13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials

Not along the path but parallel to it but 4-6' into the bed.. If I remember right, clematises grew on it but now they've moved them to the 'trees' you can see in the pictures I posted in the Clematis Forum. I wonder if maybe they're going to remove the lattice eventually - unless there are still clematises on it (I didn't look vary closely at it....)

i wish i could see your pictures. nothing is coming up. can you repost?

felisa, how long have you had your miss manners? My first year with them (last year) they grew from seed and flowered....not a huge display, but flowered nicely for a first year. I transplanted them to their permanent spots late summer and this year they came up and looked so healthy and the flower display was even more lovely than last.
Do you think that maybe they need to establish in one spot for a year or so to be their best? I hope you get to see them at their best. I am very happy with them.

3 years. Long enough to be established.

Beautiful!!

My seed-grown, winter sown hardy hibiscus are bursting into bloom at the moment. I spotted them today and am thrilled to see dozens of buds on the plants, ensuring a spectacular show over the course of the next week or two. For accent/contrast, blue balloon flowers and white gaura are blooming in front of them.

Sorry no pics. Lost my Photoshop app a few years ago and photo hosting site not long after that.

kato - yeah, sometimes hibiscuses can 'stick out'. I think I sort of solved that problem by accident :-) I tend to plant things as part of a bigger picture - i.e. I always consider what other plants a particular plant will be partnered with - the individual is always part of a group; the color scheme of the area it will be added to; the relative size of the plant and the companion plants; and all the usual considerations of soil, light and moisture. There are a lot of hibiscuses in the front garden now and they are a key part of the August garden display. They are very showy but they also play well with the other things in bloom at this time of year in the pink/white/blue color ranges. I think hibiscuses tend to 'stick out' when they are grown as a specimen plant and/or are pink ones paired with golds. To pair with golds/orange/rusty red, I think (hope!) the hibiscuses with dark foliage and dark red flowers would work best - I will find out if that works when the 'Midnight Marvel' in my 'hot' bed blooms (soon, I hope!)

I'd love to see pictures of how other people blend in hardy hibiscuses into the garden....

I really put my butterfly bush in the worst spot last fall both in terms of space and sun. Not sure what I was thinking, but I just couldn't stand to look at it there any longer which is why I moved it at probably the worst possible time. I thought about cutting off the buds to help it re-establish, but couldn't bring myself to. It did bloom, but they were very short-lived flowers. Anyway, I'm not concerned about it surviving the winter at this point (those things are tough). If things stay cool and wet from here on out I see no reason to wait until fall to move things around (your rose being the possible exception).

Fingers crossed for you with your butterfly bush. :-)

I find myself ending up sometimes adding something wherever I can when I run out of time, knowing I am going to have to move them.

I was also on the fence about where I was planting tomatoes this year. My only full sun is in the front where everything else that needs full sun has to go. So do I want roses and butterfly bushes or tomatoes? [g]

This year I put in one tomato out front and it outproduced those grown in the back that were in 6-7hrs of sun by enough that I finally decided I need to put more tomato plants out there next year. And since no one has bothered the tomatoes out front this year, I may as well try a few more. So everything has to move around again. :-)

Beautiful photos. No success with any except for one that is totally wonderful for me. Geum boresii or 'King Boris' was introduced here over 20 years ago. All the other wonderful sorts never get to the next year. And its foliage is evergreen. Cannot say if the others are from my experience and would have to look that info. up.

I planted a Mrs. Bradshaw Geum from a nursery this spring. It was very slow-growing, although it did reach 12" tall. It has never bloomed which is hugely disappointing. Is this normal for the first year? It is planted in full sun with good, well-drained soil. Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I am having the same issue with my speedwells. The pink one isn't as bad as the others. I am giving them another year and if the problem persists they will go to the compost pile.

My salvia do the same thing, and shortly after the basal foliage appears. I cut all the ugly stuff off, and the basal foliage takes over growing lush and green!

twrosz, thanks again for the additional pictures. It appears from your last post that this Heliopsis needs some support to stay upright?

(I think I will remove "Henry Eilers" and put an Asahi in its place).

