Gay Gardeners Forum

[Jayden]

It is starting to feel like fall now, temperatures at night are in the mid-40's.

There haven't been any daylilies for weeks, there is seldom any re-bloom here in New Jersey.

The Hibiscus syriacus, the Rose-of-Sharon still treats me to a few flowers each day. There are a couple Mandevillea vines which are lovely, but why are all the flowers at the very top of the vines? Most pleasing right now are the Impatiens balsamina in a wide variety of colors including a very double pink and a fluorescent red with extra-large flowers.

Much of my sunny area is devoted to daylilies, but perhaps it is time to vary it somewhat. Likewise, the shady areas are devoted to hostas, which are sometimes intriguing, other times boring. A few of the tardiflora hostas are coming into bloom now.

Oh, and Tovara persififolia is blooming, those weird long strands of tiny red flowers. These self-seed nicely, and are easily removed if not desired.

I am planning to leave the tropicals to their own devices, they are messy and rather a pain all winter. Perhaps some African violets under lights? Haven't tried them in years, was never too successful. Sort of like long-lasting 'cut'-flowers rather than perennial house-plants.

What's new with you all?

[brandon]

Tovara persififolia?

[Jayden]

Yeah...no. Persicaria virginiana. I was thinking of Campanula p. for some reason. A "peach-leaved" Tovara would be strange...

The Tovara "Painter's Palette" is beautiful, shades of cream, green, pink and burgundy, with chevron markings. Easy in shade.

[kipouros]

Right now I have Salvia gregii (a hot pink one), "Heavenly Blue" morning glories, Cosmos sulphurea is blooming up a storm, one of the giant white Daturas, Tithonia, a big pink Brugmannsia and Dolichos lablab. I figure pineapple sage will be along in a few weeks. I've harvested all my winter squash (I'm pretty much in love with the Futsu though it's a bit of a pain to peel, roasted some with apples the other day) and now the vines are starting to bloom again with the fall rains and cool weather. Verbena bonariense is also going great guns.