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

My first bloom 2016 - Red and Yellow Zinnias

Life Cycle: Annual

Uses: Beds, Borders, Cut Flowers

Sun: Full Sun

Soil: Acidic

Water: Moderately

Height: 6-10 Inches

Spread: 12-14 Inches

Bloom Duration: 12 Weeks

Spring has come and gone, but the blooms are just starting to appear on my springtime windowsill. This year I've planted an assortment of Zinnias and the first to bloom are the red and yellow varieties. I'm using plastic cups in order to save space  on the windowsill and plant more variety this year. There are five zinnia plants inside this one small plastic cup and the growth of other three seem to be stunted because they're so crowded. I plan to snip any color duplicates overtime to make the most out of the container space.

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 11 - Asiatic Dayflower/Mouse Ears/Dew Herb (Commelina communis)

This one was a great find. A very different flower find I'd have to say due to this plants characteristics. It has two large blue mouse shaped petals hence mouse ears and some bright yellow anthers that look like sun rays in a blue sky. 

Check out this Wiki link to learn more about the Asiatic Dayflower

Bloom 2015 - Pansy (Viola tricolor)

Life Cycle: Annual 

Uses: Beds, Container 

Sun: Full Sun, Part Sun 

Height: 6  inches

Spread: 8-10  inches

Sowing Method: Indoor Sow 

Bloom Duration: 12  weeks

These pansies were really a break from all the yellow/orange colors from my sunflower, zinnia, and marigolds. These small flowers reminded me of my impatiens which I have the urge to grow again. I noticed theres a black Pansy variety and I think I'll try growing some of those soon.

Bloom 2015 - Dwarf Sunflower Sunny Smile (Helianthus gracilentus)

LifeCycle: Annual 

Uses: Beds, Container 

Sun: Full Sun 

Height: 14-16  inches

Spread: 6-8  inches

Sowing Method: Direct Sow/Indoor Sow 

Bloom Duration: 5 weeks

These Dwarf Sunflowers are going to be a must-have every year, they are amazing plants to grow for the Spring./Summer. This highly anticipated bloom was fast and easy to grow and interesting to see as it progressed to the flowering stage. The difference a larger container makes really shows when you compare the sunflower in the small coffee container with the one grown in the other square container. One thing I noticed was that it attracted a bunch of bees and other weird insects which was an issue during watering since I wasn't taking my chances and getting stung watering. This was one thirsty plant by the way, I watered it twice daily about half a liter at one point. Its past the end of its bloom duration now and I plan on harvesting its seeds for next year. 

Bloom 2015 - Common Zinnia: Canary Yellow Zinnia (Zinnia Elegans)

Life Cycle: Annual

Uses: Beds, Borders, Cut Flowers

Sun: Full Sun

Soil: Acidic

Water: Moderately

Height: 6-10 Inches

Spread: 12-14 Inches

Bloom Duration: 12 Weeks

7/19/15\

Really enjoyed this vivid yellow variation of the Canary Yellow Zinnia. I still don't understand why the petals aren't double flowered and round like the picture on the seed packaging. The same thing occurred last year and I thought it was a fluke the first time around but it happened again this year. Blooms still look great though and I'm OK with the results. 

7/1/15

7/3/15

7/3/15

7/14/15

7/19/15

7/21/15

7/21/15

7/21/15

7/23/15

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