Hemerocallis fulva part four

This is the fourth and [for now] last post on Hemerocallis fulva. Hemerocallis fulva PASTELROSE is another good grower here. It grows tall, robust, and has a long blooming season. H. f. PASTELROSE has two different looks, depending on the weather. I have a photo of each look with this post. The more pink look is how it appears in hot drier weather. The more orangey look is how it appears in mild damp or rainy weather.

Hemerocallis fulva part three

For part three, I am covering Darrell Apps Korean Fulva. The Daylily hybridizer Darrell Apps discovered a form of Hemerocallis fulva growing in South Korea. While similar to the more common H. f. EUROPA, the shape of the bloom is different, and the Korean Fulva blooms later than the common form. The color is this vivid.

Hemerocallis fulva part two

This second post on Hemerocallis fulva involves FLORE-PLENO. While it does not grow wild down here, it is frequently seen in gardens around old homes especially out of the cities. While quite rugged, it does have a problem with susceptibility to Spider Mites during very dry hot weather. In moist sites, this plant can be invasive. I grow it in large pots sunk back in the ground.

Hemerocallis fulva part one

In some parts of the country, Hemerocallis fulva may be considered a weed. But, I loved it when I was a kid. I still love this plant. When I moved to Florida, I did not know that I could grow it down here, but I can. Shown is Hemerocallis fulva Europa, which is the most common form. It grows wild further north, but not here. It will grow here under cultivation.

Irises

Most types of true Irises will not grow in Florida. A number of members of the Iris Family will grow here however, and will be covered later. People with access to a lot of water can grow Louisiana Irises. But, I could not. Too dry. The true Irises that I can grow here are the blue and white forms of Iris virginica. Photos are shown with this entry. Iris virginica needs quite a bit of moisture, but is easier for me to grow.

More Daylilies

Here are some more Daylilies that have come into bloom. One is BUTTERSCOTCH RUFFLES and the other is one that I have no name for. It is obvious by the color which one is BUTTERSCOTCH RUFFLES. While on Daylilies, it is so danged dry the Spider Mites are becoming a serious pest.

Alligators

Alligators... ...it is these creatures that inspired my blog name, and my e-mail address. Alligators can be found in any body of water in Florida. While I find them to be fascinating, I don't want to get too close to them either.

The town of Dunnellon, FL has created a new park. Yesterday [April 10] I walked one of the trails. It goes around a small lake. Shown are the photos of two different Alligators I saw there. I saw two other ones, but they submerged before I could get a photo.

Philadelphus

The Philadelphus are another nice spring bloomer here. Sometimes, these are called "Mock Orange" or "English Dogwood" although they are not citrus nor are they a type of Dogwood. Shown is a photo of the blooms of Philadelphus. The open bloom closest to the top right of the photo has a Ladybug on it.

First Daylilies of 2009

On Sunday, March 29, the first Daylily of the 2009 season came into bloom. That Daylily is ROSIE MEYER (Alexander, 1957) which is the red one shown with this blog entry. It is an Evergreen, and can rebloom. The gold Daylily is AZTEC GOLD (Dennett, 1936). It came into bloom on Friday, April 3. AZTEC GOLD is a Dormant, and it also can rebloom here. Both Daylilies are suitable to this area. Now, I am hoping the scapes on these two, and the not yet bloomed BUTTERSCOTCH RUFFLES don't get frozen tonight...

Bridal Wreath Spireas

I still need to remember to try to make the font large enough for easy reading... Does anyone know of a way to make the font larger after an entry has been posted? Shown are Bridal Wreath Spireas. I love these things too.

When I was a kid in Kentucky, I knew a girl who lived in an older house that had Bridal Wreath Spireas around it. Those were one heck of a show, and that girl loved them. At that time, we did not have enough space for one.

She moved, and we moved, and I never got around to growing these plants for the entire time I lived up there. Upon moving here, I never even thought of them until... ...that spring, when I noticed Bridal Wreath Spireas being quite common around Dunnellon, FL.

