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.