Friday, March 11, 2011

Memories

In this age of digital photography with the touch of key we can revisit our gardens anytime we wish.  This is my veggie garden a few years ago.  I could barely harvest my bounty so I have scaled down a bit.


I had two areas of New Dawn Rose, on my arbor at the back of my garden and on each side of the pergola.


Needless to say, it was a beauty, but constant maintenance to keep it within bounds.  It did not bloom throughout the season for me and was just about to take down the structure with it's weight.

I still have my Persicaria but each year I rethink if I want to keep it along the path.  It is very impressive and blooms most of the summer, but the first storms wreck havoc on it.  I will try anchoring it to the fence with some thin wire, however, the stems are hollow and bend easily.

I used to have Phlomis tuberosa planted in front of the Persicaria and it was very lovely for about a month.  It also was quite fragile and would end up all over the ground.  I have ordered a stronger variety this year, Phlomis russelina, although it is yellow.


Pholomis russelina

I still have May Night Salvia but it tends to thin as the years go by.  I think it may need a rejuvenation this year because it really does like this hot spot on the south side of my home.

Just because it is a perennial does not mean it lasts forever.  They require care, many times more than annuals, deadheading and dividing.

This was my Nepeta Walker's Low with Foxglove Grandiflora coming up through it.  I kept the foxglove but the Nepeta went up to Wisconsin.  It took over the small pathway, lots of bees and did not look good for most of the summer.

I just love this Echinacea Orange Meadowbrite but it is the least hardy of the bright colored coneflowers.  I have replaced it a few times and many nurseries have stopped carrying it.  The lighter Mango Meadowbrite is much hardier.

I am going to make some changes on the north side, too many hosta.  Some hosta will remain but I am going to insert some various shade plants for more interest.  For now, the carex grass will remain even though it takes trimming throughout the summer.

Things are always changing in the garden sometimes by choice and other times by necessity!

Visit Tootsie today for Fertilizer Friday . . .



25 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the Persicaria, wow! But most impressive is how lush your grounds are. I can't get enough of your photos.

Becca's Dirt said...

Just a taste of what is to come from your gardens. I am looking forward to the pretty flowers. That is a lot of hosta and they are so pretty and healthy looking. I can understand wanting to add more interest though. Hope you have a good weekend.

Shirley said...

Your gardens are so lush and full. It's rather disappointing to learn this coneflower isn't so hardy. It's colour is so vivid too. Have you grown Double Decker? I quite like that one.

Darla said...

Well you have your reasons for changing things up a bit...I for one can see no flaws at all!

Karen said...

Eileen, your garden is so lush and looks enormous from all the photos. I am so impressed by the way you place plants, I could use a tutorial on garden design from you. Just lovely!

Diana LaMarre said...

I am not familar with Persicaria, but I sure do love it in your garden! Everything looked so lush and plus that year. Here is hoping we all have great summer weather (enough rain) to keep it all looking as good this year.

allanbecker-gardenguru said...

Like ONG, I can't get enough of your garden photos, either.

Sissy said...

Very similar to the Persicaria is Monarda Lombada...I am trying it instead of the Persicaria as it flops for me, too!! Love your climbing rose, too bad it gave you so much trouble!!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks ONG,

You certainly have the space for Persicaria. I love it, but on my small property it is a challenge.

Eileen

Balisha said...

As others have already said...your gardens are so lush. I love the rose..Balisha

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Becca,

The hosta does well on the north side so I hope I am not sorry that I am pulling some out.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Shirley,

I am sorry about Orange Meadowbrite mostly because it was produced at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the first of the orange and yellow colors.

I replaced a couple again last fall, so we will see if they survived.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Darla, but when something is too much maintenance or looks a mess for most of the season, it's gone.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

My garden is very small I just have an enormous amount of plants.
Your garden is spectacular so I am not sure who should be giving a tutorial!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Zoey, I am with you - certainly don't want to relive last summer. I am already thinking of some of those hot flowers I can plant.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Allan,

I can't wait to get out there and take some photos of things that are sprouting, not much yet!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Sissy,

I will check into that Monarda. The New Dawn rose was gorgeous, but the bloom time was short, very vigorous grower and we were getting caught on the thorns when walking through the arbors.

It would look great on a large property away from the patio.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Balisha,

The roses were gorgeous but they are now history,for the above reasons. I have replaced them with clematis much more body friendly.

Eileen

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

I love the height you are getting along the fence with the persicaria. V

BernieH said...

To my eyes, it all looked fabulous but I can understand why you would want to make changes especially when things become very hard work.

We will all be waiting patiently for the new photos from this year ... and waiting to see how fabulous it all looks with a few tweaks here and there.

The rose was absolutely stunning, by the way!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I know Bernie, I hate to show things in their prime and then say they didn't work out. But, you know what I mean, they bloom beautifully and then peter out.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Gardening,

On a small lot vertical is the only way to go.

Eileen

joey said...

Love it, Eileen ... 'as the garden grows'!

Anonymous said...

I love your garden photos. Oh how I long for those sunny, bright days once again.

Tootsie said...

we woke up to 3 more inches of snow today!!! HELLO!!! MOTHER NATURE? IT'S MARCH....TIME TO MELT!!!
thanks for linking in this week!