‘Peach Swirl’, a hybrid tea that also has a lovely fragrance.
Tag: syngoniums
It’s been ages since I last saw a tarantula hawk, but I found this one this evening on prairie parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii). There are actually about 3 genera and numerous species of wasps referred to as tarantula hawks; this one was at least 1.5in/38mm, and I’m leaning towards Hemipepsis sp. due to its more matte black color, though it’s difficult to be sure unless you can actually study fine details like wing venation. Sadly, between the breeze and fading sunlight, I couldn’t get a great picture.
The name “tarantula hawk” derives from the fact that they paralyze large spiders and tarantulas and lay their eggs on them (one per spider), so their larvae have something to eat while they grow. They also have a very painful sting. Unfortunately this has lead to a lot of sensationalism and mistreatment; YouTube alone features multiple videos of various morons antagonizing the wasps into stinging them, claiming educational value while glossing over the fact that they’re pointlessly tormenting an animal that would have minded its own business if left alone. Just let them be if you find one.
Large milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus). It’s honestly surprising how few of these guys are around considering how many asclepiads I have, but they ignore most of them. They really love this thus far unidentified Stapelia, though.
Not my plant, but I love it. This is ‘Veilchenblau’, a climbing rose bred in 1909. Like many older roses, it is small-flowered and only blooms once a year, but it remains the truest purple rose I’ve ever seen in person.
Our first tomatoes, including these twins, come from ‘Micro Tom’! They’re about pea-sized right now.
‘Dancing Queen’ (top) opened three big flowers on a second scape, and it still has another bud to go! Also featured: Sprekelia formosissima and ‘Santiago’, which is fragrant.
Cleistocactus samaipatanus.
Purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is now in bloom!
Two Optimara African violet varieties, ‘mySensation’ and ‘Yellowstone’. Optimara supplies AVs to a lot of big box stores like Lowes. Their varieties aren’t labeled in store, but you can look them up online.
Some violet people don’t care for Optimara plants since many of their varieties lack good form, but they’re easy growers and bloomers, and are well-suited for beginners and hobbyist who are not concerned about having show-quality specimens. ‘mySensation’ seems particularly cold-sensitive and was damaged by cold drafts over winter, but since spring has arrived it’s putting out tons of new growth.
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