And on the very hot day, he sort of rested
This is where I’ve spent a lot of my time the past week.
Temps have been in the 90’s here in Jersey and it’s been wicked humid. That doesn’t mean I haven’t busted my hump out in the garden though. I’ve been weeding like a mo fo and just before I’m ready to pass out, I head to this rocker in the shade, drink gallons of water and rest up until I’m ready to get back out there again.
Call me crazy, but I love this weather. It’s uncomfortable and the bugs are all up in my business, but this is what separates the hardcore gardeners from the casual gardeners. I love the sweat and the head rushes and the feeling of toughing out; not to mention the post-weeding cold shower avec a tasty cold beverage.
Plant recommendation for the week
Molinia ‘Cordoba’ or Moor Grass
It didn’t take long for this ornamental grass to get established as its only been in my garden for 3 years now and it started off as a tiny little plug.
While the grass leaves are only about 2 feet in height, it’s pushing 6′ – 7′ in height while in bloom.
I’m still tinkering with how to best use it in terms of design. I did follow a suggestion of planting it in front of a dark background as seen in the photo above where it is situated in front of a Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’ shrub.
From another angle though, you can see how it can easily be lost in the garden shuffle.
More to come as I joyously tinker and as the fall color emerges in a few weeks.
Filling in nicely
New garden bed and path back in 2010.
And current day where I am now running out of room for a path.
A good problem to have.
Never give up
I tried desperately to grow a Red Twig Dogwood in at least 5 different locations in my garden dating back a decade or more. The deer always got it or it simply never thrived.
I tried one in a container and it did OK but I feared it dying over the winter in that container so I knew I had to transplant it elsewhere.
On a whim, I planted it along the foundation of the house and the rest is history. She’s about 5′ to 6′ tall right now and that is after I cut it to the ground in March.
The deer don’t frequent this area that often but they will chew on some of the plants here sporadically.
True story: There is a large gap between the two sidewalk stones right in front of the dogwood and I’ve convinced myself that it messes with the footing of the deer so I haven’t adjusted it for years running now. Crazy? Maybe.
Lady in Red, isn’t dancing with me
If you look carefully at the pic below, you can see one flower on this ‘Lady in Red’ hydrangea.
The sad thing is that the one bloom is still more than the last two years combined. In fact, this hydrangea has never bloomed well.
But it takes up space, comes back every year and has decent fall color.
Not significantly bad enough to justify eradication.
Yet.
Seed heads are good
You’ve heard me say it a million times (including in my new book). Keep those spent flowers on Baptisia because they add such an interesting element from summer through winter. Here’s how they look right now in the middle of July.
It’s better to be lucky than good
When these Veronica bloom, they are lit up by the emerging bright green grass (Pennisetum) in the background. I would love to say that I planned it this way but it was truly dumb luck.
What do you think?
The combination of Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ and Obedient Plant is an example of another not-planned-combo that has recently emerged in the garden.
I have no clue if I like the mix or not. So I need your input in order to decide how to proceed. Thank you.
If you plant it, they will come
That would be Swamp Milkweed.
Big hopes for the future
I posted this photo of a Purple Prairie Clover on Instagram recently. Very cool IMHO.
In truth, it’s the only one I have on the plant so it only looks great shot in macro. But if this native perennial blooms heavily next year, I am going to be madly in love. Those flowers are killer.
Shameless cross-promotion, not the least bit garden related
I recently wrote two new articles for Medium and I would love for you to head over there and check them out:
Raising a Child That Is Nothing Like You
Thank you in advance.
This year I didn’t prune my hydrangeas until mid May. So I knew for sure what was still alive and I’ve got more bloom than ever. I think we loose our blooms by pruning too early.
I’m glad to know that I am not the only gardener who refuses to be totally defeated by the heat and humidity in the Northeast. Today I assembled and tried out my new Worx long arm tree trimmer. It is a little unwieldy for someone who is 5’1, but it performs as promised. Surrounded by woods and fields on three sides, I’m under constant assault from saplings and vines. I can only wish the plants for which I pay $29.99 on sale grew so effectively and quickly!
John,
Do you know the name of the purple monarda in the section labeled ‘Filling in nicely’ ?
I vote FOR the combination. But all I can think about now is that you’re planning on moving to the Southeast in nine years. Are you really so sanguine about the idea of leaving your garden?
Hi John, Thought you would like to know- I generally snip off my spent flower stems of my Baptisia
but decided to do the John trick this year! How ’bout that!!
I think a Leucanthemum (Becky, maybe?) would be fun with the Veronica!