Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Survivors and Thrivers and Outdoor Wednesday

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     Yesterday while watering, all I could think to say (and yes I do speak to my plants) was -

     “Bless your heart; it is so hot out here.” 

     Regardless of all of my incessant complaining about the impact of this summer’s heat on my garden, I really want to emphasize how strongly I feel about the amazing feats of survival I have captured in these photos.

     Have I cried wolf too often? Are you currently thinking,

“Enough already- we’re tired of hearing about how hot and dry it is in South Texas!”

     Just hang in there with me a little longer as I give a huge shout out to the survivors and thrivers in my yard , who in spite of my swan song saga about how hot it is, while sitting in the house with the air conditioner huffing and puffing , are still in the fight.

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     Thank you dear plants/friends for all of the pleasure you have given me this summer.  When I saw your hearty beauty yesterday, in the face of such harsh conditions, the words of my Grandmother Mills came to mind, on those occasions when she expressed shocked, unbridled joy and amazement.

“Well, I’ll declare.”

outdoor wednesday

Go see other gardening treats at A Southern Daydreamer. Miss Susan is an amazing hostess.

36 comments:

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I live in Las Vegas so I know what you mean. Those poor plants that hang on during when they are sitting in an oven. Lantana loves it here.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photo images--the plants perservere even in the midst of adversity and survive the odds. Remarkable!

Thanks for sharing!
Debbykay @ Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm

Anonymous said...

Laura, I just want to know how you added scent to your blog. I could smell that sweet pink rose. Beautiful, beautiful flowers. Just lovely! Karen

Bill said...

Hi Laura,
You captured some breathtaking images of your beautiful survivors! When there was a drought here a couple of summers ago, I heard someone speak of "Darwinian gardening." She did very little watering and it came down to ... survival of the fittest.

Regina said...

Wow. Such amazing blooms.
Lovely outdoor post.
Regina

Sandra said...

Hello! What a gorgeous shot of that pink rose! I have such a passion for roses. I see you are from Texas? I'm from the west Texas area. I hope you don't mind me following your blog and hope you come visit me too. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

donna baker said...

I so love the rose, plumbago, begonia and lantana. I have them too. Years ago I used to plant all annuals, then some perennials and now, mostly perennials. I have also gotten into tropicals, though they all have to go up in the barn come fall.

Christina said...

Such wonderful flowers you have. Mine are trying to survive the hot weather too. Love the photos you captured--the rose in the top picture is amazing.

I also love the red pillows in your last post. I'm going to head over and check out your daughter's blog.

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Well I declare Laura...I just love your new look!
everything vintage

Light and Voices said...

It is a task for flowers to survive the hot summers. Simply divine shots.
jfm

trash talk said...

My grandmother would always say "I swan!"....I don't even know what that means!
I'm impressed with your garden and your selections. You really do plant according to your zone, don't you. Isn't plumbago a perennial in your neck of the woods? It sometimes survives up here in north cental Texas, but I can't depend on it to and I just love it! You have got to be watering that rose bush...it is just too beautiful. I'm working on a desert here at Casita de Trash!
Debbie

Ebie said...

You have lovely blooms inspite of the summer heat. Great outdoor post!

stefanie said...

your photos are gorgeous!!!!

Elizabethd said...

Your rose is amazing, but they do like heat, I think. Even my geraniums are wilting here!

Kat said...

Amazing that they are surviving this summer. What is the lavender flower? Is it plumbago? I apologize in advance, I'm gardening impaired lol. Right now the ONLY thing that seems to be blooming in our neck of the woods are the Crepe Myrtles, they are like the energizer bunny of trees. Kathy

Marina Capano said...

Just beautiful pics!

xoxo

Amy said...

Oh...I felt like crying. Your flowers are so pretty and you're right? I just complain about the heat and our beautiful flowers are thriving despite it all. Thanks for reminding me!

My name is Riet said...

Your flowers are beautiful and great pictures. have a nice day,
Riet

Sonia said...

What beautiful flowers and the colors are so vibrant. Thanks for sharing. Miss Bloomers

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

It's hot here too....finally getting some rain to water the parched ground. Let's enjoy our flowers while they are here.~Patti

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What lovely photos! Very colourful! We are getting very hot weather here on PEI too; strange for August! But I hear we have Hurricane Bill coming up the coast so I'm not going to complain about the sunny days. Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Blessings,
Sandi

Kelly said...

What pretty pictures. Isn't it amazing that something so pretty and delicate can survive in intense heat and dryness?

Becky K. said...

They are still so pretty!
Amazing.

Great pics!

Becky K.
Hospitality Lane

Mary Bergfeld said...

I love the images you chosen to share with us today. They and the flowers that have survived the heat are beautiful. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

You gorgeous flowers deserve a round of applause. I remember how hot the weather can get this time of year in your region. It's definitely worth a song! = )

Vintage Chicken said...

Beautiful images!

Thanks for sharing!

imjacobsmom said...

Well Bless Their little hearts for filling yours with joy, and thanks for filling ours, too. ~ Robyn

LV said...

I am glad your beautiful plants have survived the heat. I have not so lucky. It is so hot and dry. No rain in sight. But, I keep running up my wather bill trying to save some of my flowers.

Marguerite said...

You must spend a lot of time watering to have such beautiful blooms, despite the heat. It's been a battle, here, too, but thankfully we've had more rain, recently. Wish that my Bougainvillea looked as good. Lovely song, too!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your flowers look much better than mine - or I should same what is left of mine.

Suzanne in TX said...

Lovely photographs! thanks for leaving a quick comment on my QVC post earlier today! Yep, I always check for the TSV first thing in the morning.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

We haven't had the kind of heat you have and I can't grow a thing! My thumb is decidedly brown I'm afraid -- your flowers are lovely. Thanks for your kind visit -- I found the flatware at Marshalls -- I'll be happy to be on the "lookout" for you if you wish.

Julie said...

What beautiful flowers!!! I love the new look of your blog...Julie

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Beautiful survivors, Laura! It always amazes me that the plants and blossoms survive in such heat (and I, on the other hand, promptly WILT!)

And they are much prettier than I am, for sure. :)

I love your blog! xo

Candy said...

All I can declare is my poor yard to all but gone. The only blooms are on the plants in the pond. Everything else has shut down until further notice. I will moan with you ;-(
The pictures on my side bar...my house? only in my dreams. Have posted small glimpses of my home...which at the moment is in TOTAL war zone decor. Was planning a major clean when hubby & son go canoe/camping with the Scouts this weekend. I've been invited and...well...I MUST seize the day. I'm sure the dust and destruction will wait for another day. I'll be spending the weekend in the river...one that still has water in it. WOO-HOO!!!

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Laura, what beautiful pictures. I'm in central Florida, and my garden is about ka-poot! I have some zinnias that need to come out, but trying to hold on until Saturday so I can make arrangements for our "Ladies Day" after church on Sunday. After that, it's to the compost pile!
Enjoyed your blog...stop by and see mine if you get a minute..I also have a link to my page at Gardenersindex.com.. Have a blessed day!
Susie

 

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