I'm really excited about these, because it's rare that I actually get these to germinate and bloom. I sprinkle a couple of seed packets every year, but this is the first that I've gotten more than one plant out of them.
Interesting that of the three beds that I sprinkled the seeds, the plants in the walkway beds are the only ones that grew (or made it to maturity).
I'm hoping this starts a cycle of self-seeding generations so I don't need to figure out the seed timing myself in future years.
Speaking of future years, here's a plant that I hope to have in my garden for years to come: Rudbeckia maxima:
It's just staring to bloom, but it's the height (5'/1.5m or more) and the blue color of the foliage and stems that really gets me!
Although I have one in my garden already, I just purchased another. I've had a hard time getting these to grow from seed.
Another new plant I just added to the garden:
Verbena hastata (American blue vervain, aka swamp verbena) grows as tall as the Rudbeckia maxima, and blooms for most of the summer. Slowly spreads by rhizomes too! I only hope it will get enough water in the prairie beds. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
I know I'm surprised at how well the 'Karley Rose' Pennisetum is doing this year:
It's the one on the right behind the purple 'Vertigo', and amazingly, is still upright! This one usually flops over for me.
A short post, as there are only two days left for me to get ready for the Sustainable Backyard Tour on Sunday. If you're a St. Louis-area reader, hope to see you in my garden!
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Your California poppies look beautiful -- I'm surprised you have a hard time growing them -- I planted a packet of seeds 3 years ago and they come back with abandon. Do you plant them in full sun? I think they might like poor dry soil too. Good luck with them this year! -Beth
ReplyDeleteYour poppies are beautiful, nice color. The tour looks beyond garden fantastic. Have a nice time!
ReplyDeleteYeah!!! Once the California poppies get going and you let them go to seed, they should come back year after year.
ReplyDeleteBeth: The seeds in my poorest, driest soil did not germinate, but I'll keep trying in that spot. I'm just glad to have 1/2 dozen or so plants that made it.
ReplyDeleteGerhard: I let everything go to seed, sometimes even by choice. :)
I wish you well with your Ca poppies reseeding next year. I wish I had that problem. I have way too many. However, getting the other colors to germinate is a problem. If one germinates it is always puny.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful color!
ReplyDelete