New for me ...

Did you try anything new this year? I have 2 bought plants that I had never tried before, both ground covers and one started from seed.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is the first. I used it in a perennial (?) bed, but I've seen it in a mixed container, too. It will take up to daily watering here, but did okay with some neglect as well. I love the brighter, new growth next to the older, darker green and the round leaves. Part of what's really cool is that it appears to propagate *very* easily - I took a couple of cuttings and within days they had new growth. It established in early summer and has about doubled in size, to about the size of two fists.

The second ground cover is 'Joseph's Coat' (Alternatherasomething, I guess - it didn't have tags when I bought it).

Same kind of bright, yellow-green color at the top with darker leaves in the undergrowth. It maintained it's almost perfectly round shape and did okay in a part sun situation. Unfortunately, unlike the Creeping Jenny, it's tender. The good news is that it also seems to propagate very easily from cuttings, I've started a 6 pk that hopefully I'll be able to keep over the winter in my basement.

Sorry about the holes, looks like something has started gnawing on it - luckily, it's not noticeable unless you're pretty close.

Okay, last one from me!

Red Hibiscus, another tender one. I bought seeds from Summerhill seeds in a co-op last winter, germinated quickly. I left them in starter pots for way too long and didn't transplant them until almost July. As you can see, they really take off once you get them in the ground. I have another one that I lopped the top off of when it started looking as gangly at the top and it took it well. It is in a slightly shady area and didn't get half as tall as these in full sun did. I hope the color comes through for you - it is a really pretty maroon.

Booner thought he'd give you a sense of scale - he's a knee-high kind of pup.

So, what did you try this year? Did it work well for you?

THe creeping jenny will live on top of water. It puts out little white hairs all along the stem and just floats , very pretty.
Beware don't plant it where you do not want it almost impossible to eradicate.
Once established it does not need watering here ( a no care plant). I once had some in my tomato bed 6 years ago and still get a pop up here and there.

Thanks for the warning! I guess that means it is, indeed, hardy here. That's great.

Okay, am I the only one here trying new (for me) stuff?

Ok new for me
This annual( tiny mice) I think
cuphea



Edit for spelling

This message was edited Sep 28, 2009 12:11 PM

This is why it is called batface
It took me almost all summer to figure out where the seeds are , I have collected some and hope to grow some next year.

Your red hibiscus ? what color are the flowers suppose to be?
It is rather striking even without the flowers.

I also tried this annual coreopsis.
I was very pleased.
Saving seed for next year also.

gus ... i also had that Red Coreopsis "new' for me this year, I love the ease of Coreopsis, and i thought the red would be stunning. I started it late, and only had one seedling... i will have to collect the seeds so i can have more next year.

pagan -- I am another one that loves Creeping Jenny. Love the yellow foliage, as it really pops in the garden. Before i started planting it, I did read up on some horror stories about it's aggressiveness .... But it's OK where i have it.

I was totally taken by surprise at the color on the backs of the flowers.
I am sure it had been in bloom for weeks before ,on a breezy day I noticed.
Wish I had taken a better photo.

Seems to be a maroon year, huh? Those coreopsis are *great*.

With the Hibiscus, the flowers (I've heard) are about the same color as the foliage. I saw some budded up at Lowes, but I've not seen the blooms. If you are a seed person (and I seem to remember that you are?) I'd really recommend starting them. A one gal at Lowes was 1/4 the size of mine and was selling for 12.99 - an annual!

So, will the creeping Jenny actually run over what's already there? I guess this Plant file pic says it all ....http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/83176/

Most of mine is under day lilies or a couple shrub roses so it doesn't really get the chance. It doesen't get more than a couple inches tall so it really never covers much, but I would not plant it near small fragile plants.
I have seen it around flagstone pavers, beautiful , and it hangs nice over walls ,and in containers.

one small place

pagan -- I dont think it would be invasive to the point it chokes out other plants... I have only had it a year, and my area is shaded, so i dont expect anything to happen quickly... but i've only seen it in contained areas.

gus -- that yellow and red one is pretty!! I also love the "Plains Coreopsis" -- though it is much taller than the "Red" i got this year.

the yellow and red is the back side of the red

Cool, thanks, tcs. So, you just did the standard stuff this year?

I usually have the "Plains" [Coreopsis tinctoria] in Wild Flower mixes that I toss every year. The are annuals.. I dont get a lot of them, but enough for color.

I got the lil Red ones from Tuinkerabouter in late Spring ... so they were late getting into the ground. I should get enough seeds to have even more next year... but they all are wonderful little delicate blooms that really brighten the flower beds.