Is it me, or does this not look like a Zinnia?There's a chill in the air. For the first time in months, I had to put on a jacket when I went out to work in the garden. I'm wearing a sweater in the house and trying not to turn on the heat. This sudden change in the weather to highs in the 50sF/13C is a good reality check, a reminder that frost is not long off. But I will not panic, no, not me. I'm getting things done, bit by bit.
I've finally gotten the cute little Abies koreana 'Lippetal' into the ground in the new addition to the street bed.
It's only been hanging around since May. No, I did not just leave it sitting there all summer. I moved it into a larger pot in June or July (can't remember exactly), and it wasn't rootbound when I planted it. That's one of my secrets with woody plants; I prefer to repot them and grow them on a bit before planting, so I don't have to spend over an hour untangling pot-bound roots, like I had to do with this newly planted Cotinus 'Ancot.'
I found it reduced for a quick sale, so the price was paid in my time and its ability to adapt to having its roots severely trimmed. I plan to get one more next spring so that there will be the magic number three of them.
It's only been hanging around since May. No, I did not just leave it sitting there all summer. I moved it into a larger pot in June or July (can't remember exactly), and it wasn't rootbound when I planted it. That's one of my secrets with woody plants; I prefer to repot them and grow them on a bit before planting, so I don't have to spend over an hour untangling pot-bound roots, like I had to do with this newly planted Cotinus 'Ancot.'
I found it reduced for a quick sale, so the price was paid in my time and its ability to adapt to having its roots severely trimmed. I plan to get one more next spring so that there will be the magic number three of them.Dianthus 'Cranberry Ice' spent the summer as the star of a container grouping. Now it joins the Lavender in the bed in front of Cornus kousa 'Completelymismarked,' with Salvia 'Sensation Rose' that sulked all summer in a front porch container. (I guess the porch doesn't get enough sun anymore.)
Behind them I transplanted a Peony that wasn't happy in the new fountain bed. (That's Symphyo-whatever oblog-whatever 'October Skies' next to the Peony.)
Behind them I transplanted a Peony that wasn't happy in the new fountain bed. (That's Symphyo-whatever oblog-whatever 'October Skies' next to the Peony.)I dug up and brought in a Fuschia that was languishing under Tricyrtis 'Tojen.' I hope it survives the upheaval. If not, so what, it would have died anyway over the winter. I also divided and brought inside an Oxalis.
Only four perennials in pots are waiting to go into the ground, while six eight perennials need to be transferred from their containers to the ground for the winter.
Anemone 'Party Dress' in front of a container with Oxalis and two Primulas and a Fern that need to be stuffed into the ground for winter.
Anemone 'Party Dress' in front of a container with Oxalis and two Primulas and a Fern that need to be stuffed into the ground for winter.Two baby shrubs need to be moved to larger containers and plunged in the ground also, while one more shrub needs to be planted. I'm still waiting for my bulb order to arrive. Nope, absolutely no need to panic whatsoever. Plenty of time.
Have you started getting your garden ready for winter?
19 comments:
You've done a lot of planting! I think everything I needed to plant has been planted, so now I'm thinking if there is a window of opportunity, I'm going to open it and dig a new bed or two and have them ready for spring planting. Oh, and I need to bring in a few plants this weekend, and finish cleaning up the vegetable garden, and of course, weed. Holy cow, I better get busy!
No I haven't started getting my garden ready for winter yet. It's too early down here! Besides, things barely stop growing for the winter here. But I'm thinking about what needs to be done at least. I'm thinking about what needs to be changed.
I love how patient your are with your plants, putting them in pots for a while. Also only putting out one or two at a time, knowing you'll get another one to make it complete. I need to learn something from that!
Those smoke trees have the most gorgeous fall color I've ever seen on a shrub. I've not started getting my garden ready but I've been planting so that might count. Stay warm it's turned cold fast.
You're much farther along in winter prep than me! I'm so far behind I am indeed starting to panic!
I saw Party Girl at the nursery today and walked away...I should have let her jump in the cart! Well, there's always tomorrow! She looks great with the oxalis! I like cotinus...Will these stay small...I have 'Grace' and I fear she will be a giant!
Our first frost is usually not a killer frost so I'll get the sheets out to keep the annuals blooming a bit longer. I plant and move plants until the ground freezes, so prep is mulching leaves and adding them to the beds.
Hi MMD! I can't believe that's a zinnia either! Party girl is a perfect name. I'd love to have her, too. Wonder if she'd like it here?
