Saturday, April 24, 2010

My Favorite New Plant

Remember when I bought the hanging basket at Lowe's for the old chair I got in Fredericksburg over spring break? I thought it was perfect for this old chair and it had that wild look that I love. Shortly after I bought this plant, I started to notice a really sweet smell in the backyard. I thought it was hyacinths or the violas, but after they stopped blooming I was still smelling that sweet scent. After careful inspection by my nose, I realized it was the little yellow flowers in this basket that I was smelling. I didn't know what the flowers were (no tag in the basket), but I knew I wanted to find out, and I wanted another basket of these!
This is Yellow Bidens (ferulifolia). Yellow Bidens is a beautiful, daisy-like, yellow flower that grows to about an inch across. The plant has lacy leaves and spreads to about 18" across and 9" tall. It is drought and heat tolerant. Bidens are members of the Asteraceae family and a cousin to cosmos. They are suppose to bloom until frost, but need to be deadheaded often to encourage new blooms. They are very pretty, and that sweet honey-like smell is devine! When the sun shines on mine, the whole yard smells good.
So back to Lowe's I go and buy another basket to hang on the arbor. This basket is mostly Yellow Bidens, plus some bacopa and small purple flowers. Don't you just love it? I can see this from my breakfast room window. It brightens all my days and that sweet fragrance makes the backyard smell so good. I am in love with this new plant!
It is a sunny Saturday, but it rained hard over night, so no digging french drains for us today. Hubby and I both are wanting to get this over with, but it will have to be put on hold-- again. So, I need to find something else to do this beautiful day and it's off to the garden centers I go. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and find a new plant that you love.

20 comments:

Aunt Debbi/kurts mom said...

That is beautiful. I need to go get me some

JenningsJunk said...

I love both yellow flower arrangements. Cool extra bonus with the fragrance. Hmmm - my oldest son is out and about this sunny Saturday to cruising the plant stores too.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Debbi-I hope you can find some. I went to Lowe's this morning and they were sold out!

JJ-believe it or not I didn't buy one plant! What is wrong with me!!

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Very pretty! I am going to look for some here too(-: Maybe its to hot here in the Summer?
It sure makes a pretty hanging basket!!!

Anonymous said...

That basket is perfect for that chair and I'm glad you picked up another one for the patio. Fragrance is always a big plus for me too. :)

misterreereeder said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures. Just another kind of flower that is not ONLY pleasing to see but to smell as well.

Nola said...

I don't think I've ever seen that or I'd have been drawn to it because I love anything with a scent! And by the way, this is the second blog I've read today that's decorated a chair that way, Cozy Little House did the same thing. Now I'm gonna HAVE to do one, too.

Susie said...

Looks lovely Linda. I really like the chair with the plants.

Hope you found some new plants today. I had my hubbie dig out an area for some okra I plan to plant from seed.

Enjoy your weekend!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Cindee-I don't think it would be too hot there if you kept it watered. The information I read is that it is heat tolerant. Hope you find one!

Racquel--fragrance is a big plus to me too! I love pretty flowers, but add a sweet smell to that and I am sold! :)

MR--it is pretty, but oh it smells so good. Can't decide which I like best! :)

Nola--I have old chairs everywhere. They are my favorite things to sit plants in. Guess I just like old things in the garden..adds so much character. I need to go look and see what Brenda is up to! I would love to see her garden in person one day.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks Susie. Have you seen this Bidens at your work? What I read about it says "new" so I am thinking this is the first year for it. It maybe one of those Lowe's specials.
Fried okra in summer! YUM! :)

Chandramouli S said...

Beautiful display and sweet fragrance! That's a super combination and that too in hanging basket! Great find! Hope the rains calm down soon. Have a great weekend!

tina said...

Such a pretty color and a scent too? Awesome!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Linda i can't wait until we finally have our Lowes here in Kingston .. I bet they are going to kick butt with garden things : )
My friend in the UK always has some of these flowers but I didn't know they had a scent !
I'll be looking for some too now : )
Joy

Meadowview Thymes said...

Chandramouli--I agree! It's a bonus to have blooms and fragrance!
The rain stopped and hubby is bailing water! Ugh!

Tina--how was the wedding! I can't believe you have the energy to turn on the computer. I was exhausted after Jenny's wedding!
Glad you like the blooms. I have been working on deadheading them. What a job!

Hi Joy! Oh you are going to LOVE Lowe's!! I buy plants, lamps, appliances, light bulbs...and the list goes on. They have good prices too. You might not find the unusual plants as the true nurseries or garden centers have, but I am never disappoiinted when I make a trip. Happy Gardening!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've got to get to Lowes and look for this! I just love it in the chair. Looks good and smells great. What else can one ask for?
Brenda

Meadowview Thymes said...

Brenda--I know...blooms and fragrance! I also found some of these Bidens in smaller containers at Lowe's. I bought 2 to add to another basket I was doing.

Dawn said...

Oh my, I need to get some of this especially for the scent, too few now-a-days.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hope you can find Bidens Dawn. I looked at Lowe's and didn't see any, but maybe they were sold out. Happens this time of year--people are out buying like crazy!!

Cindy, MCOK said...

Wow, that's lovely! So bright and cheery, it has to help you feel better about the delay in getting drains done!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Cindy, I do love this plant..but more delays on the drain. Update is coming.