Thursday, June 08, 2006

Among the Living

One of the things that I love about spring is watching my plants come up and seeing what made it through the winter. Some I have no doubt will survive, while there are others that I am just crossing my fingers for. A few of the plants that didn't make it:

Butterfly weed: I think I accidentally buried it.

Butterfly Blue and Pink Scabiosa: This is the third time that I have tried to grow it. In it's defense, I was trying to over-winter it in a big patio pot. Maybe fourth time is a charm?

Loosestrife: Once again, did not take it out of it's pot.

Lady Fern: It looked like it might make it earlier this spring and now it is gone.

Buckler Fern: No idea what happened to it! Late riser?

And *sniff* BOTH of my beloved Guinevere delphinum! BOTH! I'm actually ready to give up on them. I have other delphinum that although they are not quite as pretty as Guinevere are much less fragile.


But the ones that made it I think more than make up for the ones that did not:

Plum Crazy hardy hibiscus: this one is coming back even stronger with lots of shoots. The shoot that I broke off and stared last year was doing OK, but I think I killed it - oh well. At least I have the main plant and that one is already almost 2 feet tall! And they are supposed to be notorious for coming up late!

Tatting fern: this one I bought for SSB and since he already lost one fern, I was glad to see this one thriving.

Desdemona ligularia: I have had trouble with these plants in the past, but I think that I have them mastered now. This variety I even planted in what last year was part shade but what is this year full sun and they are doing great!! In fact, on the days when my other ligularia are wilting in the heat and I need to go water them, this one didn't even seem to notice - EVEN IN FULL SUN!!

Climbing roses: both of them came back just fine this year. In fact, the success has inspired me to buy more roses. I did discover that the paper cones are better than the styrofoam. They don't trap moisture in them which means that the roses won't get moldy.

Alba Rose gas plant: I love this plant and was so glad to see it come back. I think that I will be getting more of these.

Edelweiss: I have tried these twice before and have finally got it down. I put it in a rock garden in full sun. The soil is highly organic, but is raised so there is lots of drainage. It is full and fabulous!

And of course, Astilboides tabularis: Yes! this one made it through with flying colors! I will eventually have to move at least 7 plants to give it room, but I couldn't be happier!


Oh, and I spoke too quickly on the lady fern. I decided to get what I could find of it in a pot and put it in the shade - it is coming up! YAY!

And I thought you might like to know that I really started writing this May 31. That's how far behind I am getting with everything!

3 comments:

Jenn said...

"That's how far behind I am getting with everything!"

You certainly aren't alone in this.
Me, too.

Diana LaMarre said...

Sylvana, Does anything eat your ligularia? Something is eating one of mine this year. I moved it last week, but I think it is doomed.

Sylvana said...

Jenn, that's good to know. i don't feel so alone.

Zoey, I've had something nibble a couple of leaves, but generally, no. They are usually untouched. I think what was eating mine was a beetle, but it wasn't that hungry for ligularia.