I started planting some, and am glad I did. Bridal Wreath Spireas are wonderful plants. They are not commonly found in nurseries. Mine came from Dinkins Service Store in Dunnellon, FL on US 41.

Fringe Trees

Shown are Fringe Trees (Chionanthus virginicus). These trees can be grown in a wide range of climates from southern Canada to central Florida. But, it is best to get them locally instead of mail order to make sure one gets a specimen better adapted to their climate. Fringe Trees bloom in late March into early April in Dunnellon, Florida. In Lexington, KY they don't bloom until after the Kentucky Derby.

The blooms are fragrant. Only female trees set seed, but they are more susceptible to hurricane damage since they are loaded with grape-like seed clusters at the peak of hurricane season. In late fall, the leaves turn yellow or gold for a short time, then quickly fall off.

Favorite Blogs

I finally got around to adding a couple blogs as favorites. To the right side of the page are links to a couple blogs I enjoy. Wicked Gardener is in the Ocala, FL area in the same county I am in. Melanie of Melanie's Old Country Garden is on Long Island, NY and like me, is a member of the American Hemerocallis Society mailing list. Now, I need to getting around to seeing how to link up on Blotanical. I am grateful to both ladies for telling me how to get this blog started.

Feeding Birds

I feed the birds, and get several different species around. One of my favorites are the Doves mentioned in earlier posts. But, look what else likes the bird seed...

Favorite Blogs

If anyone who is used to Blogger can tell me how to add a list of favorite blogs, like on the right side of the page, please let me know.

Dogwoods and Redbuds

Shown are two spring blooming trees that are native to this area, though not common. These are Dogwoods [white] and Redbuds [pink-purple]. Both are deciduous and and bloom in the spring. The Redbuds can start blooming in late January or early February depending on the weather. Dogwoods are March bloomers, and are at peak bloom as of today. Both have done well even with the occasional freeze up until recently. We still could have a freeze down here though.

Camellias

I used to live in Kentucky where the winters were bleak and frequently icy. Nothing bloomed during the coldest weeks. Upon moving to Florida, I found there were three Camellias planted by the house. After seeing them bloom, I added several more.

I have two "tribes" of Camellias. The two Sasanqua Camellias I have start blooming in late October and bloom into December. The Japonica Camellias start blooming about the time the Sasanquas are finishing. The Japonica Camellias bloom into early spring.

This year, the Japonica Camellias were disrupted by some brutal [by Florida standards] cold snaps, but have since started blooming again. Tonight we freeze again darnit. The blooms shown above are all Japonica Camellias.

Thinking Spring

Also in early spring comes "Cracker Days" at Rainbow Springs State Park. This year, it is February 21- 22. They try to time it the weekend closest to peak bloom for the Azaleas and Camellias. After the severe freezes, nothing is currently in bloom but there is still time for things to bloom out some.

There are a variety of events at "Cracker Days" including a native plant sale, historical speeches and displays.

I hope that a large font may be easier to read. It looks like that cold wave is finally behind us, but I am not sure winter is done with us yet. But, the native Chickasaw Plums are starting to bloom. I am including a photo of some of the flowers of this species taken Sunday, February 8.

Freeze Damaged Plants

Shown are a couple of freeze damaged plants. These are African Irises and a Coontie. The African Irises look like they may be totally destroyed, and the Coontie is harmed but I am not sure how badly. What are the chances of survival of these plants?

The Big Freeze

This is my first attempt at having a blog, although I am on some Daylily mailing groups. Our fall started early, but then we had a big warm spell during the Christmas and New Years holidays. But, recently, we have had the big freeze, making almost feel like I was back in Kentucky where I used to live. Shown to the right is a poor Mourning Dove trying to get a drink from a birdbath that was frozen solid.

The Daylilies and Crinums were growing like it was spring, but they now look totally frozen. The Sasanqua Camellias had finished blooming, and the Japonica Camellias were coming into bloom when we got the big freeze. Shown to the left is part of the garden in the back of the house, showing frozen Daylily plants and a very cold Camellia. I guess most of you all don't know this weather can happen in Florida...