Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 9- Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

Low growing perennial, Creeping Buttercup
Haven't really seen too many of these creeping buttercup flowers in my area. Usually has 5 petals but can have up to 10. Sure its classified as a weed (its extremely toxic to grazing animals and is an aggressive grower) but when it comes to weed its survival of the fittest.

My first Bloom 2015 - Petite French Dwarf Marigold (Tagetes patula)

Life Cycle: Annual
Uses: Beds, Borders, Container
Sun: Full Sun
Soil: Slightly Acidic 
Moisture: Dry, Moderate
Spread: 10 - 12 Inches
Bloom Duration: 12 Weeks
Height: 8- 10 Inches

6/24/2015
Here's my first bloom of the season, my French Petite Dwarf Marigold. Although the bloom is still in development, this flower is a real eye-catcher and the fiery yellow and orange hues are classic for Marigolds. I'm hoping the second Marigold flower that I planted next to it in the same container is a solid gold color when it blooms that way I can see the full range of hues from my Marigold Mix.
5/29/15
6/13/15
6/22/15
6/23/15
6/24/15 
6/24/15
6/27/15
7/23/15





Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Spring 2015 Line Up!


For some reason things did not go well starting off spring and his was a tough year for gardening. I had quite a few unexpected set backs to say the least. To begin, my old planting pots and soil which I planned to reuse just disappeared! Then I lose a batch of seedlings I planted because I forgot to water them on an especially hot day in mid-April. I  tried waiting a few days and continued to water it but it looked pretty hopeless. I almost decided to call it quits at that point but all good things take time. So two weeks later, I take a nice stroll to local Home Depot and stock up on some new supplies: new pots, soil, fertilizer, and seeds. My girlfriend even bought me some more Burpee seeds at Target to grow this year. So all in all, this years line-up include: Forget-me-nots, Pansies, Petunias, Poppies, Marigolds, Cornflowers, Dwarf Sunflowers, Red Crimson Morning Glories (MG's are my fave so it was a must), and Zinnias. 
Crimson Rambler Morning Glory Proxy Image
Rose of Heaven Petunia Mixed Proxy Image
Oriental Poppies Proxy Image
Yellow Bird Zinnia Proxy Image
French Petite Marigold Proxy Image
Pansy Mixed Proxy Image
Bachelor's Button Proxy Image
Forget-Me-Not Blue Bird Proxy Image


The following snapshots were taken between April 19 and June 13 2015:

Planted this little guy in mid-April but like the forgetful person I am I forget to water it for one day and lost it along with the rest of my seedlings. They all dried up and wilted past the point of no return :(

My 2nd attempt and original layout after the wilting incident

Changed things up a bit to add more soil, did some re-potting, and planted more seeds

The big one is a Dwarf Sunny Smile Sunflower. My best guess for the other seedlings are either a Cornflower/Bachelor's Button or Oriental Poppy

I recognize those ace of spades shaped leaves anywhere- these vine leaves belong to my Morning Glory Crimson Rambler. I'm excited to see this one.

French Petite Marigold's 


Giant Double Cnary Bird Zinnia
Not sure. I really have to do a better job labeling these next year. For now its a ?

?

Sunflower Dwarf Sunny Smile

More recent Sunflower photo taken 6/13/15

Pushed the Sunflower aside to reveal the others neighboring flowers. Looks like its some Bachelors' buttons or Oriental Poppies 6/13/15

 Red Crimson Morning Glory 6/13/15

i can now confirm these as Pansies because of the club shaped leaves  6/13/15

? 6/13/15

On second thought this might be a Zinnia 6/13

Marigold 6/13/15

I think this is a Sunflower and Zinnia Combo 6/13/15

Random Assortment but at least this pot was intentionally mixed. I REALLY gotta label my plants next year... 6/13/15

? 6/13/15

Sorry about the confusion but some more recent photos should reveal the true identity of the seedlings. I might attempt Will confirm plant status soon!