Summer Heat Wave(s)

As with the rest of the world, we have been experiencing major heat waves that have kept me out of the garden. I finally mustered the energy and fortitude to weed and take pictures. As I did some weeding, I noticed a very peculiar looking moth. After about 20 minutes on wonderful Google, I deduced that I have an Orange-Tipped Oakworm Moth among my Salvia. It is about 2.5 inches long and the body is the thickest I have ever seen on a flying insect. As much as I love gardening, I still have to come to terms that bugs will thrive in a healthy one.

Standing guard

 The durantas are starting to bloom! So lovely. . . 

 My aloe when it lived inside our house

 This is what it looks like after living in the shade outside our house

 The alamanda bush was cut back after several frosts this past winter. It has now come back in full force.

The honeysuckle vines weren't very happy after the frosts either. Both have recovered nicely.

 Mandevilla 

I haven't seen this cute honeybee in a long while. I miss its presence.

I'm glad I took pictures of my bleeding hearts when they were in bloom. They aren't in bloom now and I can't wait until they present themselves again. Such beautiful flowers!

My double petaled petunias are not liking the heat. They haven't bloomed this nicely in a long while.

These Christmas cactus flowers aren't the only things I will be looking forward to when the cool weather hits.

The above three pictures show my succulents in different phases. After I moved the first succulent outside (cannot remember the name at this time), they seemed to flourish with the flapjacks. Yay!

My purple oxalis always make me happy. They are such a joy to have in the garden.

This pink Bougainvillea is currently in my care but really belongs to my mother-in-law. I hope she will be pleased with it when she gets back in town :)

More blooms from my garden

Triangularis Oxalis in the morning

This plant is the first thing I see when I open my front door. Yay!

Greek Oregano that a patient gave me. It was smaller than this when I first got it.

 This is what it looks like now

Some basil that I've started from seed in a re-cycled 18pack. 

I forgot what these seedlings are. Note to self: use plant markers.

My lovely gardenia bush with two buds. Can you spot them?

Gardenia again. However, the flowers have all spent. Just waiting for the two buds to bloom.

More herbs. Above: Mint

Below: Cilantro (from seed!!)

Bougainvillea and Sage plants

Close up of the new buds

Hi Gnomie!

Odd how this flower formation created a "U"

Amaryllis is starting to bloom. Watch out Gnomie!

This beautiful "weed" and its sister are located under the Azelea bush. I let it stay since it's so pretty.

Black and Blue Salvia, Dalhberg Daisies, Amaryllis and Begonias in this picture

 Next to Gnomie are the Portulacas and Moss Roses

 New buds on the Amaryllis

"Pop goes the" Amaryllis!

Read somewhere that using egg shells help stave off slugs/snails and add calcium to plants. Trying out this plant "magic."

It's strange to have succulents growing among annuals, but I love the mix.

Allamanda bush is really taking off

I'm hoping that someone someday will be able to tell me what kind of wildflower this is.

My honeysuckle vine is starting to bloom!!!

And it smells wonderful :)

A lemongrass plant that a patient gave me. It's taken root into the ground even though it's in a container.

My bougies welcome you.

The color palette doesn't mesh, but they're still pretty.

These verbenas are really spreading.