I'M THE CAT'S WHISKERS

Several years ago, in the spring, a friend gave me a cutting of the plant Orthosiphon aristatus, more commonly called Cat's Whiskers or Java tea. I planted it in the garden and forgot about it until one late summer day I saw this beautiful white bloom. It was an easy id because the flowers are very much a reminder of cat's whiskers.

Every year I have asked our local nurseries if they had the plant. Every year the answer was no-until this year. We had gone to visit a friend's garden in Georgetown and learned of a nursery nearby where they had the plant. It was the end of May and a little late for planting, especially as I was going to be gone for 5 weeks in June. Still, worth a try. How glad I am that I did and how happy was the hummingbird who visited this morning.
I'm going to try to take cuttings in the fall because unless I mulch really well the plant is not likely to survive a central Texas winter. I also will ask my local nursery to locate some of this plant next year.

IT'S THE CAT'S WHISKERS

It was a favorite expression of my father to describe something wonderful. Along with the "bee's knees"

This morning I took a stroll around the garden and exclaimed out aloud on three occasions. First when I saw this plant in flower. It is commonly know as 'cat's whiskers' and in the botanical world as Orthosiphon aristatus. It is a herbaceous perennial but only to zone 9. I will have to take cuttings if I want to keep it over the winter, and I do! Thank you Robin, at Get Grounded, for this passalong. I had completely forgotten about it so my absence from the garden this summer, and any kind of weeding, saved it. I spotted it last week and noticed the development of flower panicles at the end of the stems. I was just waiting to see what the flower looked like as I had no idea what it was. This morning, when I saw the flowers open I knew immediately. I had a grin like a Cheshire cat, even though I'm from Lancashire!

The second surprise came in the cactus pot. I had seen flower buds developing and this morning the first flower opened. This, despite the fact that the cactus itself has gone from an upright form to a prostrate form over the summer. Even after rain it hasn't perked up but it is flowering.

Three years ago I planted several Lycoris radiata bulbs in the English garden. I thought they had disappeared. Nothing until this morning. Only two showed up but I'm thrilled. I must put a marker in the ground so I remember where they are.