Blooms April 2022

We had a heat wave a few days ago,

Not everything was damaged, though...

Leucospermum 'Red Sunset'

The floral highlights this month are Leucospermums, Roses, and Hippeastrums.  Calylophus, Metrosideros 'Springfire', and Didelta are supporting players.  Salvias, Grevilleas, and Lavenders are among the year-round constants.  

 First flower ever from 'Red Sunset'.  Does the flower turn red as it ages?  I ask because it doesn't look all that red at the moment.  Time will tell. 

Our recent heat wave did some damage.

'Drop Dead Red' almost dropped dead:

While some roses suffered no damage at all.

'Moondance': 

It's Peak Leucospermum:

The Rhodanthemum needs a sheering:

Calylophus 'Southern Belle' is at peak, too.  Its peak lasts for months. 

The original Leucospermum 'Yellow Bird'.  The one three photos ago is a seedling of this one:

Having one on each side of the driveway is nice.

More yellow from Didelta 'Silver Strand'.  I had no idea it would do this:

Yet more yellow:  tomato flowers.  A little more effort on this gardener's part means the tomatoes are growing much better this year.

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' flowers year round. 

One plant of an annual Verbena planted last spring is hanging on.  Here with Cerinthe:

'Belinda's Dream' holds up to heat very well:

Alstroemeria 'Rock n Roll'

Russelia:

The garden Hippeastrums--'Rilona' and 'Apple Blossom':

'Rilona':

'Apple Blossom':

First Clematis flowers--'Wisley':

 'Perle d'Azur':

'The President' with Callistemon 'Slim':

 

One of the Garvinea series of Gerberas.  They bloom from late winter into early summer.  Flowering shuts down for the heat of summer and autumn:

Many of the 'Golden Celebration' roses fried in the heat, but not all of them:

Self-seeded begonia and Lobelia under the pond equipment.  They both did this last year, too. 

'Fourth of July' rose looked so bad this past autumn I thought it was time to remove it.  A strong dose of fertilizer was all it needed.  Pink 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh' rose below. 

'Snowbird' lost some flowers to the heat, but there were still plenty left. 

'Julia Child':

'Sunbelt Savannah':

'Easy Spirit':

Best for last?  'Princesse Charlene de Monaco':

  Bloom Day is the 15th of each month to celebrate the flowers of the moment, and was created by author Carol J. Michel.