in your yard. The Texas Star Hibiscus from your seeds are only about 5 inches tall, a few more inches and they will be in the ground...and when I get the bed ready for them
Toni... once the TX Star's feet get used to being in the ground, they will grow very quickly. I've seen them grow 4-6 inches overnight!
Beautiful!!!...The mimosa is great! I like them for the same reason as you...I spent many a childhood day climbing in the huge mimosa trees in my grandparents yard.
cherylad, You have so many beautiful flowers there. I just never find these kind when I am at the garden centers. I wonder why? I have always loved the Mimosa and so did my daughter. We planted one right outside of her window so she could enjoy it everyday. It was in a 5 gallon field pot when we got it and that was 4 years ago. It has grown allot but has never bloomed. It's about 12 to 15 feet tall now. Yesterday the little new green growth started on all the branches. When ever is it going to bloom? Barb in Pa.
Thanks Pondlady, Deanna, Toni, Michael and Barb. I'll have to try to get a better photo of the Batface. It just started blooming so there wasn't many to choose from. Plus I had to kneel down on the sidewalk and it was kinda hot. But it's little flowers really do look like bats! I got it at hardware store that has a VERY nice garden section. And the Purple Robe I found at another little hardware store. Not a great garden section, but you can find some different things there. It's funny that we all love the Mimosa because of nostalgic reasons (and the butterflies too!) :-D
Looking good! I like that Mimosa tree, I wonder if it would fare well up north (off to google and find out!).
Pianolady, I'm in 5a and I have one for 4 years now without any special preparation for the Winter. Barb in Pa.
Some people consider them a "trash tree". They don't live very long lives (perhaps 15-25 years?). And yes, they are a bit messy. Mostly their seed pods. And they tend to "weep" leaving a residue. And they reseed at will. And the branches are considered weak. But around here... we tend to fight over who will park underneath it since it's the only shady spot to park. And we don't have fancy vehicles or paint jobs. Our trucks are usually dirty from road grime, dust and/or mud. Hmmm... a little dirtier truck... or the steering wheel being 80F instead of 120F? And as far as the reseeding... it's hard to tell them from the "Rattlebox" (which is even more invasive and don't grow tall enough to even sit under). So... they all get mowed down regularly. Or, if you're absolutely sure of what you're saving, you can let a Mimosa grow up a bit and transplant it to another part of the property (just like my brother "The Dragon" did) so he'd have his own shade tree to park underneath (maybe in about 5 years?) The branches aren't all that strong. But since we're all too old to be climbing trees anymore... not a problem. So... that's why some people hate them. What's that old saying... one person's trash (tree)... is another person's treasure? Ohh... did I mention that the butterflies and hummingbirds love their cute frilly pink flowers?
What a magnificent display, Cheryl. Not only are the flowers themselves lovely, but the pics are well-taken and display them, superbly. It is a pleasure to see what you have going on there and how your garden is laid-out a little. Of course, you gave only a glimpse, but it is plain to see that you have really shown what you have done well. Isn't that mimosa an exotic-looking flower--I can imagine that hummingbirds would like these flowers a lot.
Thank you for the very kind words Sjoerd! The front flowerbed is finally getting close to what I imagined. I was going to plant some of the Baby Sunrose for ground cover there yesterday, but it was just too hot. I'll see if I can get a good photo of the entire front view.
