6/15/2026
Abundance of Summer Blooms!
Beautiful Blooms all in a Row
Lavender Daylily
A Little Bit of Everything Today
Sweet eyes and Blackeyed Susans
I am impressed that all these lovely black-eyed Susan variations came from a Ferry Morse pack of seeds! They did superbly in my winter sowing endeavors last winter. The vibrant colors and unique patterns of the flowers truly has transformed my garden into a picturesque landscape, attracting not just my admiration but also the attention of local pollinators. It was a rewarding experience to see how well the seeds germinated and thrived in the plastic-covered storage containers.
Rainy and Humid week
It is so rainy and humid, and our yard is staying soaked, with puddles forming in every corner, making it impossible to step outside without getting drenched. The cats have found refuge on the cozy couch, curling up together, their fur slightly damp yet warm as they bask in the comfort of the soft cushions. Their peaceful stretching and sweet eyes create a serene atmosphere that contrasts with the awful weather outside.
Check out the results of my daylily cross, Building on Tradition x Seedling
https://lakemarygardens.com/building-on-tradition-cross/
Sunday Photo Album
Botan Japanese Morning Glories
Blooms for Today – Happy Friday
Daylilies, Dahlias, Giant Tomatillo, and more Blackeyed Susans
Blackeyed Susans, Giant Tomatillo, and Japanese Morning Glories
Exploring Colorful Annuals and Perennials
I winter sowed some Black-eyed Susans last winter, and I am very happy. I think these will pair well with my daylilies especially if they are still blooming in the fall! My canna seedlings are beginning to bloom as well.
Bantam Corn Harvest from garden to table
This was a very exciting week for us since we harvested our 60-day Bantam corn, and the results exceeded our expectations. The yield turned out quite decent, with just a few worms and bugs to deal with, which is always a pleasant surprise after the challenges of growing. I did spray with Spinosad after tasseling began to protect the ears, but next time I will experiment with spraying twice a week instead of the every-two-weeks schedule I adhered to this time, as I want to see how that approach affects pest management and overall crop quality. The advantage of 60-day corn is its extreme sweetness, making it a favorite, and the fact that it is ready to harvest before all the typical pests come out helps ensure a more successful crop. The anticipation of enjoying fresh, sweet corn straight from the garden adds to the joy of this harvest, making the effort put into growing it all the more worthwhile.
Happy Sunday
Daylilies and White Chiffon Rose of Sharon
A Little Bit of Everything
Daylily Seedlings
Daylily Seedlings Galore
The Canna Lily Growing from Seeds Project
I finally got the canna lily seedlings planted! They’re finally in the ground, and now I am hoping for new interesting forms and colors to plant in my garden. This year, I’ve also found delightful black-eyed Susans; their yellow petals are like rays of sunshine brightening my garden. If they return next year, I’ll be absolutely thrilled, celebrating their resilience and beauty in my space. Every morning, I’m welcomed by blooms everywhere, transforming my garden into a lively oasis, and this is genuinely one of my favorite times of the year, minus the heat and humidity!
Blooms and Blueberries
Daylilies and a Bobtail kitten
American Bobtail Kitten and Daylily Seedlings
Little Cute daylilies and a bobtail kitten
Daylilies, Black eyed Susan and Japanese Morning Glory
This week, the first Japanese Morning Glory bloomed.
Lots of New Colors
Lots of Blooms!
Potato and Carrot Harvest with watermelon and corn updates
I recently harvested some potatoes and carrots, and they turned out nice this year! The earthy smell of the freshly dug potatoes and the bright orange of the carrots really made my day. I also have an exciting update on the giant watermelon and corn plants. The bantam corn is already tasseling since it is a 60-day variety, and I can’t wait to see the ears developing. The anticipation of watching these crops grow and the fun of harvesting them is truly rewarding. Gardening is such a fulfilling hobby that continually gives me produce worth the work I put into it.
Attempting to Raise Agave and Eschiveria from seeds
I didn’t have any cactus succulent mix, so I improvised by mixing 2/3 seed starter with 1/3 fine perlite, and a few handfulls of fine sandy mulch,creating a somewhat suitable medium for my plants. After carefully preparing the mixture, I placed the seeds in the seed room under bright lights, ensuring the temperature was maintained at a consistent 70 degrees for optimal growth.
