oh my goodness Victor! I don't want to know how much I spent in roses... last year or this year... I am terrible... I have all the invoices in one box - I can't get rid of them though!
I am definitely a collector of roses... specially orange blend roses... I can't help it!
I have not ordered any seeds this year...I think the only thing I am planting from seeds are 4 o'clocks... for the Japanese beattles! I hope they eat and die!
Plant collector or garden designer?
Think we all get hooked on certain plants. Then a lot of us binge from one area to another. I have no problem with that or any other mode either. I just see myself and others binging about our gardens.
I've been on giant stuff for five years now. This year will be no different. I just got hooked on growing better soil. The better soil will grow a better and bigger anything.
LOL..............I dare not count the bucks into my insanity either! If perchance I would peek and figure it out a few more than I would know I was nuts.
Tallying up the costs for even a year is daunting so we've discontinued that awful habit.
I agree with doc about getting hooked on certain plants. Then, as we go on to another plant, the gardens develop. It's so true about the soil growing better, healthier plants.
So what are your currant, must have, new plant binging that have "got" you at the moment?
I do plant binge too, but have enough common sense to stop and see if I can actually grow my latest "have to have" plants before blindly ordering more the next year. I am now patiently waiting to see if all the Iris and hosta I planted mostly a couple of years ago are a good addition to my garden. Last year I ordered Hellebore, plus dahlia, gladiolus, caladiums, canna and calla lilies all for the first time. I am adding more roses this year, but mostly rugosa. I flunked at miniature roses after a one summer binge a few years ago, so I know I can't winter them over. I did order more viburnums last year, but those grow well here and am adding more this year. I got the spring bulb bug bad and did a few hundred in 2005, then 3000 in 2006 and a whooping binge of 7001 in 2007, but I swear I will be more modest next year. My attempt to grow lots more Day lilies is waning, too much dead heading, so I don't expect to add any this year. Now regular lilies is for me like chocolate, a serious addiction.
I do think buying this way makes sort of sense. In the retail world I learned that I had to buy in sufficient numbers a new type of item or author to really learn if it was a worth supporting and adding to my store. That is my excuse. I think I have gone through the Lavender, geranium, dianthus, basil, aquilegia, digitalis, Heurchera binge to name a few, but I can feel a fern binge coming on! Patti
every year I think about having a plant yard sale to support my plant buying habit I figure I could divide lots of plants and pot them up and sell them . has anyone done this before ? It always sounds great and do-able in the winter ( its like making an appointment the week before christmas in august it seems like a good idea but when december rolls around , what was I thinking ? ) I get so busy in the spring that it never happens! lol
laura
In a way it's almost nice when passion for a certain plant wanes. As we go about inundating ourselves in the next plant the originals are maturing and look so wonderful. I've gone through roses, daylilies, clematis, hydrangea and many others as well. Japanese irises are still my favorite flower. Now lilies and dahlias are more prominent than ever before.
It seems every plant has maintenance but when the care outweighs the beauty then it's time to delete some and move on to the next beauty. Deadheading is a big job for daylilies but not a major job for dahlias and by that time the weather is cooler, a huge help.
you are right pirl . I have gone through phases as a gardener and with each one I learned a lot I have more of a balance of plants now that I have grown to love
have you had to deal with the dreaded lilly beetle? I had to give up on lilies several years ago because they were so bad but I long to grow them again they are so beautiful. I want to grow old fashion tiger lilies my grandmother had : )
laura
The dreaded lily beetle has devoured every lily in my garden. The best way I found to control them was daily hand picking, nasty chore but the lilies thrived. Last summer I was travelling too much and was not around to do the hand picking. Not a lily survived. Question, where do they go when there are no more lilies to feed on? Die off hopefully. I am planning on going on a lily buying spree but am worried they'll be back.
The old fashion tiger lilies are still one of my favourite plants
Barb
Another of my on going binges is probagation. I remain both indoor and outdoor thus involved. Pleased out of my mind when I hatch another half dozen of anything. I think it might be incureable. It started when I was twelve years old working on Nursery Merit Badge as an elective towards the rank of Eagle Scout.
My mom harassed the state to inspect the would be nursery. We moved through hoops and paperwork as a new 1/10th of an acre registered nusery was hatched. Now I could sell certified clean stock. The sole contents of that start included a hundred rooted cuttings of three magnolias. In four years we had about 90 of each ready to market as three foot trees. We did and can report some of those magnolias still beautify my hometown.
The next binge would be when the wife and I got married. We bought a small house on a double lot. I hate grass.....................so we planted that whole lot with plant liners. In four years that paid for a nice chunk of my college debt. Plant liners were at that time 2" X 2" wood open bottom dividers in a flat filled with a rooted cutting. We ran that with other purchased stock as a small landscape nusery . When we closed it to make a professional change with a need to relocate we gave all stock after a bring your box and shovel sale to the city parks division for a nice tax break. They plowed the lot and put it back into grass.
