Marigolds, Petunias, Geraniums and more ordinary blooms...

I'm at rest for a moment. Contemplating on whether my Sumac Tigers Eye will return or will I once again please my husband and my grandmother's memory by planting Marigolds,  Petunias and  Geraniums in my 2011 flowerbed gardens??

The whisper of the more refined gardeners in my garden circle tell me that planting such ordinary blooms leaves little to the imagination. As they tour my garden and turn over every leaf with their meandering eyes, I get the impression that they are more interested and wowed by the double pond and stream creation than by my colourful and ordinary plant selections. Actually, their facial expressions expose the wonderment of where in the heck is the Astrantia (Masterwort) or the Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera or is it vice versa?) planted? To some extent I agree, my garden is far too colourful...not enough low lying/growing greenery. But, that's how my family likes it!

I have come to realize that I am not yet at the stage (yes, there are gardening stages) where planting involves muted colours (or maybe a punch or two of bright colour), various shades of green and variegated leaves. Heck, I just graduated from the planting only annual and perennials, to planting various garden shrubs. I'm progressing, really...I am.

I have promised these far more seasoned and educated gardeners, that in 2011, I will graduate to my next stage...plant more shades of green, whether it be perennials with very difficult Latin names to remember or annuals that have a more exotic appearance. However, one thing is for sure, whether they be in a container or planted by the side of the waterfall, Marigolds, Petunias and Geraniums will always have that special spot in my flowerbed gardens. My Oma would be proud.

My Fall Flower Gardens

Will my Sumac Tiger's Eye survive a cold Manitoba winter? I sure hope so. Many gardeners believe that this variety of Sumac is not a hardy in our zone 3, however my other variety of Sumacs have done very well thank you and have popped up in several spots on my peninsula garden. I realize that they are a bit aggressive but I really don't mind. I'll just pull them up and plant them else where. After all I do have 400 feet of space. The image above is dated the end of September, while the image below is dated October 15th.

While I am always sad when the leaves fall from the trees signalling winters approach, I am amazed at the vibrant coloring some of annuals give so close to freeze up. Take for instance the image below of the annual  Salvia Mystic Spires. Throughout the summer, this annual salvia bloomed a beautiful blue/purple color. Now, in mid October, the coloring has deepened to a deep bluish purple. Just amazing.

Surprisingly my Pavement Roses  finally stopped blooming. The leaves are turning yellow and the hips have formed. Of all the rose hips in my garden, the hips from the Pavement Roses are by far the most outstanding. They look like mini crabapples. I captured the image below on October 15th.

The soft needles from both Siberian Larches have turned yellow and are now dropping. The Dwarf Korean Lilac, which grew 2 fold this season also has leaves that turn and yellow orange in the fall. And would someone please tell my Limelight Hydrangea  to stop blooming? I will be heart broken when the temperature drops below freezing later this week. That message should also be sent to my Leopard's Bane. This SPRING blooming perennial has not stopped blooming. I have no idea why.

It's time to start the task of deep watering all of the garden shrubs and evergreens. As I move the deep water wand from tree to tree and shrub to shrub, I will take the opportunity to give the shrubs a slight haircut.

Doris

Growing The Limelight Hydrangea

I'm so excited!! I finally have a hydrangea blooming...and its almost October! Even my Leopards Bane is still blooming and it is a late spring to early summer bloomer. Go figure.

What a squirrely growing season the 2010 year has been. Similar to 2009, this spring and summer has been on the wet side...really wet side. On the bright side, we seldom put the water hose into the pond.

The only other Hydrangea, besides the Limelight pictured above, that bloomed this year was the Quick Fire planted by the large pond. My Annabelle has plenty of leaves and I can certainly see some buds, but within the next week the hard frost is to hit us and these buds will be history.

Let me know if you have expereinced the same crazy growing season.

My 5 Favourite Compact Herbs For The Flowerbed Garden

Why not mix herbs with your blooms? I do. Not only do I enjoy the colour that these herbs give to my gardens, but each separate scent is amazing. Not to mention that each herb serves a purpose within my bathtub, kitchen or underwear drawer!

Basil: grows to a dwarf bush-like plant, only about 12 inches tall. Pick for cooking prior to it blooming. Just keep snipping it and it keeps growing.

Oregano: another dwarf bush-like herb in growth. Variegated leaves and will flower pink. Grows to about 6 inches tall. I plant it as an edging annual plant in my middle flowerbed.

Lavender: my all time favourite. I grow as much as I can. Not only do I love the tall purple flower spikes (18 inches in height), I enjoy drying the Lavender and using a few springs in my bath water. Once dried, the Lavender Anouk makes great sachets for under the pillow or for our delicates. Try soaking some Lavender in water and spray lightly on linen/bedsheets.

Chives: who doesn't want Chives in the garden? Ready to snip and drop into so many recipes like...fresh mozzarella salad ...mmm! Grows to 12 inches tall with purple flowers. A great attraction for bees.

Lemon Balm: I planted the Lemon Balm as an annual in the summer of 2009. In mid July of this year I discovered, a most pleasant surprise, the Lemon Balm growing in three areas of my middle garden. Adding a few lemon leaves to a glass of ice tea is perfect. Try freezing a few leaves with water in ice cube trays and adding to your next punch bowl.

There you have it, my 5 favourite compact herbs for the flowerbed garden. Enjoy!

September Garden Update

This video was taken September 7th. Some of my annuals and perennials did not preform to my expectations. Too bad.

I had really hoped that with an early spring this year my plants would have bloomed earlier for longer enjoyment. Not to be. Two my hydrangeas won't even bloom before the first frost hits later this month. Only my Limelight is blooming and that's because I planted it this year!

I lost more than 25 perennials this year from a rather warm 2009 November and not enough snow cover. Then came the early 2010 spring (no snow by early March), only to be followed by a very cold and wet May/June. This cold and wet weather really stunted the growth of many of my perennials. If it sounds like I'm whining...I am. On well...there is always next year!!