Gordon's Garden Diary

1 Jul '09 7:45 pm

Hi, Jack! It's great to hear from you again! And I do sympathize with your difficulty with too much space to fill! Been there, tried that!! That's why I love my little space so much! I remember when I had acres of space and I felt like a slave trying to deal with all of it. I never could really focus on one spot because the eyes were always straying over to the "rough" spots and ruining the effect!

The problem that I find most with a small space is that when one is attempting to establish groups of plants having similar and/or contrasting colours or shapes, it's really hard to keep one group from spoiling the effect of the next one. I'm beginning to think that perhaps the solution is to establish the neighbouring groups so that they shine in different seasons or parts of seasons. In other words, when one group is at its height, the neighbouring ones take supporting roles in the garden while they wait for their times to shine. I think I'll work on that for the next couple of years and see what happens. . .

I also think that a judicious use of potted plants might help in easing the transition between different groupings of in-ground ones. It just occurred to me while writing this that maybe by using pots with neutral-coloured leaves between the colour groupings would help. I just haven't figured how to succeed with this idea! Very Happy

Anyway, any ideas on this difficulty would be welcomed!!

all the best, Jack!!

-gordonf

2 Jul '09 8:30 am

Hosta 'Invincible' makes an excellent in between plant. It is, as its name suggests, tough and does well in pots. Medium height, smooth, mid green, shiny leaves. No hassles, lots of growth each year, and I think it has pale lilac/white flowers as a bit of an after thought.

But obviously it's no good from Autumn 'til Spring...

2 Jul '09 6:00 pm

How do Nandina do for you? There are short solid ones and tall ones that explain where the name 'sacred bamboo' came from. Their growth is upright, creating visual 'walls' and they always have style and presence. Some have coloured leaves, especially in colder weather; the leaves of some varieties are positively garish at times, but one can chose from a wide selection these days. Oh - and they do well in pots!

2 Jul '09 6:08 pm

Thanks, Kerole - I'll look up "Invincible" and see what it looks like! Smile

I took some more pics today and here they are. One thing that really surprised me was the new PCI Iris seedling that bloomed for the first time today. It was right beside a white one (one of its "seed-mates") and yet it has the lovliest purple flower that resembles a Louisiana iris! Completely different from the other one that bloomed last year!

Also, there are several lilies that have started into bloom.

Is there anyone out there who successfully grows Himalayan blue poppies? I'm trying for the third or fourth time and I'd welcome any tricks in growing them!

Enjoy the pictures!

-gordonf

2 Jul '09 6:27 pm

Hi, Jack - I had 2 varieties of Nandina until this year. The short one died over the winter while the tall one died back a lot but is slowly growing back. They definitely die in winter here if they are kept in pots. I don't think they are hardy enough for me, but thanks for the suggestion. Smile

-gordonf

3 Jul '09 8:30 am

Your garden continues to be very floriforous! I love the yellow Thalictrum, and double geranium, and is that dark red lily Black Out or Landini, or something similar?

3 Jul '09 1:00 pm

So far I have only glanced at your pics, but I echo Kerole - and that dark lily really is a stunner.... next week when I'm back on the farm I MUST post the Lilium formosanum I have saved for you!

3 Jul '09 5:48 pm

I think that dark lily is called, "Olina", although in some catalogues it's listed under another name but sure looks like the same thing! There's another one in the same family that's called, if I remember correctly, "Cappucino", and it's sort of creamy coloured with lots of brown spots becoming solid in the centre of the flowers. If I can find a good spot , I'd like to get a couple of that variety as well!!

By the way, that double geranium is almost pushing the rose out of its pot! It's growing MUCH taller than the catalogue said it would. It will be a shame if I have to remove it, though, because the bit of pale purple in its flowers compliments the dark, purple flowers of the rose wonderfully. Maybe I could place it in the ground beside the pot instead. . .we live and learn, don't we?

Some more lilies opened today but I decided to wait until tomorrow to take their pictures. Tonight I bought 8 mauve/lavender petunia plants to fill the spaces where spring bulbs have disappeared near the pathway in the main garden. The blue-coloured petunias have the most wonderful perfume in the evening and remind me of childhood. Then,I used to go to sleep with the smell of petunia blossoms coming through the window from the flower bed outside! Life was so simple then (for me! : ).

All the best, everyone!

-gordonf

4 Jul '09 1:06 pm

Hello again, everyone;

Here it is, July 3 already, and summer has truly set in here. Last night, as I think I told you, I got some mauve petunias and planted them. They seem to be all right in their new homes, even with the heat today, so that's good.

I took a few pictures in the garden today, as the moon gate is now properly installed and there are some new lilies to show off, as well as another view of the blue delphiniums that I posted the other day.

I hope you're all doing well, wherever you are, and whichever season you're enjoying!

Cheers!

gordonf

5 Jul '09 6:15 pm

Hi, everyone, and Happy Independence Day to all you Yanks out there!!

I don't have much to report as to garden "doings" today, but this evening I took the camera out there and I have two pictures that I thought you might enjoy. These are both lilies that I posted pictures of over the last few days, but now they have more flowers and, well, I think they just look so good after dark with a flash! Very Happy

I hope you think so, too!

All the best,

gordonf

Gordon's Garden Diary

Nandina?

Nandina?

Just glanced...

July 3

July 4