From that point to this day we work only on the property we own. Stuff comes and stuff goes but we never get tired of the living changing outside space in our lives. We have started and gown on many of the plants we enjoy. Our X-Mas present to each other was to employ a designer we met here who is helping us plan into the future with a little more of a professional touch. Our goal is a plan for lower maintenance and use of more deer resistant and other patheon resistant members of the groupings we now have. This will be my last binge. Not!
Laura - no problems with the lily beetle...yet. The mere thought of it is horrible.
I enjoyed the thought of the tiger lilies and the association with your grandmother. Funny, sweet and sentimental how our thoughts go back and put a flower with a person.
bluecow - interesting question about where the lily beetles go when the lilies are gone. Perhaps to the same place as the dreaded Japanese beetles? At least with the roses I can remove every bud and flower and they'll bloom again but not so with the lilies. Do the beetles eat just the flower or do they devour the leaves, too, killing the bulb I'd guess?
Lower maintenance becomes more important as we all get older, doc. I wish you the best.
docgipe, Can't wait to hear what the new design will be, and what plant material that is less liking to your deer. I appreciate those plants more and more.
Laura and Barb, no beetles here yet either, but I am very fearful.
Pirl, I flunk at staking, though I am going to try some dahlia's out in the veggie patch so they can be staked by DH when he is doing the tomatoes. I loved that they bloomed so late. I forgot about the clematis, which I hope will do something this year. Last year was pretty minimal, but I think and hope they take time to settle in. I planted them all so their little roots would be shaded but that they got sun.
I have always had a few Siberian iris, but not the Japanese. I started seeing wonderful ones on DG when I joined and then went and saw Boojum garden in Western Ma and fell in love with both her Sibs and J.I. I am hopeful that the Japanese do well here, but I added many Siberians which I know will flourish. What do you do to keep them happy on L.I.? I remember that you had an accident of some sort when you were moving them or something. I have added a bunch of the bearded ones also two years ago. This will be an important and telling year for the new iris kids.
Tell me about which hydrangea you love. I need to move some lace-caps from the east side where they seem to cook. I moved one last year to the west side and it did fine, and now I feel I can move 3 more and not loose them. But I am thinking of putting them out where they can really stretch their legs and get huge. I think the reflections off the glass windows just fried them. They burned out very quickly even with tons of water. I have many oakleafs, a love, some big walls of climbing ones, some old Peegees, and that group of unnamed blue lace caps next to the house, I also bought in the last two years some tiny ones of Limelight, tarvida, Penny Mac, Glory Blue, David Ramsey, Lemon Wave, Todi, Madame Emile Mouillere, Lady in Red. They will take a few years to get going. Always hopeful.
Help all, please. Here is a picture of a few of the lacecapes that I will move in the spring. I am mulling over what to plant in their place. It needs substance and winter presents as it is against the house and below the windows that I spend most of my time in front of year round. There is a climbing yellow climbing rose which has not been happy with the lacecaps blocking out the sun. What ever it is, it can't get too big, 3' to 4' and airy not dense like an ilex, as I do like having spring bulbs in that bed as an under planting. It is edged with perpetual blooming strawberries for DH. Bloom color is less important. Maybe Cornus sericea 'Arctic Fire'TM with some variegated caryopteris summer sorbet, which I already have growing near by, so those two would give both winter and summer color. I would love some ideas for this hot east facing, narrow bed along the house. It gets southern sun too. The picture is taken looking due south. Thanks, Patti
lilly beetles are the nastiest bug I have ever come across. the beetles them selves are sort of pretty, fire engine red oval beetles it is the larvi that is so foul (sp) the adults lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves where they hatch . It all sound sort of normal for a bug right? the hatched pupa proceed to eat and eat the leaves and the flowers and for protection they surround themselves with their own excrement , charming , I battled them for two years and finally tossed all of my plants in the trash ( in a sealed plastic bag) . I waited a few years , I hadn't seen a beetle so I tried planting out a spent easter lily it took them no time to come right back from god know where .
I am going to try the tiger lilies this year though . for my gramy
laura
Yes, Polly, you may call me Robin---Whoa--lily beetle--never heard of it! Have perhaps 40 lilies in all the gardens,maybe more), & have never had a problem, except for stepping on the noses as they appeared in Spring. Kassia--I have Morden Sunrise--my only orange rose, but if the rose is not a rugosa, or rugosa hybrid, I have hardiness problems, but this little rose blooms well for me. Doc--how nice to have a garden designer, & not in the family. My son (landscape arch) & I are not on the same page! But this year I do have major pulling out, digging out, & redesigning plans--of course, that's right now--we'll see what really happens. I ordered a bunch of GBI from Comanche Acres--never dealt with them before--has anyone?
Patti - consider smaller viburnums.
Victor, I didn't know there were any compact viburnum. Must look. What about those compact crape myrtles that you have me reading about this week. Hey Teach, Your homework assignments are getting long.
Laura, If you ever come to Nantucket, I think I would have you fumigated before departing from the ferry. That is so sad that they came back so fast. Do they ignore the species ones or are you just an optimist?
Robin, I have Morden sunrise on an order now. Kassia do you grow it? Got me what is a GBI? Should I binge on it?
