Landscaping the north side

>>caladiums

in colder climates, don't these bulbs have to be pulled yearly.... or are have them been made hardier?

Caladiums are only hardy in zone 10-11. They can be put out here at the beginning of May and I don't have time to put them in pots but I wondered for the future. It would be great if they could figure out a way to make them hardier.

Hi, just got back from out of town so I missed a few days - yep, caladiums have to be pulled here if you want to save them, but I don't - too lazy. You can get bulbs from Caladium World at about $1 apiece so I just buy them each year - that way I can change the variety too.

Anyway, I just plant them directly in the ground, but not until about mid-May. The ground must be 55 - 60 degrees for them to germinate. With water, they will grow very quickly for you. I have good-sized plants by mid-summer.

Dax

Here's a pic from the first week of August

Thanks Dax. I'll go ahead and plant them. If you can plant them in May then I can plant them now.

Dax,

those are stunning.

if you do pull the bulbs (I'd probably be lazy too) -- do they multiply?

Terese

Yes, they do - I guess folks split them into separate rhizones (sp?) about every other year. I tried for two years to save them but failed miserably both times - it seems I can grow wonderful plants with nature's help, but when I bring them inside and am on my own, I'm pitiful. That's why I don't have a plant in the house - everything's outside! Dax

my sister and mother have green thumbs....
Inside i have spider plants and pothos(sp?) and that's about it.

i find i'm too lazy to water'em.

i got my astilbes planted today... (It was really cold and windy out... but had to get them in today)
and my Brise d' Anjou Polemonium and vinca

I'm still awaiting on 2 more shipments for the northside.

I covered the poor lil polemoniums so they didn't get frozen due to the wind. I felt being transplanted was enough to go into shock.

Good for you. Astilbes are always so satisfying. I love the foliage. I got some 'Tricytris "Moonlight Treasure' in the mail along with a coniogramme emeinsis 'Variegata' (It's a fern by any other name). I'll be putting it in this week along with the caladiums.

I agree with the astilbes, so lovely and airy. Mine are starting over after that hard freeze two weeks ago. My ferns are also starting over, although I don't think they will be as big and luscious as the first shoots. Re: the watering - me too - indoor plants just languish with me - water? What's that? I don't expect to get any of my plants for this year for another two weeks so I'm jealous of you two - I'm still cleaning up and getting ready for them to get here. AHHH - can hardly wait! Dax

I received one of my deliveries yesterday -- the Montrose Tricolor phlox (which i'm very excited about)
and Peppermint Spice Heuchera along with another sedum for my front garden

thing is.... it's been raining - a lot, so i'll be working in the mud, but i have to get them in the ground today.

I'll be getting my hostas in May... then i should be done.

Oooo - I've just received a few of the plants, and am still concentrating on the hardscaping/maintaining. But it's SOOOO wonderful to see all the plants coming up - that's certainly one thing this rain is good for - they are just shooting up now! Here's a quick pic of the babies coming out - Dax

And here's those ferns I was worried about - looking good!

Oh Becki, those are just gorgeous ferns... :) I can't wait to see your gardens!

Diann

Thanks, Diann - I never joined the coop after I looked at my hosta orders already! I've got 60 still coming - and don't know when I'll get them all in - here's a pic of the liners I just got from Bridgewood Gardens, as well as the ferns and Blue Cadet hosta I've potted up for the Round-up next weekend. - Becki (Dax)

gorgeous dax!! as always.

your ferns look great... mine are not that tall yet.. .but popping up all over.

well... the rain has stopped momentarily... so out in the mud i go.......

Becki, when my husband sees everything I have coming in he may pot me up and put me out at the Round-up!

Becki: I now have renewed case of "fern envy". I thought I had enough of them, but your picture tells me I need more: :D
What a lovely garden layout you have there!
Deb

Becki - because of your photos I just planted caladium for the first time. Wish me well!

Fantastic, Dax! Don't you love this time of year when everything looks so 'tidy' and everything remotely green is so very welcome!

Sandy

Fantastic! I just got back - it's absolutely hectic here as my daughter is getting married in two weeks!! But, doss, be sure to send pics when you can - I know you'll love your caladium. I'm trying this year to have them in containers for a different look - I'll send pics later if they are as cool as I think they will be.

And yes, this is my FAVORITE time of year, even though there aren't as many blooms, everything looks so fresh and the most colorful greens! The hosta, particularly seem to just be radiant as they come up. Everything changes so quickly! Hopefully, the gardens will be beautiful for those of you who will be coming to the Round-up next week-end in Cedar Rapids. I hope you can make it by to see the beds.

