Southern bulbs

I've jsut been going through the website at southernbulbs.com today and considering Crinum lilies for my yard. I'm not yet convinced if I'll include any because most pictures focus in on the bloom and not from the ground up and it seems like they might be pretty leafy.... but I'm still considering. after watching the guy in this video I think I'll be researching more about an oxblood lily or more lycoris in my yard...

some of last year's successful plants...

I was happy with the way all these plants ended up looking together as they grew throughout the summer. so much color with just a variety in foliage. the colius and purple heart made a good contrast with the gray and blue-green shades. the yellow and green amaranthus was a monster a month after this pic. I'll definitely plant lots more amaranthus this next year.

this has to be one of the best set and forget plants for OKC summers. this hibiscus is on the side of the house between mine and the house on the north and I forget it's there sometime, and just look how it blooms. I collected these seeds from hibiscus plants at the state capitol. hardy hardy ( although I think it might get some watering from the draining of the neighbor's AC..)

Last season daylily purchases and what I'm looking forward to seeing this spring..

These are pics of the daylilies I aquired last fall and planted in my flower beds. I now await spring and to see if they will grow for me and bloom as beautifully as these photos from other gardens.....

Midnight Grape Splash and Midnight Mountain Aura

Siloam Pink Cloud and Little Red Flirt

Spotted Fever and Julia's Love

dark stemmed daylilies....

Here are three examples of dark stemmed daylilies I found online, the first being a parent of the rest. Sir Blackstem which is a basic yellow color. I thought the second and third choices were appealing for the contrast of either the orange tones or the creamy white tones against the dark stems. Too expensive to own at this point but definitely on my future search out and aquire list!

Sir Blackstem, Midnight Kenyan Safari, and From Darkness Comes Light

fall dahlias

I tried out some dahlia bulbs this summer and they didn't bloom all that much this summer, it was either too hot or dry or windy or who knows.... but finally this fall as it cooled and rained and rained, the start creeping up and putting out buds. they are very straggly and need a lot of staking. As you can see, in this bed they went all over the yucca plant which I kinda like the way it supports the stems. I may try to do it again next summer so that there is something blooming in the fall once everything else is finished.

non available seedlings I like!

this is a double I found on a Texas hybridizers website, I emailed and asked about it, and they are observing and considering an introduction. oh boy.

another seedling from Texas, I noticed this one right away on their online gallery.

this one has a very tropical orchidy look, I also like the lack of ruffles. it's a good change.

a new daylily summer 2009