I was going to make this a “Wordless Wednesday” entry today, but I really feel like shooting the shit a bit so consider yourself blessed (hope sarcasm translates well here).
It is rainy, overcast and on the colder side today so our sick run of beautiful summer-like weather has ended, at least temporarily. It is the perfect day for picking weeds and if I didn’t have any other responsibilities (damn kids are overrated) I could spend 24 hours straight doing just that and there would still be more to do the next day. And I would enjoy it like mad. But I digress…
Ever since I started gardening with serious intent, I have always felt like my bloom season could be broken down into three distinct phases:
Phase 1 runs from late April to late May
Phase 2 runs from early July to late July
Phase 3 runs from early September to early October
I’m sure I’ve created these phases myself based on my plant likes and dislikes. I am actively trying to blur these lines and create non stop blooming from late March through late October (aren’t we all?) and while I have been somewhat successful, I still have a ways to go. Using more annuals in containers has definitely helped, and admittedly I have been leaning more heavily on foliage and texture the past few years to keep things interesting throughout the season. Still, I need to incorporate more perennials that fill the gaps between the big bloom phases. For perennial suggestions please send them to ongisabigfriggindope@yahoo.com.
Big beautiful blooming photos are at a minimum as we move from Phase 1 to Phase 2, but upon closer inspection this morning, there are still some interesting things going on:
Amsonia Tabernaemontana (don’t even know the common name) looks even better to me when not in bloom. The foliage is so unique and a great contrast with other perennials.
I don’t do Wordless Wednesday, because I can’t shut up.
Love the Electric Lime coleus. I have a couple of those in my front porch bed. Looks like something’s been chewing holes in it though…little munchy bastards.
Weeding is a never-ending task, but I’ve learned to think of it as ‘therapy’ to help relieve other stresses so it’s not so daunting now. I also cheat with my veggie garden and use black plastic so I don’t have to weed like crazy. Love your pix!
I sometimes find it hard to do a WW post but I’ve got my family over from Ireland just now so it was so easy to do one this week.
Love the plants and so many are my favourites too. I’m thinking of getting some russian sage just now as mine was so old it died away. I can see you have a big clump of it next to your yellow daylilly. My achillea never stand tall like that! they always flop. Is that a low growing one?
Foliage is just as important as the blooms. Good for you for keeping an eye on that end too!
Kyna – I am there with you on not being “wordless” – can’t help myself – it’s my escape each day
Kokomolady – I would challenge anyone to a “weed-off” – I’m that good
Rosie – yes the Achillea is low growing and even after abusing them to death they come back with a vengeance
Laura – love me some foliage – especially the ornamental grasses and I am slowly entering the world of conifers – slowly
Wednesday doesn’t HAVE to be wordless, unless you want it to. Carpe words.