WHAT I MEAN BY SICKNESS is a blissful addiction to plants. Of course you didn't know this, did you? And this isn't a "condition" you're familiar with, is it?
Years ago, I heard a garden "celebrity" use the term "cram-scaping" to describe her gardening style. We're a lot alike, the celebrity-lady and me. In fact, I daresay I'm a stellar "cram-scaper." I have to be. It's the only way I can deal with (and justify) the multitude of plants I continually bring home because I can't resist them and they make me happy. See, a sickness. A blissful condition.
Here is a sampling of my latest happy-makers:
 |
| I found this sweet, vibrant Four-o'clock plant while in Lake Oswego a few weeks ago. The camera doesn't do it justice. |
 |
| These aren't new plants but the combination is new because I spent a good portion of my spring moving plants around. I think these two (Galega and Phlox) are quite neighborly. |
 |
| One of the perils of plant-addiction is having a huge pile of tags to sift through. My efforts to locate the name of this tender succulent have failed. |
 |
| I'm sure one of you knows its idenity. About two weeks ago the buds appeared and then, in the blink of an eye, voila, a bazillion little daisies! |
 |
| One of my first purchases this spring was this Gardenia 'Frost Proof.' I wanted to get it in the ground stat so it could establish strong roots making it more likely to survive the winter so, rather than buying a replacement next year, I can spend my money buying some other plant. |
 |
| This is Clerodendrum 'bungei' freshly blooming. |
 |
| Remember me mentioning Impatiens glandulifera a few posts back? Well, I've got a few nicely blooming plants now. So cool! |
 |
| In addition to buying plants, we sometimes have a gardening friend who shares. This is exactly why I have these lovely cannas. My generous friend Cate knows how I love pink! |
 |
| My Morina longifolia is also a newbie this year. And look! It's blooming! |
 |
| My Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy' and seed-sown Bachelor Buttons are growing together nicely. |
 |
| Visiting a local, out-of-the-way nursery last week, I spotted this Phlox. I somehow convinced myself (with minimal effort) that I "needed" it. |
 |
| My Star Magnolia is putting out a few summer blossoms. |
Have you all been getting a lot of emails from companies wanting you to sample their products? I usually kindly decline their offers but this one for worm poo fertilizer had me at hello. Yesterday, I received both liquid-based and granular samples. I'll let you know in a few months if I see a difference in my plants. Have you heard of this product? Have you used it? If so, what do you think?
 |
| Terracycle plant food. You can read more about it here. |
 |
| I had to post this photo. Years ago I dug out and gave away my Yucca 'Color Guard.' Of course I soon regretted it. Look how karma has rewarded me! |
 |
| I was worried the my 'Tiger Eyes' Sumac (Rhus) didn't survive transplanting. Here it is, Joy. Silly me! |
And finally, a few photos of my gardens:
Happy gardening to you all.
