Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life. Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I usually run with a theme. Each year it is a race to see whether the tree dahlias will bloom before the first hard frost kills them. They amaze me in that after being cut down to ground level they grow anything up to twelve feet high before blooming.
So how did we go this year?
This year our success was mixed. We did get some blooms (which the bees love) before the frost rotted the buds. However the visiting possum decided that the buds were delicious and stripped all the plants it could reach from our roof or from the telegraph pole.
The tears in the telegraph pole in the last photo are a fine testament to the strength of the possum's claws.
Better luck next year. And sometime this week I will add cutting down the tree dahlias to my garden chores - as well as weeding and planting bulbs. As an aside I have discovered that photographing things well above my head is a challenge to my balance.
I hope your week is blooming lovely.
Dear EC
ReplyDeleteWow - both for the beauty of the tree dahlia and the damage caused by the possum. 'There's always next year' is one of the things I love about gardening, as there is always a new season to look forward to.
I have a lot of potting on and planting out to do this week.
Have a great gardening week.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I agree with you about 'there's always next year', though sometimes I get discouraged. Have fun in your garden this week - as I hope to get out there too.
DeleteI love those tree dahlias. Something I have never seen on this side of the world. Adventurous possums.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: This possum obviously loved the tree dahlias. The stalks won't hold his weight so the ones away from the house didn't get the 'benefit' of his attention. The forbears of these tree dahlias were given to me by a friend who is now dead. I think of her every year at this time
DeleteFaszination! We have quite a few dahlias in our garden, but a tree dahlia I had not seen before.
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: They are a joy and can be spectacular. I wonder whether you can get them?
DeleteYou have many "vandals" in your neighborhood! : ))
ReplyDeleteI don't like to look up either.
When I went to Venice, Italy, some years ago, I visited many churches. One in particular - Santa Maria della Salute - had an amazing ceiling. People were looking up, some had mirrors. Mirrors? A first for me. When a mirror became available, I picket it up and could see the fabulous ceiling without looking up. What an experience!!
Caterina: Thank you for that excellent idea. I may take a mirror out with me when next I try and focus on things over my head.
Delete"picked"
ReplyDeleteCatarina: I knew what you meant.
DeleteRiver Fairchild - Those are some deep claw marks! The tree dahlias are spectacular… and apparently make a delicious snack too.
ReplyDeleteI get the same unbalanced feeling while tipping my head back too. Makes changing light bulbs while up on a ladder quite challenging and something to avoid. Maybe sitting on a stool before you take the photo will help? Although dragging a stool around the yard would present its own problems.
Hugs to you, my dear friend, and I’ll offer a sentiment of don’t overdo it in the garden for you to willfully ignore. 😂
River Fairchild: Changing light bulbs is definitely a challenge. No to dragging a stool about, though Catarina's suggestion about a mirror could work for photography. Hugs back to you - and my intentions in the garden will be good.
DeleteEach single flower photo with its various angles, is like a piece of art.
ReplyDeleteDUTA: Thank you. Each bloom is indeed a work of art. I am so grateful to the wonders of nature.
DeleteI was looking up dahlias at a local flower store and found this info... "There are 14 classification orders based on bloom type and over 20,000 dahlia varieties, with blossoms ranging from two inches to 10+ inches in diameter." I may have to get some to put in pots. The ground gets to cold here to plant them outside.
ReplyDeleteMike: Most dahlias would do quite well in pots. I doubt the tree dahlias would. Let me know how you get on.
DeleteOur hot tropical weather now begins with June. SIGH After 7 years I should be used to it. I have a possum that comes on my porch at night and I kindly give him leftovers. He is sooo fat now. My cat Freddie hears him out on the porch and sits near the door and meows at him sort of like singing for the possum while he has his dinner LOL I hope you have a good new week ahead.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Our possums are different to yours. Our cats are definitely interested but fortunately won't meet. Stay as cool as you can and enjoy your week.
DeleteHad no idea dahlias grow on trees!
ReplyDeleteSandi: They aren't 'proper' trees, but what else do you call a plant that can grow twelve feet (or more) in a season.
DeleteTree dahlias! Magnificent! Rascally possums!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Yes to both.
DeleteThe tree dahlias are beautiful! It's too bad you didn't get to enjoy them for longer, but I'm sure you cherished them while they were there. I sympathize with your "possum problem". Lately we've been dealing with deer that have somehow circumvented our 8-foot high fence, and they've been tearing apart everything from fruit trees to roses to hostas. Grrr!
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: I feel for you. As far as we know we have only one possum and he/she has limited his depreciations to the tree dahlias beside the house.
DeleteGood morning, EC. Your gardening activities are far better than my non-existent gardening activities. :)
ReplyDeleteMay the coming week be a good one for you...take care...my cuddles to Batty and Odie.
Lee: The is ALWAYS more I could/should be doing in the garden. Thank you - and have a great week.
DeleteThe flowers look rather unique
ReplyDeleteroentare: They are, and when the frost allows it to see the 'trees' festooned with blooms is quite a sight.
DeleteI've never heard of a tree dahlia before. They are pretty though.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Very pretty.
DeleteAs for you, looking up is very hard for me now., for different reasons. I guess tree dahlias grow from bulbs like other dahlias.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I suppose they do, but I grew these from cuttings that a friend gave me.
DeleteThe tree dahlias are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: We think so. Some in the back yard (which is more sheltered) are surviving. I will try and take more photos.
DeleteI'm glad the possum had a treat at least. Love the story line of this post!
ReplyDeleteDJan: The possum got plenty of treats. Drat it.
DeleteI was going to say, those blossoms do look delectible and maybe nice to smell. I might eat those. If I could beat the possums to them, that is.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Given that they bloom at the top of the tree I suspect the possum has a better chance of eating them than you do.
