On the Porch

It's hot. Heat wave arriving in my area from out west. Think cool thoughts, and stay in the air. Stay hydrated, and eat cool foods. Hard to imagine that shrubs are already being discounted. Once I found certain types of hydrangeas can thrive in my yard I've been buying them. Today this one came from Primex Garden Center and was discounted 20% along with an additional discount. So I paid 32 dollars instead of 50. In my excitement I bought the wrong type. I went to get another Bobo for my container in the front of my house but accidentally bought another Little Lime. I have to settle for it. Last week I removed a broom bush from the container which was slowly dying and producing less blooms every spring. I also removed lambs ear which was divided into 4 plants. Two are planted in the flower bed and doing well since planted. I also removed a coreopsis that was also transplanted. Stuck red blooming petunias in a container on the porch. Below are 2 Little Limes that were discounted 50 percent from Homedepot. They didn't look as nice and have a lot of yellow leaves. I watered them when I brought them home and maybe tomorrow I'll remove the yellowed leaves. Hope they survive. They'll be planted in the yard. It's was a surprise to realize that the blooms are aromatic. I loved scented blooms. They were 15.00 dollars each better than thirty. I'll show you the Bobo I planted last week tomorrow along with the flower bed. It was looking shabby. Had to deadhead some perennials, stalk some, removed the 8 foot hollyhock, and planted several different varieties of black eyed Susan's, a gaillardia, and a coneflower. Didn't know that hollyhocks have tap roots. Thought I could just gently pull it up but no. Most of the root is still in the ground. I sawed off two pieces with a Hori Hori knife but couldn't get up the whole root. It's been beautiful for the past 3 years but it multiplied and took over valuable space in a small flower bed. Hopefully if it returns it'll start off small again. I'll be watching to see if it sends up foliage. The two pieces I sawed up will be potted up now to see if it will grown and I'll give one to my daughter and sister who want one.

Also bought Super Thrive, a systemic for houseplants, and could not leave wilt proof. I've always wanted some for indoor garland at Christmas. Now I'll already have it. We shall see if it actually works.

This is the first big leaf hydrangea I've bought that is actually doing well on my porch. I buy 2 every spring and they get past blooming, the leaves turn brown, and I throw them away. This one has not loss a leaf or turned brown. I did cut off the brown blooms that didn't look good. I have a pot to transplant her into, and maybe she will survive to bloom next spring. There is a different one on the porch that looks horrible and has had all types of problems. But it actually has next season buds already on it. I'll keep both on the porch and hopefully next springs blooms don't die with the approaching winter chill.

My hot pepper needs to go outdoors to be pollinated. I knocked off the last blooms trying to hand pollinate it myself. It's insect/disease free so that's a plus.

A second tomato hasn't done much but the basil smells wonderful. Some will go in my Alfredo sauce this week.

Two Little Limes from Homedepot.

Go get those discounted shrubs. Can't wait to see what containers will be discounted.

New Hydrangea

 

Hydrangea Piniculata, Limelight. I know it can grow 10 feet. Hopefully in the sized container it'll go in and pruning her back every winter will keep her a nice size. Isn't she beautiful? It grows in sun or part shade. My yard does get 4-6 hours of dappled shade. I hope this is enough. If it survives I'll get another one. Keeping with the green an white color scheme. I believe the panicles do change color in the fall. I love it.

Blooms

 

Leaves on the sunflower are having a hard time but the blooms are beautiful. I had a season like no other with sap coating everything under the tree canopy. Only later to learn that those drippings are from aphids. It explained so many more lady bugs and lady beetles on leaves this spring and summer that helped eat the aphids. Nature is wonderful and will sometimes take care of insect problems without harmful sprays. There was also a lot of ants including the large black ones and small fire ants. Didn't know they also eat the substance excreted by the aphids.We had a drought followed by lots of rain which stopped the aphid problem. I'm seeing less lady bugs now but lots of different pollinating bees on the blooms. It's lovely to watch them.

Deadheaded spent blooms on the daisy today so a second blooming may occur. Not shown are white asters that have continued to bloom since spring after I cut spent blooms. I also deadhead them today in the hope they'll continue blooming into fall.

Lilies with their down ward faces are beautiful. Not native but still beautiful.

July in the Yard

 

In the yard today to plant 3 containers. Plants have been waiting for about a month but actually did well just sitting on the table. Philadelphia had a drought which broke weeks ago with torrential rain. Most days thunderstorms and rain is predicted but the surrounding counties have mainly gotten the rain so it's back to a little watering. I haven't watered much so I'm surprised my ferns are doing so well. They love moisture. I've found some plants/shrubs that will survive in my yard under the canopy. It's a learning experience. I would love a camellia that is hardy to my region and some azelias for color in spring. I cleaned up the yard in spring and haven't had to clean up again. So wonderful. This fall I'm scheduled for knee replacement so when the leaves fall they may stay there until spring. There were so many seedlings this spring from leaving fallen leaves and seeds from the Norway Maples that I didn't want to leave them on the ground. It's not fall yet so I have time to plan.

I'm happy with my yard this summer. I'll be more happy when I get some more hydrangea that live. Working on it.

Planted a huchera, brunnera, and a hosta.

Planted brunnera, hosta, a second fern with the maidenhair one already there, and one impatien.

Woodland phlox planted a few years ago starting to spread. Bought some more to add some place else.

Phlox arrived this morning from Bloom Box.

Hydrangea Arborescens

Planted today Indian pink, pulmonaria, fern, and I can't believe I don't remember the name of the other flower to the right. I've had it before along with pulmonaria but planted them in the ground and they didn't make it. So I'm trying them again in a container. It took a while to find Indian pink in a gallon container for a reasonable price.

They're were other perennials planted in this container but the fern took over. I do love ferns.

Another view of the container.

I would love to ask for a refund for these hydrangea that came this spring from White flower Farm. They didn't look good when they arrived and look dead for sure now. I won't order shrubs from them again. I do love their houseplants that arrive beautiful and do well.

I brought this in the yard by accident but it's living in shade. I've had them in the yard before with no success. Maybe I'll transplant it in a larger container and it will sit on the table along with 2 columbines. The yard gets dappled shade and the table is the brightest location. We shall see.

The blooms of Indian pink are so beautiful when the are fresh. It's nice to have a color in the yard other than green. I know green is a color. I have some impatiens but I'm waiting for them to bloom again. Maybe I should be feeding them.

My sister picked a my hydrangea and said she's leggy and not bushy. I'm pleased I found a hydrangea that lives in my yard. Maybe I'll cut it back this fall. I've never cut it. Maybe this will make it fill out. It's wonderful not to have to worry about pruning it because it blooms on old and new growth.

The rain we had a few weeks ago has rotted part of the begonia. I know your garden is beautiful. We'll talk again soon.