So far, so good; the seeds are thriving and showing promising signs of development. To promote their health further, I decided to harden them off by gradually introducing them to the outdoors, placing them in a partial shade area where they would receive just the right amount of sunlight without being overwhelmed. This method not only allows the plants to acclimatize but also helps strengthen them.
If it Lives it Stays
If it lives it stays. That is my motto for all of these seedlings I am growing. With the exception of a truly ugly seedling I will give all of them a chance to see if they grow and thrive. If that red dahlia seedling was a echinacea everyone would probably want to keep it.
Daylilies,Rose of Sharon and Dahlia Seedlings
More Daylilies
Beauty in Order
Every morning I have an opportunity to capture beauty in order. Do the blooms not appear to know how to present themselves to the bees and hummingbirds? I love to stand and watch as the little hummingbirds dart around and occasionally hover like they are taking aim, their iridescent feathers shimmering in the soft morning light. It’s a mesmerizing dance of nature, each tiny bird showcasing its grace and agility.
I have been enjoying some new canna seedlings I planted last fall and overwintered in the greenhouse, awaiting the vibrant colors they promise to bring to my garden. The lush green leaves unfurl beautifully, adding to the greenery of my garden. The pink and white cosmos are so charming, their feathery petals swaying gently in the breeze.
I Love Pink Cosmos
After seeing this bloom, I think I am in love with cosmos, captivated by the pink picotee. Their beauty inspires me to create a little oasis of flowers in my garden. I also got an interesting pansy, with its dusky pink color and burgundy patterning, and I hope to get seeds to propagate it. As for my canna lily seedlings growing out, I am tending to them and nurturing their growth, as I wish for them to flourish and add a tropical touch to my garden space. I planted them exactly like the corn with a handful of organic fertilizer in the bottom of each hole.
Rabbit Eye Blueberries
The pansies are still going thanks to the frequent cold fronts and rain. I am looking forward to harvesting the rabbit eye blueberries.
Cool Daylily Seedlings out of Building on Tradition
This is a very rainy update, but I am thrilled to get a break from watering! The consistent rainfall has been a blessing for my garden, which is thriving under these conditions. I have a lot going on right now, from nurturing giant watermelons and bantam corn each day to tending to the lovely Rose of Sharon in both pink and white Chiffon series, which have just begun to bloom, creating a stunning display of fluffy pastel blooms.
Additionally, my daylily seedlings are coming to life, promising a multi-colored explosion of blooms in the near future. I have results coming in from where I pollinated some of my favorite tried and true seedlings with a good bud count with the Building on Tradition daylily. Each plant contributes to the overall beauty and diversity of my garden, making it fun rather than just constant chores. The rewards of food and flowers make it all worth it.
Beautiful Pink Flowers
Cucumbers under cover and Amaryllis in the garden
I’ve been covering up my veggies like cucumbers and squash with a bug cover, trying to trick those annoying pests into thinking my garden is off-limits. Seriously, it’s like a secret mission out there! I often find myself playing detective, looking for signs of those unwelcome bugs, especially those sneaky little cucumber beetles that think they can leave nasty nibbles on every leaf. Just their presence screams that my cantaloupes, which are also cozy under their covers, are basically waving a ‘Help!’ sign. So, to keep things under control, I do my regular checks and use organic bug repellents, hoping my garden can flourish without these tiny troublemakers spoiling the fun!
Perennial Coreopsis and more daylily seedlings
Pink Chiffon Rose of Sharon, daylilies and pansy
Coolest Blooms in the Garden
The greenhouse tomatoes
The greenhouse tomatoes are finishing up, while the potatoes and carrots need a few more weeks. With a little patience, we’ll be able to harvest them at their peak, ensuring the best taste and quality. Meanwhile, the onions might take much longer than expected, as they gradually swell beneath the soil, promising a robust flavor once they are finally ready. I will update the harvests later on.
Colorful Blooms: Daylilies and More
So far the snapdragons seem to be winding down, and the daylilies are beginning to bloom, bringing bright colors to my garden as summer unfolds. I did some crosses with one of my seedlings and the exquisite Building on Tradition daylily, which is known for its stunning appearance and resilience. As I observe the seedlings sprouting, I see some traits of both parents, showcasing the beauty of hybrid vigor, and some traits of neither parent, which adds an element of surprise to the breeding process! I am suspecting the watermark outlines may be recessive, hinting at the complexity of genetics at play here, so I am going to try sibling crosses and a few back crosses to see what I get.
Discover the Beautiful Building on Tradition Daylily Seedlings
Lake Mary Gardens 