Beautiful, Roselee, I love what you did for the empty field. That night bloomer WOW so pretty.

Happy gardening to you too.

As Barb said, that night bloomer is fantastic! Everything is very pretty.
Tell me more about the ground orchids. I've had them for 2 years, and so far, no blooms. Are yours in full sun? I had mine in full sun, but the leaves were getting scorched, so I moved them to partial shade. Still no blooms, although I have them in 4 different places, and they seem to be happy.
Jim

Barb, for looking and for your comments!

Jim, for several years I've had the ground orchid, Bletilla striata, growing mostly in the shade with just a little dappled sunlight. I seem to remember that it took a couple of years for it to bloom after planting. So probably yours just needs to get established to bloom.

The only 'problem' it seems to have is emerging so early in the year, about Feb. as I recall, that frosts tend to nip the tops of the foliage if I don't get out there and cover it. This doesn't leave it looking so good the rest of the year, but you probably won't have that problem in your zone, since it hasn't happened in the warmer winters we've had here the last couple of years.

I did a little research just now and found that the variety pictured above is Spathoglottis plicata. I'm excited about it because several links say it blooms throughout the year while the beautiful Bletilla striata pictured below blooms only in the spring.

However, since I divided the clump into about ten plants I'm pretty sure it won't bloom again this year and just might not bloom next year either.

As mentioned above Spathoglottis plicata was purchased at Home Depot. I read online this morning that someone had gotten it at Lowes on 2007. So those two places might be where to watch for them next spring if anyone wants one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ground orchid, Spathoglottis plicata

Thanks, Roselee. I'll be patient.
Jim

Your post is as beautiful as it is informative Roselee. Thanks.

And why does it not surprise my that you would adopt a neglected lot and turn it into something pretty?

Please, count me in for some seeds from the west Texas Velvet pod mimosa. Would love to try it. And don't you have a pretty view across the street!

Lynn, when the plants produces them I'll be happy to send some Velvet pod mimosa seeds to you and to anyone else that wants them.

Be aware that it requires full sun to bloom well all summer. In fact last summer, with all those cloudy days we had when it rained so much, it didn't put on its usual show. I have another one in less than all day sun and it doesn't bloom nearly as much.

Anyone can email through 'My Page.'

Roselee, where do you get the wildflower seed and when is the best time to scatter it? I've scattered some on several occasions and have yet to see any results.

Autumn, and right before a good rain, is the best time to plant wildflower seeds. The trick is to tamp them to make good soil contact and/or rake them in slightly to keep the birds from eating them before they germinate.

Of course if planting them in flower beds you have better control and you can cover them very lightly and give them some water.

If planting in a field you can put seeds in mud balls and throw them out there. The mud protects the seeds from birds and rain melts the balls -- so there you go!

I get the seeds from Wildseed Farms. They also have packets of seeds in garden centers.

It's a great place to visit and see the fields of wild flowers. You can buy seeds there, or out of their free catalog.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wildseed Farms

If interestd in planting wildflowers be sure and check out the FAQ'S page on the Wildseed site.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to plant wildflowers ...