Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Bloomin' Tuesday

Last week we were in southern California soaking up the sunshine. It's beautiful there and we had a great time, BUT I found out that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence (or the Rockies). I do believe it's actually greener in Colorado this time of year! (California does reserve bragging rights during the Winter months though -- hands down!) It was great to come home to green grass and bounteous flowers. This last week it has cooled down considerably and all the foliage has benefited from the drop in temperature and the rain storms. Our gardens look better than ever!

Today I am going to share with you some photos of my hibiscus plants. This first hibiscus plant is planted in our yard. When these plants started showing up in our nurseries a few years ago and they were labeled "Hibiscus," I didn't have much hope of them surviving the winter. I'd grown up in northern California, and even there Hibiscus plants have a hard time in the winter. But, survive it did. This perennial is a wonder. It dies back every year, but comes back each summer with these magnificent blooms. These blossoms are at least 6 inches across!

The first summer that our neighbor saw the Hibiscus plant above, he thought he would try his hand at one too. We get to enjoy his as well, because he planted it in his front yard right by our property line! These blooms are huge -- at least 10 inches across!

These next three photos are of three hibiscus plants that I potted in the late spring of this year. They won't make it through the winter, but these plants have bloomed their little hearts out all summer long. They didn't even take a breathe in their blooming cycle. Every time I look at these flowers I feel like getting out my ukulele (if I had one) and singing an Hawaiian ditty!

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