Bloom Day July 2013

Growing Mantis on Gaillardia:
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 This Miss Bee is fortunate.  Once the Mantis is larger, bees will be lunch.
Mantis photo best8124_zps29b59271.jpg Speaking of lunch, the Asclepias is trying to bloom, but Monarch caterpillars continue munching it down to the stems.
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Caterpillars are creepy, but their feet are cool. 

'Comtesse de Provence', having malingered for three full years, exploded to life this year.  What did I do right?
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I adore Lillies.  I adore Lillies.  I adore Lillies...
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I adore Dahlias.  I adore Dahlias...
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Still lots of flowers out front:
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It's time to pull the cornflowers.  I've so enjoyed their gorgeous blue.  Hopefully I'll see them again next year.
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 I thought Euphorbia 'Blackbird' would be a malingering weakling, but no, it's growing.  Wee bitty flowers.
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Rebloom on Clematis 'Jackmanii'.
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Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' (Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit II')
 The bronzy-red foliage eye-snags as much as...
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 ...the blazing red flowers.
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 To close this bloom day, a non-bloom--our Valencia orange tree is giving us the most yummy fruit.  Colorful if not floral, and num, num!  
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Click on to May Dreams Garden Blog to see what's blooming in gardens everywhere.  Hopefully, Lillies!  And Dahlias!  And Roses!   

Comments

  1. I see you are also loving all what is growing. I envy you for your orange tree, must be great to have your own oranges, but too cold over here.
    The Monarch caterpillar has stunning colours.

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  2. The Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' is really strutting its stuff.

    That orange juice looks so refreshing.

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  3. You have such a talent on capturing amazing pictures from your garden...always a treat to read your blog! Love the bee & mantis picture.

    Happy gardening & best wishes,

    Sheri
    www.pompanobeachgardening.blogspot.com

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  4. I hope your bees are spry! I didn't know that mantis would/could eat bees...

    I wish I had half your talent with roses - and dahlias. Happy GBBD!

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    Replies
    1. I didn't know they ate bees either, until I saw one eating a bee. :( I wish they could stick to the bad bugs only, but a bug's gotta eat what it can catch, I guess.

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  5. Great critter pics! We have lots of milkweed, but no caterpillars - very sad. You're very lucky to have that orange tree. Nothing more delicious than fresh squeezed orange juice. Except maybe fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

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    Replies
    1. Perhaps you'll get some caterpillars before the summer is over--we can hope anyway, right?

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  6. That crape myrtle has me almost wishing we'd put in a red one, instead of 'Natchez'. The foliage is dynamite (oh, right!)

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    Replies
    1. But 'Natchez' has the gorgeous bark, doesn't it? I don't know if this one will or not.

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  7. It doesn't get much better than Lilies .. no maintenance, no fuss, and plenty of drama. I add more every year.

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    Replies
    1. You are right! More will be going in here next year, too.

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