Because we’ve had so much rain in the last three days (two inches) and such fine weather, today was a big-time work day in the red dirt. The photo, above, is from some Zinnia haageana seed I received from Botanical Interests. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed these little zinnias. Each plant is a bit different, with some blooms yellow and others like the red ones above. I’ll be buying them again next year.
The Aster praealtus, willowleaf aster, was taking over a small triangular bed and shutting out the Salvia greggii, autumn sage, and choking out the daylilies planted nearby. When I removed it, I discovered why. It has an underground runner root system. Still, I love the look of its airy foliage so I moved it to the meadow garden where it can reach its full potential. I replaced it with a lovely blue Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, switch grass, along with some ‘Coconut Lime’ Echinaceas and an ‘Apple Slice’ Dianthus. Already in the same bed are two roses, ‘Baronne Prevost’ and Easy Elegance® Grandma’s Blessing; Phlox paniculata ‘Mt. Fuji’; native Rudbeckia; a variegated grass; Nepeta, catmint; a Gaillardia and Cuphea ‘Tiny Mice’. It’s a bit busy. The bed doesn’t look like much now, but will come into its own as the season progresses. We still have warm weather through the beginning of October.
I’ve been shopping the sales at the various nurseries. Horn Seed Company has all of its trees, shrubs and perennials 40% off. I know this isn’t the time of year when people like to shop, but it is when you can see which roses are thriving in spite of adverse weather conditions and those plants now in flower, like the crapemyrtles, grasses (not in flower, but making seed heads which are as beautiful as blooms), Echinaceas, Rudbeckias, Gaillardias, hardy Hibiscus, etc. Speaking of perennial Hibiscus, I bought ‘Fireball’ at TLC Nursery. Starting tomorrow, TLC will be redeeming August Bucks, which is a great way to add a few plants or anything else they sell, to your garden because it’s like getting something for half price. I often buy my more expensive garden gloves with my August Bucks.
I bought two ‘Tiki Torch’ Echinaceas which I put near the Carex ‘Prairie Fire’ I planted last spring. These should grow and be something special next summer. ‘Prairie Fire’ looks a bit like orange New Zealand sedge, but the first has more green and turns a brilliant orange and green in fall.
Since it was cool, I limbed up my original crapemyrtle so that more light would stream through its branches. While doing that little chore, I found an elm tree growing in the middle of ‘The Fairy’ rose at its feet, so I braved the scratches and cut the elm’s stem beneath the soil. I’ll need to do that several times to finally persuade it to die.
I also weeded lots of grass out of the beds, and my dear son, ASW, asked me what he could do for money. (He must want another video game.) I asked him to take my clippings to the burn or compost pile, depending on what they were, and to dig Bermuda grass out of the main path. He didn’t finish all of the Bermuda, but he did make a huge dent in it. After he takes a shower, I’ll give him a kiss, along with some dollars, for all of his effort.
You may remember that I was trying a natural herbicide on the Bermuda. It was Burnout II Weed & Grass Killer made of clove oil. Per the instructions, I mixed the Burnout II half and half with water. It did set the Bermuda back, but did not kill it outright. Of course, neither does Roundup. I’m going to try a second application tomorrow. I think I will be spraying something on the Bermuda until the end of time, but it’s still easier than weed-eating all of those paths.
I feel your pain on the Bermuda. It’s taking over our lawn and my solution is to turn said lawn into garden bed. I love that echinacea/carex combo – that was a great pairing! And those little zinnias are too cute. I’ll be on the lookout for those.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Today’s Take From The Garden =-.
Hi Dee, you certainly made good use of the moister soil and cooler temps. Limbing up stuff is a favorite pastime here, the crapes love it and look so good too. Sorry about that aster but it sounds like you have made the best decision for all concerned. Bargain plant shopping at its best. I love the Tiki Torch but they did not winter over for me last year. Maybe extra mulch? As for that stinkin’ bermuda grass, hope you get the better of it, what a thug!
Frances
.-= Frances´s last blog ..Seeing Yellow In A Mish Mash Way =-.
Dee,
Bermuda grass is a booger isn’t it. We’ve had to deal with our share of it.
.-= Randy´s last blog ..In the Garden 08/03/09 =-.
I’m happy for you about the rain and impressed by all that you accomplished. You can get a lot done when the weather cooperates!
.-= Cindy, MCOK´s last blog ..Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot =-.
Nothing like a little rain to get us gardeners going in the garden. You’ve been most busy! It was great for your son to help out too.
.-= tina´s last blog ..Virginia Beauty =-.
Dee, a little cool weather and rain can make a gradener’s day! You have accomplished so much and I know must make you feel better. Sometimes the weeds and plant movings can be overwhelmong. 🙂
Another coneflower to have…it is a gorgeous color and goes well where you have it. I am hooked on coneflowers and lilies at the moment.
I will be ordering some of those zinnias. They are beautiful.
.-= Beckie´s last blog ..Drooling with Delight and Desire! =-.
Rain, how lucky you are. We sure could do with some here.
.-= keewee´s last blog ..Heavenly Hydrangeas =-.
I don’t think there is anything that will kill bermuda grass. I hate that stuff!
.-= Phillip´s last blog ..French Apple Tart – If you can’t stand the heat, get in the kitchen! =-.
What a great idea to shop now to see what can take the mid-summer heat. The ‘Tiki Torch’ Echinacea looks good with the Carex. I can’t wait to see how great they will look together this fall when the Carex colors up.
.-= Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog ..Worst Weed Wednesday =-.
Oh yes, I love those August bargains. Nothing like a little rain and cooler weather to get you out into the weed patch, I mean flower patch. 😉
I’m amazed we are having the same weather as Oklahoma: wet,cool, and wonderful. Everything looks great. I do need to get out there and trim back the things that have bloomed so they do not detract from the ones blooming now.
Donna
.-= MNGarden´s last blog ..Ligularia dentata =-.
You have been one busy lady! Everything looks lovely. Nothing like some bargains to get you motivated again. Right now I have several daylilies in temporary homes, waiting for me to create a new bed for them. Thanks for reminding me about the garden bucks; now that it’s August, I can take them shopping!
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Garden Muse Day: Prairie Reverie and Daylily Delights =-.
At this time of year after you’ve had some rain I swear you can actually see the plants grow. The weeds too, unfortunately. ;-)Like you I’m very busy with the garden but enjoying it.
Your garden looks great Dee and you are right about getting gret bargains at this time of year. Last week I bought a plum tree for about 5 USD. Not bad, eh?
.-= Yolanda Elizabet´s last blog ..There’s Bliss On the Menu =-.
I need some of the carex. Boiling water works well to kill grass in pathways.
You had a busy day in your garden. I’m sure the rain made it easier to weed. We don’t have Bermuda grass here, but it sounds like it is something we don’t want, anyway.
You’ve got me wanting to go to garden centers tomorrow, and I promised myself no new plants until I have a better garden design in mind!
.-= Carol, May Dreams Gardens´s last blog ..Hortense Hoelove Answers Questions About Flowers =-.