
This is admittedly a very, very late post. I'm struggling with slow internet again, so will keep this light! But the South Border deserves its due as March comes to a very lavender-y close. Lavandula stoechas "Blueberry Ruffles" is now in fine form, looking better than it has ever done before. Although I have mentally cavilled at its slower growth (compared to "Madrid"), I do love that rich blue hue in the flowers.

Between the two miniature roses, Salvia x "Summer Jewels" is flowering. This would normally be considered a bedding annual, but it is turning into a nice little perennial here, so far at least.

I now have two new plants of Penstemon parryi tucked in next to Eremophila "Valentine". I am hoping these will settle in as well as my first, which is still languishing in too much shade. I don't want to move it till next autumn; and I have so many qualms about the probability of success that I decided to buy new plants first, ensuring I would not go entirely without. Which says a great deal for how much I admire this plant! The newbies are still looking a bit fragile; flowers should have more substance and stronger color, I think; but hopefully it is all a matter of time. My first was planted in autumn, so it had a whole winter season to establish before blooming.

In the middle of the border, I am happy to report robust new growth on Lagerstroemia indica "Rhapsody in Pink". It seems quite a slow grower, but it is such a gorgeous thing that I can only wait on it and try to keep my complaints to myself. It is difficult though, as I am anxious to see it become one of the focal points of the border.
Burgundy new growth is a beauty it shares with L. i. "Dynamite" in the Central Bed. Rhapsody's color lasts much longer, as I recall - more or less throughout summer.

Lastly, at the top of the border, foliage of one of m new irises is sharing place with last spring's Ixia. Both will soon be crowded a bit by the returning Catharanthus roseus. In this part of the border, I clipped the Catharanthus back rather than jerking it out, and I am being rewarded with strong growth. Something to plan for in future...
Thanks to Cathy at Words and Herbs for hosting the Tuesday View!

Weather Diary: Fair but windy with red flag warning; High: 88 F (31 C)/Low: 51 F (11 C); Humidity: 9%-56%
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Diana Studer (Friday, 31 March 2017 09:17)
just seen an indigo bush on Town and Country Mouse.
Would that, does that, grow in your garden?
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 31 March 2017 11:12)
Yes, Diana, and I would love to have one! There are a number of Dalea species with good reputations here (most are natives, I believe), but I've had a difficult time locating them for sale. Someday I hope to find a reliable source for such plants.
Kris P (Friday, 31 March 2017 18:44)
Oh, I must find 'Blueberry Ruffles'! The plant does look good enough to eat!
Brian Skeys (Saturday, 01 April 2017 12:25)
Blueberry ruffles is a gorgeous deep blue.
Cathy (Saturday, 01 April 2017 13:19)
You have some gorgeous colour in that border right now. Especially the lovely pink Lagerstroemia. :)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 01 April 2017 18:35)
Kris - It's a very tasty blue-purple ;-) It stays a little smaller than my other Spanish lavenders, so it might not be too hard to find someplace to slip it in...
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 01 April 2017 18:36)
Brian - It definitely is that! :)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 01 April 2017 18:39)
Cathy - I'm in hopes that the seasonal color transitions are improving... ;-) Thanks!