My mandevilla never grew this year. It's still green and gorgeous. Apparently, too much shade. They like shade on their feet and sun on their heads. Planning on digging it up and bringing in for next year.

Rob.....I thought mandevilla had a bigger, pink flower. Very pretty flowers on yours, two-tone.

My picture is alyssum 'Easter Bonnet'. BUT! (big but) my mandevilla is bright red.

Summer, when I see a flower like you have there, I am in such awe of nature that she produces something so perfect and so neat!! I love those colors together and how it is marked.

Mine is another zoo picture - a pair of ring-tailed lemurs

I just love petunias. They are the perfect flower for a challenged gardener like me.

Iris, where are you getting these things?

Just standing around watering the flowers in my garden. There are some interesting looking critters.

One more picture because I am feeling sorry for myself. My husband is on a business trip again, so I am in charge of his tanks. An anemone decided to plop itself down on his “precious” elegance coral. Now the clownfish is patrolling there, stirring up sand not only on this one but frags nearby. He already bit me trying to choo him away. My mantra right now? Keep them alive for two more days....

Found this cute little caterpillar on my knock out rose today.

Don't touch it, Maire. The cute little fella carries a venom in almost every part of his/her body hair that will sting like nothing you've ever felt and will make you quite ill. Definitely a "look don't touch specimen". Here's the info...added below.

Edited to add:

http://www.gardenality.com/Articles/1029/Problems-and-Solutions/Insects/Treating-A-Saddleback-Caterpillar-Sting/default.html

Winter - Wow - not so cute then - thank you for the information. I had never seen one of those before and I immediately cut off the damaged branch and trashed it. I've lived in this area for 35 years and it's the first time I discovered one. And I guess the good news is that it's rather unique so I'll recognize it if I ever see one again.

I'll pass that info on - it's good to know. Thanks again.

Maire

The minute I saw that Marie I was thinking oh no don't touch it! Glad winter gave you the warning! We had a young girl that was stung badly recently here in the neighborhood. Her mom posted a picture of it and asked what it was. Unfortunately there are not enough warnings these days about touching caterpillars. I was warned as a very small child to never touch any type of "fuzzy" caterpillar because it could sting and make me very sick. It stuck with me. So yes please do pass on this warning! Especially to the young ones. Glad you didn't touch!

Watch out for these fuzzy little devils too, the asps.

https://www.riskva.com/fff/stinging_caterpillars_091714.html

Me too! I was thinking, Oh no! Don't touch it. Glad someone already said it. Whew.