For the record, I didn't know the hole was there.

The annuals crapped out this week. Oh well. Now I remember why I don't buy annuals. I have too much guilt about having to put them in the composter. Many purple pentas went in the ground today to take the place of the annuals. If they go into the composter, I want it to be my fault. Wait...oh whatever...

And purple bougainvillea, I'm such a sucker. They always die. Or sputter along in a sad way. But there you go, 3 more just outside the window. Laughing at me and giving me the middle petal.

Also added a surinam cherry for Andy. He has fond memories of them growing up. BUT There were some kind of bug babies nesting in it, found them when I got home. Since it was the only surinam I've ever seen at the place, I didn't want to have to return it, which is stupid, but I am sentimental about his memories. And, as we've already learned today, I am a sucker. I doused it with insecticidal soap which killed the uninvited guests, then I sprayed the heck out of it with the hose. A difficult welcome for the cherry.

Oh and I looked like a total freak doing it. I'm in a cul de sac, we're always checking each other out. What do you think I looked like dancing around, spraying a helpless plant over and over, then sticking my nose in it (to examine any damage, look for escapees) for a half hour?

"Oh look, flower girl is freaking out again on the front lawn. At least she's wearing a bra today. Is that a rip in the butt of her jeans?" Yes it is...sorry...hope I haven't damaged your children in some way.

Moving on...

Can you believe Lowes can kill a hibiscus? They tried their best, but I plucked 3 braided trunk hibicus off the 50% off table for $4 each. Looking forward to them looking hoity-toity in my very casual tropical garden.

Crotens in the sideyard to replace the macho fern, which turned out to be not that macho. Macho by the way is doing very well in the new home.

Oleander in the backyard, I'm hoping it grows fast and acts as a block against too bright am sun. That's what they do, right?

Also added a gorgeous yellow and red hibiscus to the back hedge. Lovely presidential variety.

Added a bunch more free mulch to the back.

Garden issue: The ficus has died back again and exposed a hard to move bunch of plants to strong sun. They were holding on but June sun may prove too much. Need to find a better solution than placing an umbrella over them. Which admittedly is kind of cute.