Confessions of a Serial Plant Killer - Part 2

Just wanted to give you all a quick update on my Flower "Killing Spree". You remember? Back in May, I confessed to you that despite my long history of murdering innocent flowers, I was going to attempt to stop the death cycle! My plan was to start small by keeping just one flower pot alive. And that is exactly what I did...for about one month....

Here it is! Back in May...isn't it purty! Just in case you missed it, click HERE.

Well, I just have to be honest. I really did try my best. I watered them every other day and methodically picked back the dead blooms. I even had a couple of my friends water them while we were on vacation, honest...you can even ask them!
But alas, despite my greatest effort and despite my utmost dedication, these once beautiful and vibrant flowers have perished. (Warning: if you have a weak stomach or there are small children within viewing range, you might want to turn away)

Disturbing isn't it? What was once a pot full of color and life is now a desolate wasteland...still sitting just like this on my front porch no less!

Well, I just have one thing to say...It was not my fault!

Starting in mid-June (just the time the flowers started to die) Texas hit record high triple digit temperatures. We went for weeks at a time with weather above 100 degrees. And "they" said that with the heat index it felt like 107 degrees or more.

So even though it appears as if I killed yet another pot full of flowers, I would like to point out that I am simply a victim of my circumstance. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But I will not let my circumstances define me. I refuse to let them get me down. I will keep my chin up. If at first I don't succeed, I will try try again. What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger..ummm I think I am all out of catch phrases.

I am going to take advantage of the cool front we have moving in this week. According to Weather.com Sugar Land, Texas will only have highs in the high 90's!! Perfect weather to inspire me to get back out there and plant some more!

I did a little search on a cool local website called Houston Grows. It asked me all kinds of questions about what I wanted to plant, where it was going and how much I would water it. Of course I checked the box that indicated that I needed something hard to kill! Here is what it came up with.

Turnera, Yellow Buttercup

Height: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Yellow
Light requirements: Sun or part sun
Soil: Most any well-draining soil
Bloom season: Spring to frost
Ideal planting time: Spring
Cold tolerance: Root hardy and will return in spring if top winter damaged (This sealed the deal for me....tolerant to cold! Exactly what I needed)
Hard to kill: Yes
Special attributes: Attracts butterflies, disease resistant, drought tolerant
Uses: Container, mixed border

Now, clearly my pick of flowers has not been very successful up until this point. But why can't there be something more fun to plant than a yellow buttercup? If you have any ideas, let me know. Especially if you live where it is blazing hot in the summer!

Killing Spree to be continued.....