Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Late Fall Color

Bougainvillea shrubs prefer hot weather, but right now they are still in full flower--or to be accurate, full bract. The true flowers are the nondescript yellow things in the middle of each cluster. In hot weather, the bracts are a brilliant hot pink (this plant is B. 'Barbara Karst'.) As the weather cools the bracts take on a more purple/blue tone.
I found another Rain Lilly today, and this one was in full bloom. They pop up seemingly overnight. We have not had rain since August 31 so I don't know why they are coming up right now. High humidity and rain triggers them in some way. Usually they appear during our summer monsoon season. My favorite, Zephyranthes x 'Prairie Sunset' is nowhere to be seen. It is a soft apricot color that fades to pink. Now, if I can just remember where I planted those! The size of this rose was sure a welcome surprise! It seems each round of flowers brings larger sizes. This is Rosa 'Hello Dolly'. Although the roses like our lower temperatures, they have less fragrance in the late fall. I wonder why. In the next week, I'll have some 'Mr. Lincoln' roses. It will be interesting to see if they lack fragrance. 'Mr. Lincoln' is known for its very strong, spicy sweet fragrance.

18 comments:

snowroses said...

Hello. your plants are beautiful. Didn't know such pretty flowers can bloom so beautifully in the desert. Congrats!

buedamau said...

that rain lilly it´s gorgeous!
and great pic too!
i must get one of those too ;p

Unknown said...

Beautiful. Love the Rain Lilies, I know all about, mmmmmm now where did I plant that?

Carla said...

Congrats on the new computer, bougainvillea blooms,
blooming roses (fragrant or not:),
and surprise rain lilies!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours:)

Jean said...

The color of your bougainvillea is amazing! The rain lilies look like daisies, cso cute! Too bad the rose doesn't smell but it certainly is showy! My Jack Frost is a shade plant. Great Bloomin' Tuesday post! Jean

WiseAcre said...

Guess it's the season to get on-line to see flowers again. It's snowing here so it looks like I'll have more time to visit and see what's up in your yard.

playsdolls said...

Love your rain lilies thery are so wonderful.The Bougainvillia has a truly wonderful color.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed seeing your flowers, as ours are pretty much finished for the season. I'm also seeing a couple kinds of bulbs green up now, when they usually wait until spring. (I'm in Nebraska.)

Julie said...

Ohhh...the rain lilies in full bloom are just gorgeous! That white is so crisp!

kesslerdee said...

Everything is so gorgeous! I love the rain lillies and the rose is such a beautiful color! I've been away for awhile but I am back catching up with my favorite blogs!

Wurzerl said...

It 's incredible!!! I have white snow in my garden and you have wonderful flowers!
Happy Thanksgiving! Wurzerl

Lythrum said...

Very pretty rose, I really miss mine. :)

Ewa said...

'in full bracts'!! hahaha! that made me really laugh!
Happy Thanksgiving Ayana!
and countinuous thank you for visiting and complimenting.
Ewa

Kylee Baumle said...

Aiyana, how nice to hear from you again! It's been way too long since I have been over here to see what's going on on the other side of the country!
Gorgeous photos of your flowers. My bougainvillea is a similar shade, though I have no idea which cultivar it is. Right now, mine is inside of course, and don't you know, it didn't bloom all summer, but has a few blooms on it now!
Your rain lilies are so pretty, especially the way you photographed them.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :-)

Anonymous said...

Lovely blooms-and the rain lilies could have been more picture perfect! I bought another bougainvillea this week-orange bengal.

WiseAcre said...

Hope all is OK and it's setting up the new computer and nothing else that's wrong. A week away for you is a long time :(

Aiyana said...

Wiseacre,
It's the computer. Or, more specifically, the new software. I've had to learn quite a lot with the upgrades to software that I'd grown used to. It doesn't come as easy as it once did!
Thanks for asking.
Aiyana

Barbara said...

A few friends have bougainvilleas too, but they are growing in pots and overwinteres inside. This plant always reminds me of warm holidays in the South of Europe. I like very much this tiny Rain Lilly, a plant I didn't know before. Your blog gives me the chance to see a lot of unknown plants we do not have here.
Have a nice Sunday!
Barbara