A random walk.....

...through the garden after some rain that squelched the brutal heat. Leptodermis oblonga didn't mind, it just keeps on bloomin'

These Viburnum nudum seedlings get the full benefit of cross pollination.

Oakleaf hydrange blooms, something I never had before the deer fence went up, starting to "pink up"--this is 'Snow Queen'

Clethra 'Chattanooga'--lots of flowers, with some tropical grass, and the bottom of a Castor plant in the background

Leatherleaf Viburnum alley, with stupid stone yard art foisted upon us by Grandma. I am fertilizing heavily so they hide it. That's 'mohican' to the left, 'Willowwood' is the taller one, and 'Darts Duke' in the foreground. Not seen but close by are V. rhytidophyllum and some unidentified relative that came in mislabeled and defies me as to ID.

..and one last random shot, Aesculus chinensis, still sporting perfect leaves, nary a spot on them, even after temps in the 100's and no rain. It's also just finishing up its third round of growth. I can't wait for it to bloom--crossing my fingers for 2007.

You need a drunken buddy to kick a field goal over the deer fence with that garden art to put da Bears over the Packers in sudden death overtime! In the meantime, I'm linking this thread to Grandma.

Scott

On a more sober note, I have got to get my Aesculus chinensis in the ground. That looks great. My Viburnum nudums "Winterthur" and "Earthshade," planted in the same hole, are once again loaded with fruit. Really got to have two. Even now, I have yet to pot up a gallon container of maybe 30-50 seedlings from last fall. It got so hot so sudden, and has remained so hot, I haven't had the heart (for their sakes and mine) to go out and divide them all up, but I will this week if the forecast doesn't show any sign of things cooling down. For what it is worth, from previous year's "Winterthur" x " Earthshade" seedlings, almost all the seedlings are superior to both parents, at least in my humble opinion.

Scott

Let's see, Scott + steel-toed boots+ beer=cement abomination over the fence. It's a deal! When are you coming? Bring superior V. nudum seedlings with you, and some of those Styrax japonicum seedlings I sent you since all mine croaked.

Looks like your "lawn art" is taking a dump on the path....

hey....I think she is cute just a little out of place where is now, why not put a nice smattering of buttermilk and some moss in the blender and then brush it over her, she will grow moss if you put her in a bit of shade and look like she is a part of the garden forever that way. Grandma will be pleased and you may have a more 'natural' looking item for your taste. Just try to keep her in a moist area to get that mossy look. Some garden stauary is ok, even in a natural setting.....at least it is not a gnome!

Here is my attempt at the moss thingy......this is about four weeks after spraying it with the buttermilk & moss.....

Then you will have a much more attractive lawn angel taking a dump in your flower bed. Cool.

This message was edited Aug 4, 2006 8:33 AM

That was a great idea dove--I took my bag of peat moss and poured some buttermilk in it, and set it on top of that thing, and it looks better already!

Or you could have him doo his business in a compost pile :P

Kevin, I only have a few of those seedlings left, I think. I'll have to check. For some reason, they always seemed to struggle and looked perpetually unhappy. I'd be glad to send you a couple if you want. I've also grown several Styrax japonicas from seed of "Pink Chimes." These have grown much better, and of those that have bloomed, they've all bloomed pink. I'm not sure how many of those I have left, maybe none, but I'll be collecting seed again from the same PC and you can have either seeds this fall or seedlings next spring.

Scott