Bouganvilla * September 15, 2011
photo by Suzanne
Well, well...the weekend is upon us again! I hope to find you all ready and anxious for the Fourth of July weekend! I can honestly say that I am always up for an extra day off work!
Today, I am going to show you the Spring transition I made in my small flower bed. Some of you might have seen my 'self-video' in November where I demonstrated 'one-handedly' how I did a minor, but successful makeover of this flowerbed.
Below is a photo of the result.
March 17, 2012
Time marches on, and, in late March, early April, the pansies begin to wane. It's almost no use trying to keep them vibrant, and, they were inexpensive, so, after about 5 months of blooming, it's time to bid them adieu!
And, I did net a few pretty Iris...not all of the plants bloomed. I think I probably transplanted them a little too late. It was around the 17th of November, should have done it in September! Below is a few of the white beauties I was blessed with.
Tall White Bearded Iris ~ March 27, 2012
by Suzanne
...and, now, here is what is happening as Spring 'sprang'!
photo by Suzanne * June 5, 2012
I replaced the Pansies with Impatiens in a variety of colors, and added some 'spicy' purple Petunias in the well of the tower. And, parading in front of this flower bed are some of the Zinnias we have raised. Never fear...I have plenty more Zinnia photos, and, we have since planted even more! I now have fresh, cut Zinnias in the house every day-it's so festive!
It's as though they dance, n'est-ce pas?
photos by Suzanne
Just a few tips!
* When your Iris foliage starts leaning over, don't be afraid to take a pair of scissors and cut them down to just 3 or 4 inches...angle on either side so they look like fans. They will have a tidier appearance, and, will stay green throughout the summer. I will be trimming mine very soon, and will show you the results.
* Zinnias can be planted in pots. YAY! We have planted them in the ground, but, it was so dry and hot last summer, we decided to plant them in large pots this year. However, they require watering twice a day in order to stay alert!
* When you cut your Zinnias to bring indoors, be sure to look for new bud growth, and, cut just above the little clusters that "only appear to be just leaves". And, your Zinnias will continue to bloom.
* Remember, you can let your Zinnia blooms completely dry out, and pull the seeds from the centers to replant. And, you can continue to plant packaged Zinnia seeds throughout the summer.
***
And, now, we're into our 'Summer Solstice'. Take care out in the heat...the mosquitoes are already ravaging our tender, 'not-so-sun-kissed' flesh, so, we're using plenty of repellant! The Texas temps are beginning to soar now!
This is where our temps were at last July 23, 2011
thermometer under our Mulberry tree! (in the shade!)
I'm so glad you stopped by...say hello if you get the chance.
I appreciate your visits and comments. And, I want to wish you all a safe and fun
Fourth of July!
Thank you Google
Thank you Yahoo for the firecrackers
Thank you Karo for planting the beautiful Zinnias
Hi Mom!
"The earth laughs in flowers"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's my coffee time!
