Gardening Club

[Gilly]

I figured that with the nice warm weather, plenty of people will be planting, and needing suggestions and help.

Ok, so I am totally at a loss when it comes to planting, but hey, we don't all have green thumbs. ;)

So, yesterday, I bought 2 pre-grown delphinium's, and 1 Lamium (dead nettle). Also, I bought a hanging strawberry plant. As far as planting, I've got no questions.

However, both the delphiniums and the lamium are perennials, and what I forgot to ask, and want to know, is if they spread on their own, or not.

I also want to know if the strawberry plants can be transplanted to the ground after this summer. Anyway, if anyone knows, let me know. :)

[Englishlush]

I must have a filthy mind cos I was sure this was gonna be about shagging in the garden!:D

[LixyChick]

Hoping your weather is similar to mine....


Not sure if delphinium spread Gilly...but just a few tips on what I know about delphinium. We can't help the rain...but water at the base (foot) when watering from a hose or watering can. Helps prevent fungal diseases. Plant only in rich soil that drains well. Dry, stoney soil will inhibit flowering. You have to stake them and in your next season...stake as early as possible! Very few varities of delphinium can stand alone. Some can grow as tall as 7'. If you cut back the stems as soon as they are done blooming, you may get a second crop somewhere in September.

Lamium is a ground cover and can run rampant. They have very agressive roots. If you want to contain it you'll have to sink metal or plastic deep into the soil to keep the root spread where you want it.

About the hanging strawberry plant...I can't say for sure, but I think it's an ornamental plant only, and will never produce edible strawberries. I'm assuming it's an annual...but again, that's an assumption!

Hope this helps.....and I love this thread!

[Gilly]

Thanks Lixy!

I want to plant as many perennials as possible this year, so I don't have to replant flowers all over each year. I picked up a really pretty white and purple pansy tonight at Wal-Mart which says it blooms in the winter and summer both. It's very pretty. :)

[LixyChick]

Just an idea hun......plant some dwarf onnamental grasses to highlight the flowering perennials! Be careful to make sure you give them space too...as they spread...but rather slow for some types! I have tons of space and planted the larger varieties like zebra grass. It get's pretty damn big after Miracle Grow hits it once or twice!

*disclaimer* I am not affiliated with Miracle Grow in any way, shape or form...I just happen to like the results it can produce in my gardens!

[Gilly]

-giggles- Kinda like the unofficial Wendy's sponser?

I'll look this weekend, and see what I can find by way of ornamental grasses. :)

[LixyChick]

I just got a dwarf burning bush! It's ok in it's green state in the spring and summer...but turns a gorgeous red in autumn. I wish I could make a "living fence" with them.

Also, my hosta went bonkers this year. I think I'll leave them to prosper one more season and then I'll seperate them.

Gotta get a bit of advice about my azealas though. Seems no matter where I put them, they don't do well. I think I might be moving them too much...but I don't want them to die in each spot that they don't like. Any suggestions? I know azeala is a rhodedendron type bush...and my regular rhodedendron isn't doing all that well this year either. We had one hell of a cold winter. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Lilith]

My yard is filled with azaleas. I have them in the shade and a couple of dwarf reside on my hill in a more sunny location. My soil is fairly clay-like. I would say pick a place and leave em. When you say they don't do well, what is happening?

[LixyChick]

They get leggy and don't blossom much at all, Lil. I have them tucked under one of my pear trees now. They get filtered sunlight...and are between two big boulders (my yard is the stop point for when the glaciers melted and the boulders slid...lol!), but they haven't always been there. Well, one was but now there are three. Two seem to be picking up momentum...but the most established (longest residing) looks puny and sad. It is the biggest of the three...but has the least leaves and blossoms. The twigs aren't dead...just not producing.

I'm stumped! I do well with most other plants and bushes...just not these three!

