Clerodendrum bungei

Clerodendrum bungei.

For the moment, it's a deck plant.  Listed as highly deer resistant.  Due to scent of leaves and flowers.  Very fragrant flowers.

Butterflies love Buddleia

 Buddleia X "Blueberry Cobbler"

Buddleia X "Blueberry Cobbler"

Buddleia sterile hybrid "Blueberry Cobbler" just beginning to bloom.  The flowers are uch larger compared to "Miss Molly" and "Miss Ruby" with the difference that those 2 varieties were bough in bud this Spring, while the Blueberry Cobbler was bought during the winter, with the blossoms on new growth.  I've seen a few bumblebees on these Buddleia but no honeybees, yet.

First fig. More mulberries.

First fig of the year.  Lattarula.

 For some reason I've been sick the past couple of days.  Something to cheer me up - the first ripe fig of the season.  Like last year, Lattarula was first.  Big, heavy, sweet.

Lattarula. Juicy and sweet.

 Someone feels the need to be in the picture.  Always nearby.  This fig was eaten within a minute.

More mulberries.  "Illinois Everbearing".

 Yesterday, from the Battleground place.  Every few days, a handful of mulberries.  Flavor as appealing as figs.  Very tasty.

The first fig last year was July 28th.  Se we are about 10 days ahead.  Sweet.

Hazelnut trees. Nine months later.

Hazelnut volunteer

 These are the Hazezlnut trees I moved last fall.  The 2 named varieties, larger trees, didn't grow much.  Ennis has a fair number of ripening hazelnuts.  Butler has one or two   The volunteer hazelnut tree grew like gangbusters, sturdy and fast.  It's over 6 foot tall.

Ripening Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts.  Butler and Ennis.

Carini Fig. Planted in-ground.

Carini fig

This is one of the Carini fig trees.   I started them from cuttings this winter.  I planted it in-ground today.  Most of the cuttings will remain in containers until Fall or Spring.  This start is knee-high.  I planted in the native soil, mulched with an ince of home made compost, then mulched with home made grass straw.    Watered deeply.

Since this grew nicely, but the growth looks like it will harden off before Winter, I think it's OK to plant it in ground.   This location is South of the house.  Full sun. There is room for a row of about 6 fig trees.  So far the row has a Sal's, Petite negri, and 2 other starts.  I plan to move those starts out, and replace with a Smith, Atreano, and Champagne.  Plan subject to change as seasons pass.

Novel Fig Morpholigies. Hardy Chicago.

 The Hardy Chicago has a number of oddly shaped figs this year.  Here are a few I found.  Probably no effect on taste, so I'll leave them on the tree to ripen.

Petite negri fig looks promising.

Petite negri

This may be the best crop yet from Petite negri fig.  The branches are loaded.  The quadripedal squirrel guard is standing guard.

Petite negri

Rooting Refrigerated Fig Cuttings.

Celeste fig cuttings

Fig cuttings, paper towel / plastic bag method

I found these Celeste cuttings in the fridge.  Maybe there since March.   I don't need any more fig starts.  I don't know what I would do with more. 

Any way, I think I'll see if they grow.

I made one -inch incision in each of the small ones, and 3 1-inch incisions in the large cutting.

They were dipped 10 seconds each in dip'n'gro at 1:5 dilution.  Then wrapped in moist paper towel.

Now in plastic bag at room temp.

If they are going to grow, I should know in a couple of weeks.  Maybe 3 or 4 weeks.

TLC plants in bloom

Lavatera "Barnsley"

Tigridia

Lavatera "Barnsley".   Purchased 2 weeks ago, wilted and leaves curled.  Repotted, gave some TLC.  Still on deck.  Starting to bloom.  Should have a lot of flowers. 

With the heat, I'm watering these and the young fig trees daily.   A couple of months of that, and probably that's done.

This fall I can plant this one at the Batttleground place.  That will give it winter to establish roots, and will be mostly care-free next year.  Good plan to reduce effort.

The first of the Tigridias to bloom.  Dramatic.

Buddleia first flower

Buddleia hybrid "Blueberry Cobbler"

 Buddleia X "Blueberry Cobbler".  Sterile, noninvasive, compact, and legal.

First flower.  I've been nursing this plant since January.  It was a hold-over at Portland Nursery.

Most web pics are close up of the flower, without much context of the plant itself.  The color is difficult to photograph.  Many web pics crop off the flower tip.  It's better to show the entire flower.  And the plant for context.

Buddleia hybrid  "Blueberry Cobbler"

Very fragrant.

Unfortunately last weekend this plant blew off the deck.  It was light.  In a container, it dries out quickly.  The fall broke some stems.  Even so I'm happy with the result.  The broken stems will be better in the long run.  Pruning encourages bushiness.

Flower really is reminiscent of lilac.

I have one of the same variety, in-ground at the Battleground place.  It's about one week behind this containerized TLC plant.