Mid July Planters and Backyard Gardens

The giant elephant ears plant is living up to it's name!  This is my first time ever growing one so I really didn't know what to expect. 

Ok I measured the leaf and it's 30" from tip to tip!  It's interesting to watch it grow.  The rounded stem that you see below this leaf is starting to split open on the back side and a new leaf will emerge.  Eventually the stem looks like the one in the background with more of a celery stalk shape.  Each leaf stem is where the newest ones come from.

Last time I showed it- it barely had a start.  You can see a bit of it sticking out in the center.

The straw flower plant (Bracteantha- Mohave Orange) is doing very well.  The straw flowers have definitely taken over!

This was back in May when I planted it.  An ornamental pepper plant is in the center.

The ornamental pepper is being crowded out.  I may trim the straw flowers to create more space for it.  I read up on them and technically they can be eaten but they say the flavor is very disappointing since these were cultivated to just be ornamental so we'll just enjoy looking at them!

Love this Calibrachoa (Superbells) "lemon slice" plant.  

Planted in May

The nonstop Mocca orange begonias are getting larger all the time.  I just love this color!

Back in May I put in three plants

I added another caladium.  We stopped at a garden center and it was half off.  It was sitting there all pretty all by it's lonesome so I "had" to take it home!  😉

The Deep Orange impatiens have gotten much larger.  I always look forward to seeing them fill out.

In May- the hostas were barely up at that point.

The fountain area is always so quiet and relaxing.  The algae has gotten away on us- we have to clean it every so often.  A bit of water and bleach does the trick! 

I put in these double white astilbe called “ Younique White” plants last year and they've come back very nicely.

Next to them on the left is another variety that has pink flowers but so far there's no sign of flowers.  I may have to divide them.

The bicycle planter has taken off nicely.  White wave petunias and "Brocade Wilhelm Langguth" geranium 

This was in in May when I first planted it.  

The Annabelle Hydrangeas are coming along nicely.  Such a carefree plant- always comes back and puts on a show!  The blooms will become larger as they continues to develop.

A month ago before the hydrangea took over!

I have a mischievous chipmunk that runs through tipping things and digging.  I keep finding holes and landscape materials strewn about.  Oh well I have to expect it!

This little plant is flowering the cutest little periwinkle flowers- love it!  It's call Blue Star Creeper and should come back each year.

I picked up this little yellow flower/lantern set recently- too cute!

I relocated the potting shed.  Don't you just want to shrink down and go inside!

I planted some zinnias that are popping up in-between the hydrangea flowers.  

I recently showed you this new cottage that we created the roof for and then I found the other stone cottage at Michael's to add in.

I added some flowers yesterday to the window boxes.  I hot glued them in so they won't fall out.

I dug these out from the big white planters in front of the garage.  The purple superunias were covering them up so I gave them a new home.  They've recovered from the transplant and should start filling out quickly.

At first it was a nice mix but after a while...

The purple took over- even more than what is shown here.

This planter turned out pretty crazy.  The white wave petunia in the center has all but disappeared.  The cabbage are blocking all the light.

I had it on the bistro table but it became too large so now it's on this pedestal.  I think I'll dig out the white wave petunia and replant it.  It's a little dark today as we are expecting rain.

This was it when I planted it- too bad I didn't realize just how big those plants would get!

As you can see the ornamental cabbage plant really got huge! 

How innocent it was when I planted it!

Back in May 

Unfortunately half of this waterfall begonia on this side got ill and I lost better than half of it.  The other one on the left side held on fine so I do't know why that happened.  I moved the watering can over here to make a nice accent.

Bandana Red Lantana and a Dracaena plant.  The lantana blooms constantly- love it and so do the butterflies!

Planted in May in my favorite planter that was gifted to me from my hubby Dan last year.

My pink flower garden has been busy with various flowers blooming.

This is a Bee Balm (Mondara, Pardon My Pink).  It smells so good- I really didn't expect that.  I got it on sale at a garden center and it was very root bound so it should be happier now!  That's a second bloom behind the lemon balm of a pink lupine that I was so tickled came back!

This was the first bloom at the end of June.  I fell in love with it's soft pink color immediately when I spotted it at a garden center last year.

 I also found a pair of these Pentas (lanceolata) plants on half off at the same place- I couldn't very well walk away from that- right??  Attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds!

Don't you love this color!   These are Tiny Pearl Asiatic Lily

Well I better stop before you fall asleep!  LOL

Joining:

Dishing & Digging It 

Metamorphosis Monday 

Gardens Galore No.9 

Inspire Me Tuesday 

Celebrate Your Story #137