tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648523465599478681.post3746958962092796980..comments2024-01-22T01:09:58.991-08:00Comments on Reflections of....: Inspired and In Search of Color...Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655163868990155242noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648523465599478681.post-75166507342988649792010-07-07T09:16:11.763-07:002010-07-07T09:16:11.763-07:00Laurie.... The hollyhocks are the annual ones. Th...Laurie.... The hollyhocks are the annual ones. They seem to actually bloom from early spring into late fall. From what I've seen and heard so far, they also spread prolifically from all of the seeds that drop. I find them in various places popping up, not just where they were when I moved in. Very beautiful though.Reflectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09655163868990155242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648523465599478681.post-66339494796806738292010-07-07T04:11:40.199-07:002010-07-07T04:11:40.199-07:00hollyhocks! yes, i grew some once. the old-fashi...hollyhocks! yes, i grew some once. the old-fashioned kind bloom only every other year, which was a disappointment the year they didn't bloom. they developed gigantic leaves the size of dinner plates. apparently they have since developed a kind that blooms annually. hope that's what you have.<br /><br />and i have killed more rose bushes than i care to confess to. small successes ARE the best, with gardens. slow and steady.lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18055442432266567561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648523465599478681.post-49075281797057056202010-07-05T21:35:15.990-07:002010-07-05T21:35:15.990-07:00Thank you again Friko. I truly appreciate your in...Thank you again Friko. I truly appreciate your input with the gardening. <br /><br />I have bought many books trying to learn. I have very little time to get into the yard during my work week - I tend to have very long hours, so after work it is usually close to dark by the time I can get out there. I also think I tend to overwater trying to compensate for the hot/dry weather. I lost quite a few plants last year when we hit 110+ for about a week.<br /><br />One of the key things I have learned is making sure plants are Zone appropriate - we are Zone 10 so many do not do well here in the summer heat. I think the people before me spent most of their time "tinkering" both inside and outside.<br /><br />I am now getting to the point where it is becoming relaxing. I am truly thrilled at the small successes, which is very encouraging.Reflectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09655163868990155242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648523465599478681.post-57170477030163984552010-07-05T21:11:55.047-07:002010-07-05T21:11:55.047-07:00Thank you again Friko.... Hollyhock, I will remem...Thank you again Friko.... Hollyhock, I will remember that. I would say the Azaleas are getting the wrong water then as it rarely rains here, I am considered the edge of the high desert/canyon area.<br /><br />I have picked up lots of books and am trying to learn, although so far I have not had enough time to just "look through to identify my plants". I work pretty long hours so not much time in the evenings to get out in the yard. <br /><br />I have always wanted a yard like this with a variety of plants, but I don't think I really thought out the time it would take to learn enough to maintain them. <br /><br />Then I jumped in last year and added all kinds of bonsai (originally for my bathroom until I learned even those should be grown outside in a more temperate climate than where I live), again without thinking about my skill level. I have resigned myself to learning more before adding more plants.<br /><br />I also learned that I should buy in my own area, so I am getting plants appropriate for my Zone... I was doing okay with many of them last year until we hit a week of 110+ for several days. The extended heat fried many of them! I think I may tend to overwater sometimes too, trying to compensate for the heat. We are already 90+ most days and it's a very dry heat. <br /><br />I love being out in nature, so yes, when I am not frustrated with losing the plants, it is getting to be relaxing and exciting with the small successes that I have had. <br /><br />Thank you for your input, I really appreciate and welcome the information.Reflectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09655163868990155242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648523465599478681.post-20252400385040633782010-07-05T09:55:20.342-07:002010-07-05T09:55:20.342-07:00The first flowers may be those of the hollyhock, w...The first flowers may be those of the hollyhock, which is what we call them here. If your azaleas are poorly, you may be giving them the wrong water. Azaleas need acid soil, feed and rainwater only.<br /><br />When i first started gardening, I knew nothing at all. I bought 2nd hand books, had manuals for presents, joined a gardening group and watched gardening programs on TV.<br /><br />Now I find gardening a wonderful aid to relaxation. It is also a very healthy pursuit.<br /><br />Good luck.Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.com