[huntersgirl]

What a great thread idea! I know absolutely nothing about plants or gardening and I am going to need lots of help! My s/o just bought a new house with lots of mature plantings, some of which I have no idea what to do with. Everything is quite overgrown and many things have been taken over by other more aggressive plants. My thoughts were to basically leave everything alone untill I have a good idea of what things are and how they behave. We have a few unidentifiable shrubs and trees, I have spent some time searching and trying to identify them, but haven't had much luck yet. Maybe I can take a few pictures today while I am there working. I am sure with the plethora of knowledge here someone will be able to help!:D

[Lilith]

Originally posted by LixyChick
They get leggy and don't blossom much at all, Lil. I have them tucked under one of my pear trees now. They get filtered sunlight...and are between two big boulders (my yard is the stop point for when the glaciers melted and the boulders slid...lol!), but they haven't always been there. Well, one was but now there are three. Two seem to be picking up momentum...but the most established (longest residing) looks puny and sad. It is the biggest of the three...but has the least leaves and blossoms. The twigs aren't dead...just not producing.

I'm stumped! I do well with most other plants and bushes...just not these three!

When do you trim them???

[Irish]

Originally posted by LixyChick
I just got a dwarf burning bush! It's ok in it's green state in the spring and summer...but turns a gorgeous red in autumn. I wish I could make a "living fence" with them.

Also, my hosta went bonkers this year. I think I'll leave them to prosper one more season and then I'll seperate them.

Gotta get a bit of advice about my azealas though. Seems no matter where I put them, they don't do well. I think I might be moving them too much...but I don't want them to die in each spot that they don't like. Any suggestions? I know azeala is a rhodedendron type bush...and my regular rhodedendron isn't doing all that well this year either. We had one hell of a cold winter. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Lixy---The old lady accross the highway from us,has a "living fence" of burning bushes.It is especially pretty in the fall months.
I have NO idea how long she(husband died)has had them! Irish
P.S.We stopped gardening,years ago.At that time,my wife & I,both had full time jobs & our daughters still lived home.When the weeds,got taller,then the plants,we stopped gardening.(The
woodchucks,really missed,biting those tomatoes!)

[LixyChick]

Originally posted by Lilith
When do you trim them???
I watched a gardening show once that said to prune them just before they bud in spring. So...after the threat of frost...and before they bud...I prune back the unruly stuff. I didn't prune at all this year cause I thought maybe they hated what I was doing! Waaaaaaaaaaa! I need an azeala psycologist! LMFAO! Help me Lil!

Huntersgirl...I'm looking forward to your pics! Hope we can help some!

[Gilly]

My lily's came up, and started blooming this week! They are a light lavender color, with darker purple in the middle. I'm so excited!

[maddy]

Huntersgirl, I had the same situation with the home I purchased last spring. I finally gave up and this spring dug up everything I had - including a burning bush. I'm always afraid to transplant, so I started over. I have gardenias (which are in full bloom and smell wonderful), carissa hollys boxwoods, and petunias. Everything is identifable to me now, and the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming.

Now, my only problem is I am constantly seeing mushrooms pop up in the mulch... too much moisture?

[Lilith]

Lixy~ Mine bloom 2 times a year. early spring and fall. Here we cut them after the first blooms. Has to be prior to July. The saying here is that if you cut them after July you are sacrificing next year's blooms.

[LixyChick]

I don't think this climate is condusive to ours blooming two times a year, Lil. Least I've never seen anyone's (including mine) do that. There's a guy about a mile or so away...and his entire front yard is all azealaed (<--word?...is now!) out! It's so beautiful and tastefully done. I'm a bit reluctant...but I'm tempted to knock on his door and ask his secret!

Thanks for all the info Lil! I don't know if our climate differences change the way we maintain our bushes (pun not necessarily intended...but cute, eh?), but I'll try anything that might make these suckers go bananas! I want big bushes...not these itsy, bitsy ones I'm clinging to!

[LixyChick]

Originally posted by Irish
Lixy---The old lady accross the highway from us,has a "living fence" of burning bushes.It is especially pretty in the fall months.
I have NO idea how long she(husband died)has had them! Irish
That musta cost them a fortune, Irish! I got one bush...rather nice size one...for 1/2 price at a recent garden center sale. It cost me $40.00! I envy that lady you know!

