Semp, is it the angle of the pic or is that bird bath bent?
Fall flower fillers?
Pagancat,
The birdbath is curved.
Good thought about the toad lily wonderearth.
Japanese anemone and toad lily.
Ooops - sorry, curved, not bent !!! I really like that.
Almost as much as I like the little green balls on that Japanese anemone ... are they all like that? I think I might have found something else to be addicted to .... thanks, Sempevirens, tons....
Pagancat,
The birdbath came from my neighbors yard. I asked to buy it twice, once when they moved in and again when they sold the house. They said no both times then at the last minute they gave it to me. I have seen them new for sale but mine has a nice patina with age. Unfortunately it also has many cracks.
The Japanese anemone is a pretty fall flower for a shaded garden but I would site it carefully because it spreads and overwhelms its neighbors (there is also one that flowers pink). The little green balls appear after the petals fall and remain for quite a while. I pulled all those anemones out of my shade garden because I am trying to switch to a more native plant garden and my spring ephemerals would have no chance. The photo is from my neighbors garden that I planted and maintain in exchange for house repair.This is a tough garden to keep going because of the extensive root systems of trees. He completely restored most of my little screened gazebo that was rotted at minimal cost. Sometimes gardens pay for themselves, but not often.
In the photo you can see a part of that garden with the anemones and toad lilies near the fence. I threw in mums and pansies for color recently.
*sigh*
Not so lucky to find one of those around here (although my DH has to fly to NJ next week.... scheming....might be a little dear to ship, however!) I really love it.
I think your neighbor is definitely getting his share of the deal. Your planting is gorgeous. What a great barter.
I have an area under an oak tree, next to a crape myrtle bush. I'm sure the original planters didn't think long term - the bed is full of peonies that don't bloom, I'm assuming because of the shade (? - I still know more about desert plants, I'm afraid). I've put in some Dog-tooth violet bulbs, a hosta (with plans for a couple more) and after I get the peonies moved (or killed, but I hope not!) I think I'll try the J. anemones. I bet they just sparkle in the shade.
Wrightie and I were looking at some peonies on line and she mentioned she thought they looked like the J. anemones, I thought that, or poppies. Doesn't look at all like a peony to me! Take a glance if you're curious: http://www.senecahillperennials.com/uploads/images/plant_p/paeonia_cambessedesii_DeVries.jpg
Yeah, PC, they really don't look like typical peOHnies at all. Where in NJ will DH be next week? Is this going to be an ongoing thing, or not so much?
I was admiring that birdbath as well ... and "your" garden, Semper. Lovely.
PC, peonies don't like to be moved that is for sure... I read that if the peonies are planted too deep they don't bloom. Possibly THAT is a factor. If you decide you don't want ALL the peonies you have, I would LOVE to have some!
I looked at that the link you listed, and those are so pretty, very different looking, that is for sure. Pat
Pagancat,
Your link looked like a tree peony to me. They are a little different to grow then regular peonies. I also had peonies in the shade that only had 1 flower bloom a year. I moved them to a sunnier spot and they immediately bloomed the following spring. They are very easy to move in the fall and are extremely hardy. I'm sure yours will move fine. I did make a big mistake with them last year . I cut the foliage back too early because of mildew on the leaves and had very few flowers again.
Thanks for the complement on my neighbors garden. It is a challenge because his wife would like all sun lovers and it's just too shady. I had a very poor showing of daffodils after planting many groupings. Lots of leaves,few flowers. Hopefully there will be more blooms next spring.
I'm trying to remember where I saw the birdbath for sale recently. Do you have one of those "cement" garden centers that specialize in concrete garden ornaments?
Thanks for the complement wrightie.
The red flowering vine is my favorite, native honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, with a reblooming purple clematis. The native honeysuckle blooms all summer, late into the fall, attracts hummingbirds and is not invasive like the Japanese honeysuckle.
psych,
Hey, we were typing at the same time. I know I read peonies don't like to be moved in one reference and that they move fine in another. My personal experience is the don't mind the move but you can't plant them too deep. I've divided and moved mine twice already. But then I've probably moved everything in my garden at least twice, except the trees.
Hehehehe... except the trees huh? Well, their day is coming if you ever get a back hoe!!
A peony is the only thing in my landscaping plan back in my old house that did not get completed. I was working my buns off to finish a design, I knew the house was going up for sale in the spring of 2004 (I was getting my ducks in a row for a divorce back in fall of 2003). I did not buy a peony and plant it.
My son questioned WHY I finished all that cement/rock border, all the tulips... I wanted to see my work FINISHED and in bloom before I left. It was AWESOME. I have such a LONG ways to go here that sometimes it gets discouraging. Then I remember how far I have come since moving here a year ago.