Bloom 2016 - Final Year Dump Post

Being that it's 2017, this post is pretty overdue but I'm doing it to keep things as sequential and complete as possible. I rounded up all the photo's I could find from 2016 that I never got a chance to upload on here.

 Last year I had a chance to replant some moon-flowers and take photos. The first time I planted them back in 2014, I lost the pictures I took unfortunately. It was disappointing being that they were some of my favorite blooms but here they are again in all its glory. 

In addition to the moonflowers there are some orange and yellow marigolds too. These last practically through the fall which is nice

I also grew pink and blue cornflowers I think I had leftover from the previous year

 I grew some cilantro too making it the second edible plant I've harvested next to tomatoes. Oh man fresh home-grown cilantro was some of the best I've ever eaten. I had it in my soups and omelets daily. I plucked stems, gave it a quick rinse, and just ate it just to taste it too.There was a point I had to slow down since the poor plant was basically being munched on faster than it could grow. So good though... 

Pink and Yellow Zinnia's. These are early bloom photo's, the petals haven't unrolled completely yet

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 7 - Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

This scraggly-looking plant is a sure sign of Spring

I spotted this Chicory flower species all over my neighborhood including parking lots, lawns, roadsides, and park areas. This is a personal favorite of mine because it resembles a Dandelion but has a variety of colors and shades as opposed to only yellow. Its also completely edible and is used as a coffee substitute. Blue shades are the most common but there are also white, purple, and pink varieties. I've yet to encounter one but I will be sure to be on the look out.

I found a rare pink/purplish version but this is as close as I could get...thanks fence.

Here are some images of White and Blue Chicory. (Proxy Image)

Bloom 2014 - Impatiens (Jewelweed, Touch-me-not, Snapweed)

Life Cycle: Annual

Uses: Beds, Containers

Sun: Full Shade, Part Sun

Soil: Neutral to slightly acidic

Water: Lightly to moderately

Spread: 12-14 Inches

Bloom Duration: 14 Weeks

Height: 10-14 Inches

8/26/2014
These impatiens have been in bloom for over a month now lasting a week before falling off and the leaves have grown quite large and are a deep forest green. 

8/11/2014
The green foliage growth on my Impatiens has increased dramatically and there's a new bloom almost daily.

7/23/2014
The Burpee seeds I bought were a mixed variety and came in pink and purple as you see and also white. Wish there was a way to tell which color is which before you plant the seed.

7/21/2014
I usually remove the wilting flowers at this point and wait for the budding ones to take its place.

7/18/2014

7/17/2014
My first blooms of the season, pink Impatiens.

 These flowered yesterday and today the second flower bud also bloomed. These seem to grow pretty well crowded - I planted 3 inside a small pot and they just keep getting bigger. I found these easy to grow, hard to over-water, and find that they make a great indoor plant. The foliage shape is quite lovely and covers a lot of ground so the leaves on this plant seem to be a decoration in itself. But I'll get the pruning scissors ready just in case. 

Common Flower Gems - Classification #2 Field Bindweed/Hedge Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

White Hedge Bindweed I spotted at a distance 

Due to common confusion among the two, I've included both Field Bindweed and Hedge Bindweed, its larger counterpart. At first glance, this perennial vine is strikingly similar to the Moonflower with its funnel shaped corolla and arrowhead shaped leaves. But don't be fooled, this impostor below is actually Hedge Bindweed, a common weed in many regions. Difficult to remove due to its deep root system and rhizomes, its rhizome or root stalk (ginger being a type of root stalk) will form more roots and create new plants whenever they are pulled out of the ground. Very difficult to get rid of once infestation is 

Here's some Hedge Bindweed in light pink for all you ladies out there! An amazing and stunning field flower.

There were lots of Hedge Bindweed because it was late June and growth was at its peak.

6/22/15

Recent Photo of Hedge Bindweed

6/22/15

Another recent photo of Hedge Bindweed

6/22/15

More Hedge Bindweed

Here is the similar White Field Bindweed which is confused for Hedge Bindweed. Its  flowers and foliage are smaller and it has two Bracht's behind the flowers instead of just one large one at the base of each flower.

Field Bindweed is smaller than Hedge Bindweed; hence the name lesser bindweed.

Each vine stem will produce about 1-3 flowers.

I spotted some more hedge bindweed near a parking lot fence around my neighborhood too!