Stepping Into May
Rhododendron 'Klondyke' and Geranium maculatum May is already here and the garden suddenly explodes with growth. We spent the weekend watering (already?) because there hasn't been significant rainfall in a while. We don't have a sprinkler system so it is all manpower, dragging hoses and sprinklers. It takes two days - one for the back and one for the front - to water everything. It is possible to get it all in one day if we start really early. The rhododendrons are beginning now - 'Mandarin Lights' 'Jean Marie De Montague' 'Percy Wiseman' - beautiful but suffers from lacebug. I'm considering replacing it or maybe I will try and treat it. A favorite right now is the Chilean Potato Vine ( Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'). This plant is hardier than you might imagine. Some sources list it as a "9", others an "8". It is going on its third year in our garden, having been moved once. It is sheltered somewhat by a fence but ...
I plant to use more coleus next year. The coleus I planted in the arbor garden this summer, like your 'Kong,' is still going strong. It is shrubby and quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThose big colorful coleus are certainly worth growing. They are so sturdy, not a bit fussy about light or water. Just give them room to grow.
ReplyDeleteI love all the Kong coleus series for the shade garden. They are simply the best.
ReplyDeleteWow. Very eye catching.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful coleus. Will you be bringing a lot of your pots and garden ornaments with you to your new digs in P town?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I will bring any plants. Some pots and one or two statues but I am leaving the majority. :(
DeleteI'm a big fan of coleus, but I don't grow this one very often. But when I did, it was huge and lovely! I've always had good luck taking cuttings of coleus over the winter, and they make pretty house plants while you wait.
ReplyDeleteI've become a big fan of coleus lately. Such tough, undemanding plants. Kong is a beauty. :o)
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to try 'Kong' as I do love coleus, but, here in the uk they take so long to get going, and are still little toddlers in July, even when planted under heat in February. Kong is a lovely size, and looks so healthy. Coleus remains somehow under the radar , a lovely annual which gets overlooked. Is it just out of fashion, or does it get overlooked when it is compared to annuals with big, showy flowers ?
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