Pinkfusion

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Somehow this year my garden got the pinks. As I worked in the garden this week, I noticed there is a heck of a lot of pink out there.

The coleus cuttings turned out to be many shades of pink and pink accents. A neighbor gave me a left-over flat of pink impatiens so I paired them with the pink coleus.

In pots

and in the ground.

Other annuals - pink cosmos and cleome .

Even the pot of zinnias Giant Flowered Mix and California Giant is predominately pink.

The perennials I’ve planted over the years are many shades of pink. A lot of them were gifts from friendly gardeners.

Saucer sized hardy hibiscus (from a neighbor)

Cone flowers (from a neighborhood school plant sale)

Garden phlox (from a friend)

Mum Clara Curtis (actually bought this one myself).

Crepe Myrtle (from another neighbor).

Pink everywhere. A happy accident.

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Divide and Conquer

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I’ve been busy helping my mom through some rough times so I haven't had much time in the garden. I managed to get out in the other day and snap some pictures and make a plan.

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Divide

The small variegated hosta (above) needs to be divided now before it gets any bigger. I’ll cut it in four pieces and plant 3 pieces in the new garden and put a small piece back in the same spot. I know it will take a hatchet or a small saw to divide it.

Liriope, planted quite a few years ago, needs to be divided. Can you believe the size of it? I’ll plant several small pieces along the garden edge. The extras will be given away or composted. Tool of choice will be a hatchet or saw. This is one tough little plant.

This Brunnera, perennial forget-me-not, re-seeds - even though I deadhead after blooming. It makes pretty sea of blue flowers in spring but they are taking over the area.

The Red Hot Poker, planted near compost bin (temporarily) many years ago, is in the shade and doesn’t bloom. I’ll be delighted to pot it for a friend.

I had a request from a friend for a piece of this tansy two years ago. I will finally get around to it this year.

Another friend requested a bit of the Sheffield Pink mum. It is creeping out of its boundary. Over the years, it has become shaded by a dogwood so I’ll move some to a sunny spot in my garden too.

This little pink ruffled azalea is barely visible behind the daffodils where I put it (temporarily) several years ago. It will also move to the new garden.

I divided a tall (6’) yellow coneflower Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne' and put some in another temporary spot in the garden. I’d be willing to share some if I can find a taker. I also have yellow (not Stella) and double orange daylilies that I potted in fall and looking for a home.

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Conquer

So now that I have a plan. I need to get out in the garden and dig. Hopefully, I’ll be able to conquer this part of my garden in the next two weeks.

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Dreaming of Spring

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Every spring I have plants to move or divide. I set up a word document each year to use as my garden journal. I keep lists (there I go with the lists again).

During the growing season when I’m working in the garden and see a plant that needs to be divided, I add it to the “To Be Divided” list. I also have a “Move” list. The “Give Away” list includes requests from friends.. There is also a “To Buy” list but that’s another story.

I’ve been checking my lists. It almost makes me feel like I’m gardening.

To Move.

The pretty hosta will be divided added to the new garden. (See September 29, 2009 Post “New Garden”.) It should add some brightness to this shady spot.

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This little ruffled pink azalea will also move to the new garden. Last spring I thought it was dead. It doesn’t do well crowded where it is. I hope it will have a better chance with more room to grow.

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The liatris (Liatris spicata 'Purple Spikes’) was dug in behind the garage temporarily several years ago. It’s time for a permanent home. I’ll move it next to the liatris that I relocated last spring.

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Give Away.

Sheffield Pink mum – I always have requests for this pretty mum.

Dead Nettle (Lamium) (picture top of post) – a great dry shade plant. A friend has a perfect place for it.

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Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria) – Another temporary “dig in”. I found someone who would like the plant. I have a huge clump in my front garden and certainly don’t need any more.

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Tansy (Tanacetum) – I have a request for this ferny-leafed plant. I forgot to divide it last year so the request will be filled a year late.

To Be Divided.

Several plants need to be divided and will be looking for a new home.
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Liriope (lilyturf) next to the hydrangea – this tough little grass is overgrown and crowded. I will need to divide it with a hatchet or sharp saw.

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Forget Me Not (Brunnera macrophylla) – Over the years this plant has spread and reseeded to the point of taking over. The profusion of blue flowers is lovely in April but there are just too many of them.

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Tall (6 ft.) yellow rudbeckia (Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne) – This plant was divided an moved last October when I planted the Sky Pencil Holly in its place. Some of the divisions were “dug in” and need to find a permanent home.

I keep dreaming of spring. Now, back to my winter list. I’ve already checked off five and a half items.

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Fall Garden Cleanup

A few days of badly needed rain has caused a temporary halt in garden cleanup.

In the last few weeks, I managed to get a few things done.

Even though we have not had a frost, I’ve been emptying pots and composting the potted annuals. The pots were cleaned and stored for the winter. The pot pictured is ready to roll toward the compost bin. I never do a great job of cleaning pots before I put them away. I dump the soil and brush out a little remaining soil. I use new soil mix in spring and I haven’t had any problems. I guess this is OK but I’m sure there are better methods.

I cut back a few of the black-eyed Susan and cone flowers. I leave some for the small birds to feed on. They like the little seed heads.

I cut back and cleaned the iris bed a few weeks ago. This is the first year I’ve done this. Most years I tend to ignore the mess altogether. The yellow iris blooms profusely every year with almost no care at all. I hope the iris like being neat and tidy for a change.

The peonies were cut off and discarded in the trash. They were a mildewed, unsightly mess.

I picked the last of the tomatoes and pulled the plant the other day before the rain. I harvested 8 green tomatoes and one almost ripe. Most of them will ripen off the vine – or become green fried tomatoes. Next year I want to try Brandyboy tomatoes if I can find them. It's large beefsteak that I’ve heard good things about from other gardeners.

If we get a frost this weekend, I’ll cut off canna stalks. I’ll dig up the canna tubers with a garden fork. They will be dried and stored in peat moss in a cool place for the winter. The rest of the annuals will need to be cleaned out of the garden.

Hopefully, I’ll have time to spread some compost and mulch before leaf raking starts in earnest.