DeleteI've never seen a live Tree Dahlia. The blooms are beautiful and probably tasty to the possums. We do not have Possums in our area, I'm not sure about Tree Daliah. Maybe they grow in hot houses.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so strange that you are getting close to getting frosts and we are getting in summer mode.
Hugs, Julia
Julia: Do Dahlias grow in your area? If they do, then tree dahlias would too. Our possums are different to yours, but the possum certainly gobbled the blooms it could reach down.
DeleteWe are having almost daily frosts at the moment - which I prefer to summer. Stay cool.
Possums!! Don't get me started! Everywhere I walk here is covered in possum poop and the night noises up on the roof could wake the dead!
ReplyDeleteThe tree dahlias are beautiful, but maybe you could sit on a chair while taking the photos? Can't have you falling over. I don't think I will ever plant any, I prefer flowers I can see without bending over backwards or buying binoculars.
River: No sign of possum pooh here (it is probably on the roof). You are right about the night noises. I suppose I could take a chair down the bottom of the yard to try and photograph those that are still in flower. I will give it some thought.
DeleteThese dahlias are very beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteFirst time to see such a species!!
Thanks for the opportunity to see them!!
Katerinas Blog: Thank you. They are not at their best this year but some in the back yard are hanging in. I will try and get better photos.
DeleteLovely plants tree dahlias, your flower look lovely EC. Yes, have had trouble with possums in the farm house we lived in years ago, they used to dance on the roof..lol
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: The possum dance is a very noisy one isn't it? As is their cough.
DeleteHi EC - the dahlia is just beautiful ... lovely to see it thank you. Possums - glad they're not here ... and yes those shreds show us something ... also avoid their paws and/or claws at all costs. Glad the weather is more of your sort ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Definitely avoid the possums claws. Many a vet has reaped considerable money repairing dogs or cats who have tangled with out possums. Interestingly they are not a match for our Powerful Owl.
DeleteThey are remarkable!
ReplyDeleteBill: They are a (mostly) annual joy.
DeleteA new and beautiful plant to me. Thanks for the introduction, Sue.
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: They are lovely - I am not sure you could grow them - but it would be worth a try.
DeleteDarn that possum!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: We said similar things.
DeleteBeautiful. And your hand is steady enough to take those photos.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: Some of them are blurred but I am glad the beauty of the plant is visible.
DeleteYou certainly have a green thumb growing from cuttings! These are so lovely. You are always a positive note in my life from which I am grateful. Aloha friend
ReplyDeleteCloudia: No effort required. Stick them in the ground and wait. Having established themselves they come back year after year. Thank yuo friend.
DeleteHello Child, the last time I checked here, you were taking a break. I'm happy to see you again. I've been digging in the garden...I must take pics!
ReplyDeleteneena maiya (guyana gyal): Thank you - and please do take photos.
DeleteChild, do you know what's happened to Joey? He's closed his blog. I hope he's okay.
ReplyDeleteneena maiya (guyana gyal): Sadly I don't. I hope he is ok, and that his family is too.
DeleteI'm glad you got some blooms and hope the possum has moved on by next year.
ReplyDeleteMy selections are over here.
messymimi: We are glad for the blooms we got too. Who knows where the possum will be next year - it comes and goes. I enjoyed your selections.
DeleteI love your garden photos. I hope you are okay.
ReplyDeletee: Thank you. I have had a morning physio session and am ok but v tired.
DeleteI had no idea that possums were into flower buds. I really never thought about what their diet might consist of. :/
ReplyDeleteTree dahlias sound so interesting. I don't know if ours do that here. :)
Bea: Our possums are different to yours, but this one is certainly very partial to these buds. Tree dahlias are a different sort of dahlia but make for a dramatic change.
DeleteThey made it! But why do possums eat flower buds? Both possums and tree dahlias are very exotic got me. Thanks for the view!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I assume that the possum ate the buds for a change in its diet. And it seemed to enjoy the flavour. Thank you.
DeleteSorry to hear about the possums and your buds. The flowers you did get were pretty.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: They are pretty and there are still some left in our more sheltered back yard which I hope to photograph today (when it is light).
DeleteDicen que el que no se consuela es porque no quiere, mejor que se la coma la zarigüella a que venga un fuerte viento o una nevada y destroce la planta...¿no?...jeje.
ReplyDeletePor aquí apenas existe esta planta, que por cierto es muy bonita su flor.
Un cordial saludo, amiga Sue.
Manuel: 'They say that if you don't console yourself it's because you don't want to, it's better for the opossum to eat it than for a strong wind or snowfall to come and destroy the plant...right?...hehe.
DeleteThis plant hardly exists here, and its flower is very pretty, by the way.
Best regards, friend Sue.'
Thank you so much. And yes, strong winds often take the tree dahlias down. We don't get snow in quantities here though. It rarely sticks. Have a great day.
You know your flowers are beautiful when even the Possums want to enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it's incredible how fast the plants can grow so tall after being cut down.
Our swamp is filling up with blooms. Hope your weather is not too hot.
Wally Jones: Winter has arrived here and it is blissfully cool. I am enjoying your blooming swamps though. So much beauty - the world over.
DeleteAt least you did get some blooms and beautiful they look too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these photographs.
I hope your week has been a good one.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you - and there is one valiantly continuing to bloom still.
DeleteBeautiful photos, as always.
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: Thank you. As I type I can hear to possum coughing outside - no doubt looking for more things to gobble.
DeleteI've never seen a dahlia tree nor a possum in real life, but I love that blogging friends do - and share so much of it. Thank you.
ReplyDeletejenny_o: Thank you for backtracking through my posts. The blogging community is a lovely one isn't it?
Delete