And a few surprise re-appearances by some I thought long dead. After last summer I could count the number of plants fried and died on both hands....twice! But if I listen closely on a still evening I can hear some of them hollering "I'm not dead yet" It seems they have been hibernating somewhere comfy and watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Black Sweet Potato Vine bloom ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Hibiscus 'Luna Red' ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Milkweed but alas no caterpillars ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) The only mini rose to live through two winters of snow and ice ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) These plants are the ones making a great comeback. The pot this Dianthus is in was taken over by a few of the Cinnamon Basil plants that reseeded everywhere. Cleaned it out and two weeks later this started growing... Dianthus returned bigger than new ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Even in a shaded corner all summer and watered when needed the leaves on this Hydrangea fried. I continued watering just in case and early this month it began it's return. Unknown color of Endless Summer Hydrangea ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) This is a returning Phlox, I think it will be white. It was the only one of 10 I ordered last fall that grew and bloomed before the heat got it. This Phlox died way back in April but it's alive!! ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) I think it's a Salvia, May Night or could be a Red...only time will tell. I think it is a Salvia 'May Night' ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) I think I will make a list of the missing in action plants and wander the garden calling their names, maybe I can keep them from going into the light for good.
That's just fantastic. I'm always amazed at the resilience and survival skills of many plants here during our long, long dry season as well as our harsh monsoonal wet seasons. Isn't Mother Nature just the best?
That's fantastic Toni!! Those mini Roses are tough...I have 4 here that survive my cold zone 5 winters.
I love it when plants surprise me like your have Toni. I've learned to wait and be patient and never, ever pull up a plant until you're 100% sure that it really is dead.
That's wonderful news Toni. My Sweet Potato Vine never did bloom this... but the Milkweed did just like your's... a second blooming. It's in the same bed with the Passion Flower Vine... so maybe all the caterpillars are dining there instead? So glad some things in your garden have survived!
Everyone of those surprise returning plants got a hardy welcome from me when I saw them. Randy was out there with me when I found one of them and got a kick at the way I was greeting it. I talk to them all the time and I am pretty sure he won't have me taken away. But I think the neighbors seeing me talking to the plants consider me the crazy plant lady and stay well away from me. I am pretty sure there are some that will not be returning, but I sure won't mind being proved wrong by them either this fall or next spring.
I had to chuckle aloud at your Monty Python joke. What a great array of colour and plants. It sounds like the plant's internal calender has gone haywire. Still--it's great to see your pics.
