soaphouse's Blog

Another Trip to the Nursery...
Jun 19, 2010 | 4:43 PM PST
Tags: gunnera , petasites , ostrich fern , tasmanian tree fern , western sword fern , blue hosta , elegans , loropetalums , fernspray false cypress , dwarf mugo pine

And, for the first time in a long time - I didn't buy anything!!! Mostly due to the fact that I had already gotten many new additions over this past week. I went back to the nursery early in the week to buy the Dwarf Mugo Pine that I was coveting. It looks very nice in the front window seat bed. I also picked up a loro to put in the new deck bed and since they were still having their buy 2, get 1 free sale - I grabbed a freebie Fernspray False Cypress to go in the back near the deodor cedar.

I also got in a wonderful order in the mail! A fellow GG member told me about bigdipperfarm.com and boy, was I like a kid in a candy store in their website! I could hardly contain myself when I saw that most of their items are shipped in an active growing state - not dormant tubers, bulbs, etc.... Also, they had several plants that I have been wanting to get growing in my yard, but have not had success. When the box came, I was so delighted to see the beautiful way that they were all packed. Here is the loot below:

The list of what I got is as follows:

• Gunnera Tinctoria: I have purchased bulbs of this several times and have never had luck. I have been doing some research and they really aren't supposed to do well here in GA. Even though they are rated for my zone, they don't like the hot summers that we have here. I got some great advice from a lady at my local nursery and she said to start it in a pot and see if it does well. Then, if it does take off - I can wait until its ready to be divided to try it in the ground. The other idea I had was to put ice cubes around the edge of the pot, on top of the mulch, to help keep the ambient air around the plant a bit cooler. Dedication? OCD? Stubborn? All of the above??? HAH! The pot is tucked safely behind the oakleaf hydrangea.
  

• Petasites Japonicus Variegata: Should do well here - I am super excited. it is said to get leaves up to 3 feet across. I have only tried this one other time, but purchased what ended up being a very unhealthy rhizome off of ebay. Went in the hydrangea bed to get started. If it takes off, I hope to put some back by the creek.
  

• Polustichum Munitum "Western Sword Fern" : From what I found out online, these are nothing special in their native PNW environment, however I have not seem them much around here - I am sure there is a reason why, but I couldn't resist trying to get the fronds of a fern that is said to get 6 feet high! Besides, it was only $6.99! Went in the back of the hosta bed in the back.
  

• Matteuccia Struthiopter "Ostrich Fern - The King": I have high hopes for this one! Many people grow the regular Ostrich Fern here (myself included) with much success, so it will be fun to see if this guy does ok.

• Hosta Sieboldiana "Elegans": This is about the only thing from the shipment that I have a 99% feeling will do just fine in my yard. This variety is a blue that is said to get leaves up to 4 feet across. Went in the hydrangea bed.
  

• Dicsonia Antarctica "Tasmanian Tree Fern": A total experiment that I couldn't resist! Found its home behind the sum and substance hostas in the back.

 

On the trip to Lowes to get the pot and soil for the above mentioned gunnera, I also picked up 3 More Loros to put at the back fence by the creek. But, hey - I had never seen them at such a good price. But, Enough for now! Time to sit back and watch it grow while taking breaks from all the watering!

Spring Photo Journey...
Apr 5, 2009 | 5:57 PM PST
Tags: ostrich fern , purple , asparagus , vibernum , garapa , tulip

My little girl and I came down with strep for the 2nd time in 3 weeks, so while hubby took the baby to church, we stayed at home and had a lazy morning. We did step outside in the beautiful weather for a short walk and a photo session of early spring in our garden. Here is a sampling:

View of the front garden:

Some of the tulips from last year came back and the newly planted ones are emerging too:

The above photo was not digitally altered...came out of the camera just like that...cool, huh?

View coming up the front walk:

Nice shot of the back yard:

This is only the 2nd time in the 6 years that we have lived here that I have gotten to see all the azaleas in bloom...usually a late freeze gets them. We are supposed to get freezing temps on tues and wed this week - AAHHH! So, hubby went and bought some drop cloths and we will be covering lots of things! What a pain...I thought we were going to avoid that this year...but I guess our last frost date of April 15th is that way for a reason...

View of the back, from the back:

Creek shot...will be time to weedeat soon:

The ostrich fern is coming back in the creek and I am so excited! I planted 1 clump and it is coming back as 3...it is said to be quite the spreader and I am counting on that for the creek area. Also, we are getting some great purple asparagus coming up and have tasted a couple of sprigs freshly picked. - so YUMMY! They are in the 2nd year, so I think next year is when we really start to get a great harvest.

The Virburnum will be in its full glory soon (see that little guy?):

After the little ones went down for their afternoon nap, I set out to move some more of that mulch. I also dismantled the rotting compost bin. I hope to get one of those fancy ones that you can turn one day. The deck is coming along nicely as well....hubby is going to pick up the garapa wood on Thurs! Hooray!! Hope everyone had fun digging in the dirt this weekend!

Nursery Bargains!
Aug 1, 2007 | 2:28 PM PST
Tags: creek , bargains , ostrich fern , lamium , grass , euoymus , winter creeper , ground cover

Another trip to the nursery this time of year proved to yield many more bargains! This time, I got some goodies for by the creek :)

I got 2 Ostrich Ferns, 1 Cinnamon Fern, 3 Euonymus Purple Winter Creepers, 1 Lamium, and 1 mystery grass. All this for $19. WOO HOO!!!!!!!

Heres the area before the plantings:

And After:

Right after I took this picture, I drove stakes through each plant to keep them in place if we get another heavy downpour. This way I won't loose any plants down stream. (This was an idea from the guy at the nursery. It would have never occurred to me to do that!

Unfortu
nately I can't mulch the area because it will all just get washed away. Thats why i put in the ground covers. Hopefully they will do a good job of spreading. I am also going to transplant some vinca over in the area in the fall.