GardenOpus
@gardenopus.bsky.social
🌱Gardening & Botanical insights from Award-Winning Horticulturist, Hybridist, Author, Designer & Consultant Robert F. Gabella.
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GardenOpus
@gardenopus.bsky.social
· Jun 11
🌱🍑🌹 Part 2 of #RoseWednesday, Miniature Shrub Rose (Rosa) 'Apricot Drift®' (Meilland International, 2009) is my favorite from this great series. Eyecatching color, bloom recurs in quick cycles, and will often flower past the first hard freezes of Autumn. Rosaceae
Reposted by GardenOpus
The tea plant is blooming!
Many more flowers, now this plant's getting more sun (neighbor cut back a tree).
Camellia sinensis. 🌱
So far, harvesting about two cups of tea a year.
I minimally process (wilt in sun) some new leaves each Spring and drink it as white tea.
Delicious!
🤍🍵🫖
#tea #inthegarden
Many more flowers, now this plant's getting more sun (neighbor cut back a tree).
Camellia sinensis. 🌱
So far, harvesting about two cups of tea a year.
I minimally process (wilt in sun) some new leaves each Spring and drink it as white tea.
Delicious!
🤍🍵🫖
#tea #inthegarden
November 24, 2025 at 1:45 AM
The tea plant is blooming!
Many more flowers, now this plant's getting more sun (neighbor cut back a tree).
Camellia sinensis. 🌱
So far, harvesting about two cups of tea a year.
I minimally process (wilt in sun) some new leaves each Spring and drink it as white tea.
Delicious!
🤍🍵🫖
#tea #inthegarden
Many more flowers, now this plant's getting more sun (neighbor cut back a tree).
Camellia sinensis. 🌱
So far, harvesting about two cups of tea a year.
I minimally process (wilt in sun) some new leaves each Spring and drink it as white tea.
Delicious!
🤍🍵🫖
#tea #inthegarden
🌱This was very nice.😎
November 23, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🌱This was very nice.😎
🌱🍅 AFTER THE FREEZE. Rescue Tomatoes picked green continue to ripen. True, flavor won't be the same as when ripened on the plants during warm sunny days, but can keep me away from store-bought past Christmas, occasionally into the New Year. Solanum lycopersicum - Solanaceae.
November 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🌱🍅 AFTER THE FREEZE. Rescue Tomatoes picked green continue to ripen. True, flavor won't be the same as when ripened on the plants during warm sunny days, but can keep me away from store-bought past Christmas, occasionally into the New Year. Solanum lycopersicum - Solanaceae.
🌱💜🐝 Even after last week's snow & 24°F/-4.4°C, found some late native Symphyotrichum (Aster) - from the highly variable cordifolium group - on the Illinois Prairie Path, a short walk from my home. Here with non-native & invasive Apis mellifera (European Honeybee). Asteraceae & Apidae
November 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
🌱💜🐝 Even after last week's snow & 24°F/-4.4°C, found some late native Symphyotrichum (Aster) - from the highly variable cordifolium group - on the Illinois Prairie Path, a short walk from my home. Here with non-native & invasive Apis mellifera (European Honeybee). Asteraceae & Apidae
🌱❤️💛 Abutilon 'Voodoo' revealing #SundayYellow from within. Malvaceae
And not for lack of trying as it's now Monday in much of the world - finally got tired of BlueSky crashing when uploading pix so this evening uninstalled & reinstalled.
And not for lack of trying as it's now Monday in much of the world - finally got tired of BlueSky crashing when uploading pix so this evening uninstalled & reinstalled.
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 AM
🌱❤️💛 Abutilon 'Voodoo' revealing #SundayYellow from within. Malvaceae
And not for lack of trying as it's now Monday in much of the world - finally got tired of BlueSky crashing when uploading pix so this evening uninstalled & reinstalled.
And not for lack of trying as it's now Monday in much of the world - finally got tired of BlueSky crashing when uploading pix so this evening uninstalled & reinstalled.
🌱🎶🎙"Despite all my rage I am still just a..."
OK OK I know, used that one already!😅 BUT...
🎶🥬 "...Kale in a cage!"🙊
Brassica oleracea v. acephala 'Redbor' & 'Blue Curled Scotch'. Brassicaceae
OK OK I know, used that one already!😅 BUT...
🎶🥬 "...Kale in a cage!"🙊
Brassica oleracea v. acephala 'Redbor' & 'Blue Curled Scotch'. Brassicaceae
November 13, 2025 at 6:57 PM
🌱🎶🎙"Despite all my rage I am still just a..."
OK OK I know, used that one already!😅 BUT...
