13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials
David I know you are focusing on delphiniums and I'm sure those are nice as everyone says, but since I cannot or would even try to grow delphiniums I look at your garden from the standpoint of an artist. Again I say the composition is outstanding along with the balance of color which trumps any one single element. Sorry but I just cannot focus on just the delphiniums except as a nice vertical element. On that note, I love the grasslike element in the middle of the pond, what is that? It gives a wonderfully sophisticated contrast to the rounder flowering plants and is the first thing to catch my eye because its a kind of nice surprise which jumps out in contrast, in a very effective but subtle way.
As far as plants I'm interested in, I have to ask what is the agave-like white plant front and center in the top photo? Thats the one I'd be pointing at and asking about if I was visiting because I'd want one.
I love the touches of light yellow which add some warm tones. Although some people snub and even hate yellow for some reason I cannot fathom, I don't care for all pink and purple gardens myself so that really pulls it out for me and balances the color scheme.
Take all this from a Midwesterner who lives in a different clime & who specializes in all American Gardens so if I tread on any toes here,*&^%$#@Q I apologize in advance, feels like walking on eggshells a lot of the time.
What follows is from the Kentucky extension service. These moths devastated my two baptisias last year - I cut them to the ground and to my surprise they have come back just fine.
Genista caterpillar larvae (nocturnal moths) lay their eggs in spring; they hatch begin feeding on the tender new baptisia plant growth. The larvae work fast and can completely strip the foliage of a mature baptisia in a few days...fortunately, this shouldnâÂÂt cause permanent damage to the plant. The larvae have 5 stages before they pupate for overwintering. Since the moths are quite prolific, they can actually lay several generations of eggs each year, so youâÂÂll need to monitor your baptisias all summer. When the caterpillars are young they can be easily killed with organic BT (Bacillus huringensis) products.
Seems like you would see chewed leaves if caterpillars were working on it. When any plant has leaves turning yellow then black I always suspect too much water or poor drainage. If you are over watering or getting lots of rain that could be the cause. They do like moist soil but again, too much water is a problem. If its drainage issues, the roots could be suffocating/drowning from lack of oxygen. Often an overwatered plant looks like it needs more water because the leaves wilt just like when a plant is too dry so it can be confusing what to do.
When I lived on the coast, they grew and flowered with no help at all,many very old, most predating my purchase of the property. Here in the very dry, very warm, Napa valley, they will only survive if you are lucky enough to find just the right spot in your garden. I have some in two gardens that survive and bloom but with very little enthuseism, both patches about 10 years old. Al
I got some from my sister-in-law. She grows it in a pile of rocks, no kidding, but it looks very cool when it flowers. I have plans to move mine so they're planted among hosta, alongside daffodils. I think the spring tufts of leaves complement the daffodil bulbs' linear foliage, the hosta will cover any messy foliage left after the daffs bloom, and everyone will think the hosta flowers are huge! :)
Kevin, there is no doubt that significant continuing snow cover helped perennials but this wouldn't have been much help to trees and taller shrubs. I am disappointed to have lost the top half of my Acer palmatum 'Filigree Green Lace'. The bottom branches, all insulated with that snow are lush and green and the unprotected upper branches are barren.
I just got your reference to Star Wars, Rouge! One of my favorites. :-) Sorry about your Acer palmatum. I have not grown that type but I thought they were slow growing and the form is of particular interest. So will you be able to salvage it with pruning or do you think it is ruined?
Googling Salvia lyrata purple over lunch, seems mine may be Purple Knockout, as the flowers look just like this example.
Here is a link that might be useful: Salvia lyrata Purple Knockout
And just to clarify (not) the hardiness range, this source says 5-8...
Here is a link that might be useful: Purple Knockout
The problem with buying bare root plants this late in the season, especially from big box stores, is that they are usually either dried up dead or barely alive. They practically give them away near the end of the season to get rid of them. A lot of novice gardeners don't know what the bare roots of plants should look like. If bought it recently, I would take it back for a refund if possible.
I bought approx. 2 dozen 'Cheyenne Spirit' seedlings at a local farm last fall, they were in 3 inch pots, on sale for $1.50 each. I scooped up all of them that were left. After reading this thread I now realize that is a pretty good price for these seedlings.
I could have started them from seed cheaper myself, and am growing other Ech. cultivars from seed with great success, but the farmers did it for me, and I didn't want to wait.
They are growing well and almost all of them are budding. They aren't huge, because they're only 2nd year plants, but I'll see some blooms. Can't wait!
Sorry to hear about the burglary loss, Camp; also your gardening/crop problems.
Gardening seems to be about holding all sorts of problems back. Some are very difficult to have any influence over at all; e.g. for me, the silver maple trees on my neighbour's and on the township's property.
Bloody buggers, I hate thieves. We had our car stolen once, it made us feel paranoid and violated. I'm wondering if anyone else out there got hit?
Also sounds like you have an acute case of Garden Overload with too many projects needing attention at once. When I get like that it helps to try not look at all of the jobs but just concentrate on one or two, see them through then do the next but then I do get overwhelmed easily. If I look at the whole wad of wax at once I get lost and seem to go around in aimless circles not really doing any of them like a spastic ball bouncing around. I probably look crazy when I'm like that. I'm no multi-tasker. Ugh, I just used one of those awful modern phrases I detest.
I was in a crummy mood today too, a bit of delayed reaction syndrome as I got galled at the gall of it and ticked off royally in fact. I'd started fuming over ugly business the other day so I got ruthless with thinning, weeding and attacked all the "to hell with it, I've decided I don't like it" plants which I pulled out with gusto. Made me feel a whole lot better. I can't believe I can let nonsense like that roll around in my head but its pretty flushed out now. T.Ranger had a mental chat all day with GP1 (may she rest in peace) who agreed 100% that some things are too stupid, petty and crazy making to think about.
Here's hoping your condition is temporary, the thieves get their
come-upence and you don't get robbed again.
At my old house I had her in a mostly shady area and she languished. Moved her to a spot with more sun and the difference was remarkable. In my garden now she gets about 4-5 hours of sun and does quite well. I never had her take over in my old garden, so this year I was a bit shocked by all the seedlings around. A little thrilled as well since she's one of my favorites.
We have BUDS!!! :) Happy Camper Here!
Yay!
Karen