all manner of flowers

burgandy

ranunculus

my son, jesse and i went to the nursery today.

we were enjoying this rainy cool spring day.

so many wonderful things i have never grown.

only seen in faux flowers or books.

this is a ranunculus.
i used to have a vase of these that were faux.

i loved them and now i get to plant the real thing.

white

ranunculus

purple and white

ranunculus

rocky white/purple wing

viola

jesse and i were there to buy more frizzle sizzle pansies, but alas

they are out and the grower says no more for this season.

i am glad i got some about a week ago. so still needing something for

the container out by the mailbox, jess saw these and said he liked them.

(i am trying my best to get anyone in my family hooked on gardening.)

this is actually one of jesse electives for homeschooling and he has been

helping in the garden quite a bit.

majestic giants II

ocean

pansy

majestic giants II

white blotch

pansy

periwinkle vinca

bowles

next we are going to try vinca. i know some of you

have said it takes over. i am okay with that seeing

as i have such a huge yard.

great for erosion control on banks and slopes.

tiarella

pirate's patch

this is a native plant.

first one of many i hope.

once we read the name of this jess

said this is a must. i like that attitude.

purple flower

jacob's ladder

this is the one and only purple jacob's ladder they had. so i got it.

i love the way the flowers are reaching beyond the foliage.

it looks like a fern to me.

hartswood ruby

helianthemum

spreading shrubby stems form low cushions of

evergreen foliage that is displayed for months.

that red flower on the right is the hartswood ruby.

clementine

red columbine

i have always wanted columbine and i love red.

so into the cart go two.

double spurless flowers are a favourite of hummingbirds.

clear crystal purple shades

alyssum

i had white alyssum at my other house and i loved the way it spread out.

these have an amazing fragrance.

sashay

heuchera

bicolour alum root

this dark leafed beauty has ruffled edges and a lusty

burgundy colour on the bottom of the leaves.

the purple peeks from the edges as you sashay by her.

it attracts both humming bird and butterfly.

the cherry tree in full bloom.

no blooms on the dogwoods yet still just buds.

have a happy day in your spring garden.

i hate name dropping

we do live in and near nashville. it seems everybody does it.

that being said i have to admit i am swayed by names. we chose our 6 children's names very carefully. checking into all the meanings. we didn't want any of them to have anything negative sounding, like the meaning of alfred: elf counsel. not there is anything wrong with that name. but it was important to take time to research and find meanings that we felt strongly and positive about. much prayer went into each one.


i'm saying all this to give you a little insight into what happens at my
garden center when i am
choosing new plants.

first i like to walk around and just see everything. touching and smelling it all. what they have that might be new to the season.

i knew i was planting containers that had recently been purged of summer plantings. i moved a few of these containers around and it inspired me. plus we got rain and it cooled things off a bit.



so off to the local garden center my dh and i went. after getting a few essentials, ie.. new light fixture for back porch, smoke detector, hooks, i headed outside for what i really wanted to do there. PLANTS! i am in heaven walking around seeing all the possibilities.

okay , FOCUS, FOCUS, container plants for two chocolate pots, two low terra cotta baskets, and
two french terra cotta 12 inch pots. so as i peruse the outdoor plantings.
i am in search for something different.

you know the feeling--- something new and unique.
there are so many choices. well i did make a few new
ones and some good old ones.

in the bottom right corner is stock.
it says "vintage burgundy" looks more like vintage purple.

once the choices were made time to head home for the real fun.
hands in dirt and try to decide which pot gets what plants.
NAMES you say , yes i am getting back to that.
i don't let the names pick the plants i just use it if i
can't decide between something.
of course , colour and size, sun needs
are all taken into consideration but you
know that because it is what you do too.

for me panies and the fall are
synonymous.

my favourite garden colours
GREEN
WHITE
RED
PURPLE
and as
of this
summer
ORANGE!



this beauty is: " majestic giants II red w/blotch"
love it!







something new for me:
"swiss chard/ruby red"

colourful plant with tasty
leaves and stems. pick when
leaves are fully developed .
yummy goodness right
outside my backdoor.











"enduro pure violet" viola
my dh loved these and me too. there tiny faces are so cheery.
abundant blooms provide all season colour.


swiss chard in it's new home.
something else new
bugleweed..."chocolate chip"
what girl doesn't like chocolate?

this is what got me:
extremely easy to grow!
thrives in any soil
in either sun or shade.
sounds too good to be true.




standard for the fall : MUMS
this is "crisantemo de jardin"
i am in love with all things french
and it is a dark red. sold !
the colour 'brandi'.

finally everybody is home and in there new places. honestly, i have never had the greatest success with containers. they usually look good for a part of the season and then i pull them. but i have a hope these are going to do better.

lastly:
the very light limey green is
lysimachia called "goldi".

this is also new to me but against
all the other dark foliage i love the
golden green softness.
creeping plant with oval golden
leaves. i like that it will hang over and
drape the chocolate pots.

all in all i am very happy with the new plants i got to bring home.

NOW!

water regularly and wait to see
what the blooms and the greenery grow into.
hopefully mature beautiful plants!

HAPPY FALL PLANTING EVERYONE!