Scorching!

I have had to water pots in the morning and the evening as we continue to teeter around the 100 degree mark. Most things recover with watering. I think the Lobelia have cried "uncle." They are such a beautiful blue but the tiny flowers do not like the heat. I admire anyone who can keep them thriving in this heat. But the good news is that so far, they are the only casualty. Obviously the impatiens are stressed but I went light on them this year so fewer to baby. And if these temperatures are any indication, I am glad I did.

The smartpot plants are doing quite well. They are planted with Moonflowers and I am excited by the idea of keeping them thriving to bloom time. Something that hasn't happened the last several years. I love the big white blooms in the twilight and the fragrance.

Challenging Heat

With temperatures in the high 90s this week, my garden will get a real test. So far the begonias - both Dragon Wing and the basic bedding variety (I probably should find a better description) are holding their own. After careful consideration, the two varieties make up the bulk of my planting. I have a few impatiens in pots and some dianthus scattered in the beds. I am pleased with the look of the newly renovated bed in the yard so far but it needs to fill in more. The lilies we planted are barely out of the ground. In another year, they likely will be in full bloom at this point.

I am very disappointed so far with the cannas. Those started from tubers are barely up. They ones I bought already at prime size are holding up well in the pots.

Coming next, an update on the pots.

Planting Is Done!

I believe I have all of the gardens planted. Again I am having on begonias because I want to see some success. Then I will become for adventuresome. I am prepared to pull out anything that isn't working instead of feeling sorry that it isn't thriving. I am seeing the first shoots from the caladiumand the canna roots. The moonflowers are starting to peak out of the soil. Very exciting. And the pansies have not started to fade yet.

Smart Pots

I am experimenting with a new type of pot I read about. The Smart Pots (www.smartpots.com)are made of fabric and come flat. You fill them with soil and plant them and then can put them inside a pot, arrange them on a patio or set them in the garden where they will draw moisture from the ground. I have placed two in places in my garden where I have trouble with tree roots, making it hard to create a good growing environment but where I would like to add a plant. I also like the idea that they fold away flat. They are a little tricky to fill as they keep wanting to collapse. In this pot, I have planted moonflowers. I love moonflowers but since moving to this house with all the trees, I have not been able to get them started. So a two for one experiment - testing the Smart Pots and attempting a new location for moonflowers.

Planted!

The renovation garden has been cleared and planted with some annuals and some oriental lilies. We had to move some hostas so they may not be happy. Hopefully they will just be glad to be able to breathe without all the honeysuckle taking the light and the air. We planted begonias and dianthus. Both seem to be very tolerant of our weather and my gardening skills and will provide some color while I contemplate what enhancements to make with perennials in the fall. As you can see, the plantings look very sparse but I am hoping water and food will provide a decent showing. I found out the area gets less sun than it used to as the trees have grown so I had to re-think a few of my ideas. This is when your imagination really has to be strong. Otherwise, you feel that you went to a whole lot of work and it doesn't look like anything. Stay tuned.

Dragon Wing Begonias

After much success with these beauties last summer, I am planting them again to add color when it gets so hot that impatiens begin losing their luster even with constant watering. I have again planted the deep red blooming begonias in pots but also branched out and planted them in a planter in front of our front door. I am excited about the possibility of that bed having some actual punch. The hostas have been nice but the color is a welcome possibility. I also bought a couple of the dragon wing begonias with pink blooms for pots. Maybe I will like them as well as the red.

The garden before any work. Half way through removal of the honeysuckle.

Hacking through the Honeysuckle

I started pulling out the honeysuckle that has crossed over from my neighbor's yard and engulfed one of my gardens. For whatever reason - mosquitoes, heat, something - I gave up on the garden last year. But I am trying again. This is a space with enough sun to grow something besides hostas and other shade lovers so it's my opportunity to expand my selections. Yeah!

So Much Rain

With all the rain the past week, I haven't been able to start my renovation or to even plant in the garden that I restarted last growing season. But then again, we aren't supposed to be safe to plant in Kansas City until Mother's Day and that's another week. I have however been buying a few plants. I am primed once the ground dries out a bit.

A New Year, A Clean Slate

It's spring and time to start contemplating what to plant in my pots and my garden so I have beautiful flowers by the time it's too hot to even consider doing anything but sitting and looking at the beds. I am determined to succeed. I already have planted some pots with my favorite for Kansas City summers, begonias.