🎶🥬 "...Kale in a cage!"🙊
Brassica oleracea v. acephala 'Redbor' & 'Blue Curled Scotch'. Brassicaceae
OK OK I know, used that one already!😅 BUT...
🎶🥬 "...Kale in a cage!"🙊
Brassica oleracea v. acephala 'Redbor' & 'Blue Curled Scotch'. Brassicaceae
🌱Decided to give the 📷 Canon EOS a short workout after PAINFULLY re-linking to their updated Camera Connect App. Encryption Key ✔️ IP Address ✔️ MAC Address ✔️ WiFi Network & PW ✔️ - and FINALLY 🌺 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Glamour Gal™'. Malvaceae
November 12, 2025 at 5:29 AM
🌱Decided to give the 📷 Canon EOS a short workout after PAINFULLY re-linking to their updated Camera Connect App. Encryption Key ✔️ IP Address ✔️ MAC Address ✔️ WiFi Network & PW ✔️ - and FINALLY 🌺 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Glamour Gal™'. Malvaceae
🌱🍁🍂 So about all those Autumn leaves still on the trees...seems like they got a little help with the "Fall" part of the equation.😅 Plastered everywhere! Good news is we may tickle 70°F/21°C by Saturday, if not windy enough to blow them off the roof, you may catch me up on a ladder with the blower.😎
November 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
🌱🍁🍂 So about all those Autumn leaves still on the trees...seems like they got a little help with the "Fall" part of the equation.😅 Plastered everywhere! Good news is we may tickle 70°F/21°C by Saturday, if not windy enough to blow them off the roof, you may catch me up on a ladder with the blower.😎
🌱🌶🥕🍅🥒 Did I just do this???😅 Apparently! With end of season crop rescues comes the "What Now?" part. A modest total of pickled pints compared to what some may do over a season. Use a mandolin to assembly-line the slicing, but pace yourself as Heroes get their fingers cut off.😱😄
November 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM
🌱🌶🥕🍅🥒 Did I just do this???😅 Apparently! With end of season crop rescues comes the "What Now?" part. A modest total of pickled pints compared to what some may do over a season. Use a mandolin to assembly-line the slicing, but pace yourself as Heroes get their fingers cut off.😱😄
🌱☃️Thus effectively ending the growing season for all but the toughest plants, a #SevenOnSunday curtain drop! Fall cleanups will continue for weeks.🍁🍂 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY, locally 2"-6" and a WINTER STORM WARNING for 1-4 FEET 😱 🌨 along the near Chicagoland Lakeshore! Be safe wherever you are!
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🌱☃️Thus effectively ending the growing season for all but the toughest plants, a #SevenOnSunday curtain drop! Fall cleanups will continue for weeks.🍁🍂 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY, locally 2"-6" and a WINTER STORM WARNING for 1-4 FEET 😱 🌨 along the near Chicagoland Lakeshore! Be safe wherever you are!
🌱For #SixOnSaturday, some of the 18 exhibition Chrysanthemums I did NOT grow to perfection!😅 In this phase of trial, chose earliest blooming from King's Mums - in Chicagoland must be mindful of hard freeze date.🥶 Then grew unpinched w/no disbudding to observe. In 2026 will train & display.😎
November 8, 2025 at 10:58 PM
🌱For #SixOnSaturday, some of the 18 exhibition Chrysanthemums I did NOT grow to perfection!😅 In this phase of trial, chose earliest blooming from King's Mums - in Chicagoland must be mindful of hard freeze date.🥶 Then grew unpinched w/no disbudding to observe. In 2026 will train & display.😎
🌱🌶 Some end of season garden rescue. After yesterday's light frost had two mild afternoons, but the Autumn days of mercy are coming to a close - snow showers or flurries this weekend. Phaseolus vulgaris (Bean) 'Jade', & Capsicum annuum (Chile Pepper) 'Jalapeño M' & 'Tropic' F1. Fabaceae & Solanaceae
November 8, 2025 at 2:34 AM
🌱🌶 Some end of season garden rescue. After yesterday's light frost had two mild afternoons, but the Autumn days of mercy are coming to a close - snow showers or flurries this weekend. Phaseolus vulgaris (Bean) 'Jade', & Capsicum annuum (Chile Pepper) 'Jalapeño M' & 'Tropic' F1. Fabaceae & Solanaceae
🌱🔥❤️ Has been slow to catch on, but Tagetes patula (Spreading Marigold, Cempaxúchitl) 'Fireball' (PanAmerican Seed, 2017; RHS 🏅AGM, 2017) deserves a wider audience. Opening rich ruby red rather than mahogany, underlying yellow pigments surface as flowers mature. Asteraceae
November 4, 2025 at 2:10 AM
