Month: April 2021

Hail Storm Amaryllis grown from seeds Anne Chowning Louisiana Iris

Amaryllis, General gardening

Hail and Lots of Rain!

Marble Sized hail

This week we had a hail storm and more than our share of rain. I may have to replant my watermelon, beans, and possibly the okra. The container vegetable garden tour shows how we are in transition from winter to summer planting.

I have results from Minerva crossed both ways with Red Lion from my Amaryllis grown from seeds project I started three years ago. I am pleased with the slight differences and nuances of red and tangerine colors because they will coordinate nicely planted in a group. I have one amaryllis seedling with white markings and a tinge of pink. The bloom measured 7 inches, and I decided to use this one for my F2 seed pod for the next experiment.

  • Amaryllis Red Seedling grown from seeds
  • Amaryllis Red Seedling grown from seeds
  • Amaryllis Red Seedling grown from seeds
  • Large Amaryllis Seedling raised from seeds
    This one stands out among the rest.

My Anne Chowning Louisiana Iris has bloomed, and my review is she is stunning, as you can see in my youtube video posted on this page today. Despite the awful weather, this iris still looks nice. I am also trying Proven Winner’s calibrachoa Holy Smokes, and I am pleased with the deep purple combined with gold gilding in the center. So charming! I have another clematis that has boomed right after H.F. Young, and this one named City of Lyon has a bright magenta bloom. Finally, I had to include a picture of the Alpine White strawberries that I grew from seeds, and they are delicious! The flavor is sweet with a tart aftertaste reminiscent of pineapple.

Superbells Holy Smokes Calibrachoa
Superbells Holy Smokes Calibrachoa
Clematis City of Lyon
Clematis H.F. Young
Alpine White Strawberry

Starting Giant Sunflower Seeds and What’s Blooming?

Amaryllis, Dahlias, General gardening

I planted sunflower seeds in Burpee’s organic potting mix on March the 4th. Just about any potting mix will work. This video is part one of a series where I am growing giant sunflowers. I also have planted my own saved seeds from the ornamental sunflowers I grew last year.

What’s Blooming this week?

Dahlia Tray of Seedlings
Ferns and Crinum lilies emerging after the frost
H.F.Young Clematis
Alaska White Amaryllis
Delphinium Blue Mirror
Amaryllis blooming outdoors in Spring,Alaska, Pink Surprise
Amaryllis blooming outdoors in Spring, Alaska Amaryllis

This year I am especially pleased to see my crinums and ferns have survived the terrible frosty weather we had in February. The Amaryllis Alaska, Pink Surprise, and also some 3 year old seedlings are blooming. H.F. Young is so pretty that I had to share another picture. Blue Mirror Delphinium is a new perennial for me this year. I will let you know if it does well here in my Louisiana zone 8b garden. Last but not least I have a lot of dahlias growing from seeds this year. Stay tuned for the updates!