Gather, Gather How does your Garden Grow?
I’ve been attempting to be a gardener for a few years. I’ve mentioned on Gather that my gardening horror stories include garden fires and debilitating poison ivy. But, this doesn’t stop me. Lately, I’ve been cashing in Gather points for Home Depot cards. I’m using the cards to buy things for my garden.
A few weeks ago I bought a bunch of pansies for the right side of the porch. I went a little different in that I got a pansy daffodil mix. The seem to be doing well. The Hydrangea bush behind them isn’t faring so well. You can still see the brown stalks from last year. There are a few leaves near the bottom so I’m hoping that is a good sign.
The English Ivy isn’t dead. A few years ago I ripped out tons of brown English Ivy thinking it was dead. I feel like an idiot now. I’ve learned that brown English Ivy turns green if you don’t pull it all out. Now, I’m thinking of using some as a ground cover in another part of my yard. I just need to figure out how you take cuttings from it and how that would be accomplished.
On the left side of the porch the Hostas are back. They are huge. They are another thing I need to figure out how to cut and separate. I’m afraid of killing them but I’ll try. Last year I put tuber begonias in the huge pot I have over there. I loved them so much that I got them again. They weren’t available at Home Depot. I had to go to a local gardening store for that. I have yet to fill the basket I put in under my bedroom window. I imagine I’ll fill it with impatiens again.
My neighbor has been mentioning wanting cuttings from the huge bush that produces extremely large purple flowers in the spring. I’m not sure what kind of bush it is. I love it. It came with the house. I wish I knew how to do the cutting thing. I’d love to put a few more colorful bushes like that in the yard.
With my last gift card I decided to get a bit creative. I bought something called osteospermum. We have an unsightly pole in our yard that mainly serves to keep other poles on the road standing up I think. Well I surrounded it with these. I’ve never grown them before.
When I get the digital camera I’ll put some pictures and republish this. In the meantime I’ll post a picture of my house from shortly after we moved in. I’m trying to find ways to make my yard look more interesting. I’m considering something along the edges of the walkway leading up to the house. If you have any suggestions or gardening tips, please feel free to share.
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Comments: 29
The best time to split a Hosta (or any plant really) is in the early spring right after the last frost (some gardeners prefer late fall). Hostas take rather well to splitting, and I have successfully split them into three or four individual plants.
You might also consider looking around for websites or free software that allow you 'design' your yard on your computer. Essentially, you take digital images and then click and drag bushes, flowers, stones, pavers, etc. into the image to see what different combinations would look like. There is great software you can buy that will do this, but many companies used to offer 'lite' versions for free, or even full versions for downloading which you can use free for 15 or 30 days. These programs are wonderful for 'seeing' it before you dig, or spend $$$$.
Good Luck!
As an addendum, you can split a Hosta in the late spring or summer, but you will need to treat the new plants with extra care while they recover.
I am far from any type of expert in this, and I have had limited success in getting cuttings to grow successfully. My suggestion would be to take a small branch to your local garden center or nursery (NOT Lowes or Home Depot), and have them advise you as to what it is, and the best way to grow cuttings.
Typically, you make a diagonal slice (about 45°) in the stem, and 'root' them in water first. However, some plants prefer moist soil (like willows). You can also buy a special fertilizer that helps cuttings get established.
That's about all I know! :-(
Do you like shrubs? We have tons of cotoneasters and creeping yews that are easy to grow and maintain. Barberry is nice and keeps pretty color. I am waiting til all our stuff is done, then will be posting pics of everything.
I also like myrtle- it's a ground cover that spreads nicely. Home Depot has it in an 8 pack for only $10.
Questions? We've got answers. *grins*
And do you have any hanging baskets? Fill one with fuschia and you will get hummingbirds. That's what my mom did. I never have good luck with fuschia.
That is a pic right after we moved in so the shepherd hooks aren't up either. I usually hang three on the porch and then Kev. bought me three shepherds hooks.
Not sure what a burning bush is. I 'll look that up. I'm thinking about the bible now :)
Ummm, if I mentioned it, it certainly won't be bible related.
Are you in Ohio?
Joanne, I'm several hours from the Michigan border :)
And I bought a couple beautiful shrubs today called euyonomous (sp?) that are easy growers. Very bright green and yellow and they maintain the color all year.