So, does everybody have their wish lists compiled and perched on the launch paid, waiting for the countdown [in the form of lottery winnings] 'til blast off?
Miraculously, nothing new is added to my list yet. This is in part because of last year's mantra, all systems go, aka "buy with abandon." I went a little nuts. [Houston, send money.] I kept finding things to buy. And I kept adding things to look for. Improvements kept coming to mind. And if you know me, you know that I harbor no hesitations about planting my newest acquisitions in containers until inspiration strikes. TLC in the form of a bigger pot and regular watering seemed the humane thing to do. Especially since I was feeling guilty about the panic emanating from the edges of my lawn. Poor little blades were afraid of me and my long-handled murder weapon. They aren't ready to join their ancestors in the compost pile. Okay, fine.
I thought it would be fun to reveal a few of last summer's "pleasant surprises." My thinking on this is that if I can recall their many attributes, as well as size and water needs, maybe I can feed my need for color and blousy exuberance and not feel so compelled to buy more.
Miraculously, nothing new is added to my list yet. This is in part because of last year's mantra, all systems go, aka "buy with abandon." I went a little nuts. [Houston, send money.] I kept finding things to buy. And I kept adding things to look for. Improvements kept coming to mind. And if you know me, you know that I harbor no hesitations about planting my newest acquisitions in containers until inspiration strikes. TLC in the form of a bigger pot and regular watering seemed the humane thing to do. Especially since I was feeling guilty about the panic emanating from the edges of my lawn. Poor little blades were afraid of me and my long-handled murder weapon. They aren't ready to join their ancestors in the compost pile. Okay, fine.
I thought it would be fun to reveal a few of last summer's "pleasant surprises." My thinking on this is that if I can recall their many attributes, as well as size and water needs, maybe I can feed my need for color and blousy exuberance and not feel so compelled to buy more.
A few times now, I've written about dear fellow blogger Darla and her generosity. For those of you who don't know, Darla, who gardens in Florida offered me seed of this fabulous Celosia after I fainted and regained enough wherewithal to email her with my desperate inquiry into its identity. This plant isn't hardy in my climate and I wasn't able to collect a lot of seed so I'm hoping nature will provide me with abundant seedlings. Some of you wrote me with caveats about this plant and its progeny. Beware of abundant seedlings. It won't be the first time. [Read: Verbena bonariensis.]
Pictured above are four pleasant surprises. On the top, left is Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy' purchased from my favorite nursery in the whole wide world. [Logo on my sidebar. No royalties for advertising. The owners are really nice people.] On the right, Coreopsis verticillata 'Redshift.' I thought this was a new introduction until Frances alluded to its longevity and performance value. I'm not a huge fan of yellow but overlaid with cherry-red brush strokes raises the flowers up several notches. My fingers are crossed that it will winter-over without damage but it's still too early to tell. Ditto for C. rosea 'Heaven's Gate.' Bottom row left is my favorite daylily, Hemerocallis 'Final Touch.' Who'd a thunk daylilies came in pink? Now if we can just get a pink Crocosmia... And finally, Eupatorium cannabinium 'Flore Plenum.' This variant of the Joe Pye, [I can't bring myself to include "weed."] has been on my wish list for many years. Rather than the typical mauve panicles, this species blooms in soft pink clusters, that last from bloom time in August until mid fall. Yeah, I know. Cool, huh? It grows tall like its cousin and the foliage is similar.
I have to say that I've come full circle with rose bushes. I endured the customary bumpy rite-of-passage down the lane of futility as I attempted the impossible: make hybrid teas look good in the mixed border. Can't be done. By me anyway. Enter carefree shrub roses. Yeehaw! The top left is 'Citrus Splash.' I know. Yellow again but a yummy-yellow, don't you think? Beside it is a burgeoning seedling I purchased from a nearby grower. I love these flowers--tiny, hot pink single flowers in clusters all summer long. What's not to love? On the bottom left is 'Cinco de Mayo' by far my best rose performer last summer, fall and winter. Seriously. It bloomed nonstop and the foliage was perfection. December's arctic blast was Cinco's call to dormancy, otherwise it might still be blooming. And finally, 'Sophie's Rose.' The jury is still out on this one. The foliage suffered with a lot with powdery mildew. If this continues, out it will come. I've got plenty of other candidates for this space. Sometimes you've got to be ruthless. The lovely flowers are the reason I'm keeping it. For now.
I was fiddling with clip art recently.
Next time, I think I'll focus on foliage. For now, I can use the time to
narrow down my myriad choices.
Next time, I think I'll focus on foliage. For now, I can use the time to
narrow down my myriad choices.
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