[LixyChick]

Originally posted by maddy
Huntersgirl, I had the same situation with the home I purchased last spring. I finally gave up and this spring dug up everything I had - including a burning bush. I'm always afraid to transplant, so I started over. I have gardenias (which are in full bloom and smell wonderful), carissa hollys boxwoods, and petunias. Everything is identifable to me now, and the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming.

Now, my only problem is I am constantly seeing mushrooms pop up in the mulch... too much moisture?
Awwwww! It's a shame that we didn't have this thread way back when you had trouble identifying some of the stuff you disposed of. But, I'm glad you have a garden now that you can call "your own"!

The little bit I know about mushrooms, you might be able to fill a thimble with...but here goes!

Most mushrooms prefer moist, dimly lit, well ventilated conditions. The more dimly lit the better. The mulch you got may have had some spawn (germinated mushroom spores) in it. I'm assuming (only an assumption on my part) that if you let the problem area dry out and allow it more light (trim back some trees to let filtered light in, but not so much so as to ruin the shade loving plants too) you'll kill the spores that exist and no others can grow. Also...another thought...gently pull the mushrooms that do pop up. Don't stomp them or bury them, cause you'll leave the possibility of spawn behind. Don't let them get old either. The older they are (say, about 3-7 days) the more time they have to reproduce. Hope this helps Maddy! If you are reluctant to take this advice (and I wouldn't blame you, since I am no expert on mushrooms)...you can look up Mycology on the net. It's the study of mushrooms!

[Summer]

Lixy I have tons of plants in the yard that I purchased a year ago. My neighbor beside me told me that most of the bushes and trees started from rooting limbs. Perhaps you can do that with your burning bush.

[LixyChick]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! I love that idea Summer! TY very much! I know I can do it with forsythia...I didn't even think of the burning bush!

((((((Summer))))))

Hey! They have to propagate somehow...right?

[Lilith]

http://www.freeplants.com/burning_bush_propagation_and_care.htm

[Summer]

Yes, and preferably so that you don't have to pay $40 a bush! ;) I am all about having a beautiful yard and a fraction of the cost. My husband goes and takes clippings from some trees he wants (after asking the owners of course) and roots them.

[LixyChick]

TY so much Lil and Summer! I added that link to my faves! It has excellent advice!

[Irish]

Lixy---The woman,that I was referring to, has to be(without exaggeration)in her '80s.The bushes were there,when we bought
our place & we have been here(approx)27 yrs.The bushes,are(approx)8/10 ft. tall & who knows how many times that they have been cut back.She & her husband,used to do all of the yard
work.He died,a few yrs. ago,& now she(stubbornly)tries to do everything herself.Yesterday,while cutting my grass,I saw her using a Riding mower & hand mower on her place.Older people
(myself included)had a different work ethic.Now most people,think
that Manual Labor,is someone of Spanish decent! Irish

[Irish]

Hint for everyone.In Conn.,my father used to be a State Cop,so he knew alot of highway workers.Periodically,in the spring,we would ride around,& take plants,that were in ? many ft.,from the
edge of the road.The highway workers told him that,every yr.,the
state workers,cut,to the ground,ALL of the plants that border the road.My driveway & front border,are fenced with fir trees,that were once saplings.Now they are(approx)15/20 ft. tall.Plus they
were free with a little labor. Irish
P.S.Check your State & Town regs,to see how many ft. they use!

[Ranger1930]

A small suggestion to everyone. Most all mushrooms are harmless to gardens. and actually can help. because mushrooms only last for about 1-3 days once they die. they dry out and leave small air pockets in the soil, making it loose and manageable for the roots of plants to grow through. also it helps collect and hold moisture. That's the technical side.

And the better part is mushrooms are cute lil boogers.. just think you could have a whole town of Smurfs living in your garden. and who wouldnt want that? =P

[Irish]

My wife treats me like a growing mushroom!
1:She feeds me shit!
2:She keeps me in the dark!
Seriously,most of the mushrooms,that grow in my yard,grow in mossy,damp soil. Irish

[maddy]

Thanks for the mushroom advice... I've been stomping them rather than trying to pull, no wonder they keep coming back!!! I sure hope they aren't harmful to critters as the birds and neighborhood cats seem quite interested. But I suppose, I'd rather them eat the mushrooms than my plants.

