Ten July Favorites
Chaste Tree ( Vitex ) One of the highlights of the year is when the Chaste Tree blooms. It pains me that I don't know the name of it, but I suspect it is 'Shoal Creek' . I failed to record it, and I also do not remember where it came from. We sell a newer variety at Yard N' Garden called 'Flip Side ', which has stunning leaves of olive-green with a purple reverse. A friend has the pale pink variety, but I don't think it is as pretty as the blue-colored flowers. This little tree is constantly covered with bees. Catalpa bignoinoides 'Aurea' A large limb died over the winter, leaving a gaping hole. However, it is looking better after Michael raised some of the remaining limbs. It has bloomed profusely this year. Like the vitex, our best view of it is from the windows, where you get an elevated view. Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister' This perennial is doing much better after I moved it to a better location. I saw it last week in an ope...
Happy Valentines day. It was so nice this weekend and such a welcome change. And for the rest of the week is looking good.
ReplyDeleteAnd more beautiful weather for the rest of the week here!! Actually turning off the heater in the greenhouse, yippee! I have a few small grasses, I cut them back last week.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me that I could be doing this. Happy Valentines Day.
ReplyDeleteJust finished mine in Atlanta, also taking advantage of the nice weather. The only downside is that the grasses take three trips to the greenwaste dump to get rid of them all!
ReplyDeleteA very informative post. I don't grow any of them (no room) but I was happy to learn by reading your post. I agree ornamental grasses (there are a lot of them around here) look interesting in winter.
ReplyDeleteAnyone need clumps of zebra grass? I have one that has gotten to about 3 ft in diameter and it needs dividing. After trimming it this weekend I'm going to run a middle buster through it to dig part of it up. Mary
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful weather here too, and drier too, nice for a change! I haven't cut back many of my grasses yet because the birds are still using them for cover since I still don't have many woody plants near where most of my grasses are. I am going to cut back some of my muhlies this year, which I haven't done before, because I can't comb out all of the dried leaves on the big ones.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's that time of year. DH and DD will probably burn our grasses tomorrow (DH's day off) unless it's too windy. We try to do it around Valentine's Day. It's like a spring ritual for them. Another sign that spring is on the way! :) ~~Rhonda
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip! Thanks for reminding! Need to give a haircut to my pampas grass!
ReplyDeleteHope you wore long sleeves. I always look like I got in a cat fight pruning the grasses in the yard!
ReplyDeleteGot mine cut this weekend but will go back on a few and get them shorter. Some of them were a bit monsterous!! Thanks Phillip!
ReplyDeleteIt's still a little bit early to cut back our grasses here, but it won't be long. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteOrnamental grasses are my absolute favorites because of the winter interest and the fact that they withstand my clay and poor drainage. I am just about ready to cut mine down now here in NJ.
ReplyDeleteThrilled to have found your blog and look forward to following along.