Flush of Fall Colors

Posted on by capentalc

Yes, it’s a flush of fall colors but not the usual oranges, browns, and reds. These are purple, pinks, reds, and yellows of fall blooming flowers. I have some new blooming bearded iris, a couple of dahlias, a rose mallow hibiscus, a stump grown pineapple plant, and a few others.

Bearded Iris

Dahlia

Morning Glory Tree

Pink Lantanas

Rose Mallow Hibiscus

The following light pink rose mallows have been growing for almost three years (started from seeds). They finally gave me flowers. I was ready to give up on these picky mallows a few months ago and was about to throw them out. I moved it into a half shady spot and suddenly it flowered, in the pot. The ones in the ground haven’t been doing well.

“Bah Rum” Hibiscus

Pineapple grown from a stump

This pineapple had been growing for the past three years in and out of containers. For the first year I had it in a small pot. Second year, I had it in the ground and it was yellow and unhappy looking. I then put it this container and it was unhappy for a many months. Finally, I moved it in a shadier area of the garden this summer and water it slightly LESS and it is doing so well now. I am hoping it will give me some pineapples next year. It is now about 2 feet tall.

“California Gold” Bougainvillea Bonsai

My tiny 2 inch pot bonsai just flowered after a year. It is so cute! I think bougainvillea is the easiest tree to grow (so far) as a bonsai. It can tolerate the heat and dryness better than other plants. I saw a picture of a similar miniature bonsai in a magazine and thought it would be great to make one of my own. I have this gold one and another pink bougainvillea bonsai. I am flirting with the idea of having a red one too.

So that’s all for now. I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend. See you soon!

Roses, Hibiscuses, and Brugmansias

Posted on by capentalc

This week I am seeing a lot of pretty roses in my garden. The weather has been cooler and feels more like fall season. Hibiscuses seem to like this time of year too because they have been flowering more. Last week I showed you some hibiscuses and brugmansias. There are more this week but they are different colors or posed differently. They’re just great pictures to share.

Roses

“Koko Loko” roses
“Princess Charlene de Monaco” roses
“Sparkle and Shine” rose
“Chicago Peace” rose

Moss Roses or Portulaca

These were grown from seeds earlier this winter and it has been flowering these past few months. The flowers are pretty mini roses-like. They are more like groundcovers. Next spring I will grow them in small pots.

Hibiscuses

The pink hibiscus below is one that I’ve grown from seeds 2 years ago and finally bloomed. I think it’s because I kept it in partial shade this time and it received more frequent watering from the sprinkler. This pink is so lovely and delicate. I love it!

The dark pink hibiscus below is the “Rubrum” of the hibiscus mutabilis variety. This is the first flower ever and I’m very excited. It started out like the picture below and opens to a medium dark pink color. It’s a big beautiful flower. I still have it in a 4 inch pot waiting to go somewhere in the ground soon.

Brugmansias

I know you’ve seen some of these last week but they are more abundant and different this time. So pretty! Look at those huge bulbous seed-looking things near the flowers!

That’s all the flowers this week. Hopefully something exciting will bloom again soon. See you next week!

Bible Verses for Dealing With Difficult People

Posted on by capentalc

This past week when I was dealing with some difficult people, I prayed to God. He reminded me of these bible verses for finding peace within myself and be at peace with the people who caused the unhappiness.

Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:44 (King James Version)

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you,

Luke 14:11

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted