First peek at my efforts...

14 years ago

Okay, I've been putting off my unveiling of my "white garden," but when my red hibiscus that I abused in the pot all winter and feared dead this spring bloomed it's first 5 blooms yesterday, I decided it was time to give you your first peek at my efforts after all the questions you've fielded for me this spring.

Of course nothing is fully mature yet and there are some small things behind that will eventually mature and appear, but here goes. Non-gardening hubby requested it look "full." Of course we gardeners know that means I'll be thinning and moving things around as they mature. Overall I'm pretty happy with the results. I just need to get hubby to finish the build of the arbor for behind the pool! You probably have seen that pile of limestone in at least 3 different places behind the pool in the last year!

This is the red hibiscus I purchased from ARE in Independence last fall. Because I had no beds ready, it sat in the pot and I feared it dead this spring. It was slow to revive, but it began it's show yesterday. The blooms are at least 9 inches across. Anyone know the name/variety? I've been calling it "dinner plate."

Obviously, I've underestimated the size of the hibiscus and it's flanking sages. I'm also surprised that the verbenas are carrying on as long as they are. I really planned those to go with the now-faded Texas Gold Columbine.

A friend gave a few salvias. This one looks more intense than the other blue one. Is this S. guarinitica (Black & Blue)?

My Clerodendrum ugandense is very happy against our west fence: early morning/daytime sun and late afternoon shade. It's just too bright early in the morning for the blooms to pop.

I was smitten by how dramatic and all white/silver bouquet was that I purchased earlier this year. Thus my white/moon/scent garden was born. The brug isn't in full bloom, the plumeria is still short, the almond verbena will get much taller, and the eucalyptus are hard to see, but I'm happy with the results so far. (Hubby had asked me to "draw up" my design for his approval. I ignored him. He approves...)

I was so particular about only allowing white/silver in, that God had to thumb his nose at me and put a pink sport bloom on the top of this white lantana. I'm leaving it to remind myself that I'm not in control as I think I am!

The view from across the pool. It's small, but it's all I've got to work with until hubby gets the arbor built behind!

Ready for more caterpillars over on my fennel. They've been slow to show up and I'm fearing the babies I get are being parasitized! Here's a couple doing their work!

Thanks for looking!

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Comments (7)

jolanaweb
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Bobbi, I love everything, especially your moon garden. If you want a white hibiscus to go in there just let me know, okay?

If I had to guess the name of your red hibiscus, it might be Fireball. The leaves are right, there are more with those leaves but not as common. At least not in my neck of the woods
Thanks for showing us
jolana

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireball
rock_oak_deer
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice.

The all white garden is wonderful. It takes a lot of focus to pull that off.

The red hibiscus is a great color.
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rcnaylor
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lovely. Have fun building your garden. Keep us updated with pics.
bossjim1
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Bobbi, I think you are off to a great start. It looks great! Is that a white salvia, just behind the rabbit? I have some verbenas that are in their 4th year, so don't be surprised if they stay around awhile.
Jim
bossjim1
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sorry for the re-post, but I meant to say, yes, that is Black and Blue.
Jim
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very impressive! It's obvious you've put a lot of thought and work into your garden. It will be even more stunning as things mature like the almond scented verbena. I can testify from experience that it will be covered with white daytime scented blooms in waves all summer. I've found little tiny grey hairstreak caterpillars on mine :-)

You might want to consider adding some evening scented jasmine to your garden sometime in the future. Only thing is it needs some shade. I haven't seen it offered in plant nurseries very often, but it starts easily from cuttings.

The black swallowtail caterpillars are just beautiful in themselves and seem to show up in waves on the fennel.

I love how the red and pale pink colors on one side of the bed go very well with the white garden on the other. And the beautiful green grass and tourquoise tinted water in the pool sets it all off wonderfully well. You go girl!
bobbi_p
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks Jolana for the guess on 'Fireball.' I'm not sure. Mine doesn't have a darker inner ring of color like the link you provided shows. I thought it was odd that ARE didn't have the variety on the tag. Maybe I'll e-mail my photos to Dr. Moy (as in 'Moy Grande'). He's over at Mercer Arboretum now. You can't see the bottlebrush shrub behind the hibiscus. It's putting on great growth and should provide early spring red before the hibiscus next year, then provide a much better back drop for the red hibiscus flowers than the boring fence!

I'd love to have a white hibiscus, but the white garden really is chock full now. When things even out height-wise, there are some eucalyptus, natal plum, crinums, sweet olive, and a plumeria to the back for height. There's not a spot to spare in there. I tried one of Lowe's cheap clematis starts, but it was too dry and hasn't ever taken off (better go get my money back!). I was going to let it cover the fence until my evergreen shrubs mature.

Yes, BossJim that's a white salvia. Without looking at my notes, I think it was labelled Victoria White Salvia. Can't remember for sure where I got it, I think ARE in Washington, though. The verbenas aren't quite as thrifty looking as they were, so they may get a haircut soon. Do you trim yours?

Thanks for the jasmine suggestion Roselee. I'll have to ponder that one....(especially since the Lowes clematis didn't grow).

Thanks for all the kinds words folks. I'm happy with it. I'll just be stressed when it becomes overcrowded and I have no place to expand!