Oh – it was a back-breaking day in the garden today.
I brought home 10 bags of mulch and compost yesterday in my DH’s truck, and he was going to haul it to the back in the mower and cart for me.
But a bad mower battery but a monkey-wrench in that plan. So after getting a new battery today and a mower driving lesson, I set about to haul 18 plants and 10 giant bags around to the back of our property.
Thought about taking a picture of the mower and cart, but I was too focused on getting the hauling done before it rained on me.
Which, of course, it did not, because it’s not ever going to rain here again — I’m quite sure of it!
So, I survived big rocks and a lumpy path and even backed the mower and cart on several occasions to get my #$%&*@ stuff where it needed to be.
The first photo is a bloom on my Tangerine Crossvine — I found it by accident while standing next to the corner bed thinking about what a good place it is for Oxblood lilies.
So, this is the bed I ripped the two giant, over-grown Primrose Jasmines out of last week. (Well, if you read my blog, you know that I didn’t really do it, I had it done!) As you can see, the grass is dead where the vines covered it up, so it needs to grow back up.
And, Dakota Blue, Missy Hound dog that she is, thinks this bed of dirt is JUST for her! She’s been digging holes in it, so I’m in a big rush to get it turned into a bed. And I sprinkled Cayenne pepper in it yesterday to try to keep her out. I think she got a snootful yesterday as I saw her rubbingher nose in the grass and pawing at it, so I am hoping that helps.
I got two big plants – a nice Sago palm and some black Elephant ears to be specimen plants on this corner that you see more often.
I am also planting two Maggie roses, since this is a full sun bed with no deer access! They smell just wonderful and I am so psyched about getting to have roses. They have bright pink blooms. I hope I can keep them happy in there. See the hold back there where Dakota was digging? A toad lived there. He’d be wise to move!
Across the yard, I have a nice collection of tomatoes coming. I had to shoot this up inthe air as they are in cages about 6-8 feet tall and trailing down!
And it’s finally cooled off enough for the nasturium to bloom a little. I just like having these little guys in my garden and some of my window boxes. They’re perky — and sometime we eat them!
And this, to my surprise, is a yellow Skullcap. I didn’t know that’s what I’d gotten until it started to bloom this week. I’m very excited, because it grows so well and the deer leave it alone. I’ve been looking for a lavender variety with no luck. I’ll keep my fingers crossed – sure wish I could remember at which nursery I bought this.
Love that huge palm in your picture Diana. That bed will look great with the black elephant ear in front of it or around it where ever you put it near the light colored stone. I have a black EE by a white fence that really looks pretty. Can’t wait to see your roses in bloom. Take it easy with your back. You don’t want to get a sore back now that you can be out in the garden.
Lisa – thanks . Yeah – that’d be bad timing! I think it’s ok, I’m just sore today. We all know that tight in the legs, tingly feet, kinda oooh in the back feeling you get a day after a serious work out in the garden…or at least a lot of us do!
I think the Maggie roses will do splendidly there. Their deep pink color will look smashing with the black Elephant Ears.
I like that little yellow skullcap. I have a lavender variety whose leaves are slightly bigger and much more rounded, don’t know if that’s the one you’re thinking about. It’s nowhere near as vigorous as the pink variety. I’ve had one plant for at least 3 years now and it’s not much bigger than when I bought it. I did move it to another bed this spring and it seems to be happier there. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s thriving, though!
Diana-find out where you bought the yellow skullcap. I have never seen it before and would love one. Nurseries only ever seem to have the pink although I do have the Wrights which is purple and a favorite seeder in my garden but yellow would be wonderful. I wonder if it will grow from cuttings?
I just love my Maggie rose. I wish i had news for another.
Cindy – I’m so glad to hear you like the Maggie – I sure hope she likes it there. I was hoping for something a little more compact, but she smelled so amazing I had to buy her even though she might require a little more pruning than I’d like to commit to. Thanks so much for the pointers on the lavender skullcap. I did hear somewhere that it just isn’t as hearty, so maybe I don’t want it after all….I just love how strong and reliable the pink is and want something sun-loving that clumps and that the deer won’t eat.
Lancashire Rose — chances are good it came from the Natural Gardener or the Great Outdoors. I’ve had it for a little while and that’s where I was in the last two months. And it was NOT blooming, so I bought it totally unknowingly! But I’d like to have some more, that’s for sure
Debbi – do you have your Maggie in full full sun? any special tips for taking care of it? I’ve struggled with black spot in some places in my yard, but this is a new bed so I’m hopeful.
Wow, it’s going to look so nice in that new, improved bed of yours!
Bonnie – I’m figuring out that I tend to over-plant, and I am determined not to do that in this new bed. I think I might be ok this time!