You can imagine my surprise when I found that one of the Crape Myrtle trees in my yard was this stunning pink color. I am on a true learning curve because I've never had to deal with Japanese beetles before. I have two more of these trees which I am assuming are a different variety as they haven't even begun to show buds. Are they already eaten alive or are they just late bloomers? Time will tell.
I've found that most of the plants in the yard are early bloomers and so I've begun to fill in the gaps this year with annuals. I'm hoping the zinnia and salvia fill up the spaces. 
I noticed many of the hostas in the gardens are very small and don't stand out in their surroundings. I was watching an episode of "A Gardener's Diary" on HGTV that featured a fellow from Atlanta who was a true "garden nerd". He had a huge collection of Hostas and noted that they liked to get cold roots so he put them in pots. Hostas need cold roots to spur them to grow bigger and better each year. So I picked up these three stunning plants and plopped them in pots that I brought from NY. They are just ugly plastic pots but hopefully will be just an afterthought when these hostas are bursting out on all sides. 
And for my favorite new thing! I picked up this sweet Daisy Fountain at Lowe's for a mere $40. (I had a $10.00 coupon!) I put it next to the brick path that leads to the front door. The sound of water bubbling is just right and just gives me such a good feeling. 
Every day my mind is full of little ideas to improve my landscape.
I've found that most of the plants in the yard are early bloomers and so I've begun to fill in the gaps this year with annuals. I'm hoping the zinnia and salvia fill up the spaces. 
I noticed many of the hostas in the gardens are very small and don't stand out in their surroundings. I was watching an episode of "A Gardener's Diary" on HGTV that featured a fellow from Atlanta who was a true "garden nerd". He had a huge collection of Hostas and noted that they liked to get cold roots so he put them in pots. Hostas need cold roots to spur them to grow bigger and better each year. So I picked up these three stunning plants and plopped them in pots that I brought from NY. They are just ugly plastic pots but hopefully will be just an afterthought when these hostas are bursting out on all sides. 
And for my favorite new thing! I picked up this sweet Daisy Fountain at Lowe's for a mere $40. (I had a $10.00 coupon!) I put it next to the brick path that leads to the front door. The sound of water bubbling is just right and just gives me such a good feeling. 
Every day my mind is full of little ideas to improve my landscape. Time. Be patient, I tell myself, it takes time.
Here are a few people who inspire me to be a better gardener.
Yvonne
and Julie
14 comments:
Crape Myrtles are so pretty...I've been noticing all the different colors as I drive around town. I love that fountain! Will have to check at Lowe's. Thanks for the Hosta tip....I will have to try potting some. I used to have a nice bunch of them around my dogwood tree, but when the tree died, the hostas no longer got any shade and they have not looked good since. I moved a few, but need to do something with the rest.
I love your fountain! I would really enjoy having one too, especially if I didn't live near the water anymore.
Eve our Myrtles are just starting to bloom. We hit them with Sevin before we left and came back to blooms. Ours bloom through September. You are going to love them!
Oh do I love your fountain! You are bad for my change purse, I am heading to Lowe's after lunch!!
I am betting you a glass of muscadine that those hosta will be very happy where you put them and they soon will be GI-NOR-MOUS!!!
Great pics this morning! I have been wanting to stroll thru your garden :)
Hi Eve: Your garden is going to be lovely, I'm sure. I would have just as much to learn if I moved south too. Thanks for the plug! Best/Yvonne
Hi Evie, like everyone else on the planet, I love that fountain and it looks right at home where you've 'planted' it. I didn't know that about Hostas either and am glad all mine are already in pots, those are going to look fab!
Hi Eve. I've just been reading up on the Japanese beetle - sounds like a pesky little devil to control. I like the way your garden is developing. Lol FAB
Those pictures are so pretty, I know it's not showing all of it, but I bet you have a very beautiful garden. I'm not good with plants at all :( I bet you get all kinds of little bird visitors.
And like everyone, I love your fountain ;)
Eve, your gardens back in New York we just amazing, I am sure your talent will shine through there in Alabama. I love the fountain!
Maybe the cold roots for the Hosta is part of them being a shade plant. Did wonder why some get sooooo big and others didn't. Or the same one at my house doesn't, but at Mama's they are huge! That is because all of her huge trees around those hostas.
I am really enjoying your new surroundings with you, as you find new flowers and things you couldn't enjoy in New York.
Thanks everyone!
Leeloo's Mum, Thanks for visiting again. I think I've counted 9 gardens just in the yard around my house!! There are a couple more across the driveway! No they don't all look good, some are sparse and right now have only sprigs of iris, lilly and/or dead roses from the beetles. I think it's going to take me quite a bit of time to make them work. I've noticed from my NY garden that coneflowers like to spread and fairly quickly and the birds do like them very much. So that's my plan...lots of coneflowers!
Hi Barb, I haven't see any birds in the fountain yet, it's fairly small so they should be able to pop in with no prob. I realized the trap was a waist of time so we put sevin on the one tree and wish I'd done it sooner. I think I'll have to see what plans the bugs eat and not get those plants, like the roses...they look horrible! I hate to spray but I can't let these beautiful trees go to waste.
Hi Leedra,
Well, I know there are all kinds of different sized hostas, but maybe to get to their full potential they need to have cold roots over the winter. Maybe there are micro climates in your yards. Some hostas can take more sun, the lighter ones, also. The beauty about hostas is they are so forgiving, you can move them around and divide them at almost any time of year. They just keep on going!
Thanks guys!
I miss having time for gardening - Is it hot enough for you yet?
Hi Helen! It gets pretty HOT, but I'm LOVING it!!
It wont be long before this garden has Eve Sweatman stamped all over it.
Your gardens are looking great! I like the new fountain- the sound of running water would be a great addition to any garden! Maybe the birds will be able to use it some.
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