And Ticker - I'm busy keeping AWAY from that taffy! - Becki

Aw, DAX, I love ya, Kid. :)

Diann

Here is a snippet from part of what i ordered this year.....

Brise d' Anjou Polemonium (2)
Deutschland Astilbe (3)
Woodland Phlox (montrose tricolor)
Heurchera, Plum Pudding (1)
Hosta, Paul's Glory & Ginko Craig

out of all of this.... the Polemonium is doing great as are the Astilbes
2 of the 3 woodland phlox died (which i'm very upset about)
hostas are all doing very well, too.

as for the Plum Puddings.... i got 3 of them and since it was debated where they would do best (part sun or mostly shade)
I put 2 in the front (eastern exp) and 1 on the north side --

I jsut checked on them and the ones in the front seem to be taking a beating from the morning sun, and the one on the north side looks MUCH healthier.... so, i guess i gotta move'em.... now the other thing...

I was planning on planting hosta Sun Power behind the Plum Puddings, since that would be such a great color combination..... i was going to get them in next years Co-Op
so, now what else could i put there to go under the Sun Power? Obviously I need something that takes more sun (ops.. wrong forum), and would complement Sun Powers color.

I'll take pics later to show how my "North Side" is doing... aside from too many ferns.... ggrrrrr and my dead phlox.

dead phlox **sniff**

happy hostas #1

Ginko Craig
Paul's Glory
Patriot
Regal Splendor

this is where i tore out A LOT of ditch lilies... yea -- there are a few left... i'm working on that.

*edited to correct the names

This message was edited Jun 27, 2007 8:58 PM

i tore out a bunch of ferns to get these guys in.

winsome (in the pot)
fire & ice
plum pudding [peeking in the ferns]
golden tiara

*edited to correct the hosta names

This message was edited Jun 27, 2007 8:57 PM

here are my sad heucheras with eastern exposure, that need to be moved to a more happy place.

one of my favorites... Northern Sunray.... very happy amongst the ferns.

Lastly -- here are Brise d' Anjou Polemonium and Deutschland Astilbe

that pretty much makes up my North Side flower bed.

My lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) gets quite a bit of sun and is very happy. Another option is hellebore. Either is nice color and leaf contrast to the yellow hosta.

I have my Sunpower hosta surrounded by Labrador Violets, which looked really nice in the spring when the foliage has that purple cast. Then they fade out to dark green, which is less nice, though. I thought I read somewhere that they retain the purple color with more sun, but I don't know if that's true. I actually consider them slug food, in a way, to keep them away from the things I *really* don't want them to eat. I do love anything with purple/plum tones with chartreuse or gold, I have to say.

I really know next to nothing about sun plants, so I'm not much help- how much space do you have in front of it?

I just got Sambucus 'Black Lace' , the tag says full sun. It looks a lot like a lace-leaf Japanese maple, only darker.

That's a plant that I've seen and would love to have myself..if only I had some sun!

I don't have much sun, so I'm hoping I have enough, LOL. The one I got had its roots exposed (bad watering practices?) and the dirt smelled like well or sewer water, I'm hoping that improves when I repot it with some fresh mix. It also looks a little bleached out, so maybe part sun will help restore it to what it should be? I'll put it in the ground in the fall.

Prairie Girl, I've been eyeing that "Black Lace," too. It's a nice plant. How big does it get?

I have zero experience with it (disclaimer), but the tag says 6-8 feet tall x 6 feet wide, and PW site says "it can be easily maintained as a smaller plant or trained into a small tree." They also give specific cultural instructions, they say it blooms on old wood, stop pruning/pinching by mid-August, full sun for best color.

the space i have is maybe 2'x2' (twice)

well, i couldnt find a current image.. though i know i have one somewhere...
but this was taken late winter.

where the yellow circles are... i pulled out the blue fescue and that is where the Huercheras are now... but the place where i'm putting the Sunpower and "whatever else" for next season.

and i too LOVE shades of purples and plums.

I"m sure i'll have to post this in another forum, since i'm pretty much done (for now) with my shade garden.

Oh right, he he. But it would be simple to widen that bed.

PrarieGirl, Thanks for the info. Please post a picture of your "Black Lace" when you get it in your garden. :)

Diann

Diann~ I just got a little one, and plan to put it in a container grouping for now. I could post it over there when I get it potted up? Like I said, it didn't look too hot, I talked the guy down to $10 for it. Hope it makes it! =p

Yay, a plant rescue! I hope it will reward you handsomely for your effort! :) You go girl!

Diann