Central Cali, I agree it was probably the humidity. I think the medinilla is one of those who love that "melt-your-face-off-humidity" lol. I had a different variety before in AZ and that one hated it there. I read they are supposed to be like epiphytes in thier natural enviornment (phillipines). It must be really humid there because this one is planted in dirt and drys out really bad anyways despite the humidity and daily watering. Teresa, I like Tootsie too. A few of her blooms are a little deformed looking at times but some are really pretty. Sometimes they get real yellowish streaks through them and they always hang very horizontal. I will try to find the photos of her more yellowish colors Marian, Are you talking about the FR brugs? I gave mine to my mom because I didn't think they would be what they were supposed to be either. Two of them bloomed and were singles for her-both light pink. I hope yours come out double. Which ones did you get? Jim, Its probably all the rain. I gave them all milorganite twice so far. It really stinks but they love it- greens them up and they put on a ton of growth. I was afraid it might slow down the flowering, to have so much nitrogen so then I gave them some bloom booster, epsom, and superthrive mixed for fert.-then they all started blooming. I also gave them the Worm-Poo Tea and they seemed to like that too. F4F, Thanks. Sure anytime lol. From the last pics of your flower beds it looks like you are doing a good job, I am jealous of your pond! Did you ever find that HI Wood Rose? Gloria, I bet we will all have lots to trade this fall. I am trying to add more perennials and eclectic things to my garden this year (per my new years resolution-remember that thread? LOL!) Chena, I know what you mean, the last place I lived, it would rain less than an inch all year! We got here and it rained that much in a half an hour lol. I wish it would dry out though because all the maters and peppers are rotting from it. Roses are real hard to grow here too because of the blackspot :( eloise, Thanks. I am trying to get more aroids especially EE's into my garden this year. I love them because they always look great and you don't have to wait for them to bloom! The medinilla buds will open up more and turn into flower-like bracts. They still look the same today, I will post another photo when they open more. I am really lazy when it comes to posting pics....I'm trying to be better! Hi Daniella, Thanks. Your place looks great too from all your photos! I still like your variegated weed and Love your green echinacea. ~Lenette

Well Voila Francois is blooming again with 2 open flowers, ruined by the downpours. Ann and I got this one at about the same time, she loved it and told me she had seen pictures at one of her meetings where Guy Pierce was speaking. She said he had better pics of it than the one on their website. It is very new here, having arrived about a month ago. It immediately sent up a rebloom stalk, they had cut off stalks for shipping. I had to put a rock against it because the flowers were so heavy, it was leaning way over. I can only imagine how magnificient it will be next year. I saw the first 2 flowers and immediately ran for the camera. Here are 2 more pictures of it, same 2 flowers. Lala, yes Morss 08, didn't bloom last year. OK here they come, the giant pictures of Voila Francois. I see why Francois chose this one to name (he already had one named after him ). Sure wish the downpours this morning hadn't ruined the 2 open flowers this morning, but we needed the rain. Dot

In the front yard only: limelight hydrangea, purple coneflower, bee balm, salvia, sunflowers, coreopsis, hibiscus, yarrow, marigolds, anchusa, russian sage, day lilies and caryopteris. I am sure that there are more, but those are the ones I can recall without peeking! Jim

Thanks for your compliments. Honestly, that arrangement WAS effortless. I did it outside as I deadheaded. Golden Buddha and partner, clematis ‘Franziska Marie’ are looking too nice not to share today. I just love all the dark to light color progressions Golden Buddha’s blooms go through. Felicia is really blooming well. A little spotty from the rain, but still pretty. Felicia’s blooms have a special sheen to them, impossible to capture with my phone camera. Carding Mill A nice new cane coming up in the middle of Carding Mill. Lisa