Red Hot Sally Salvia
Red Hot Sally scarlet sage produces stocky spikes of vivid red flowers early in summer and continuing until frost. Native to Brazil, this tender perennial is most often used as an annual bedding plant. Spent flowerspikes may be cut off so that side buds grow and produce more flowers. The flowers are held slightly above the green leaves, creating a dense plant with stout and bright accents of red petals. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to this plant.
This scarlet sage cultivar needs full sun and average garden soil, however it is very heat and drought tolerant once established. 'Red Hot Sally' is tremendously useful as a massed annual planting, as border accents, or in containers. It can provide a full, yet short vertical accent for large hanging baskets, too. I bought two of these and hope my "Black Thumb" doesn't kill them!Iris Blooms
Iris is a genus of about 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Some authors state that the name refers to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species . As well as being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name for all Iris species, as well as some belonging to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower.
Yellow Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ἱβίσκος (hibískos), which was the name Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40–90) gave to Althaea officinalis.
Bee on a Bluebonnet
Saw a bee feeding on a Bluebonnet. On March 7, 1901, Lupinus subcarnosus became the only species of bluebonnet recognized as the state flower of Texas;[2] however, Lupinus texensis emerged as the favorite of most Texans. So, in 1971, the Texas Legislature made any similar species of Lupinus that could be found in Texas the state flower.[3][4]
As an extension of Lady Bird Johnson's efforts at highway beautification in the United States (see Highway Beautification Act), she encouraged the planting of native plants along Texas highways after she left the White House.[5] Bluebonnet blooms are now a common sight along these highways in the springtime.[2] They serve as a popular backdrop for family photographs, and the Department of Public Safety issues safety recommendations with regard to drivers pulling off highways to take such pictures.Clump of Bluebonnets
A clump of Bluebonnets. On March 7, 1901, Lupinus subcarnosus became the only species of bluebonnet recognized as the state flower of Texas; however, Lupinus texensis emerged as the favorite of most Texans. So, in 1971, the Texas Legislature made any similar species of Lupinus that could be found in Texas the state flower.
As an extension of Lady Bird Johnson's efforts at highway beautification in the United States (see Highway Beautification Act), she encouraged the planting of native plants along Texas highways after she left the White House. Bluebonnet blooms are now a common sight along these highways in the springtime . They serve as a popular backdrop for family photographs, and the Department of Public Safety issues safety recommendations with regard to drivers pulling off highways to take such pictures.