Notes from the garden...

Yesterday, I finished cleaning out around the Bee Balm and the Crype Myrtle. What a mess, layers and layers leaf litter. It took nine yard waste bags. I planted the final three Hostas.

Today, I transplanted the Snapdragons in the same bed as the Hostas. I weeded and the adjoining bed and added mulch. I made good progress on the veggie and herb bed. I had to stop due to a Thunderstorm. It did leave 1/2 of rain.

I went to Home Depot and picked up more pine bark mulch and some Salvias to finish up.  I hope!

Salvia 

 I have nine more to plant tomorrow.

Pink Cone Flowers
are doing great!

 

Vincas are starting to bloom.

I like the color combination of the red Vincas, pink Pentas and the blue Hydrangea.

 

 

 

All 48 of the red Vincas were planted this morning. Next, mulching more of the Sun Garden and weeding and mulching of Hebe & Veggie Garden. Next to plant: three Hostas and transplant three Snapdragons. Pictures to follow later. Most of the Vincas aren't in bloom yet.

Yesterday, I did a lot weeding to prepare for the final planting in the sun garden. Today, I will be planting  Vincas on the front border. Yesterday, I planted three Pentas, three Blanket Flowers and three Phlox.

 

Blanket Flower 

 

Phlox

 Phlox

Astible

This perennial grows will in full shade.

Aunt Mae's Hydrangea

The flowers are purple, but usually look blue when photographed with my camera.

This Hydrangea was planted in memory of my Aunt Mae.

 

 

Blue Hydrangea

 

Resources

Books
I have used all of these books.
Southest Home Landscaping
http://www.amazon.com/Southeast-Home-Landscaping-Roger-Holmes/dp/1580112579

50 Shurbs for Georgia
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Shrubs-Georgia-Erica-Glasener/dp/1591860822

Landscape Plants of the Southeast
http://www.amazon.com/Landscape-Plants-Southeast-Gordon-Halfacre/dp/0916822141/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336413805&sr=1-7

Best Gardens Plants for Georgia
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Garden-Plants-Georgia-Dillard/dp/976820009X/ref=wl_mb_recs_24_dp

Books that I haven't used, but look interesting.

Georgia Gardener's Guide: Revised Edition
http://www.amazon.com/Georgia-Gardeners-Guide-Revised-Edition/dp/159186044X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S?ie=UTF8&colid=2QCS2X9GKTECS&coliid=I3S70DX8ZD7CND

Guide to Georgia Vegetable Gardening
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Georgia-Vegetable-Gardening-Guides/dp/1591863910/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&colid=2QCS2X9GKTECS&coliid=I1AVG4IVPJTZAH

50 Great Flowers for Georgia
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Flowers-Georgia-Erica-Glasener/dp/1591860806/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&colid=2QCS2X9GKTECS&coliid=I3JT0IBWXT6TPF


Websites
Georgia Gardener Forum

Walter Reeves
An expert on gardening in Georiga
http://www.walterreeves.com/

Pentas

This annual plant, I chose it because it will produce large flowers and the plant can grow up to 4 feet tall. It is great where you need a taller plant. It needs almost no care. It will do very well in hot and dry weather. The most common colors that I have found are red and pink. It also comes in white, purple, and lavender. The plant attracts birds, humming bird and butterflies.

Coreopsis

This plant is native to the South. It grows really well with only needing dead heading. Once established, I avoid watering it. If it is water regularly, it becomes dependent. If the plant receives only rainwater, it will do well in drought and extreme heat. When we lived in Milledgeville, we had a summer with little rain and temperatures of 100+ for 12 days in a row. It kept blooming without us adding any water.

Pink Cone Flower

More First Blooms

Today, we had very light rain. So light that the ground under the trees was dry. I planted six Pentas.
I believe that I am finished with the containers except for one for Mother's day.  I planted Impatients, Begonias and basil plant in eight containers

http://www.walterreeves.com/

Gardenia

First Blooms of Season

 

 

Zinnias

This picture was taken when they were planted in early in April

Vegetable and Herb Garden

 Tomatoes and Pepper plants

Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Dill, Chives, and Rosemary

Purple and Green Basil
April 27, 2012

A Shady Spot
Hostas, ferns and Geraniums.

These Geraniums were in pots on my deck last season. I kept them outside all winter and covered them when the temperatures were freezing. They are blooming like crazy!

Oakleaf Hydrangea.
It is doing very well!