Transplanting Rhododendron, Pruning Butterfly Bush and Roses, New Plants and a Bee/Insect Hotel

That is a convoluted title but it pretty much wraps up what I've been doing this well. We are having the type of weather that makes you want to uncover the statuary and the fountains and get on with the season. 

I've been pruning roses on Sauvie Island and when you are in that area, a trip to Cistis Nursery is required. I picked up a few things but before getting them in the ground, some juggling had to be done.

I purchased a kniphofia called 'Christmas Cheer' which has the unusual distinction of blooming during the winter. I wanted to put it in one of the terraced beds but something had to go. Rhododendron 'Yaku Princess' is one that I've wanted to move for a while now.  I'm trying to focus on drought-tolerant plants for the terraces and this one doesn't really fall into that category. So I'm moving it to the front border where, upon reflection, I've planted several rhododendrons this year since expanding the borders.

The transplant went very well. The root ball remained intact and the rhododendron isn't too large. I didn't give it much thought about its new home (a bad habit) but saw a large empty spot between the smoke tree and the dappled willow.

And yes, it is halfway out of the hole and that is the way I always plant them. I then pile up more soil and mulch around it.

The kniphofia looks hopelessy lost in the space where 'Yaku Princess' was. This will be troublesome for a while but alas, what can you do? At least the kniphofia should fill the space faster than the rhododendron.

Another impulse buy was the Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) which will always remind me of our fall vacations in north Florida. We also had one in the Alabama garden and I assume it is still there. It is a great shade plant.

 

In order to plant the Cast Iron plant, I had to move a gaura (which was way too large for the spot anyway and not getting enough sun). The new home for the gaura involved moving a ginger plant (again, in an unhappy spot and it has never bloomed). The new spot for the ginger required the digging up and moving of a dwarf crape myrtle. You can see where this is going. It is like a never-ending game of musical chairs. All the plants were moved today and I hope they like their new homes.

In between planting, the butterfly bushes were cut back. I actually did this last week. 

 More of the roses have been pruned but there are a few left. Today,, I pruned Marie Pavie and Grandmother's Hat.

'Marie Pavie'

 'Grandmother's Hat' has been the biggest dud but I blame myself as I've moved the poor thing twice. I know it hasn't had a chance to get settled in. I was prepared to move it yet again but realize it has no place to go. I don't think this is the optional location because it doesn't get sun until the afternoon, but I think it will be fine.

'Grandmother's Hat'

 One more new plant which did not get planted is Correa also known as "Australian Fuchsia". I wasn't familiar with it and loved the foliage as well as the flowers - there were a few but they had fallen off by the time I got the camera out. Placing this one is going to require some thought. According to the label, it can get 4 feet. 

And finally, the insect and bee hotel got revamped. I put up a version of this last year but I don't think it attracted any interest. I'm not giving up though and I tweaked it, adding some height and making it sturdier. I've read that a source of mud is also important so I will place a large saucer on the ground and put some soil and water in it. I'm hoping for success this year.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy