After a short lived, but meaningful, cool front respite the humidity and heat has bounced back in the form of heat advisories. The heat has produced a tremendous amount of rain. The garden has vacuumed up the copious water and is producing some nice flowers for a celebration of precipitation. To see some likely cooler gardens celebrating a different seasonal vibe follow the link to Jim’s blog –GardenRuminations
After a dry spell rest, the Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) grew about five feet and is flowering prolifically. I will need to cut it back after it slows down. This is planted by my screen porch so I enjoy the fragrance and the bees stay outside.
The Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) has escaped it’s boundaries and is growing in the shell walkway.
Dendrobium orchids are establishing in the crotch of the Cuban Avocado tree. Note the fat roots.
I have been trying to get this Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus) to grow up the wood fence for years! I mean Years! Finally it has. These have a reputation of being hard to get rid of – not in my garden.
Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) it may wane, but always bounces back with rain.
I have been planting a little winter color. Seeds of Gallardia, Rudbeckia and Forget Me Nots went directly into the garden to take advantage of the rain. Fingers crossed, I have never had any luck with Rudbeckia. The new plant is a Gill-inspired purchase from last week. A Blue Eye Fuchsia. I tried Fuchsia last year and it flowered once and promptly fried. It is still too hot to put it outside, though I think I need to pot it up.
That is all from my garden this week. Here’s to Happy Gardening and cooler days.
The Shrub Queen 
The blue-eyed fuchsia sounds exciting, fingers crossed for it. It’s all cold and chilly in the UK.
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Maybe small-leaved and single-flowered fuchsias would do better in your area? You should find something that works where you live, I’m sure!
Does this mimosa have sensitive leaves like the M. pudica?
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Fuchsias aren’t supposed to do well here at all. I think using it as a winter annual is the only hope. Ihey are hard to resist. The mimosa is sensitive to touch.
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Nice! I have a dendrobium that I nearly killed and am now trying to convince it to be my friend again…
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that’s my usual outcome!
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So many delicate blooms….
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Beautiful photos and beautiful plants! I love that Coral Vine–it’s beautiful–congratulations! We are experiencing summer here in S. Wisconsin, too, with a long stretch of 80s. Enjoy.
Beth @ PlantPostings.com
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thanks! I’m surprised it is still summer there.
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Good luck with the new starts. Fuchsia are such fussy plants, they wimp out with the slightest heat, even up here!
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Thanks, Eliza. I would have thought you were in prime summer fuchsia land!
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July gets too hot for them… they prefer 55-75º days
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Good to know. The one I fried lasted til about 80! It’s staying in the house for a while.
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Mimosa strigillosa looks interesting. Is it just a ground cover? The pictures that I see online look like it is. ‘Mimosa’ is a common name for so many different species and genera. I think of them as trees, such as Acacia and Albizia.
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It is. Native to Florida it is oddly woody for a vine/groundcover,
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Like Acacia redolens?
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no it’s about 3 inches tall.
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Oh, so as dinky as it looks.
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The little Mimosa looks an interesting plant but I’m drawn to the lovely heart shaped leaves of the Coral Vine. Hopefully, it will climb well for you now that it’s finally started.
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Thanks, I like them, too.
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I think I planted my Sweet Almond in the wrong place as it does not flower. I love the scent. Is that Mimosa always low growing? I only know the trees. I have a coral vine and it does come up everywhere for me and has to be pulled.
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The Sweet Almond is thriving in a very well drained spot under the unguttered roof. 3-4 hours of sun. I would guess. Never been fertilized. It’s Automatic here! The Coral Vine must like the gumbo.
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The roots of that orchid do look nice and healthy. I’m jealous of all that sweet rain. The blue fuchsia sounds glorious.
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I’m hoping for flowers! Rain is definitely better than no rain. The blue fuchsia has already wilted. Sigh.
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