It may be the rain but I think it has more to do with the moderation in temperature. The Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha, is springing to life with new colorful blooms. I was beginning to worry that the hummingbirds were going to find little to feed on as they begin their huge migration down to the coast in preparation for crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Venezuela. Their numbers increase every day and the fighting and bickering and dive bombing with high pitched angry sounds almost makes it impossible to go out into the garden. One of their favorite plants is this salvia. It is one of my favorites too, especially the purple variety.
The second type has purple and white flowers but although the white may act as a marker the hummingbirds don't seem to be fussy.
My incredible crop of pomegranates continues to ripen. We have taken to having one for breakfast each morning. It is a lot easier than trying to get the juice from the fruit.
The blanket flowers are also flowering with more color. I think this one must be a cross between the native yellow and orange and the burgundy variety which I have grown from seed in the past.
I have a small area of native planting, in front of the house, which I have been nurturing for the past few years. Under a canopy of live oaks I have removed the invasive King Ranch bluestem and am encouraging lantana, Lindheimer senna, Gregg's mist flower, and this yellow daisy. I don't have an identity for it as yet but the deer do eat the plant and I wonder if these flowers will be there tomorrow.
Mexican Bush Sage is my favorite salvia. Yours looks wonderful. Glad that it is blooming for the migrating hummingbirds!
ReplyDeleteI don't have Mexican bush sage yet in my new garden, but I intend to add it out front one day. Thanks for giving me a "fix."
ReplyDeleteJenny, your pomegranates look like upmarket pottery. Very striking. Nice in combination with the to me unknown blanket flower.
ReplyDeleteYou have lots of lovely hummingbirds passing overhead, we have pigeons and gulls.
I know what I would prefer ....
Life just isn't fair.
Your Salvia leucantha is so prolific and happy! Mine's okay but only has a few blooms so far. So glad I pruned it mid-summer, though.
ReplyDeleteThose pomegranates sound delicious as well as looking gorgeous! Ahhh-- highs of 89 degrees have rarely sounded so refreshing, right?
You've got just the perfect spot for the leucantha and blanket flower. Love your pomegranates, too. Isn't September great when we get rain?!
ReplyDeleteSweet Bay , Pam, Iris and Linda- S. leucantha is a mainstay of my garden. It seems to flourish even in the worst conditions. Last year I pulled out an enormous clump, made a depression in D's granite path and stuck it in. It was as happy as can be. No need to buy this, Austin bloggers, I always have plenty to spare.
ReplyDeleteJoco- I know what you mean about gulls. They nearly drove us crazy when we were visiting my Mum in Victoria hospital. They were nesting on the roof. I will forever associate their cry with that place. They 're messy, dirty and what about bird flu! They belong on the rocks at Bardsey Island! I gave away loads of poms today. Some people had never had one and I told them everyone should eat a pom before they leave this earth.Gaillardia go you not have this flower?
I think I left my comment on the wrong Post, using DH's computer while we have server problems. The solid purple salvia is my fav, too.
ReplyDeleteI never seem to have much luck with salvia. I have several dead and shrivelled ones scattered around the garden. I envy you your pomegranates!
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