It's Peony Season!

This variety is called Bartzella. It's an Itoh peony which is an intersectional peony (a cross between a tree peony and herbaceous peony). A huge benefit is they don't flop over! 

I got this as a root in Mid-March 2023 and it actually produced a bloom that same year. In 2024 I got 2 blooms, this year I have at least 6! 

I also have a baptisa in bloom and some happy encore azaleas 

Amaryllis in bloom

I've had this plant for years but it's been a while since it bloomed. It overwintered beautifully in the garage! It hangs out by the pond

My Drive way Citrus smell amazing!

It's mid May and my citrus are fruiting beautifully. On my driveway I have a Meyer Lemon, Ponderosa Lemon, Fukushu Kumquat, Variegated centennial kumquat (not in bloom) and a Satsuma Owari Mandarin orange. 

These photos are taken on May 19

Back from the DEAD

Spring is FULL of surprises. After a rough winter like this one, you always expect the worst, but 4 days in the 90s woke a few plants up that I really wasn't expecting. 

The latest of the bunch was my Musa Basjoo. I've checked every day and here we are on May 22! Still no word from my Mekong Giant so I think that one was unfortunately a loss, but we can't give up hope yet. 

My Hedychium ginger was a really big surprise. It started showing signs of life on May 20th in this photo

My Butterfly clerodendrum overwintered in the garage. I thought it was dead or at least died back significantly, but NOPE it's alive and well and leaves are coming out of nearly every branch. These photos are from May 19th

No photos of my Brugmansia, but as of May 23 leaves are very very slowly trying to appear. I think next year I will have to start that one inside the house.

New Plant Purchases from Fantastic Gardens

 There were some REALLY cool finds.

I picked up a Cherry Jubilee and Browns Bud Allamanda (both were high on the wish list) and I also picked up an Australian Finger Lime because the lime I got from Logees is an Australian Red Lime and I'm not sure if it will produce the fruit caviar that I want. 

They also had an Ice Cream Banana and I'm hoping that planting it right in front of my giant Canna Musafolias will keep them from flopping over later this season. We shall see! 

The Hibiscus look ROUGH

 Sunburn, leafless, and looking rough. The hibiscus are always awkward in early spring, but they WILL be back and better than ever. 

I gave an application of Carl Pools Hibiscus Fertilizer this week and I'm hoping it really helps these plants get their act together. We'll see! 

Hibiscus tillaceus (Variegated Sea Hibiscus)

A new yellow hibiscus with a white eye. Looking a little rough right now but I think some heat and sun will work its magic soon

A new red hibiscus in similar shape!

Hibiscus Midnight Tryst did not overwinter well

The Yellow Hibiscus dropped all its indoor leaves as usual. It'll make a comeback soon!

This variegated hibiscus with pink blooms actually looks pretty decent! Need something to support that tallest stem though!

May 18 Garden Update from My Parents Yard in Staten Island, NY!

 It was a VERY hot week but there's no question the plants are loving it. The tropical palms are in shade until this weekend, they'll go out in full sun after that! 

Windmill palm produced seedlings last year. They overwintered beautifully!

Cussonia paniculata leafing back out after a winter in the garage

Bletilla striata, known as hyacinth orchid or Chinese ground orchid

 African Marigold

Lavendear and double petunia

Plumeria Divine cranking out tons of blooms!

Ti plants and Dahlias

Baptisa and Ostrich Fern

Yellow hibiscus and Dahlia!

American Wisteria in bloom!

Thanks for looking (and hi Mandevilla!)