Autumn Plant Update

Since I am relatively new to gardening I am thrilled that anything at all grew and bloomed in my gardens. I don't even know where to start - maybe with the daylilies. I planted some new ones this year and they all did well and I think Ice Carnival was my favorite as it had the most blooms and bloomed for the longest time. Another favorite was my Mystic Spires blue Salvia - they are still blooming well and keeping the bee population happy. My Pink Gown garden phlox (planted last year) also outdid itself. New garden phloxes I planted this year didn't do much but I'm hoping next year they will improve. My endless summer hydrangea, Bailmer, was a small bush but it put forth beautiful blooms. And last I was really pleased with the four blooms on my Elsa Spath clematis - not very many I know compared to some of the pics I've seen others post but it had blossoms!! Eleanor

Clematis takes a few years to rev up, Jan. Can never go wrong with DL's, or Hostas, or Sedum.

Forgot to say thanks, Deb!

Victor - the oakleaf hydrangea didn't get HUGE for you? My friend has one that blocks the path to her garden.

No this one is a 'dwarf' called 'Pee Wee'. I also have 'Snow Queen' and 'Snowflake', both of which will be bigger - in the 6 - 8 ft range.

This message was edited Oct 27, 2007 8:12 PM

Thanks. Great leaves on that plant!

Thanks - the flowers are not too shabby either!

I went to Hydrangeas Plus to see if they have that variety and found a paniculata that's pretty too. I've added them to my wish list as I don't think it's safe to plant now.

I've also added it to my list for spring.

Hydrangeas are one plant, for certain, that do better when planted as they're going dormant. I planted six outside, two years ago, forgot to protect them with burlap but they all did fine. If you do get any mulch them well and keep them watered.

No problem planting now. I have two 'Pinky Winky' coming this week and I will plant them.

I'll be planting 'Tokyo Delight' and 'Bluebird' either today (if the wind calms down) or this week.

I've planted perennials, trees and shrubs well into November and never had a problem. Unless they're coming right out of a warm greenhouse, there is no problem at all. I've seen road crews planting trees near me in the freezing cold in December when the ground WAS frozen. They had truckloads of warm soil that they put down first - then they dug and planted. I thought it was crazy but 90% of them were fine in the Spring.

We did it with a tree one December and it's done just fine.

We did it under a tree in December one time. Guess it was a treesome.

Victor!!!

I think we are finally getting to the root of his derangement.

I was referring to digging the hole, like the highway crew, of course!! What did you think???

No matter what euphemism you use, you're twisted.

best laugh in some time!!

Back to serious (pardon me), do you have any Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Pirl?

hmmm... I wonder what that means?

No, I don't Victor but a neighbor does.

This is not the best photo of Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Pee Wee' but it gives an idea. I would estimate that these guys grew anywhere from 1/3rd to 1/2 this year! They bloom on old wood so next year should be very good. The flowering had been sparse up to this point due to slow plant growth and occasional deer damage.

Nice rich fall colors.

They get better than that. They haven't really started to turn.

So far they are beautiful, have to add them to my list.

Like you I did well with Echinacia's especially the Double Pink Delight and Magnus. Irish Eyes was sensational for a very long time. The Azaleas were great especially Girards Fuscia. but the deer ate the hydrangeas and hostas as fast ad they came up. I put in a deer fence but they learned to go under it. I spray with several deer deterants and they are somewhat effective, the best being Liquid Fence.

Victor and Pirl:

I was given some hydrangeas as well. I have 'Glowing Embers' and 'Bluebird'. I am keeping them inside this winter as they are both extremely small. By that I mean that they aren't even three inches tall. Is it OK to keep them inside this winter?

Huge flowers!!

rcn:
That's gorgeous!! How old is the plant?

That picture was taken last year and it was probably 4-5 years old then. It is planted under a high canopy of trees but gets alot of afternoon sun which is pretty darned hot for an Oakleaf - but it sure doesn't seem to mind, and I know she doesn't water it!

I guess I have a few years then before my hydrangea 'babies' look that good.

Patience my dear, they'll probably look like that in 2-3 years, they're fast growers :)

Dunno, rcn. They are both less than three inches tall right now.

I am really liking them. I emailed the growers and will probably breakdown and buy the two. Does anyone have any experience with Sweet Bush? I just read about it in the newsletter.

Candyce - just try very hard not to over water them. I lost a few babies by too much mothering and doting on them. I'd go for bright light but not direct sun. Did you raise them from cuttings or buy them?

rcn - what a beautiful shrub! Do you cut it back severly in late winter? It reminds me of my Tardiva, which also has those tremendous heads.

Anita - I just planted the Sweet Bush (I think it's Calycanthus), which was a gift from a DG person so mine is too young to rave about yet.

Where or who are you ordering them from?

Here's the flower head on the Tardiva in mid September:

Arlene, if you are speaking of the Hydrangea; I am ordering them from Hydrangeas Plus http://www.hydrangeasplus.com/home.php .

I went to the Old Westbury Gardens yesterday. My nieces loved it. The grounds are amazing and there was still quite a bit in bloom.