{Variegated Blue Flax Lily}

On our new patio we also do have two Variegated Blue Flax Lilies. Let me show you the one that has tiny  blue flowers. They were rather tricky to photograph but I got some photos to share with you...

As mentioned above, they are rather tiny!

This gives you more an idea of the entire pot plant and the tiny flowers...

Beautiful variegated leaves, that in itself is already striking enough.

But such a lovely bloomer too; almost continuously and in winter they ought to show blue berries as well.

So pretty how they open from closed buds into a lovely blue flower...

Really fragile looking...

Looking now towards the street.

Do any of you have this Variegated Flax Lily?

{Growing Pomegranates the Ancient Persian SuperFruit}

Since August 2012, we are trying to grow our own Pomegranates, the Ancient Persian Superfood...

Close to our gazebo we did plant this pomegranate and a bit farther away a 2nd one...

Yep, the price is still visible; US $ 18.00

On May 26, I did spot this very first bloom! Already browned from the rain...

Wow, we were hoping to see the setting of the FIRST ANTIOXIDANT SUPERFRUIT!

Its blossoms got rained off the shrub; no hope for any fruits this year!

History of Pomegranate - The pomegranate is one of the world's most ancient foods and originally came from Persia...

Pomegranate Juice Is a Powerhouse of Antioxidants

Beats even Red Wine and Green Tea

It is supposed to have positive effects on diabetes...

Persian origin and does melt away belly fat...

The Basis of grenadine. Do you recall that lemonade syrup? As a child we got it served over vanilla pudding and also as a summer lemonade.

Beneficial effect on our performance between the sheets are even attributed to this super food for super Valentine

The above is being translated from Dutch, using Bing.

Hoe gezond is de granaatappel (original Dutch text, you can click it)

What Does It Take for Pomegranate Trees to Produce Fruit? Pomegranate trees are self-fruitful, with both male and female flower parts on a single tree. Insects and hummingbirds help spread pollen from flower to flower, allowing fruit to form when conditions are right.

The above link did explain it very nicely but meanwhile for 2014, we will not see any fruits...

Maybe best bet is to buy some Anardana seeds or powder... See for more info below via links.

Do any of you have their own Ancient Persian Superfood?

Related link:

Super foods: pomegranate | The Telegraph UK
Spice Hunting: Anardana, Dried Pomegranate Seeds | soaking those seeds for a couple of hours they are a great spice to use in sauces or braising liquid. Try adding them to marmelade, together with orange peel and cinnamon...

What Is Anardana? | More information from wiseGEEK
Pomegranate | Cultural history and Culinary use

{Picket Fence & White Hibiscus}

One would never tell that only this past December husband Pieter redid our Vinyl Picket Fence by digging out a trench, pouring concrete and putting concrete blocks on top. He had to remove the Picket Fence entirely and even extend it with two more sections. Now there is no tell tale sign that we ever had a huge pine tree that got cut down and having so much digging done. The grass grew very well with almost a daily shower this entire summer. Only the last week or so has been without rain, except for Tuesday. So it looks quite lovely together with the White Hibiscus at the end.

We can't recall any summer as lush as this year's...

Photos taken by husband Pieter, except for the top one. One can tell that he too enjoys our new camera...
There is a lot of pollen for the hummingbirds and the bees to feast on.

Such a lovely green-white setting!

We love these great Gothic Picket Vinyl Fence Panels!
And we are blessed for having this part of the water control project completed before the spring.
With that much rain we have had, we were safe now.

With a view of our new tiled patio in the front of the house... Plants are very happy this summer!

The huge Southern Magnolia is so spread out.
Clouds are visible again on this mid June day; preparing for a late afternoon shower...

Related link:

{Our New Retainer Wall & Vinyl Picket Fence} | previous post by me
{65 Year Old Pine Tree Cut Down} | previous post by me

{Our Hibiscus syriacus 'Diana' - Rose-of-Sharon 'Diana'} | previous post by me