Lots of "Firsts" to Share

As the season progresses, things continue to grow and flower. It's so exciting to see my plants from last year shape up and then flower!

Here are the first blooms on some volunteer French Hollyhocks I transplanted to the side of our driveway.


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These are doing well in their new home also. I actually transplanted 3, but 2 are crowding out the 1 planted in between them, so I might pull out the 3rd plant and just let the 2 have the space.

Here's the first bloom on the Tall Mexican Petunia (ruellia) volunteers I planted.


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These are along the driveway where they get the hot west sun late in the day, so I'm hoping they'll thrive and flourish there.

First buds on some of the assorted daylilies I planted. I can't wait for these to open so I can see what color they are!


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Then finally, the mystery plant from the backyard has turned out to be a daylily!! I have about 5 of these and this one finally put out a bloom! We've lived here for 3 years and have never seen these things bloom. These plants came with the house. I was beginning to think it was some kind of grass. LOL


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I'm thinking this didn't open all the way because it was being crowded out by the powdery mildew infested crape myrtle growing above it. It also may have been because we've been having some very overcast days this past week.

View of the Front Flower Bed

This is the 2nd year for this bed. We are in the process of expanding it. What fun!! Get to plant more stuff!!

White Gaura in bloom (I just LOVE this plant!! Such delicate flowers)



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Coreopsis, "Early Sunrise" Blooming like crazy. I think it's 4 times the size it was when I planted it last year. This is my all-time favorite wildflower.



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Cosmos, reseeded from last year's plants. There are some with itty bitty buds on them. Can't wait to see them bloom! There are LOTS of volunteers of these throughout the bed.



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Pink & White Veronica I love this plant, but don't know much about it. Last year it was blue! LOL



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Rock Rose loaded with buds! I enjoy the happy pink flowers this produces. Lasts all summer and looks great!



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View from the street



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The Rains Have Come & Brought Visitors

It feels like we've had more rain in the past 3 weeks than we had all last year!! The air is very heavy and humid, the ground is saturated, and my seedlings have all but drowned. What hasn't drowned has been destroyed by pests.

This bug showed up out of the blue, stayed for a couple of days, and I haven't seen him since. He didn't do much damage, if any.


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This guy's been doing a number on my shasta daisies, the tall Mexican Petunias I transplanted from my front flower bed, as well as the French Hollyhocks I moved from the front flower bed.


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We've released some trichogramma wasps to help control pests and sprayed some beneficial nematodes on the yard to help with fleas, ticks, and grubs.