second splurge

So- on the same day I went to the other local nursery down the highway- Wolf Trap. They have more perennials and shrubs, and I think grow their own plants. I found far more natives than I expected, crossed quite a few off the list I've made! I'm not going purist in my yard (yet) but do want to have more plants that grow naturally here, to support the insect life. This is a native sedum- it's called whorled stonecrop. I do believe it might be the same one I have around my stump out front.

I got two more swamp milkweeds!

(Here's the one established from last year)

A lovely pink clematis (not native, just pretty)

I'm going to put it by this post near the garden

A fig tree! It's a hardy Chicago fig

A gamble, I know- the sunniest spot I have to put it is middle of the front yard- which isn't really sheltered. For now it's on the deck.

False Indigo 'blue'- this is a native plant. I got two-

I was really happy to find oakleaf hydrangea- this is a native shrub that can grow up to six feet tall and eight feet wide, likes the shade. I hope it will really fill in my shady sideyard. I planted it immediately. This one is 'snow queen' and blooms white. I'd rather have one with cream-colored flowers, but am not complaining!

Another native shade plant, very attractive, wonder why I never knew of it before. Solomon's seal.

I've divided up two pots of it, planted around one of the backyard trees.

There is still a ton of empty space in my backyard, weeds and unhappy grass, but I feel like it's finally starting to make progress and take shape now.

spring plant splurge

I did my spring plant shopping this past weekend, at my two favorite local nurseries. First I visited Williams Greenhouses, right here in town. Tried to stick to my list of desireables, but ended up buying a few on a whim... starting with a new peony for the front yard- 'sorbet'

some flowers in the daisy family- an upright osteospermum 'terracotta improved' (origins in Africa)

and 'Sassy rose' argyranthemum (taller than the one I had before) native to Canary Islands (I wanted to get asters, but couldn't find any yet)

A few new salvias- 'May Night'

and 'Caradonna'

I've already planted them, in the remaining space behind the lilac bush

I was really excited to find a bay laurel tree! Since I've kept my stevia alive overwinter, I hope I can do the same with this plant.

A new cintronella- scented geranium. Really hope I don't kill it again. Already potted up:

Bright, variegated 'pesto perpetuo' basil. I liked the light color. Didn't realize at first what the name 'perpetuo' refers to- this one is supposed to delay flowering, providing more leaves to use.

This find also delighted me- Inca alstroemeria. I once had a beautiful boquet of this flower my husband brought home- very pleased to find one I can grow in my yard. Might dig out the asiatic lily and replace with this (I never get to enjoy the other lily anyway, the deer eat the tops before they bloom).

Two new blue hosta- called 'Big daddy'

A nostalgia purchase- I always loved the fuschia plant my mother had in her yard- here it can only be an annual though- unless I manage to overwinter it indoors... . .

The darker foliage reminds me of the sunpatiens I grew one year.

An herb I've read about, but never tried- winter savory.

I potted it up for a deck spot, but then read it can thrive as a perennial, so I might find space for it in the permanent herb bed. Its foliage is very like tarragon (in the smaller white pot here) or rosemary.

This is another salvia- a red salvia called 'vista purple'

Another new-to-me herb: sorrell.

Two ancho pepper plants, because I didn't start my own.

Impulse buy I already kinda regret- a crazy splotchy coleus with a silly name 'main street rodeo drive.' Already I think it looks too garish.

Must always have nasturtiums. This six pack

got divided into two pots- one here on the deck, the other is out by the garden.

Whew! Here's a lot of the new plants together, when first brought home:

tomatoes and herbs

are all living on my deck in pots this year- I just moved the tomatoes into their two-gallon containers

I'm foregoing wire cages this year, and just tied the vines to the fence. I always have to tie the wire cages to the fence anyway, to prevent them from falling over in high winds, so why not just loop the vines themselves to the fence support?

I've also potted up my two small rue- required donning disposable gloves

Small lemon balm went into a slightly larger pot. It had been looking miserable, until I starting putting it outside under glass. I think the window spot near vent was too dry or cold for it, in winter.

My basil plants- here's sweet basil

and the purple amaratto one- which I couldn't help taking several photos of. It's so pretty (but clashes so much with the red decking. I convinced my husband we need to repaint the deck a more subtle brown).

Sculpit- hoping it will show me the curious balloon flowers

Fenugreek- have yet to taste this one

Rosemary- I bought a live one from the supermarket

and thyme- another replacement

My second-year pot of ginger mint

and the older pot of chocolate mint-

You can see the shredded bamboo mulch faded into a nice tan in the older pots

lizards cheer me up

The skinks are out again, on warmer days. I laugh to hear their sudden scuttle away from me in the dry leaves or thicket of vinca. It's hard to catch a photo of them, but I've seen a glimpse of one juvenile with a blue tail- but just the end is blue, and it's not a tiny lizard, so I guess at least a year old. I've also seen a very plump big male, glossy brown and orange. He lies more still and eyes me sideways, doesn't move off until I get very close. Either he's brave, or getting used to me.

safe from wind

A week ago we had severe thunderstorms with tornado watch. One actually touched down briefly in nearby town, so this wasn't an idle caution. I brought all my potted plants inside off the deck.

Including the tomatoes- which luckily were still in their halved milk-carton containers. (Also pictured, chives, amaratto basil).

I notice the differently-shaped brandywine leaves, already have slightly puckered shape? on the right. (Behind is the brightness of coleus).