Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
 |
| roses, hydrangea and purple spiderwort fill a vase for a late summer centerpiece |
aww… gardening
It is hugely rewarding
and
ofttimes frustrating
How about your experience in the garden and flower beds?
I can usually count on these plants/trees/bushes to perform well.
Eastern Redbud
Iris
Rhododendron
Sweet potato vine
Astilbe
Hydrangea with astilbe in foreground
Zinnia
Penstemon
Coleus
Cleome
Budleia (butterfly bush)
Morning glory twinning in the zinnia
Trumpet vine
Petunia
Sedum
Clematis
and some that give me trouble…
Japanese Beatles doing their damage.
Boxwood hedge that we have been treating for years for leaf minor
Shasta daisy was outstanding last year but not so much this year.
Powdery mildew on the brilliant white phlox..
Ferns on the northern exposure look green and healthy in the spring but as summer continues, even with ample water, they turn brown and ugly.
But the worse this year were the impatiens.
I knew about the blight/Downey Mildew last year, but my heart longed once again for the abundant and overflowing window boxes of the past. I planted them and for six weeks they grew well and beautifully (first two photos). Then they quickly succumbed to this nasty fungus.
They were my favorite to fill my window boxes and add color to shady places.
Not anymore.
You can see how pretty they looked but then, I watched as each plant shriveled and died. The window boxes are okay but not as full as the ones in the last two photos from a few years ago.
I have read that the spores remain in the soil and therefore, I will not be able to grow impatiens there again. So, I need an alternative for next year.
Any suggestions (beside begonia)?
What stood out in your garden this season?
Did you have any disappointments?
SarahGeorge says
September 27, 2014 at 1:13 pmWow! Awesome one Lorraine. I'm hearing this rhyme now very often 🙂
Brenda Kay Ledford says
September 11, 2014 at 5:10 pmI just found your blog. What a lovely centerpiece. I sure hope the dog gets better after the visit for the dental cleaning. Good information about keeping your pet's teeth clean.
lindsey says
September 9, 2014 at 5:47 pmThe flowers in your vase and those in the photos are fantastic, your garden must be amazing! Neither my husband nor I are much good at gardening, we keep it tidy but that's about it. I have a lower back problem which prevents me from bending and that's frustrating because I would love to be able to plant and weed more. To be able to see your beautiful photos and those of other bloggers is all the more special
Catherine says
September 9, 2014 at 4:20 amThese flowers are beautiful. The colors are outstanding. Blessings, Catherine
Pondside says
September 9, 2014 at 3:14 amWhat beautiful views of your gardens. I know the frustration of the mildew on the impatience. There really isn't anything as spectacular for a shady spot, but you might try Martha Washington geraniums. I've had good luck with them in the semi-shade.
Debbie Huffaker says
September 8, 2014 at 8:33 pmAdd flower arranging to your list of talents. Beautiful!! I adore all those purples….you certainly have a green thumb! HOPE you have a great week.
Christy says
September 8, 2014 at 6:32 pmYou could try New Guinea impatiens. Do you like them? They are resistant to downy mildew. My MIL planted them this year and while not totally the same they are still lovely and great for a shady spot. You gardens are always pretty even with its little pests.
Debby Ray says
September 8, 2014 at 5:08 pmOh my, what a perfectly gorgeous centerpiece! I am not a gardener at heart but I do like to have a patio garden, at best. Usually by now, everything is withered and drying up but this summer with cooler than usual temps and more rain, they have lasted longer. I haven't many Japanese beetles this year either…lucky me! 🙂