Monday, May 22, 2017

Balcony Blooms

A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.
(Liberty Hyde Bailey)

Aptenia cordifolia a/k/a heartleaf iceplant or baby sun rose.
... great ground cover, easy to propagate, tolerates infrequent watering.
The Hibiscus flowers best in temperatures between 60-90 F ... since we are already at 100 F during the day, and by next week will reach 115, I am going to have definitely move my plant to another location.  Last years's red hibiscus did not survive the extreme summer heat.
Moss Rose, native to South America. flowers in early summer and is able to survive in areas of heat and drought.
Thai Basil is left to flower and used as ornamental plants in the garden.  The bees love them and the best thing is they self-seed.  I have volunteer basil popping up all over the place which makes me very happy.
Another very good self-seeder is Vinca Catharanthus Roseus a/k/a Madagascar Periwinkle.  Human impact on the forests of Madagascar has caused dire consequences, yet the periwinkle has been able to survive.
Tradescantia Pallida, Purple Heart ... sold here as an outdoor plant which is where I've always had it.  Turns out it is great as an indoor plant, too.
Bougainvillea, a thorny flowering vine that is a native of South America so does very well in warm climates.  The leaves change colors and are the bracts that surround the actual flowers which are white, usually three clustered together.
  Being involved with The Secret Garden these past couple of years has sparked my interest in getting to know my plants.
I even grabbed this colorful child's board book from the pediatric playroom (they are constantly weeding out the donations they receive and this book made me smile).

"May flowers bloom in all corners of your world,"

15 comments:

Tanna said...

Beautiful, beautiful flowers, Tammy. Don't you just love following the trails of our passions? I'm always amused at some of the things I end up learning. LOL! What good fortune with the book! blessings ~ tanna

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I love Bougainvilleas and they always give me a vacation feeling because I mostly saw them when we visited Spain or the US. The moss rose and the other flowers are very pretty too. I bought Thai Basil seeds last year but they didn't grow. It was a shame because I love the taste and we frequently cook Asian style food. Currently I don't have much time for gardening since we have 4 abandoned kittens to foster.
Have a great week, Tammy!
xo Julia

Maya Kuzman said...

What a beautiful flowery post Tammy! It brightened my day!

Linda said...

Very unique, interesting, beautiful plants on your balcony. :)

Betsy said...

Such beautiful, bright, vibrant colors. They make me smile just looking at the photos, I can imagine how pretty they are in "real" life. And I'll bet the smell is wonderful too! Thanks for sharing with us Tammy.
Blessings,
Betsy

Sam I Am...... said...

I learned a lot from your post! Thank you! I love that purple one you said makes a good houseplant too. I need some Thai Basil as reseeding would be great. I love basil and try to keep it through the winter but it never makes it.

Blondie's Journal said...

Interesting which flowers and plants can thrive in your heat. Do you grow many succulents?

I adore the hibiscus but we've tried to bring them in come winter and they always seem to develop white flies under the leaves. I think eggs must be laid while they are outdoors.

I am working on our outdoor balcony off our bedroom. It has a slatted arbor overhead. Other than sweeping I'm not sure how else I can clean it. Is your balcony covered? I'd appreciate some tips.

Jane x

Preeti said...

Lovely flowers!! Only Vincas are surviving in the summer in my balcony. And Jasmine and hibiscus bloom sometimes. Surprisingly, spinach is also doing fine.

Claudia said...

Looking beautiful on your balcony! Tending to plants, nurturing growing things - soothes our souls.

xo
Claudia

peppylady (Dora) said...

Hello from Idaho and stop in from Hula blog, Your flowers are amazing I been working on getting the tall grass out of mine.
If you have time stop in for a cup of coffee

Susan said...

Hi Tammy...So glad things are blooming in your corner of the world. Your blooms are blushing and beautiful. Susan

Teresa Kasner said...

Wow.. what exotic things you can grow there! I have to say, Bougainvillea is one of my favorite things due to the brilliant fuchsia colored flowers but we just don't have it much here. Thanks for identifying so many things for us! We're having host sunny days now which is neat. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Mereknits said...

Such beautiful flowers Tammy. I have missed you. We have Bougainvilla here too, but I was not aware that the leaves were the pink portion, I will look closer at mine. Sending you a hug and hope you are well.

Happy@Home said...

It's looking very pretty on your balcony. I found it so interesting to see what grows well in your climate. I was dreading our upcoming first 90 degree day. I'll think of your 115 and realize maybe it's not so bad after all. :) Stay cool and enjoy your pretty blooms, Tammy.

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for sharing the flowers, Tammy! More and more flowers are blooming around me as Spring progresses, and their color and scent are so cheering, aren't they. xx

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