Sunday, September 25, 2005

Ruellia rampant

Not sure what happened while we were gone, but our ruellia has lost its mind: All six plants are just covered with purple flowers. I gave them a soaking-in before we left, but supposedly it was hot and dry in our absence. Either it's just the right time of year for them, or they dig neglect. Which is one thing I can shower upon them in abundance.

Spuria iris, lemon verbena planted

Yesterday planted six spuria iris along the back of the big bed; supposed to reach 5 ft high -- and not supposed to bloom the first year, so since they are said to bloom Sept-Oct. I think (hope) I have only a year to wait. The instructions say fertilize 'em heavily, stop watering if they go dormant, and they love alkaline clay soil. So bless 'em, they should be happy here.

The varieties are: Protege, Hasarya, Art and Soul, Olinda, Megagold and In Depth.

Also today -- in the hundred-degree heat -- we planted two tiny sprigs of 'Tuscan Blue' rosemary and two good-sized starter lemon verbenas, as a souvenir of the Italy trip. Jason loved the herbal tea we were served at the guest house in Tuscany; our hostess showed him the plant and told us it was called 'lippia,' but struggled to come up with its English equivalent. A little Internet searching after we got home revealed it:

Also purchased yesterday 3 bags of corn gluten. Since we can see weeds going to seed in the yard it's clearly time (also the sign outside theGreat Outdoors said it's 'Corn Gluten Time'!) This will be our first year giving it a try and I don't know if we'll need all three bags.

Schoolhouse lilies bloomed; 106 degrees

It is 106 degrees outside right now and even the sparrows coming to the birdfeeder are panting. Literally; they land on the patio table with their beaks open and stand there, breasts heaving, for a few minutes. I filled up my fountain with fresh water hoping they could cool off there.

The oxblood lilies or schoolhouse lilies were just starting to show a green sprout or two Sept. 12 when we left for Italy; yesterday I walked outside to find they had already come up, bloomed and wilted in a fortnight! Here's hoping they throw up a couple more bloom stalks before going dormant. I'd like to see what the flowers look like!