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Posted: Jul/15/2008 7:48 AM PST
I thought it would be fun to share what we thought of our new perennials/biennials. Because they are perennial(biennial), include those that you planted 2-3 years ago as well: My faves: Crocasimia Lucifer, 2nd year- gorgeous foliage, fabulous red blooms that hummers love, didn't bloom until second year, but worth the wait! Elephant ears, 2nd year- WOW!!! Obedient Plant, 1st year: great growth and blooms Black-eyed Susans, 1st year: all volunteers, blooming like crazy Parsley, 2nd year- OK not technically a flower LOL!, first year grew wonderful, 2nd year produced a zillion blooms and seeds My So-So's: Lyre-leaved sage, 2nd year- wonderful plant with pretty blooms, needs to be planted en-mass for best effect I think, looks "weedy" when not in bloom Hyssop-leaved Skullcap, 2nd year- gorgeous blooms, needs to be en masse for best effect Baptisia, 1st year- Only 2 blooms, likes to fall over. Hope it performs better next year Will be planting more of all of these |
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Posted: Jul/15/2008 8:56 AM PST
Black eyed susans and obedient plant (why do they call it that?? LOL!) are vigorous spreaders. I put in obedient plant last year and the patch is probably 4 times the size this year. No blooms yet. Black eyes susans have the most wonderful long lasting color. Mine are just budding now. Hmm, lets see, new...... Foxglove is growing well. Cant wait for next year and blooms! Columbine that I started right in the garden are doing well for first years growth. I couldn't manage to get any to sprout on the windowsill. I guess direct sowing only for them. Angelonia, sprouted well on the windowsill. Pretty slow grower now that she's in the garden tho'. |
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Posted: Jul/15/2008 9:21 AM PST
From oldest to most recent: Coneflower, Magnus: Blooming prolifically and very tough, needs no pampering Shasta daisies, "Becky": Flowers this year seem rather small and aren't lasting as long Foxglove: Will be getting rid of it next spring. The blooms are beautiful, but it looks too ugly once it finishes and starts dying back. Bee balm: Bloomed like crazy the first two seasons, but looks rather ragged and scraggly now. Seems to get foliage burn and gets chewed up by bugs Encore azalea: Getting ready to put on it's second show! Is putting out new growth very quickly. The ones I saw at Lowes are already blooming again. Hollyhock mallow: Beautiful lobed foliage, about 4.5 feet tall now, and just put out nice pink blooms on the top; fairly drought tolerant Chinese hibiscus: It just keeps going and going on going. Still putting out fantastic hot pink blooms! Hydrangea, Endless Summer and Penny Mac: Big globes of blueish purple and pink, and fast growth have made watering it daily worth it! Rose of Sharon: Still getting adjusted I think. Is putting out leaves at a good pace, and the foliage has stopped turning yellow. Still waiting for the buds to open though. Knockout Rose: I can't say enough about this tough rose. Unbelievable how fast it grows, and the blooms are breathtaking in light of how little care it needs. |
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Posted: Jul/15/2008 1:23 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by gardendude Bee balm: Bloomed like crazy the first two seasons, but looks rather ragged and scraggly now. Seems to get foliage burn and gets chewed up by bugs Really!?! I've never had those problems with my B.Balm. Try a top dressing of compost for the blooms. Is it japanese beetles doing the chewing? If so, put a white bucket next to them with water and some liquid dish soap in it. Acts like a jap. beetle magnet! They drown in the water. No more nastys. If you have young children be WAY careful of the bucket thing!! |
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Posted: Jul/15/2008 1:34 PM PST
Do the Jap beetles fly into the bucket on their own Wrennie? I've been handpicking them off of my crepe myrtles, wisterias, buddleia, witchhazel and putting them in a coffee can of soapy water. To just stick buckets in near those plants will be waaayyy easier! |
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Posted: Jul/16/2008 5:23 AM PST
Yup, Waaaaaay easier. Something about the white attracts them in. A forum friend noticed when he wore a white t-shirt the J.Beetles kept landing on him. So he got the bucket idea and it worked! Has to be bright white.Not off white. |
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Posted: Jul/16/2008 6:19 AM PST
I think I'll do some painting today. |
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Posted: Jul/16/2008 11:03 AM PST
Hot diggity dog! I'm going to have to try that one! |
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