Well, I think you've done an outstanding job. I've killed all 3 of those first pictures and I live in the tropics so I can't blame overwintering.

Beautiful hibiscus, Holly. Mine are just starting to bloom again after being energized by the rain we've had the last week or so. It's hot and dry now, so I'll be moving pots around.

Nice pics Holly, thank for sharing...we are have had 22 days record high temps and a drought. My containers look pitiful because I am not willing to water 3 times a day due to voluntary water restrictions.

We have been very lucky in our area. We did have record highs and no water for a while. But we have been pretty blessed lately by plenty of rain. We also have a very good well. So we don't pay for water like some of you do and since our well is so good we don't have problems watering even when there isn't rain. We don't water grass just the plants.

Thanks Elaine..I always wonder what's the reasoning for gardeners behaviors.. I don't cut back nearly as far or as often as I should on lots of things.. although I did delay some of my raspbberries a season or two by my over zealous use of the felcos last fall ... [ my strawberries are trying to take up the slack on the roof ]
the picture of the new leaf was radiant.. glowing.... tender and soft.. and pruning keeps them down where you can enjoy it more..
Thumbergia has it's first of I hope hundreds of blooms today.. yes.. right after the rain... the brugs are starting to get going...[A 4 ft tall Katrin Bronte pictured... much more fragerant and fun so close over a couch ]

love the blue!!

Lovely brug, Gordon. Mine have been having a struggle with bugs and not enough sun this summer. And I have a thunbergia a little darker blue than yours! Yum, those strawberries look fabulous. Mine were shared with birds, squirrels, bugs and raccoons this year i.e. I hardly had any for me! But ))sigh(( I sure was feeding all God's creatures . . . in style.
A Stardancer cross, and one called Monster White - these are both new plants from cuttings taken last winter.

Thunbergia battiscombeii - I like their funny little pipe-shaped profiles

Love those Thunbergia, I have a Variegated Sky Blue Vine but it hasn't grown much and I see no signs of blooms yet.

my blue thunb. is growing slowllllyyyyy too at least we can enjoy yours

Can we overwinter brugs w/o a greehouse up north?

well...yes.. I have one outside.. but it's in front of a hot air vent that vents maybe 30 apartments.. i overwinter some in the house.. they will grow and sometimes flower.. or store them in a cool but never freezing garage.. as dormant resting plants.. mother is in the same zone 7 as I.. but in north AL.. she gets most of hers to return fromm their roots in the spring

Thanks Gordon! Putting a few more pots in the basement is no trouble at all.

Thai Giant starting to put up some good sized leaves.

Due to the lack of rain most of the tropicals are a few weeks behind.

Biki Tini, purchased a small start this spring, at lower left. Divided a month after potting and planted out in late May. Small but already making pups. I'll get a pic later.

Nice big ears!

Thanks Sandi!
From my largest to my smallest, I received Colocasia affinis "jenningsii" from gardenersdetective. Thanks Susan! The most amazing jewel! If I lived in a warmer clime I'd grow this everywhere. When received I thought Susan forgot to put the tubers in the bag. They're smaller than a peanut.


Leaves just keep popping up.

Stunning coloration

Evan I know wouldn't they make a great front of the border plant. Your container should be jammed full by the end of the summer. I just set the whole pot in the basement and do nothing to it all winter, the little corms/bulbs go dormant then I grab a handful in spring and add them to another container. You will then end up with two full pots and be able to share the following year if you want. To be honest with you I just scooped up a handful when I sent them to you and couldn't really tell how many were in there. Glad they are coming up.

Sandi, do you have or see these in your neck of the woods?
Sometimes you have a plant that keeps you smiling whenever you see it. This one's like that. Thanks again Susan. I'm regretting buying the caladium in the background. Picked it up yesterday at HD on sale. Hopefully will look better in ground near something green. Hurts my eyes.

No, I haven't seen them, but that doesn't mean they aren't around. I will look for them. I'm wondering if they're invasive in 8b, though? I had some great EEs that just happened to be runners. With such a short winter here, they took over.
I think the caladium is gorgeous. Needs to be in lots of shade. Looks like Fannie Munson.

Maybe Fannie will grow on me. I'll go out and test it.
Musa basjoo. Main crown rotted overwinter, under mulch and plastic, but still grew. It was outperformed by a pup so I cut it down last week.
Getting close to last years 10/29 size.
Morning, afternoon.