April Flowers

 My favorite cactus bloom--Echinopsis 'Flying Saucer'. The flowers last just about 12 hours, so this time of year I have to keep a close eye out in order not to miss them.

Here is a second round of the 'Flying Saucer. Last year, I was not so lucky. There was only one round of blooms.

 Past its prime but still beautiful--Rosa Queen Elizabeth. My roses were extra large this year, but not very fragrant. I changed fertilizers, and I think that must have made a difference.

 'Hello Dolly'

Of my roses, this is the most fragrant this year. There is a controversy as to whether this is truly a 'Hello Dolly', a hybrid by Jack E. Christensen which is described as a yellow hybrid tea. Whatever it is, it's a beautiful rose. If I could find 'Brandy' or 'Brass Band' by Christensen, I'd try them, even though they are not really suited to our zone and would have to be planted in the coolest part of my garden.

'Gold Glow' has been a good rose for me, despite warnings that it is more susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests than other hybrid teas. It has a light fragrance and the flowers last longer than some of my other teas.

I can usually predict when 'Flying Saucer' is getting ready to produce blooms by watching this Argentine Giant, which is visible from my breakfast area windows. Sure enough, both bloomed on the same day and I was ready with my camera!