You have done some Great Gardening over there - with your new addition to your bed, etc. You really need a Concrete Garden Rock in there somewhere! ;-)
As far as the work I've bee able to do so far this week - I brought home 1/2 pickup load of composted dirt and put it over many areas of my flower beds. Now I need to call for a load of mulch!
'Party Dress' anemone is gorgeous! My Japanese anemones bloomed VERY early this year...and I don't know why. Last year, they were very prolific and bloomed later and longer. This year, only a few of them even bloomed, and they didn't last long. I guess they kind of die out after a few years. I think they reseeded themselves and maybe those 'new' plants just need a little more time to develop their full potential.
I am so behind on my planting that I'm almost ashamed to discuss it! I still have pots that I never bothered to plant, both in the front & the back of the house. Lots of pots. They need to go in very soon! If I can get that done I'll feel ok about moving forward into the fall. So far, I haven't been able to admit to myself that it really IS fall. I'm still dreaming of summer!
That Cotinus is gorgeous. I love those fall colors.
No, I haven't started yet. Just reading your post made me want to go and lie down. Temperatures here in London are still around 70F during the day and autumn as you know it never really arrives until Halloween. There's something really energising about a drop in temperature, though. I'm looking forward to it.
That does NOT look like a zinnia to me. You are a busy one aren't you. I'm waiting for the snakes to find their fall/winter homes before I do much more in the gardens. I saw four snakes in one week..........!
Well, not zinnia but Nicotiana, same difference, right, for those non detail oriented. Blame Gail for that, or Don. I love your new Abies, they won't grow well here, the summers are too hot and humid for their liking, sadly. We will enjoy watching yours grow and prosper. Cooler temps came upon us very fast and we are scrambling to get things ready to come inside today. :-)
Frances
I have plants that have been resting quietly in their containers for some months: sadly I have not been so organised as to pot them on. They tend to hang around by the water butt while I try and remember why I bought them and where on earth I am going to plant the blighters.
Eventually somebody trips over the pots or they start to attract the attention of hungry rabbits so I have to find them a home. It may not be efficient, but it usually works.
I should be doing more but I do have a truck load of weeds to take to the limb pile. I love this crispy weather to work in. You have some fall color starting to show. Lookin good.
I vowed not to do anymore in the garden this fall, but... My dad has phlox he wants gone now so I will be moving them. Then all that's left is setting a couple sedums I rooted a few weeks ago.
Marnie
No... I have SO MUCH to do yet! :( I'm starting to wonder if it will all get done--starting with whether or not I will get all of my tender things dug tonight before the temps drop to 36. :(
Now that the weather has cooled enough to get out in the garden, I have started cleaning up the beds. Guess I better start thinking about repotting what needs to come inside. Thanks for the reminder!
Carol - I wish I had your foresight and prepared beds in advance.
Jean - It's funny how much the garden has taught me patience. My method is one borne of bitter experience. Tiny shrubs don't survive in my garden. I'm not sure if it's a good idea emulate my plant at a time shrub planting method.
Tina - I think Fothergillas might be even better than Cotinus for fall color, but I've killed three of those.
ROR - Don't Panic. I wish I had a way to write that in nice, friendly letters.
Gail & Shady- Noooo! Don't do it. 'Party Girl' is bad. I plan to get rid of mine.
Jan - it isn't my experience that Japanese Anemones die out. I've had 'Andrea Atkinson' for over 10 years in the same spot, & it's only gotten bigger & stronger.
Sweet Bay - I'd plant Cotinus just for the fall color, but it has so much more going for it too.
I see someone said your zinnia is a nicotiana already. I'm glad you area getting some things moved around. I like your putting things in a pot idea.
Victoria - you must have very long summers. I never really thought of my growing season as a short one.
Darla - I think snakes are cute. I wish I had some in my garden.
Frances - I suspected Nicotiana, probably sylvestris by the size of the plant & the leaves. The packet was marked "Zinnia."
James - It's squirrels & toads that wreak havoc on my plants waiting for homes. I've started putting wire baskets over them to keep the critters out.
Lisa - a truck load is a whole lot of weeds!
Marnie - there's always one more thing, but you've got things under better control than I do.
Blackswamp Girl - we just do the best we can, right?
MGRR - I'm happy to provide the public service warning.
Sue - I've grown Nicotiana, but I was so looking forward to Zinnias. Know anybody who likes to roll their own?
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