Thursday, December 30, 2010

What Happens Next?

Well, this is a question we all ask this time of year.  The answer is we are going to THINK!  We are going to think about what worked, what didn't, what are we going to do differently next year.

I already know, there will be no dahlias in my garden, but there will be phlox and more phlox, gaura, clematis, daylilies, lilies, grasses, sedums, certain coneflowers, the roses will be back but they had a difficult summer.


The dahlias just never took off in the heat, had to redo this hayrack mid summer.


Clematis Fireworks and Bee's Jubilee, both type 2

Phlox Blue Paradise


Gaura, impatiens and coleus


Orienpet Lily Lavon and Tiger Lily Halloween

Chicago Rosy

Coneflower Magnus with Panicum Northwind grass in background

My favorite annuals were impatiens, coleus and some petunias, like Bubblegum.  Pretty Much Picasso was a dud and should not come back again unless in another form.  My Dura Cage was a failure, breaking and falling over when the tomatoes became large.  The metal color coated cages from Gardeners Supply held up as usual.

Supertunia Bubblegum


Pretty Much Picasso just never did fill out, pulled it out mid-summer and replaced with another Supertunia.


The Dura Cage is in the middle and just did not hold up as the Beefsteak tomato grew taller.

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The ferns, hostas, astilbies, solomon's seal all did great in the heat this year.  My dianthus Firewitch did not.  The Gailldaria did great but it grew totally out of bounds on the south side of my house, I had to move it.

Astilbe Maggie Daley


Hosta Frances Williams


Japanese Painted Fern, Heucheras and impatiens


Gailldaria Arizona Sun

22 comments:

Cher' Shots said...

What a fantastic mid-winter post! It brightened my foggy gray day - I believe I will have to relive my summer flower gardens through pics this week. Thanks for a ray of sunshine - Your flowers are gorgeous.

Shirley said...

I like how you planned your bed with the tomatoes. All your flowers look great. I'm sure your gailldaria loved the heat! Did your impatients endure the heat of summer well?

Too bad dahlias won't be in your garden next year. They are particularly beautiful. Why do you think they did not do well?

Becca's Dirt said...

You are making me drool over all these pretties this time of year. Dahlias here dahlias here! I am getting more dahlias. They did well in the heat and all through summer. Dry not so much but they came back after the drought. Can't wait to see what spring brings.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Cher Shots,

It brightened me up just to be able to post some flowers on this foggy day.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Shirley,

The impatiens did great in last summer's intense heat. The Gailldaria got too big for where I had placed them.

The dahlias did not do well burned up and eaten by insects. When it cooled off a little they perked up but it was too late.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Becca, I do love dahlias but they burned up and had a lot of insect damage. I think I will replace them with zinnias.

Eileen

Diana LaMarre said...

Now there you go, Eileen, giving me spring fever already! I planted Gaura for the first time this year and I, too, was pleased with it. I hope it comes back bigger and better.

Your petunias look lovely. I have a love/hate relationship with petunias. I love them, but I hate the daily deadheading it takes to keep them looking as nice as yours do. I find that I even deadhead the supertunias, because they just look awful as they die.

I have not thought about next year yet. I try to wait until February and then I start dreaming.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Zoey, I know what you mean about the supertunias, I do deadhead them also but not as much. Bubblegum, I cut back a few times to neaten them up but did no deadheading. It's a winner!

Eileen

Indoor Fountains said...

Eileen- have a wonderful New Year!! I always enjoy reading about your gardening adventures; please keep them coming!!

allanbecker-gardenguru said...

It's dull and damp here and the sky is gray. The only color to be found anywhere is at Gatsby's Gardens. Thanks for the cheer-me-up.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Indoor Fountains, it's a little harder for gardeners during the winter to think of new subjects but I'll keep on thinking of new things.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Allan, we are dull and gray and foggy here too. I guess it is better than being so cold but I can't wait until spring.

Eileen

Darla said...

Well dadgum, you had a lot that did work in your gardens! How old are the clematis vines? Do you do anything special to them? I hate that you are giving up on dahlias, maybe plant them earlier in the season.......

Lona said...

I guess we are all taking stalk of our gardens at this time of the year. I have some plants that did not work either that will not be back and some turned out to be new favorites.More phlox! I am with you on this one. LOL! Although I always wonder where I can fit anymore. We always find a way don't we? LOL!
Have a Happy New Year of gardening Eileen!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Darla,

The clematis was in its second year this past summer. The blooms were huge, hope it grows a little taller this summer. Both were early blooming.

The dahlias I had in the hayracks just couldn't take the heat and the ones I had in the ground kept flopping. Both types just never did very well in my garden.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Lona, as far as perennials, the phlox was a star performer even in the heat.

Eileen

Anonymous said...

Hi Edith, Your photos make me wish for summer all the more. Beautiful! Happy New Year, dear friend. Hugs, Grace

fer said...

Lovely flowers! all your beds look amazing, you have a very beautiful garden.
Happy new year!

joey said...

Your colorful post/beautiful garden, a feast for the eye and inspiration, dear Eileen. Wishing you a wonderful gardening New Year!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Grace, the best to you and yours for the new year.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks fer,

Happy new year to you!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Joey, best wishes for the New Year!

Eileen