Summer Garden....

[mdehners]

This Summer's weather has been just right Rainfall wise. little need to water with the exceptions of container plants. My SIL's Wildflower garden(we rent their basement;>) has been going gangsters since Spring. We're entering my brother's least favorite faze of her garden when 90% of everything is blooming yellow;>! He doesn't mind yellow(he's not like me and orange) but more than 25% is too much for him. This Fall I'll be adding species that bloom in other colors for him....
Been a bit annoyed with the Echinacea's blooming in my garden. They WERE supposed to be mult colors and they all came out classic. Very annoyed since the seeds were from mult sources. Think Ill order plants next Spring to get some variety. The Rudbeckias self seeded everywhere with the standard form dominant. There's one Double plant and 3 of the green centered. It looks like at least one seed was correct when I ordered the white form of Milkweed. The ones that bloomed last yr were yellow. I'll be saving seeds from that one.
I'd say 80% of the Hardy Geraniums I planted this yr have both thrived, they've produced seed. Since all are mostly separate species any self-seeded should be interesting. Sadly, one tha t did great last yr died last month,'Bill Wallis'. The white and standard forms of the species are doing well. Maybe a touch too much Sun for him this yr.
Persicaria bistorta and all the Sanguisorbas are doing well. The rest of the Persecarias are alive. Hopefully, they'll be happier next yr.
The yard isn't up to my usual standards due to the decline of my Partner of 27 yrs. I'm getting all the material needed to find a decent long-term care facility for him but it's going to be a battle. I Retired Service Industry worker and a Retired LPN aren't swimming in cash;>! I have to remind myself when I'm getting down on myself that if I'd not been a Nurse, he would have had to go into Care 7 yrs ago.
Life after 60 and 70 ain't a bowl of cherries. If you're lucky, Grapes or Apples;>
Cheers,
Pat

Comments

[darkcedars]

Sorry you're having to look into care homes now, thinking of you.

I have been enjoying these Short Stuff sunflowers (from Baker Creek Seeds) and hope to get good heads for the birds to eat off of.



Cosmos and bachelor buttons from a mixed seed packet have been blooming for a long time and took almost no care (and are not yellow!). I would always recommend rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis).
)

[mdehners]

Thanks! Once you reach a certain decade this stuff happens more and more. Wish the world sometimes was like a Hallmark movie(though mostly I'm glad it's not;>) and everyone gets a happy ending. It IS What It Is.
I'll remember the SS Sunflowers. There's a spot along the parking pad that erodes during stron rains and I was thinking of a Sunflower hedge but don't want something so tall I can't see the lake when I get out of my car;>!
Cheers,
Pat

[darkcedars]

As long as there is full sun, the sunflowers will do well. The ones I planted in what I *thought* was enough sun are teenie.

And I just noticed something is snacking on the immature seed heads already!