This is my second month designating a flower of the month in my garden. This month is no contest - the “Shooting Star” or Starburst tree is in full bloom! The plant is known by both names but I prefer Shooting Star. Technically a shrub (but mine is more like a small tree), the flowers are spectacular and last about a month. The leaves are also beautiful--olive green on top and purple on the bottom. This tree is low-maintenance but needs to be cut back once a year after the flowers are done. The only negative with this tree is suckers everywhere; my next-door neighbor has a tree in his yard that came from one of my suckers!
Last week I found this piece of an iron fence in my neighbor’s trash and I took it home (I have become my father--picking up other people’s throw-aways!) When I saw it, I immediately knew the place where it would work in my garden.
I wanted to have a break on this long side of the yard. I like the idea of defined mini-gardens within the yard. I planted a vine from my dad’s garden (I don’t know the name) and some Hollyhocks.
This is my early Valentine’s present from my wife. A great set for the gardener that is always losing his tools. Now if I can only remember to bring them back to the box after I use them. Very cool gift and the tools are great quality. Thanks, Hon!!!.
11 comments:
That Shooting Star is quite pretty and I can see what you would put up with its suckering habit. It looks like it would also attract hummingbirds.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Love the look of the box for the tools, what a great idea.
That piece of fence looks like it was made to be placed where you have it, what a good find.
Shooting Star looks really pretty.
I like you flower of the month idea.
I just realized that we have that same flowers on our garden.
Love that Shooting star tree of yours, its flowers are so gorgeous! Glad you decided to rescue that piece of fence, well done Rusty! It looks great in your garden.
Wow, what a lovely present from your wife!
Hi Rusty: Very beautiful blooms. This plant is stunning when in bloom... it's kind of hard to capture the beauty of it in a photo. It is from the Clerodendrums family (like the glory-blower).
Lucky for me since it produces root suckers my neighbor gave me one from her yard last summer. I am so excited to have one but ours don't bloom up here for another couple of months.
Amazing what a difference a few hundred miles can make in the blooming cycle in Florida isn't it?
It's really exiting when our flowers bloom. Your Shooting Star looks pretty.
Your tool box is really cool. I like that.
Surya, Java Garden
Hi Rusty, love the shooting star I havent seen one before its very pretty. aaawwww now you must remember to keep your tools shiny and in there box.a lovely gift..
What a great idea. I decided a few weeks ago to try to name every plant in my garden...I bet I got the idea from you subconsciusly. i'll keep checking back with you. Bye!
I can definitely see why there is no contest this month with the 'Shooting Star'. The flowers are just stunning and what a treat if they last for a month. (After having read your later post on tomatoes, I think the 'Shooting Star' must be a great consolation!!)
Hopefully,you'll get in the habit of returning your tools to your great-looking cabinet. My problem is putting down tools and then forgetting what I was last working on.
Your iron fence was a great find. It boggles the mind sometimes to see what people throw away. I often have to stop myself while walking the dog, from picking up all manner of things from the back alley garbage bins. (My son insists we walk down the street now so that I won't make him haul things home.) You found a perfect use for this piece.
HI RUSTY I TOO AM ALATE LIFE GARDENER AND THE SHOOTING STAR TREES IN MY YARD ARE A TRAFFIC STOPPER I SOMETIME PROPAGATE THE RUNNERS AND PUT OUT ON THE STREET FREE TO A GOOD HOME. THE VINE IN YOUR PICTURE BUT THE GATE IS CALLED A CROWN OF THORNS IT DEPIC THE PASSION OF CHRIST. I ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL PLANT IN MY YARD CALLED A WILD CUBAN VIOLET AT LEAST MY FRIEND GLORIA WHO CAME FROM CUBA SAYS SHE REMEMBERS IT ALL OVER THE ISLAND. HAPPY GARDENING
Shooting Star-called Starburst in UK-can't find it anywhere apart from someone's garden-no runners from it though. Its in full flower, yellow here,in +2 degrees C!!. Any idea what its latin name is so I can try a few specialist garden centres. Love the wooden tool box.
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