Rouge, the stems on 'Asahi' are strong and do not require support, though the plant is of rather open airy habit and placing the tomato cage upon it made for a more concentrated color effect, though it's currently looking just a bit up"tight", lol ... I'm soon gonna loosen its binding.

Most cultivars don't grow true from seed and return to some more simple or original version

I have had HE for a few seasons. The previous 2 it had done well but this season with individual stems about 4 feet tall they are flopped. This hadn't been the case previously. And the only thing different this year is the cooler temps and significant rain fall.

(I notice that there is also a "Little Henry Eilers" available this year).

"I love how you have the two different rudbeckias on either side."

Ruth, those are Echinacea. Your flowers are beautiful too. My hibiscus/Malva has not bloomed yet.

pitimpinai, Yes, sorry, I know that but was also posting on the rudbeckia thread and had a brain lapse. A big one. :-) Thanks for clarifying though!

Well, here I am, eight days later, and I still have yellow jackets - except now I'm assuming I have ANGRY yellow jackets. Some are swarming inside the glass bowl and some are going in and out a new entrance hole.

Plan B starts tonight. The malathion is mixed and waiting on the deck. Layers of clothes are in the kitchen (for easy peeling in case they come after me). And to add just the right amount of hilarity to my ensemble, I dug out a headlamp to wear...thought it would be nice to see what I was doing.

The adventure Part II begins at ten. Update tomorrow.

Oh, and floral, I just loved that story!

This post was edited by ruth_mi on Sat, Aug 16, 14 at 20:50

They finally seem to be gone...but that bowl's not moving anytime soon. The day after spraying I still saw a few flying in and out. I was going to spray again last night but decided to wait. So relieved to be done with this!

I think next time I'd spray first, possibly throwing a glass bowl on top of the hole after spraying.

Really appreciate everyone's input!

i would never have the guts to do that ...

dig it up ... edge the bed ... separate the two ... replant ...

and next time.. stay on top of it ... its much easier to remove a few new pieces of grass in spring.. than redig the whole bunch ... eh ... been there.. done that ...

ken

Thanks to both of you. I think I will do as Ken said and dig it out. I may start tonight because tomorrow is rain and that will be good if I have to plant the snow in summer back. Shouldn't take too long. I thought I would probably have to do that. I love the snow in summer so will do what it takes . The lawn is next to the bed so some just seems to grow in the edge of the flower bed. Or I didn't get it all out when I planted the snow in summer last fall. Yes Ken you are so right I need to be better in tune to this and get it out the minute I see it. Thanks again to both of you for your help.

next to my deck ... over the septic.. i have a 6 by 10 foot plot ... usually all 4 oclocks...

and since they open in the afternoon.. in season... the deck is wafted with stink .. good stink ... whn i sit out there in the evening ....

and it attracts the hummers ... [i used to wear an orange ball cap ... and the hummers would buzz my head thinking i was some giant orange flower .. boy .. that gets the juices flowing.. like some F16 in your ear ... lol ]

first time in 20 years... the seeds didnt winter over for me ...

also in the plot.. is annual poppy ... annual celosia ... and there used to be larkspur.. but come to think of it.. they were gone this year also ... hmmmm ...

so mass plantings can be glorious.. if you have the space ...

ken

As Ken said so perfectly mass plantings can be glorious.. if you have the space.

I so need an acre lot...sigh.

This post was edited by rouge21 on Mon, Aug 18, 14 at 11:03

Very interesting. I usually use gloves because my alkaline soil is so drying to the hands, but it says we can inhale it, too. I know it does elevate my mood, but I thought it was sunshine and being out in nature. Who knew it's something in the soil, too!

I'm wondering if this would apply to potting mix as well. That could explain why so many people, including me, look forward to winter sowing. It makes me feel good in January to play with soil and seeds when it's cold and icy outside.

I always wear gloves when I garden. Can't STAND the feeling of dirt on hands or especially under nails.

two things... you posted also ...

ken

Nice! Rearranging is always a fun task, especially when it involves a new plant or two. And I agree about the buzzing and flitting. It's a pleasant reminder of the larger picture of why a healthy garden is important.

Congrats on a productive and enjoyable day!