My Flower Garden in May

May has seen more than her share of stormy weather.  My flower gardens were often a muddy mess, but most of the flowers fared well from the inclement weather.

An Eastern Black Swallowtail checks out the Lantana

Can you see the tiny Skipper on this bloom?
(Wish I could remember the name of this plant- my amnesia is kicking in)

Lovely Red Pentas

A busy Bumble Bee buzzed from flower to flower

He is particularly fond of the Foxgloves (I am too!)

Buzzzzzzz

My Asiatic Lily is now blooming and the size of it has quadrupled since last year!
 Time to transplant this one.

My first Hibiscus plant.  The huge, gorgeous blooms convinced me to bring it home.

I planted a few Double Tiger Lily bulbs back in February.
They're now gorgeous!  Wish their blooms would last longer!

I love this shade of pink.  Pink Verbena.

The first of the Liatris Spicata plants has bloomed.  
Several stalks are coming up and will soon bloom as well.

Several of these tiny insects (some sort of small bee?) are creeping about on the Gaillardia blooms

The young and the old, side by side

April Blooms in My Garden

Despite all the rain, our newly planted flowers and shrubs did well during April.  Daytime temperatures have been comfortable enough, so I've spent a good portion of my spare time outdoors. Our flower gardens are fresh and lively.  I wish they would stay as colorful and fresh as they are now, but the summer heat will soon set in and destroy some of their beauty.  Some of my favorites from the month of April...

Blue Salvia is a favorite for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds

The St. Joseph's Lily bud attracted a tiny visitor- anyone happen to know what kind of spider this is?

One of three varieties of Hosta planted in my gardens

I love the color combinations of this Lantana- "Luscious Berry" from Proven Winners 

I did a mass planting of them a few feet from the back porch- they're so pretty!

Gaillardias aka Fire Wheels or Blanket Flowers are always a hit with their bright orange & yellow petals 

The Scarlet Milkweed is already growing like crazy!

A beautiful "weed"

The Scarlet Milkweed attracts butterflies, in particular the Monarch.  It also attracts Milkweed bugs.

The Kleim's Hardy Gardenia shrubs have bloomed beautifully

I love Gardenias!

Blanket Flowers: Bright & Colorful

One of the brightest spots on my front porch this summer is the pot of Blanket Flowers, or Gaillardia Aristata. The bright orange-pink petals with intense yellow tips draws attention from bees and butterflies. Blanket Flower gets its name in areas where fields are filled with them because they "blanket" the field in blooms. They have also been called Indian flowers and Firewheels.  

Blanket flowers are related to Sunflowers, Daisies, and Asters.  Their large, long-lasting blooms grow up to 4 inches across. Bi-colored flowers include orange, red, and yellow. Flowers bloom from early summer to fall, if spent blooms are deadheaded.  These beauties are great in or along fields and in butterfly gardens. They're also good for cuttings. Blanket flowers are easy to grow perennials.  They like full sun and are drought tolerant- important when one lives close to the southern coast.  

I hope everyone enjoys their Saturday.  I plan to do some heavy cleaning indoors. Lately I've neglected my usual household chores because I've spent more time outdoors (where I'd rather be).  Everything is now piling up so I must, I must, I must do some cleaning, like it or not.  Maybe I'll finish in time to catch the late evening hummingbird show on my front porch :)