Spring has sprung in my garden...

13 years ago

I have been missing in action on this forum . There are lots of reasons but first and foremost has been my inability to get my garden to grow. Tree roots have continued to stymie my progress. Perennials planted 3 yrs ago have dwindled and others have succeeded.

I finally realized that you have to plant what will grow not necessarily only what you want to plant. I wrapped my mind around that concept and realized that the two can work together and that I needed to learn more about my soil and site .

I moved a lot of plants and I propagated sedums all this past winter. The result isn't complete by any means but boy do I finally feel like a gardener.

Purple is the standout in my garden. I have embraced it in all its forms and have lots of plans for more. I am going to do all raised plant beds in the area in the back....but with a twist. I haven't got it all sorted out yet but when I do I will post pics .

I have to thank you all for posting your information and help over the years. You have all been so supportive and encouraged me when I was feeing really inadequate. What I didn't understand was that I needed to find the garden in me. I now feel like it is ready to grow and bloom and I am so pleased. I have turned the corner...I am a gardener. Thank you. c

Here is a link that might be useful: Spring slideshow 2011

Comments (19)

gottagarden
13 years ago
Spring is lovely in your gardens! All those azaleas look like they were painted in, they're so bright! Love the purple table and chairs, and the wire rockers / plant holders. You have transformed your yard, it's so vibrant now!
organic_kitten
13 years ago
Everything is looking really good Your azaleas are gorgeous!

And with you house, the color and all is so nice! I always do a little bit of zone jumping, but mainly stick to what works. For gardens, I guess we always want more, but you've done a really nice job, and puple rules!!
kay
Related Discussions
Spring has sprung (pics)
Q
Comments (14)
Yes, I think all pansies are cold hardy. It's the summer that seems to kill them. I bought mine in six packs back in September or October and planted them out then. I learned this about pansies from the gardens at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. In the fall, they plant pansies, wallflowers, stock, Iceland poppies, dianthus, and others. You can read how they do it in this great article I just found online, excerpted out of a book called "Temple Square Gardening". You should give it a try -- I think next year, I'm going to include Iceland poppies and wallflowers in my fall planting. As far as growing bulbs through phlox, I have a few that are accidentally doing that, because the phlox spread further than I expected, but I don't think they don't look very good. The phlox is so thick that it kind of pulls up with the tulip or daffodil as it grows through and it looks kind of messy. Basically, it looks like an accident, which it is! I suppose if you worked on it a bit by smoothing down the phlox carpet around the bulb stems, it might look OK. I do think it would be hard to fertilize those bulbs after their bloom, since the phlox will be in the way. But it might look good with a little work!
...See More
Spring Has Sprung!
Q
Comments (36)
I couldn't see that closely, Linda. It was too high up in the tree. The feathers on the Carolina Wren do not look long enough for this bird that I saw. I checked out the wrens, knowing they were smaller birds, but nothing looked really similar, but it's hard to tell from that distance. Maybe I'll see it again. The birds have not been coming down into the yard since I've been letting one of my cats out to play. George dearly loves it outdoors, but his mere presence in the garden prevents many birds from coming closer. I'll have to leave him inside this week so I can check them out. I do have resident house wrens and was just thrilled to see the cedar waxwings, although I think I broke my neck trying. LOL! I just use a lot of Icy Hot! Hee Hee. MissSherry - that is a beautiful moth! I just love these decorative moths! Is it a geometrid? Susan
...See More
Spring Has Sprung (Updates)
Q
Comments (2)
Hey Brad, Now this breaks my heart!! Let a plant die from not watering it? Thats a slow torturous death!!! Ahhhhhh.... Just kidding! Now I have a 2 yr old. If I can water I know you can! Lately i noticed little cuts on some of my leaves. I thought "what is doing that?" later I found my answer. My little one had a pair of scissors cutting away on the leaves!! I would be happy to send you some cuttings! I have some I was rooting for someone else who seems to have lost interest! And I've got some I can take cuttings on :). It might be a few weeks... As we have a cold front moving in AGAIN! And only 24..... Boy I wish I could say that! Happy birthday (early). I remember you cake from last year! And you"ll definately need a birthday Hoya! Ttys!
...See More
Spring has Sprung
Q
Comments (21)
R. californica 'First Dawn' first flower of the year. Purchased at a Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden plant sale, grown by Suncrest Nurseries and their own selection of the species. This is an extremely fragrant rose--a super wafter actually. It blooms in great trusses and when the plant is covered in flowers the whole garden is perfumed. Bees are mighty happy! Nearly every flower results in a hip. This is the most floriferous and rapid reblooming of any selection of R. californica I have ever encountered. Gets tall, around 12 to 15 feet with support, it does want to climb. Has some thorns but not to the extent of many of its brethren. Moderately suckers (which I count as a positive as I like this rose so much). Has the second tastiest rose hips in my garden (to R. canina 'Laxa'). These are small and chewy. Birds like them. Reine des Violettes showing her true color growing amongst many neighbors in my wild pot ghetto (she's in the ground though). Last month when she started to bloom her flowers were more pinkish, but as the weather warmed and the sun hit her flowers, voila violettes! Reine des Violettes, own root from Greenmantle Nursery. Planted in the root zone of an 80+ foot ash tree in very sandy loam soil that is somewhat depleted in nutrients. Fed this year with E. B. Stone organic fertilizer (5-5-5). Watered with very alkaline city water. Zero soil amendments. RDV with Cantabrigensis. Cantabrigensis. Flowers open pale yellow and rapidly turn white in the sun. I hadn't checked the foliage before for scent, but since there are multiple other roses, as it as turned out, that I put in this area that happen to have fragrant foliage, I was curious. Yep, fragrant, and very much like the scent of R. primula, just not quite as strong. Own root from Colvos Creek. R. canina 'Laxa' still just teasing me with a few flowers. It is gearing up for a huge bloom period where the entire plant will be covered. It has a long period of bloom compared to many once-bloomers. Best tasting rose hips in my garden. Supposed to be very high in vitamin c. Own root from Greenmantle. Stanwell Perpetual. Own root from Heirloom. R. borissovae, from Eurodesert. Appeared to be grafted but is now suckering, escaping the bonds of graftdom. Autumn Damask, own root from Greenmantle. Sorry the bloom is a little past its prime. I put this plant in a spot near its relations--R. fedschenkoana and Quatre Saisons Blanc Mousseux.
...See More
ripley529
13 years ago
Very pretty and congrats on turning the corner :) I love to see the pics everyone posts, keep it up!

I sometimes feel like I'm a 'plunker' more than a gardener. You know, just plunk stuff down here and there, but I am working on that too, lol
bev2009
13 years ago
Everything is beautiful. You look at a true gardener to me!
schoolhouse_gw
13 years ago
It all looks lovely, and I can just feel that sun shining.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you !!

gottagarden : your gardens and color themes always leave me in awe. The rockers are really old metal. They were found by my neighbor and he let me have them . I primed and painted them. I love them !!

kay : your gardens are also simply breathtaking. I am learning as I go but really think that I have turned the corner as far as what I can grow.

ripley I tend to be a plunker too but I am forcing myself to change !!!

bev: that is very kind. I feel like I am too :)

schoolhouse: I am waiting to see that beadboard finished ! Your gardens are just amazing. I hope this is the last of the snow for you. c
Thyme2dig NH Zone 5
13 years ago
Sounds (and looks like) you've hit your garden groove! Nice job. Everything looks great. I do love those wire rockers and I really like the style of your house. Such a beautiful front porch edged with the azaleas.
Prettypetals_GA_7-8
13 years ago
My goodness, its all beautiful. Those azaleas are to die for. I love them!! Your home and gardens are both beautiful. I would definitely call you a gardener. I used to be a plunker too and like you am forcing myself to think more before digging that hole. I used to spend so much time moving things around and frankly just got tired of having to re-dig so I make myself think, think, think before I dig now. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and gardens!! Take care, Judy
User
Original Author
13 years ago
thyme2dig: thank you ! Our home was built in 1890. We have been it in for 9 yrs and I am just now finally getting the gardens to look like I want them. I used to beat myself up about the time and money I have wasted but at least I learned something from it all. I think of it as tuition now :) Your gardens are always one of my most favorite.

