Help me select the right cedar for container planting?
Garden Mist
2 years ago
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Help me select plants!?
Comments (7)Wonderful GardenGal! Thanks! I saw a Unedo @ Wells in Medina(and also more @Flower World) but figured I'd pass on it as last time I was wanting one I remember getting negative feedback regarding them pushing our zone boundaries. I'm near the convergence zone in the Lynnwood/Bothell area and we usually make it a few degrees cooler than Seattle does and I don't want a $100 plant dying on me. But thinking back the person who poo-pooed it was a notorious negative nancy, so perhaps it would do fine... Regarding the Abelias, I have them on my longish list, but would prefer something less reddish, as I have a Nandina that I put in last year but find that the red clashes with the other colors going on in the yard already. Perhaps I'll keep an eye out for a different color toned abelia? Thanks for the heads-up on the boxleaf honeysuckle and Indian Hawthorn! I will take them off the list. I was drawn to Hinoki Cypress but when I saw the price (this was at Wells) I was a little put off considering that I am needing a few to cover up the deadwood of the junipers that I will be keeping. I'll look around at a few other locations and see what I can scrounge up. My success rate with Mexican Mock Orange has been dismal, I've managed to kill 3 in my back yard, so I'm less inclined to try my hand at it again, plus it looks like its water needs are higher than I'd like. I have really a very dry location and only a tiny corner of my back yard receives any kind of shade at all. Even with regular watering my tomatoes and dahlias seem to do better when they receive some shade. This area will be getting none. The Blue Star Juniper may be an option. I'm trying to get over my prejudice, and I'm thinking if I got a variety that produced berries, at least I'd get something to make pancetta with! I swung by Lowes on my lunch break and picked up a bunch of half-price salvia that had just finished blooming. I'll keep it around and if I can't find a suitable spot for all of it in the front, I have a good spot in back for it....See Morehelp me with plant selection please
Comments (10)Good point about the soil stain on the stucco, Ink -- but exuberant zone 10 plants would hide it. Sooma, I haven't lived in your zone (Long Beach) since I was seven, and though I can think of plants I'd put in that bed, they don't fit your needs. But let me mention a couple of things. You'll want something that's tall enough and dense enough to hide the boxes (and if you're lucky, the hose), yet allows access to the faucet handle. So nothing with brittle stems or delicate leaves near the faucet. I believe your hose reel is the revolving type: if not, look into replacing it with one that turns (less contact between hose and plants). The hose guide on your hose reel is in the wrong location to keep the hose away from the plants in the bed. Another possibility would be a hose guide with a loop to keep the hose under control. I'd try it at the corner of the bed, but that might not suit you. The hose guide would need to be strongly anchored in the soil; once I'd definitely decided on the best location, a hose guide that would do the job well, and the best height, I'd consider anchoring it in cement. (The top of the cement would be several inches below the brick edging, hidden by Ink's pea gravel.) Examples of loop hose guides: tall wrought iron hose guide ground level hose guide; click on the photo for a better pic You could also use a length of pipe and a loop of the type used atop cyclone fencing -- or anything similar from the hardware department; just be sure it's strong. (The Previous Owner of my house would have planted 4' of fence post at that corner of the bed and run the hose behind it; not exactly picturesque, but effective.)...See MorePls help w/ planting Dahlias in containers (lots)
Comments (4)Wow, what you should do is introduce me to your friend! You have some really nice varieties there and what wonderful descriptions he/she gave you. Here(at the link)is the best info on planting in pots I've found and am following it to a T right now for the first time. Read it, think about what soil you have available. Use well drained potting mix and try to avoid a high peat content which is tough to water. Get Soil Moist or a similar product to reduce watering needs. Get stakes (I'm using rebar to take up less space.) The pots I'm using are about 4 gallons? ~15" across by ~12" deep and will use whiskey barrels as well. Make sure you have good drainage holes either existing in the pots or drill some. If your pots are ceramic, I guess go with the usual rocks in the bottom for drainage. You'll need someway for excess water to pass OUT. Protect from slugs if you have them. You'll be happy to hear that I've had deer 3 ft away from my garden dahlias munching down raspberries and blueberry bushes while not touching one dahlia leaf. Ditto in the perennial bed: mowed down my phlox and glads, left the adjacent dahlias untouched. So the deer trail might not be a factor to worry about as far as eating goes: trampling maybe! Good luck, I'll copy this to your email address....See MoreHelp me select the right lawn for my high altitude home
Comments (5)Hi, peaches. I'd recommend you investigate buffalo grass, especially one of the improved varieties like 'Legacy'. I suggest this because you mentioned you don't want to have to frequently fertilize or mow your grass. Buffalo grass fits both these requirements. However, since buffalo grass is a warm season grass, I believe it's too late in the season to attempt planting buffalo grass in your climate. But if budget is no problem, check with sod suppliers for buffalo grass sod. The most economical way to establish a lawn of 'Legacy' buffalo grass is by plugs (little plants planted a foot apart which eventually spread and fill in.) This variety can't be seeded because it's a clone. I've grown Legacy and it can stand 110+ temps and below zero weather. I hope this helps. Let us know what you decide....See MoreGarden Mist
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoGarden Mist
2 years ago
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