I am now going out to brush cut more tangle today and doing some serious pruning on some old native Viburnums and Beach Plums. All on Victor's List. Patti
There is nothing really seriously wrong with the total design in play at our surburban home. Try as I have to mimic magazines and such I am never quite up to getting done what I set out to do. Does that make sense?
We are going to drop back and punt. The offensive player to catch our ball will be a designer whose work I have seen and like. We consider him an artist who paints a picture we like. The designer should enjoy this challenge because he is not walking into a nightmare this time.
After we get some kind of a plan on paper we will chop it up and go with the plan in steps to polish up our gardens or even hardscape applications. This should be fun. I will attempt to enable your enjoyment as we make changes by showing development photos.
There are quite a few to choose from, Patti. Crapes too, though they don't have the same year round interest - no berries. But the hardier ones will develop a nice peeling bark, though my peeling ones are all older and bigger.
bbrookrd , I wouldn't blame you ! you should be very careful when buying bulbs that you don't get any hitch hikers . I am an optimist I don't think they exist in my soil or anything they are just around this area and all it take is one batch of eggs .
laura
Patti - lots of water for those JI's from April through bloom, along with acid soil and mulch - full sunshine, of course. You have a good memory about my incident with the JI dividing back in 2005!
I, too, planted some hydrangeas in the wrong spot and they do burn up so I bought a Japanese maple 'Scolopendrifolium' to shade them since I lack the space to move them (and the energy required).
How about a spirea or potentilla (shrub type, not perennial) for replacing the hydrangea you'll be moving?
Laura - after hearing how they cover themselves with their excrement I have to say I'm thrilled not to be one!
Robin - what are GBI?
Doc - before and after photos are so inspiring to all of us. I look forward to them.
?No control for the lily beetles?
Laura, a plant yard-sale is a great idea! About ten years ago I heard of a woman in Wrentham who did that. Also, FCCH (First Congregational Church of Hopkinton) has a huge plant sale every June - money goes to teen mission trips. You might want to check them out this year just for pricing ideas.
Sue, do you go to FCCH???? oh I have not been there for several months now!!!! I love that people!
thanks sue I will watch for the fcch one . If I ever get my act together and have a plant yard sale I will post it it seems like a good way to supplement my garden habit I have soooo many plants I could/should divide. june seems like a good time to do it because anything you potted up earlier would have time to get growing and look good.
have you ever gone to the sale in the fall at tower hill? its called gardners imporium they have lots of venders and plant societies . my sister oceangirl and I try to go every year Last year I got two daylilys from the daylily society named 1. land of cotton 2. foolish kisses I cant wait to see them this spring.
laura
Hi Kassia working hard or hardly working?
laura
The Lily Beetle, we have them here in Maine but I will not let a bug stop me from growing my beloved lilies!!!!
Where they go...how about I just link you to an interesting page full of info. I don't think you'll like the part about them being sightings in Mass. as far back as 2003.
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/neweng/2002040522017914.html
Thanks for the link Pixie. I first noticed them in my garden about 5 years ago. Anyone have any idea how long they can hang around without any lilies to feed on. I am wondering if I wait a few years will they come back as soon as I replant. I am totally grossed out after reading the larvae cover themselves with their own excretement and to think I was picking them off the lilies bare handed and squishing them before dropping them into a bucket of water...yuk
Must go wash my hands
Barb
I use a Bayer product that has an active ingredient, Immucloprid (Not sure of that spelling.) You can buy it at Walmart or Home Depot, that and hand picking I have managed to win the war. The first year they arrived I had nothing but stems left and a broken heart. Then DD called almost in tears as they had eaten hers too and my DGD was mortified...she had planted them for her Mom. Thats when I got on the lily thread and asked around, ironically it was another Mainer who told me to buy the Bayer product. I've used it ever since as much as I hate using chemicals, but I love my lilies!
Today I went on the hunt for the Bayer product and ended up writing to them. Here's part of their reply:
I believe you are referring to the Asiatic Lily Beetle. The active ingredient in Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control is Imidacloprid. This should be an effective product for that pest. However, all Imidacloprid products are restricted in the Long Island area.
**************
So they make the product but the word "restricted" means we can't buy it in New York. I called them and that fact was verified.
It hasn't hit Long Island yet...but I'll keep my eyes open for it come April.
That's interesting. Did that prohibition cover all NYS, Pirl? Was a reason given? Toxicity, I assume.
That'd be creepy - toxic for New York, but not for the rest of us?
Kassia - yes I do go to FCCH. D-mail me if you want to chat more about it!
Yes to both questions, Victor.
Yes, Sue, it is something to wonder about.
Wow, im glad you found that out Pirl..sorry if I gave bad info.
Don't be sorry, Pixie, and you didn't give out bad information. I'd love more information about Imidacloprid. Bayer makes it and I do trust their products but it should make us all wonder about the ingredient.
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product/Dual-Action-Rose-Flower-Insect-Killer/rtu.html
This is the one I use, it's "Rose & Flower" not the Tree & Shrub.
Terrific.
THANK YOU!
GBI???? Patti
It doesn't say "Red Lily Beetle" any where on the "kill" list but it has worked for me.
GBI - something irises?? German bearded? Gorilla baby? Gooey booey?
gooey booey