Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday - Jatropha Bush

Susan is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. If you'd like to join in, click here for instructions.

This spot is right outside of my kitchen window. Clearly, something needed to be done. We tried one small tree, but the yard man whacked it once too often with the weed whacker. Johnny put this ring of bricks around it. Unfortunately, it was too late to save the tree. 



Andres, my granddaughter's boyfriend, came over to help. First, he had to hack out the dead thing. You can see the double kitchen window. That's where the breakfast table sits.


Next, Andres planted a jatropha plant that we bought from a local nursery and filled it in with mulch. The Jatropha is a tropical shrub or small tree with beautiful red flowers that grow in a cluster.


Here's a close up of the blossoms. I just love this plant/tree.


From inside the house, I can just see the red flowers peeking over the edge of my window as I sit at the table sipping my morning coffee.  This wonderful plant will bloom almost all year.

47 comments:

Patti VZ said...

I like it! The blooms almost look like an Impatient variety that I have. Very nice to look at thought!

susan said...

It wouldn't make it as a perenniel in my area, but would make a great plant for a large container. I like that it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Thanks for a new one for me!

Tea said...

I love the tree too. The blossoms are just beautiful.

xinex said...

Nice plant with pretty blooms...Christine

sara said...

beautiful!!

Dixie said...

Hi Sal! I think that boyfriend may be a keeper! Your new bush looks like it might just be a wonderful little food source for Hummingbirds!

yep... too many wordy people on WW! Do you think they don't understand what "Wordless" means? LOL

blessings. Dixie

Amy said...

What a gorgeous plant Sally. I love the blooms on it. Happy Outdoor Wednesday! Amy

Elisabeth said...

What a lovely plant to brighten your day. I am not familiar with a jatropha plant. My curiosity is piqued and will do some research to see if it can survive in the NC mountains. Thank you so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to look for the jatropha! I'm moving to Alabama, maybe it will grow there. Thank you for your lovely blog.

Oh, and I married when I was seventeen, too. We celebrate 40 years this year.

P. said...

It's very nice.
Good you had sone help.

Alfazema

Joyce said...

I never knew the name of those & now I know Jatropha so thank you. They are pretty. Enjoy your view and also what a nice boyfriend for your GD to date.
Joyce

April said...

That tree is a new one to me, but it sure is pretty, Sally!

Salmagundi said...

Glad you have your very own jatropha tree. I'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come. Sally

ellen b said...

Oh now that looks like a great choice! First time I'm reading about a Jatropha tree. :0)

jeanne said...

Good morning Sally. Thanks for the heads up on my link. I swear (not really) this link thingy gets the better of me constantly. Beverly finally talked me through the link to my current post thing and today even that went wrong. Sigh. I fixed it I thought and it linked yesterdays post. I refuse to link three times. LOL. For a fairly smart girl, I feel pretty stupid.

Now for your transformed tree situation. I love the tree and I hope you will enjoy it for years to come. The info about it was interesting too. Is it a warm weather tree?

Have a happy day. I am trying to!!!

Hugs...Jeanne

Pam said...

That is such a beautiful plant. It wouldn't survive in my area, but I'd still love to have something so pretty!

Barb said...

Hi Sally, just lovely. Isn't it exciting to see them grow?!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday.

Barb

Darlene said...

That is beautiful and will bring a smile to your face when you are looking out your window! Happy Earth Day!

flmom said...

The blossoms are lovely! Ah, to gaze out upon something so beautiful......

Happy Earth Day!

Lorrie said...

Very nice Sally! This little backyard project is going to provide you with lots of happy hours as you enjoy your new tree!

Cathy said...

That is so pretty, Sally, a great choice!

Amy said...

Beautiful plant. I hope it brings you many years of enjoyment.

amy@maisonbelle

Sue said...

Hi sally,
Until today I have never heard of the jatropha plant, but it sure looks pretty. I like the idea of it blooming all summer. So enjoy looking at it while drinking your morning cup coffee, but be careful you might want to linger longer. Plants have a way of getting a hold of us you know! lol
Blessings,
Sue

Beth at Aunties said...

What a wonderful guy Andres was to prepare for your beautiful Jatropha
tree! I hope as it grows it blesses your view with glorius flowers!

Chandy said...

Very nice replacement! I can't wait to see it grow!

Carrie said...

It's great to learn about this tree with it lovely flowers.

Killlashandra said...

Very nice! I hope the blooms are long lasting. We just borrowed a rototiller from a friend and now my husband is all excited about ripping up the yard and planting new things. :)

The Raggedy Girl said...

Sally:

That is a really pretty plant and I have never heard about it. It must be nice to look out over your pretty yard in the morning.

Roberta Anne = Raggedy Girl

Susie Q said...

It is so pretty and how cool to listen in on a tutorial all about this wonderful plant!

Your yard is gorgoeus!

Love,
Sue

Diane of Crafty Passions said...

I love the color of that plant and I love that it blooms all year, that's the best part!
Diane

Stacey said...

Hi Sally! That's a pretty little bush. I don't know that one.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful Sally... You'll enjoy seeing that plant and its blooms from your kitchen table. How Neat!!!!
Hope you had a great week/weekend.

We are glad to be home.. It was a wonderful trip --just getting to see my son and family. BUT--the weather was horrible. Oh Well!!!!

I'm going to check through some of your older blog posts.
Hugs,
Betsy

Painter's Place said...

I love your header! It's nice that the plant will bloom all year.

Barbara H. said...

What a lovely view outside your window! I'd not heard of that plant before.

Crystal said...

I really love that plant. I have never heard of Jatropha, but then again I am in PA :0 It would survive as a container, but it could get pretty big. I think I will just settle for looking at yours :)
Thanks for visiting me today and leave your nice comments.

thehummingbirdcottage.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful little tree. You will have to post once in a while on it so we can watch it grow. Your granddaughter's boyfriend is a gem ♥
p.s. I always drink diet pop with my meals. My hubby teases me about it because I will order some high cal dinner and then the pop. Last week I gave it up completely.I'm hoping it will be for good but we will see. I'm drinking tasteless water now LOL

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Looks like you will have something beautiful to look at. Hopefully your yard man doesn't wack this one to death. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for ya!
Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment. It means a lot to me. Have a happy earth day!

Marsha said...

What a pretty little flowering shrub. I have never heard of it so you must live in a warmer climate. I hope it grows and it's branches fill with birds like your video.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What a wonderful view you will have from your window. laurie

JudyBug said...

Oh how pretty! I've never seen one of those before!
JudyBug

Picket said...

I love that plant...I have never heard of it but it is gorgeous!!!! Hope you are having a great week girl!

Nihal said...

I appreciate that Johnny put a ring of bricks around the tree in order to save it. Maybe it was late, but I think we can save our blue wonderful planet with these kind of thoughtful actions. Hope you had a greeny Happy Earth Day and OW.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it interesting how a tree can be dead and still be so difficult to remove. Hope this pretty plant does better for you. Keep that yard man away.


Kathy b

sunnymama said...

How pretty! And how lovely to look at while you sit and drink your morning coffee :)

Kim said...

I love it! How nice to be able to look out and see that beauty!

nikkicrumpet said...

definitely a better view! It will give you an excuse to spend more time over your morning cuppa.

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Sorry I am late getting around to visit... I hope you had a Happy Outdoor Wednesday....and that you will participate again soon! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan