Spring Fever

My garden is definitely having a Spring Fever! Almost everyday I discover something new blooming.  Come to discover them with me...

This Gazania flower is almost too pretty to be real!  I started some seeds last fall, and only two seedlings eventually made it.  This week I discovered the first bloom, and it is not like those common yellow/orange tone flowers often seen sold in the garden center.  Isn't it a beauty?  Since the seed package I tried is a mix, now I am wondering what kind of flowers the other plant will have.  We shall see.

This is a real surprise to me!  I bought two yellow African Iris (Dietes bicolor ) when I just started my brand new garden almost two years ago.  They look like ornamental grass with their waving green sword-like leaves, and have multiplied nicely over the the time, but never bloomed. See what I found hidden in all green today?

Dietes bicolor 

Oh, my first Nun's orchid blooming!  I ordered this from Internet last November, and did not expect I can see a flower this soon.  It is still young, and only developed one flower spike.  I hope next year, it can bloom as prolific as what has been shown in other blogs.  Am I being greedy?!

Phaius tankervilliae
Common name: Nun's Orchid

I love the foliage of Variegated Devil's Backbone (Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegatus') since it adds nice texture and variation into the flower bed.  I did not know it even can bloom.  The flower is small and red, not very significant, but surely is showy and unique!

Euphorbia tithymaloides 'Variegatus'
Variegated Devil's Backbone

Remember how I whined about I missed my first bloom of Neomarica Caerulea 'Regina' (Giant Apostle's Iris) due to the busy schedule?  It quickly opened another sets of flowers to reward me! The flowers only last for one day, but surely worth the waiting!

Neomarica Caerulea 'Regina'
Giant Apostle's Iris

I bought this Proven Winners Senorita rosalita Cleome Hybrid  last summer after I encountered the mass of blooming of the classic Cleome in China.  This one is much smaller than the classic one.  I have to say even it is "Proven Winnders", I don't think it is really made for South Florida.  It has been attacked by a stem borer twice.  Each time, the  stem tip wilted and appeared dead.  Cutting them back to almost the base of the plant seems have saved it both time.  This attack has not occurred during the winter, and finally gave it a chance to bloom again! Hooray! 

Senorita rosalita Cleome Hybrid  

Yay, my ornamental pineapple bloomed too!  Just love this intense red on both leaves and fruit.  The leaves only turn to this bright red when the plant in blooming.

This Inca Lily (Alstroemeria) was one of those plants that I bought when I didn't  know much South Florida friendly plants (not I know it all now) at all.  After finishing its flower period last spring, it quickly melted away in the Florida heat.  Fortunately I did not throw away, and kept the pot in a shady place, and gave some occasional irrigation.  Once the weather cools down, it develops the new leaves, and now finally rewarded me with its flowers!

AlstroemeriaInca Lily

My Double Delight Rose still occasionally opens some flowers to reserve its spot in the garden. Yes, you are here to stay!

So much Spring Fever in my garden, contagious enough to spread to this gardener too!  I can feel so many ideas dancing in my mind to wait for me to execute!

Is your garden having a Spring Fever?

The Hot, The Loud and The Proud! -- Ornamental Pineapple, Copperleaf and Magnolia

Welcome to my "The Hot, The Loud and The Proud!" post, a meme hosted by Noel at "A Plant Fanatic In Hawaii" . 

With my recent out of ordinary busy working schedule, I thought I won't be able to make it.  Yesterday when I came home, it surprisingly still had daylight, which was not normal recently.  When I was wandering in my garden, I found after all I might have something to share.

Here is the HOT red ornamental pineapple!  It has been blooming for a couple of month now, recently the red color of the bloom as well as the leaves intensified even more, which made it looking really hot.  Don't you think?

Ornamental Pineapple

Here is the LOUD copperleaf (Acalypha Wlkesiana ).  It lost all the leaves in this past winter due to the strange long lasting cold weather in South Florida.  Now it is coming back better than ever with its magnificent tri-color, really making a loud statement, "I AM BACK"!

Acalypha Wlkesiana (Copperleaf or Beafsteak)

Here is the PROUD, the white magnolia!  Oops, this is actually not in my garden.  It belongs to my working place.  I have been watching these flower trees for a while since they set the first bud.  Since I recently spent so much time at work, does it make me deserve to use it for this post?!

Magnolia bud

Magnolia flower in half open

 Magnolia flower in half open (Top view)

Magnolia flower in full open

 Even this flower only lasts two to three days after starting unfurling, the scent is just heavenly!  When it fully opens,  it is about 7 to 8 inches across.  I found even its stamens are so fascinating with that unique shape and the color!

YAY, I made it!

For other "The Hot, The Loud and The Proud" around the world, please found the links at Noel's site at http://aplantfanatic.blogspot.com/.