Thursday, April 23, 2009

Garden surprises

Today after work I took my usual tour of my flower beds and couldn't help but notice this gazania.I've not ever been a huge fan of this plant but was given the opportunity to take it home free from work a few weeks back. I had no clue what color it was. I expected it to be the normal yellow, orange, white, or pink. But what a pleasant surprise. Actually it is much darker than the picture shows, almost burgundy. I really like it! It is an annual, prefers sun and gets to be about 8 - 10 inches tall.

Another plant getting ready to bloom is the Arkansas blue grass.This is the grass I showed back in the fall that turns a beautiful golden color before the frost takes it down.This is it's star like bloom. It has these little clusters at the top. It's a very soft blue color. I thought it would be more full this year but it stayed about the same size. Still, I like it a lot.

I love coming home from work and finding these little surprises.






23 comments:

Becky said...

I LUV your little garden surprises!! My surprises are still a surprise that hasn't happened yet! LOL LOL

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love the gazania, what a pretty color! I like the grass, I've never seen anything like it. Nothing better than garden surprises!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

That is what is so wonderful about spring, Susie... Everyday --we can see something new and different.

Love your pictures--especially those red/burgundy ones. Gorgeous.
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Oh Susie that flower is pretty and I bet it stands out!! Impressed with the Grass too!! Maybe it will continue to fill out after the flowering........

Unknown said...

I suppose that's why we like to garden so much....things change so quickly.

Anonymous said...

these gazinias are just beautiful, loved your star flower too

Unknown said...

Those are 2 new plants for me. I will keep an eye out for both, we I visit the garden centers.

Ginger said...

Susie,
I love both of those! What a great work perk to take home the gazania!!
Have a great weekend!

flydragon said...

I love gazanias. Each year I start them from seed from my favorites from the year before, that way I only get the ones I really liked. I'm not crazy about all the yellow ones either. But mine don't bloom till the very end of May. Lucky you to have them now!

Jen said...

Isn't it nice to know they are working all day too. Pretty flowers Susie, your yard is well on it's way to surprise you everyday.

Meadowview Thymes said...

I love the color of the gazania, but I have never gotten them to do well in my garden. Love those garden surprises though!
Have a great weekend Susie!

Dirt Princess said...

I have taking a liking to gazania. All of mine are doing really well for me thus far! Hope you have a wonerful weekend...go out and get dirty!

Dorothy said...

Pretty flowers, Susie. I'm not familiar with either one of them. I need to go shopping!

Leedra said...

The gazania is gorgeous! What a nice surprise. I, like you, love to walk through the flowerbeds looking for that day's new blooms.

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Anonymous said...

That's a pretty colored Gazania! Looks like your garden gave you some nice surprises. :)

jen said...

Very pretty Susie. Keep sharing your garden suprises!!!

Jen

Jacquie said...

Love the gazenia!

George said...

There's nothing better than going out into the garden and finding some unexpected treasure.

Connie said...

Wonderful surprises, indeed, Susie!

I've never seen a gazenia before. It looks sort of like a bullseye in the middle there. Very pretty!

Unknown said...

Love those gazanias! Fabulous colour. Mine were in a shade that was much lighter. The grass blooms are pretty too. Tiny blooms often go unnoticed. Glad you included these pretty 'stars'.

Anonymous said...

Somehow I missed this post. I love your plants. The grass is very unique - I like it a lot. I hope you are having a good weekend.

Angela said...

I love it when the flowers first start to pop open in the springtime.