While checking on the garden this first day of summer, I discovered that the Florida cannas are blooming. Solid yellow blooms against the medium green spear shaped leaves are every bit as beautiful as their hybrid counterparts.
Another surprise in yellow is the forsythia sage bloom spike. This isn't supposed to bloom until fall. I have several clumps of this sage in other parts of the garden that are behaving normally. Yet, this one has several budding spikes. I couldn't catch him by camera, but a hummingbird was visiting these flowers.
Staying in the shade for my ramble through the garden, I spotted the flamingo flower blooming. I've seen these as bushes maybe three feet or so tall in other gardens, but mine seem content to stay only about two feet high. Eventually they are going to have to grow or I'm going to have to move them in front of the larger persian shield and variegated shefflera.
Back on the porch, I'm happy to report the pencil cactus is putting out lots of new growth where I cut it in half to give the top portion to my daughter. She has the pretty half. It'll be interesting to see how mine shapes up in the future. This is such an unusual plant I think it will just add to the quirkiness to have a little 'jog' in the growth.
The succulent container I planted last summer is getting leggy from stretching toward the eastern sun. I really must be more diligent in turning it a quarter turn every few days to help it grow more well rounded.
Today is officially the first day of summer and due to the ensuing heat, gardening will be kept to early morning hours for the next few months. Any major garden projects will have to wait until fall to be implemented.( I seem to still have quite a few projects left from the list I made for last fall. )
