New flowering plants, annual or perennial, are intriguing to me. I am beginning to be able to identify which family some of them may belong to.

7.1.11

I recently picked up an unfamiliar flowering plant that resembled a calendula which bordered my front garden along the side walk. However this one has different colors, described as "a distinctive new look with maroon inner petals fading to light pink with a touch of yellow on the outermost tips of the petals, these flowers are a softer, more gentle calendula than the bright orange and yellow hues." It is called 'Solar Flashback' Calendula, in the Asteraceae family.

7.8.11

I find that this new cultivar is not as hardy. The new flowers and new buds are getting smaller, compared to 5 -6 weeks ago when first put in the ground, despite my attempt to dead-head the flowers and regularly add fertilizer.

7.14.11

Nevertheless, I am thankful to welcome the new elegant flowers to my garden and my home.

8.3.11