This lantana grows in front of one of our rain barrels. It's an effective and inexpensive disguise. A giant Prague viburnum grows to the left and red rock roses grow in the front and bloom in early summer.
We've had a few nights in the 40's but these are still blooming. Hooray! They're perennial in tropical areas but are annuals here.
My dogwood is in completel denial about the impending winter weather and has decided to only let a small branch of leaves change colors. If it were a child, it would have taken its toys and gone home by now. Maybe if it stays green, the cold weather will go away!!
This blue clematis has decided to celebrate fall by blooming just one more time. Planted in a moist sunny spot, this will be completely covered in flowers in early summer.
Instead of gardening today, I spent the afternoon/evening in the ER with my daughter. One teenage girl running at high speed + a very determined goalie + the hard ground = a nasty collision, a CT scan, lots of xrays and a concussion. Instead of tending my garden outside this weekend, I'll be tending the slightly-broken-but-will-mend flower asleep upstairs. She is the ultimate perennial. Even if you mow her down, she comes right back!
Oh! I hope your daughter is better now. That must've been really nasty.
ReplyDeleteThe lantanas in your garden are beautiful. I have them growing wild outside. If left alone they tower over everyone at almost 7' high or taller. I love the way they pull butterflies and birds into the garden.
Sorry to hear about the X-rays and pain your ultimate perennial plant has to go through. Hope she has a speedy recovery. She is strong and beautiful like a dandelion?
ReplyDeleteOh, your post surprised me! I was rocking along thinking about your wonderful garden and then bam, I'm tearing up. I'm so sorry your daughter is hurting. Life is just like your post - we're rocking along and then the unexpected. So good to stop and smell the roses so to speak so we are fortified for those tough moments. Hugs to your sweet flower upstairs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the love!!! She's doing okay so far but we're keeping a close eye on her.
ReplyDeleteOne - She is truly a dandelion! Tough and beautiful!! :0)
Sunita - 7 ft tall lantanas? WOW!!! I can only imagine! Here they barely make it past 2 or 3 ft tall!
Whim - Life's plans always seem to win out over our own, don't they? I just wish we could get a heads up sometimes!! Perhaps a slight change in our daily soundtrack to warn up of impending doom!?!
Oh man! Boy do plans change and not for the better. I do hope your daughter gets better soon. Whew! My girls played soccer and I would never have thought it would be so dangerous-especially for girls. Go figure. What a shame. The lantana works superbly!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Yup, been to Venice and loved it! And the glass though I found it rather pricey to buy. So neat to have that in common with a fellow blogger!
Tina - The doc and nursing staff at the ER commented that most of their sports injuries are soccer players. Ugh! Lots of speed, flying objects, no pads!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Venice, I couldn't afford the glassware, either! I did buy some earrings that I still love. Much cheaper and easier to transport! :0)
goodness, sounds like both goalie and girl were very determined. Who won the game? :)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the other team won. It's hard to stop a goal when you can barely stand but are too stubborn to tell anyone how injured you are! I checked out Jody's website! WOW! What a talent!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your daughter, hope she feels better soon! It always breaks my heart when one of my daughters is injured or not feeling well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RJ! Fortunately, her injury isn't as severe as it could be, which I'm very grateful for. :0)
ReplyDeleteFirst things first: thanks to the ER and your TLC your daughter is on the mend! That is good news!
ReplyDeleteNow, about those lantanas. How hardy are they? Do they attract bees? I think they would be a nice addition to the gardens here!
Meanwhile, hope your 'perennial' is out running (and dodging) again real soon. :-D
Sounds like your most cherished perennial is on the mend -- great news!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering about the Lantanas... Most of the time in my neck of the woods they survive winter, but on rare occasion, a good frost will get to them. They also reseed throughout the garden, which I happen to love. Do they reseed themselves in your area?
I'm in zone 7A and lantanas always die as soon as it gets really cold. They never reseed. :( I also have lavendar trailing lantanas near my front walkway. Both the lower growing lantanas and the larger ones attract hordes of bees and butterflies. They like full sun, will take 1-2 hrs of bright shade, and want to be hot and dry. You don't even have to deadhead them! You just sit back and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAs for my other flower, she's recovering slowly. Lots of rest and TLC! :0)
I hope your "ultimate perennial" is continuing to mend. Isn't it great to head out into the garden and discover flowers that carry on and bloom so deep into the fall season. I love the image of the rose at the top of your blog. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Three! Most of the roses I tried to grow became really mildewy because of our humidity. But Night Owl is a real keeper!! It blooms continuously starting in early summer and keeps going until we get a killing frost. That's my kind of plant!! :0)
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that your daughter is ok. I hope she will recover fully soon.
ReplyDeleteYikes! We just never know. Sports can be quite scary sometimes. Hope you and your daughter are all back to full speed by now. Your header rose is amazingly beautifully captured! ;>)
ReplyDeleteOh my! I hope your daughter is doing okay by now. I love how you compared her to a perennial. :-) Lovely flowers and such good ones for attracting wildlife.
ReplyDelete