THANK YOU TO ALL of you who didn't call me an idiot for my confession last time. Getting a sunburn, at my age, with my years of experience was really stupid. Which I guess proves that you can be old and still not be very smart.
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| The Fuchsia plants are HUGE this year! |
I met with my lady's garden group this last Sunday. One of the topics we discussed dealt with what is and isn't working in your garden this year. For me, on the not working, the answer required no brain exertion whatsoever. Arbutus unedo 'Compacta.' Because it's evergreen, it doesn't shed its leaves in the fall. Instead it constantly sheds its older leaves. Case in point:
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| The DEAD leaves from my Arbutus. |
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| The LIVING leaves from my Arbutus. |
The solution to this problem is to thin out the older leaves from inside the plant. This weekend I'm going to get 'er done. Or else. And, um, (another confession) this has been my plan every weekend for the past month but things keep getting in the way. It's a good thing I'm no longer a perfectionist.
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| Sedum 'Vera Jameson' |
It's Sedum time! I love how each plant comes into its glory at its predetermined time. It's those tiny little biological clocks. How they know when to grow and bloom, fascinates me.
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| Sedum 'Vera Jameson' |
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| Sedum. This might be 'Mr. Goodbud' but I'm not sure. |
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| Here's the entire plant growing next to a dark-leaved dwarf Dahlia. |
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| Sedum 'Autumn Joy' not quite to blooming stage yet. |
I thought I'd share a few more little treasures I'm enjoying right now.
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| Sarracenia or Pitcher Plant |
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| Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lantern' |
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| Garlic chives or Allium tuberosum |
Garlic chives complement just about any neighbor. Here, they're planted next to Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum'
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| Aster 'Alma Potschke' |
Aster Alma is just beginning to reveal her bright pink petals. You know me and pink. I love this plant.
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| White Crab Spider on Joe Pye, |
I hate Crab Spiders. This one hides in hopes of sucking the life out of an unsuspecting bumble bee. So wrong.
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| Bumble Bee on Joe Pye |
About a week later, (yesterday) I took another photo of the same clump of Joe Pye. No crab spider but a very happy bumble.
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| Autumn Fern |
This Autumn Fern is still fresh and green so maybe it is predicting an extra long summer.
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| Variegated Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate |
The variegated Kiss-Me that I bought about a month ago is still not blooming but the plant is so cool. I love this layered look on the main stem.
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| Crimson Fans or Mukdenia rossii |
My Crimson Fans got a little too toasty under the 100 degree heat last week. But it still looks pretty decent, all things considered.
Hopefully you're able to enjoy your garden's final August moments.
Grace I often get great pink ideas from your blog... that aster looks right up my alley (and will probably grow here). I love fuschias but its one of those plants I know will fry here... I might try one more time though in deepest darkest shade and see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteOne of my pet peeves about 'evergreen' trees that we have growing around here is exactly what you are talking about... both live oaks and magnolias lose leaves constantly. It is so annoying. I'm all for just dumping the great big bunch of em in one fell swoop!
You have the greatest plants. I have the kiss me over the fence (which came back this year after not having it for the last few years) But I have never seen the verigated variety. I also have kiss me over the gate. Which is a whole different plant. Looking at your garden plans/layout I am just feeling like I am missing out by not walking around your gardens. But I sure am glad that you are here to give me a tour. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI just look at your Fuchsia in awe...there is no perfect plant is there? My Sedum is looking good too. Chives once planted, are always there! I love that color Aster and the tips of the Crimson Fans looks like Crimson, is that the idea? Do I need to send you some sunscreen or did you learn?
ReplyDeleteWow, Grace. I love all of these beauties in your gardens. Looking at these photos, you wouldn't know that you aren't a perfectionist, as everything looks fabulous. I so enjoy seeing your blooms as there is so much I can't grow down here in tropical s.e. FL. You always have such interesting flowers and foliage.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ FlowerLady
Well things are looking great in your garden. Love all your sedums. I really need more of them. The first pic of that fuchsia is soooo pretty. Our Alma Potschke is still holding it in.
ReplyDeleteGrace:
ReplyDeleteA. Alma Potschke is one of the most dependable here at the garden centre. It, 'Little Carlow' and 'Monche' are the only ones I stock. the rest are so ratty and messy! Your Sedum collection is definitely happy from the photos. I had a plant but it was evicted in favour of some shady character or other..... imagine! Mukdenia never ceases to amaze, and I am considering Lycesteria - I did bring it in this season but haven't brought one home for myself.... yet! Hope the weather has cooled down for you. Cooler here, and a threat [bring in on baby] of rain next week.
Grace, My Golden Lanterns has flowers! It's lovely...thank you! The point just before sedum bursts into bloom is my favorite~The color seems intense and perfect. I feel that way about Joe-Pye Weed buds. not that I don't appreciate the nectar they make for the bees!
ReplyDeleteFuschias are spring only plants here. It just gets too hot. Your sedums look fabulous! Mine have just started blooming.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful, Grace...so many plants I absolutely adore (you know I'd never part with my Joe Pye Weed)! I love all my Sedums...but some of they are hard to tell apart (or at least their names confuse me...'Vera Jameson' and 'Bertram Anderson' are the worst...which is which, again?!?!? BTW...LOVE the Mukdenia...I really need some next year!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so useful,always find plants that I have but don't know the names of, Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum' , close enough anyway !
ReplyDeleteLovely plants as always .
I always loved the fuchsias, but never could grow them right, they are not blooming in the garden.
ReplyDeleteGracie girl I can't believe your sedum is turning colour already when mine is not so much in that mode .. I have BIG patches of Autumn Joy just because of the "Joy" part of course!LOL .. You were so sweet with your comments about my blog header .. I had help learning how to do it from Jen @ Muddy Boots .. otherwise it was driving me crazy trying to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteThe nights have been cooler here but the days still make me hot ? and hey girl, I wear a silly baseball cap now and do NOY care about the no make-up no hair part of me when I mean business in the garden .. I think we are reaching that age when we say "F*** it !!!!
Joy ... hehehehe
Oh Grace I am sorry to hear that you have been suffering with sunburn. No danger of that happening over here this year. Hope that you are over the worst of it and are back out enjoying your garden but sensibly covered up :) Love that fuchsia! Take care xxx
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting Scott's garden and reading this post, I am on the hunt for more sedums.
ReplyDeleteI've been hacked! Two days dealing with it so far. Talk about no time left to be a perfectionist. As far as I can tell, your garden has not suffered.
I love the sedums as well and mine are just about to change color...all your plants and photos are so vibrant Grace...brings a smile to my face!
ReplyDeleteI'm about to give up on Autumn Joy. It just flops too much, even when pinching.
ReplyDeleteGrace how did you know? I've been wondering what a flower is, just found a huge one and took photos to send to you. A Himalayan Honeysuckle, can they get large?
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of that fuchsia, one of my favorite plants and I love the sedums. I have LOTS of autumn joy of course, it is planted under a rhodie lol it can get as big as it wants. I just added a new sedum, the leaves have more color but the name, hmmm no idea.
Your sedums are looking happy and healthy, as are the other blooms you showed. I have never heard of variegated kiss me over the garden gate. I hope it blooms for you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing your flowers. The fuchsia, sedum, pitcher plant, everything is beautiful. I also have garlic chives and you are right--they seem to make everything around them look great! They are one of my faves.
ReplyDelete