🌱🔥❤️ Has been slow to catch on, but Tagetes patula (Spreading Marigold, Cempaxúchitl) 'Fireball' (PanAmerican Seed, 2017; RHS 🏅AGM, 2017) deserves a wider audience. Opening rich ruby red rather than mahogany, underlying yellow pigments surface as flowers mature. Asteraceae
🌱Mixed sun & clouds may have given these Crocus speciosus (Autumn Crocus) confusing signals - should they stay open? Should they close? But it definitely brought out depth of color - almost a stonewashed look. These bloom late October into November here in Chicagoland. Iridaceae
November 2, 2025 at 12:31 AM
🌱Mixed sun & clouds may have given these Crocus speciosus (Autumn Crocus) confusing signals - should they stay open? Should they close? But it definitely brought out depth of color - almost a stonewashed look. These bloom late October into November here in Chicagoland. Iridaceae
Reposted by GardenOpus
A little Halloween horror for the last day of #Arachtober. This is a male cross orb weaver spider (based on the smaller sized abdomen) and as he's missing three and a half legs I suspect he already survived at least one attempt at mating 🌱🕸
#BugSky #Inverts #nature #UKWildlife
#BugSky #Inverts #nature #UKWildlife
October 31, 2025 at 2:34 PM
A little Halloween horror for the last day of #Arachtober. This is a male cross orb weaver spider (based on the smaller sized abdomen) and as he's missing three and a half legs I suspect he already survived at least one attempt at mating 🌱🕸
#BugSky #Inverts #nature #UKWildlife
#BugSky #Inverts #nature #UKWildlife
🌱🎃 More Halloween Shenanigans - funnier than me singing "Werewolves of London" is tryin' to get the fake hair outta my mouth - it got into EVERYTHING!
🍕🍺😅
🍕🍺😅
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
🌱🎃 More Halloween Shenanigans - funnier than me singing "Werewolves of London" is tryin' to get the fake hair outta my mouth - it got into EVERYTHING!
🍕🍺😅
🍕🍺😅
🌱🎃 Not that you were warned ahead LOL!😅 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October 31, 2025 at 2:45 AM
🌱🎃 Not that you were warned ahead LOL!😅 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Reposted by GardenOpus
Fatsia japonica flowers are starting to blossom, providing much needed food for insects right now. #InsectThursday
🌱 #Gardening #UKGardening #FlowerFeed #BloomScrolling
🌱 #Gardening #UKGardening #FlowerFeed #BloomScrolling
October 30, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Fatsia japonica flowers are starting to blossom, providing much needed food for insects right now. #InsectThursday
🌱 #Gardening #UKGardening #FlowerFeed #BloomScrolling
🌱 #Gardening #UKGardening #FlowerFeed #BloomScrolling
Reposted by GardenOpus
October 29, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by GardenOpus
October 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Reposted by GardenOpus
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday 🌱
#RoseWednesday
#RoseWednesday
October 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday 🌱
#RoseWednesday
#RoseWednesday
🌱🧡💜THE FUTURE: Scattering collected seed of beloved Chicagoland natives Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Mikweed) & Liatris spicata (Spiked Gayfeather) into cleared & roughed up ground. Both will germinate readily in April - Asclepias flower first year, Liatris will the next.😎 Apocynaceae & Asteraceae
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
🌱🧡💜THE FUTURE: Scattering collected seed of beloved Chicagoland natives Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Mikweed) & Liatris spicata (Spiked Gayfeather) into cleared & roughed up ground. Both will germinate readily in April - Asclepias flower first year, Liatris will the next.😎 Apocynaceae & Asteraceae
Reposted by GardenOpus
#GardensHour I planted my pumpkin seeds way too late so I ending up buying these lovely ones. They’ll be carved up a few days before Halloween 🎃 👻
October 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#GardensHour I planted my pumpkin seeds way too late so I ending up buying these lovely ones. They’ll be carved up a few days before Halloween 🎃 👻
Reposted by GardenOpus
Strawflower, Xerochrysum bracteatum 🌱
#Bloomscrolling #MacroMonday #PinkMon #EastCoastKin #DailyFlowers #GardensHour
#Bloomscrolling #MacroMonday #PinkMon #EastCoastKin #DailyFlowers #GardensHour
October 27, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Strawflower, Xerochrysum bracteatum 🌱
#Bloomscrolling #MacroMonday #PinkMon #EastCoastKin #DailyFlowers #GardensHour
#Bloomscrolling #MacroMonday #PinkMon #EastCoastKin #DailyFlowers #GardensHour