Judy thank you for the kind words. I would love to have the space you have but would never be able to do it justice the way you have. I look forward to everyone's future posts. c
natal
13 years ago
I see you added petunias to the chair bed. Lookin' good. How many bottle trees do you have? The mirrored windows are new too, aren't they?
newyorkrita
13 years ago
Lovely presentation of your spring garden in your slideshow.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
hey natal, yes I added petunias to the chair bed. DH will train the sweet potato and the wandering jew up and around the chairs while I am gone in May and June and 1/2 of July. He has a lot of responsibility ! I have had the mirrored windows for a couple years but haven't put them out. Now I have 2 more to do . Need to find/make shutters and add a shelf below for plants and " stuff". Need to find a place to hang 2 more also.

I have 2 areas of blue bottles. They are on rebar. I would love a real tree but haven't found one I can afford or replicate ...yet . Still looking. Thank you for looking :) Your garden ALWAYS makes me smile.

Rita your garden is amazing !! Your roses inspired me ....well mine all have the same shiny green foliage this year and there are too many buds to count on all of them. I think it is the huge amount of bone meal. They are amazing. I wish DH hadn't lost the tags for a bunch of them ....sigh...will need you guys to identify as they all bloom. The clemmies are just a few days away from bursting into bloom. c
girlgroupgirl
13 years ago
I love the house! I think you've got the front perfect for the house. I of course love the back furniture and all you have also done back there. It's frustrating isn't it, to live in a place where English style gardens don't come easy in the land of baked August clays and shallow tree roots.
I love what you have accomplished. It's all a learning process.
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
13 years ago
Wow, wow, wow. You found your 'mojo'!!! So glad. Gardens are like cats - they will do what pleases them, and if you let them do that, they will please you. And, of course, the rest of us. lol. There are so many different sedums, to create colour and texture. Glad to 'see' you here.

Nancy.
reginaz
13 years ago
Those pictures are just what I needed on this cold and dreary day. I love the spring and the azalea looks especially good. Beautiful house too! Regina
luckygal
13 years ago
Very pretty - it's always better to work with nature. Glad you are enjoying being a gardener!
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
13 years ago
I guess I didn't hit the submit button, oh well what's new LOL.
Good to 'see' you back C, you've been missed. As always your Azaleas are breathtakingly beautiful. You're to hard on yourself, when I think of what you have accomplished in the past couple of years, it's lookin good :).

Annette
User
Original Author
13 years ago
ggg: you have such a wonderful garden at your place. I look forward to all your pics. My roses are my pride and joy ! The ones that I got from Texas have really outdone themselves this year. They have 1000's of buds as do my clemmies. I look forward to posting lots more pics of them.

Thank you Nancy, I do feel that I now know what I can do and what I can't. It is so much more fun now. Your gardens are always such a joy to see.

regina glad to brighten your day. I bet you are tired of winter. I look forward to your gorgeous Spring and Summer pics.

luckygal : thank you ! I am enjoying myself and best I have so many plans that I know I can accomplish now.

Annette I know I am . I am glad to be able to relax and play with this now. The bed by the carport is so full that I have no where else to plant roses but I am going to love what I have and do something really amazing in the back garden for raised beds. Everyone is going to be so surprised :) me too LOL. c
floridarosez9 Morgan
13 years ago
Love your house and gardens. It looks like your entire neighborhood is lovely old homes. Everything looks so "old south".

Spring has sprung in my garden...

Comments (19)

gottagarden

organic_kitten

Related Discussions

ripley529

bev2009

schoolhouse_gw

User
Original Author

Thyme2dig NH Zone 5

Prettypetals_GA_7-8

User
Original Author

natal

newyorkrita

User
Original Author

girlgroupgirl

midnightsmum (Z4, ON)

reginaz

luckygal

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada

User
Original Author

floridarosez9 Morgan

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Spring has sprung in my garden...

Comments (19)

Related Discussions

UserOriginal Author

UserOriginal Author

UserOriginal Author

UserOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author

User
Original Author

User
Original Author

User
Original Author