Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Garden Buzz

Gomphrena 'Fireworks'
 Well, it's another gorgeous day in Tucson and a great day to be outside celebrating one of the most perfect months of the year in the Old Pueblo.   I'd like to share with you two plants that are really showing off their colors right now.  These photos were taken from a friend's home today.  The bottom pic is of the very common and lovely Tucson plant.....the Fairy Duster.  It makes a great statement in the garden as a small to medium size shrub.  During this time of year, you'll find lovely red blossoms surrounded by lots and lots of bees:)  It's an extremely xeriscape friendly plant and comes highly recommended by most Tucson gardeners. 
Fairy Duster
 Now, blogger friends, I need your help on this one.  I honestly don't know what this plant is at all.  But I can tell you that it's an amazing plant in pots.  This plant below is a top performer in the garden with full sun and lots and lots of blooms mostly all year round.  But because I don't have this plant in my own garden, I don't know what it is.  Any guesses?  I have cared for it during the height of our summer heat and continue to be surprised at how well this plant is doing right now!!!  I'd like to have this plant in our own collection here.   During winter, it goes dormant and is cut back, but in spring it grows out bushy and tall inside the various pots at my friend's house.  It looks similiar to a thistle, but I am stumped.  If you see this plant at the garden center, I highly recommend getting it for your summer and fall collection.  It's really quite beautiful.  More tomorrow.... 
Here's another shot further back...
Gomphrena 'Fireworks'


 

5 comments:

  1. The Baja Fairy Duster I know (since it won't grow in the Chihuahuan Desert cities I work in...so jealous of esp how nice they are in Phx!). But the other with those stamens...nice close-up. Got me. Size? Form / pic of whole plant? Water needs?

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  2. It's driving me nuts. My friend doesn't know but he's had them in there for a least 2 years. It has a Globe Mallow leaf shape but it can grow tall. Not very bushy with moderate needs. Let me see if I can find another shot I took...:) Thanks for pondering the issue and feedback:)

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  3. I don't know the name of the plant but your photographs of it are stunning!

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