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Post by Pammy on Mar 13, 2014 19:27:03 GMT
Glad to know you're lurking nearby.  I too have plans for getting our yard ready for spring. I have a pile of bricks to move to the other side of the shed to get them out of sight, and I want to plant a knockout rose bush where the pile of bricks currently sits. Oh, that will be so much prettier! This is the time of year that's so hard to wait those last few weeks before visiting the garden shop and buying some annuals. Do any of you have suggestions on what bushes out beautifully, and can withstand pretty high summer temps? When I lived in Michigan, I always had petunias, but they get gangly and go to seed (no matter how much I deadhead them) and give up altogether by the end of June down here in Oklahoma. Vinca work pretty well, but I'd sure like some variety. I have never been able to grow a pretty geranium anywhere, and marigolds are hit and miss for me. I am one to overcompensate with too much watering. I know I need to slow that way down. Wish I had a greener thumb. |
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Post by lisamarie on Mar 14, 2014 16:49:47 GMT
Pammy, do you want flowering bushes or just greens? I know some info on the matter. Temps here get over 80-90 on most summer days, and my dad's garden is never ever empty!
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Post by Pammy on Mar 14, 2014 19:07:48 GMT
Lisa, temps here generally soar above 100*F and stay that way for all of July, August and September. June is hot, too. Even May and October have some mighty warm days. I've had good luck with roses, although they suffer during the 100-day stretch of 100+ degree temps. My hydrangeas and hosta do all right.
I am mostly interested in flowering annuals or shrubbery (the kind that stays in bloom the entire growing season, not just for two weeks), but I also like greenery. I would LOVE to have some pointers on specifics plants that withstand the intense heat of the south. I have places to grow both in full sun and in full shade.
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Post by lisamarie on Mar 14, 2014 19:16:35 GMT
I'll ask my dad about what the shrubs are that we have on both sides of my front stoop. My dad did the landscaping maybe.... 6 or 7 years ago and the bushes are still doing well. One is a beautiful Bordeaux color. Small leaves but it's very pretty. They are in full sun.
Also, if you want perennials for full sun and hot weather, plant begonias! My dad has a triangle shaped garden he plants begonias in every spring and they last until late September (he usually digs them up before they actually die) they're skimpy at first but get very full and colorful very quick! They come in white, red, and pink. (At least up here) he plants them in a straight like alternating colors so that when full grown they display red, pink, and white stripes
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Post by Pammy on Mar 14, 2014 19:51:25 GMT
That sounds gorgeous! I have never tried begonias in my flower beds. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled (what a horrid expression) for them when I shop for flowers in the next few weeks. Are begonias annuals or perennials? I thought they were annuals.
Yes, I'd love to know what all your dad planted!
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Post by lisamarie on Mar 14, 2014 20:32:25 GMT
Yes I'm sorry, begonias are annuals! I always get the two confused -_-
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Post by Pammy on Mar 14, 2014 22:53:06 GMT
Do begonias require any special care? I'm not sure why I've always steered clear of them. Not this year! Trying something new!
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Post by dianapalmer on Mar 15, 2014 1:01:06 GMT
I'm planting begonias in my front garden this spring. It will be my first time for them.
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Post by Pammy on Mar 15, 2014 3:34:33 GMT
Diana, we'll have to keep each other posted on how it goes with our maiden run on begonias. With pictures!
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Post by dianapalmer on Mar 15, 2014 15:15:36 GMT
Great! I am planting them in my shady front garden.
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Post by santinoandmondo on Mar 15, 2014 17:35:27 GMT
Hi Pammy, I saw that you mentioned that you wanted plants for a sunny garden. There are waxy begonias, the ones that are annuals and are commonly sold in 6 packs with marigolds every spring and they do well in the sun. And there are the tuberous begonias, which do well with partial shade and moisture, and are typically flourishing in baskets in someone's porch. You definitely want the waxy begonias. As a way to incorporate color, you can choose shrubs with colorful foliage as well. Ornamental grasses would add both color and texture and they do well in sun. I saw this article that would be a helpful to get you started: www.tulsamastergardeners.org/lawngarden/plant_selections_ok_1.pdfIf you have friends who are gardeners, they probably can give you some plants in the spring to get you started. Perennials need regular dividing to stay healthy, so start asking around and offer to help for a couple of hours and you'll get paid in plants . Lastly, the "Knockout" roses are impressive. A friend planted some in her garden (zone 5) in full sun. The foliage is neat and glossy with lots of blooms all summer. Have fun! Cherry p.s. I enjoy gardening too |
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Post by saif on Mar 15, 2014 18:20:59 GMT
@ pammy - have u tried planting succulents ? They come in a variety of colours and sizes and dont need much care
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Post by santinoandmondo on Mar 15, 2014 19:35:14 GMT
I started a new thread called "Pammy's Sunny Garden" ...
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Post by Pammy on Mar 15, 2014 22:57:01 GMT
Thanks, Cherry! These are great suggestions!
How will I know whether the begonias I see for sale are waxy or tuberous?
I have two knockout roses in my front flower garden now. I planted one maybe 6 years ago, and it's been glorious. I'm excited for it to bloom within the next few weeks. The second one I planted just last spring, so I'm eager to see new growth very soon now. They are both shades of pink and I love them very much. I also have a very beautiful shrub with yellow-green leaves. It has grown enough to be quite impressive in my front garden. Planted along our curved front walk are five baby crepe myrtle trees that bloom a deep pink. I don't know whether you are familiar with crepe myrtle. They are a southern tree and blossom June thru October. I have seen others chop them back to stumps in the late fall, and they grow again the next season. Mine have been in my yard for 8 years now, but I'm afraid to cut them back. It would be so sad if I killed them!
I am hoping to get some flower money for my birthday later this month, to spend on beautifying our backyard. My hubby built a wonderful swing set for Natey last summer, and I bought some landscaping timbers that I want him to use to build me two tree/flower boxes on either end of the swing set. I also bought a "teenager-sized" baby Autumn Blaze maple tree and it was planted back there in January. One flower box will go around that tree. I will have to save up for a second tree for the other end of the swing set. My hubby says he will build my boxes when his current college trimester ends in mid-April.
Last night Aron asked me what I'd like for my birthday, and I said either potting soil or top soil for those tree/flower boxes. He said he would feel bad buying me dirt for my birthday. I assured him that's what I truly want, but that if it would make him feel better, a little flower money to go along with it would be very welcome. Then I could fill my soon-to-be boxes with soil, and go to the nursery and pick out some flowers for them.
Here's a question -- would it be okay to plant roses (knockout roses) around the young tree, a ways out, but eventually they would grow enough to shade the base of the trunk, or do trees need to get sunshine all the way down to the earth? Aren't the leaves what take in the sunshine? I want to eventually plant four rose bushes in the four corners of the tree boxes. That will make a world of difference in the prettiness level of our backyard.
Okay, I'm gonna look at the link you provided now....
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Post by Pammy on Mar 15, 2014 23:20:28 GMT
No, Saif, I have not heard of succulents.
So begonias are are good for both sunny and shady gardens?
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