I found this little cutie blooming when I went out to check the weeds in the flower bed. It's a Veronica that I got from Sheila at the fall RU last year. I can't find the tag with the "real" name, so maybe she'll be along shortly to refresh my memory.
Things are starting to get exciting!!
veronic umbrosa 'Georgia Blue'
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/76872/
wonderful plant. It is blooming for me now also, along with creeping phlox, lithodora, sweet violets, and iris (the iris started blooming really early this year (early/mid January) Next will be indian hawthorne, azaleas, knockouts, and ajuga. Such a good time.
When I visited my daughter near Plano last year in March, I saw these plants in bloom. They are really beautiful.
collincountytx, lithodora looks like a nice little plant. How does it look in the summer heat?
I have enjoyed my Paper Whites for the first time this year. Them and the daffs are really putting on a show this year. Guess that will all come to a screeching halt tonight when it gets below freezing. :-(
Yes..Stephanie that is the 'Georgia Blue' I love it and it blooms all spring. Glad yours took and is doing well. I need to dig some more for the RU in April.
I think the low was 27 here and it didn't affect my daffs at all. One year though we had a freeze alternating with rain and the jonquils were encase in ice. It was very pretty, but they looked pretty sad when they thawed out.:(
I ran the sprinklers tonight to make sure they had the best chance of making it. I think they said 25-30 tonight, but it is just a guess like the rest of the weather forecasts.
Did it go to freezing? I didn't even realize it was getting so cold in this area.
It was 30 when I got up this morning. I think I froze a calla lily I forgot to bring in.
It got down to 29º in my area. I brought in my little plants, but the rest were left to fend for themselves! I'm a bad gardener. LOL
I am too Stephanie.:) If my calla survives it'll be a real test to it's toughness.
My hill was down to 25.7° last night.....dang!
I was lulled into thinking it was "spring"
I walked around this morning and the paper whites were starting to droop, but the flowers were still open and the daffs were not effected at all. It was so cold all day that they may have adjusted to it some, also I watered everything last night late.
It is not bad out there now, in the sun that is.
I've been working outside all day today. It's gorgeous here in Houston. I weeded rose beds, whacked back the porterweeds, and trimmed back the petunias that have been so happy they've covered up the just emerging day lilies. DH also planted our new Chinese Pistache tree we found at Cornelius. They only had one, and I was lucky enough to find it. I don't know how easy those are to locate locally and I hate ordering plants other than lilies and bulbs. I also put out some lettuce and cucumber seeds. I don't know how cold it got here, but my tomato plants weren't affected at all. They've been in the ground for a week or so and are looking really good.
I still have the never ending bloom display of Mexican Flame vine. That thing is spectacular. I also already have some hibiscus blooms and my brug is covered in open blooms. The salvia is really happy with this cool weather and is in full bloom. It sits right in front of Pink Knockout roses and behind white petunias and then white allysum and hot pink dianthus in front of it all. It's made a really pretty spring display with the layering of the plants and colors. I have amaryllis buds I just noticed today too. It'll be a while before they open.
Silverflutter, I hope you didn't loose your calla lily and that none of the rest of you lost plants in the surprise cold snap.
I love seeing what everyone else is doing in the garden and what's getting planted.
Crow
I was outside late this afternoon, and it was very nice. I really like the days like today!
Isn't it amazing at how the Daffodils can shake off some miserably cold temps. The Narcissus do also unless they are near the end, then they look pretty shabby.
I wonder if the frozen Cala Lily will come back from its' bulb?
I looked at it today and didn't see anything green. Probably won't see anything for another month at least. I think I'll fertilize it and put it back in the gh. It's not too early to fertilize is it?
lithodora looks like a nice little plant. How does it look in the summer heat?
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53345/
lithodora does fine with lots of shade in 8a/8b. I have mine in 85% shade, north facing, directly behind a tree. I purchased it for variety. Ajuga and oxalis are easier in our zones for these conditions, but always trying to diversify the garden. Does get a bit woody/leggy with age.
silverfluter, what kind of calla lily is it? I would not fertilize it yet. Also, do not water it very much while it does not have leaves.
Hi Hazel! Haven't seen much of you lately. I don't know what kind it is except that it yellow and about 12 " tall. The very informative tag said "yellow calla". It was really dry so I put it in water to rehydrate it, so I may have killed it. But it's out of water now, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
collincountytx, looks like you found a nice little micro climate. Do you water it much?
The ajuga, I just let nature water. I water the lithodora a bit more than the oxalis, but the lithodora certainly aren't thirsty like hydrangeas.
Now, if you are looking for a blue blooming ground cover in more sun, Georgia Blue veronica speedwell and creeping phlox are easier.
Thanks for the info. I have georgia blue and some phlox...never seen it in blue though. I have alot of shade , so the lithodora looks interesting.
Anna, whisper in Sheila's ear and she'll dig some up for you and bring it to the RU!
LOL! Stephanie! LOL! Anna has the Georgia Blue I think.
I do. I never thought of using it for ground cover, so I am going to transplant some to my xeri-bed.
It makes a nice thick one. This patch is in the shade most of the day, only gets a brief morning sun. It has been about three years since I first planted a one gallon container. I broke it apart and put it around a small round pond.
silverfluter, I think that the calla will be okay if you let it dry out between waterings. Has anyone grown the 'Georgia Blue' in Zone 8b or is it too hot here for it? I have never seen it for sale here in the San Antonio area.
I was looking at the thread http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/953132/ and it looks like it can grow with a lot of sun. I have mine planted on the west side of the house, gets about 6 hrs sun,but now come to think about it, fades a bit by the summer
Mine is planted in that hot spot on the west side of our driveway. It gets some shade from other plants around it , but will get lots of hot sun as the season progresses. Will have to wait and see how it does. I probably should get some more and plant it in the shady spot in front of my house with the columbines. That would make a nice combination.
I planted some last year on the west side that gets the hot afternoon sun. It thrived without missing a beat. Sun isn't on it just yet, but you can see how well it filled in.
Hey, guys do any of you know if you can buy plants or seeds of the Georgia Blue commercially?
Crow
I've recently seen Georgia Blue at Lowes. I've also seen it at HD (two years ago). They usually carry it in the spring (it blooms early, so nurseries can sell it early)
Thanks, I'll check at Lowe's near me.
Great info. I will definitely plant some in "hot" bed.
Oh wow, Sheila! I think I need to get more of this! I really think it would go well with my columbines and a few other places.
I first bought mine at a FW Botanic Garden Sale. Not saying they will have it for sure but the next one is March 28th. The Native Plant society will also have a sale along with it this year. So those of you in the area be advised.
Stephanie, I haven't tried to dig any of it yet, but I plan to and will save you a few. They are the ones I was telling you that would be good for the spot along your garage or carport...can't remember which you were looking for.
Sheila, I'll take all I can get! LOL I was looking for something along the garage. Thank you for remembering me!
PS~How's Herman doing?
Stephanie...I will put you down on the trades for those so I don't forget.
Herman had an appointment yesterday and the Dr told him that he was going to START him on physical therapy. He told him, you already did two weeks ago. He said "I did?" The P.A. in the hallway confirmed it. Good thing the therapist group knew what they were doing! She only had him taking the electronic treatment, and had just started the light exercises. She asked if he was sure the Dr. wanted him to start PT when we went in the first time. So she told him he knew what exercises he was to do and to come back in April and they would start the heavier exercises. He is doing pretty good but still in pain off and on.
So we don't get too far off topic....
I had the Snowbells bloom earlier this week!
