Thursday, July 15, 2010

Bloom Day, Birth Day

So once again it is the 15th of the month, Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. It is also my 50th birthday. I am alternating between being pleased, unfazed, and holding my head in my hands wondering how in the hell this happened. (The turning 50 part; Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I can face with complete equanimity.)

So here is what is in bloom here among the leaves today. First the houseplants:

Aechmea fasciata inflorescence. The blue buds, which are about to open, are the true flowers.

Hoya multiflora

It is outdoors right now, but since my Hibiscus rosa-sinensis spends more than half the year indoors, it is officially a houseplant.

The same goes for Euphorbia milii

Now a selection of what's blooming outdoors:


Rudbeckia hirta 'Prarie Sun,' my favorite garden flower. Something's been nibbling on this one.

Double flowered Platycodon grandiflorus, aka Balloon Flower

An apricot-hued Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Another Daylily

A Delosperma (Ice Plant) variety

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'

Gaillardia 'Goblin'

Echinacea purpurea. I have a few different cultivars of this, but I never remember which is which.

I realize that cut flowers don't fit the theme, because they aren't growing, but they are here, and they are blooming and I love them. My Birthday flowers:

Dendrobium orchids from my cousins in New York

A beautiful blooming basket from my husband and stepson

Happy Bloom Day, everyone!

8 comments:

Ivynettle said...

Happy birthday!

I like that ice plant - never seen that colour before.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Happy Birthday. You're in good company, I know quite a few members of the Society of gardeners over 50. 'Praire Sun' is such a pretty Rudbeckia, a nice change from the standard black-eyed susans. I have a balloon flower that's starting throwing out double blooms in addition to the singles. Is yours all doubles?

Julie said...

Happy Birthday! Gorgeous flowers, all of them! One of my newest finds this summer has been Gallardia...it is so pretty!!!

Andrew said...

Really cool Hoya, interesting Ice Plant (also never seen that colour), and those Dendrobiums may not be growing but they're still amazing.

CactusMcHarris said...

Karen,

Wishes to you for a very happy 50th - if you find out how it happened, lmk, please, because the same thing happened to me a few months ago.

And the pics of the flowers are gorgeous - TFS!!!!!!!

Karen715 said...

@Everyone: thanks for the Birthday wishes

@Ivynettle and Andrew: I wish I could tell you more about the Ice Plant, but you know me: I've lost the tag.

@CactusMcHarris: A liberal application of Agave (in the form of tequila) last night didn't help me figure it out, but it made me feel a whole lot better!

min hus said...

Wow, that first flower is stunning!

Lovely blooms you have here.

Sylvana said...

Ooo! I feel like I just saw a fireworks show! So many colors and so many different forms.

Happy Birthday!!