[Gilly]

I got all 7 of my pre-planted oriental lily's planted in the ground, along with the 4 that I had already planted in the ground a few weeks ago, forgoing the potting process. My delphinums are planted, with my snow pansy in the middle, and the dead nettle is against the steps, in the shade. YAY! I feel so accomplished. :p

[LixyChick]

Maddy? Birds won't eat stuff that is bad for them. Least they don't eat lady bugs...which are bitter little cusses! I know cause I accidently ate one once...and vegemite tastes better! LOL! Don't know about cats and other animals though. But cats do eat some weird stuff...so I dunno??!! And Ranger's right about shrooms being good for the garden. Just unsightly is all! The birds might be going after the worms in the moist garden you have...and the cats might be going after the birds! Ahhhhhhhh...the food chain! LOL!

Well...like an ass, I went and dug up 5 boxwood from my front gardens and replanted them in the back garden to get more sun...and replaced the front garden with 5 azealas! Am I a glutton for punishment or what? I ammended the soil because it's so close to the house and will get lime run-off from the stucco. It's the shadiest part of my house...only get's early morning and late, late afternoon sun. They were on sale...so I'm giving it a try one more time...damnitalltohell! Wish me luck!

Gilly? Your garden sounds like it's coming along nicely!

P.S. I took some pics of my puny old azealas, along with other stuff...and as soon as I have time to resize them, I'll post um here!

[huntersgirl]

Well my boyfriend took a few pictures today so I guess I'll start with these shrubs by the front porch. They are one either side of the front steps. I obviously would like to cut them back some, but don't want to kill them. I think they are rather pretty. They are just way too big! I have no idea what they are. I have tried to look them up but can't find them. Any advice would be appreciated.

[huntersgirl]

Here is a photo that shows how overgrown they are...

[huntersgirl]

This is a vine that grows along a fence seperating the property from the neighbors. There are also vines on the front porch that I was told were bittersweet. This appears to be different. The leaves are not the same shape.

[huntersgirl]

These next couple of photos are a tree that I think we have finally identified. It appears to be a buckeye or perhaps a horse chestnut. These are not native to this region. I have never seen one before in my life. It's not in great shape there is a split in the trunk that is held together by rope! It has obviously been tied together for some years, there is evidence of old rope that the bark has grown around. I figured maybe someone would be able to confirm the species for me! We plan on just letting it do its thing, until it can no longer stand on its own. Then I suppose we will have to take it down. I find that rather sad!:(

[huntersgirl]

This shows the trunk.

[huntersgirl]

Close up of the leaves.

[Irish]

huntersgirl---I can't confirm if it is a horsechestnut or not.We had one,in front,but the State reconfigured the road(Rt125)& cut it
down.There is something,that is recommended,for trees,with a
split in the bark.I think that it concerns painting, the wood, with
something,so that it doesn't get infected with pests.If you want to
save it(the tree)then I would suggest checking with a tree surgeon or website,etc.Suggestion:Try a search site. Irish

[Lilith]

Originally posted by huntersgirl
This is a vine that grows along a fence seperating the property from the neighbors. There are also vines on the front porch that I was told were bittersweet. This appears to be different. The leaves are not the same shape.

Are they grape vines????

[huntersgirl]

Lilith~ I am not sure...I have looked up grape vines but it is difficult to tell. I had some grapes at another home I lived in but they looked quite different. But there are quite a few varieties.

Irish~ thanks for the advice. I would certainly like to try to save the tree. We were thinking of calling someone to check it out and see if it is worth trying to save.

[jay-t]

for azealas mulch with pecan hulls they do better in an acidy soil in part sun. lay the mulch about 2 in. thick

[LixyChick]

I do think that is a grape vine huntersgirl! Here's a pic of mine to compare the leaves to. Mine must be over 30 years old. They only fruit after five years and need lots of sun (all day sun). Mine is a concord grape. There are several varieties.

[LixyChick]

TY for the mulch suggestion jay-t! I have a mulch of pine needles on them now. Here's a pic of the existing azealas in my back and side gardens. I haven't taken any of the new ones up front yet. You can see that the hosta are bigger than the azeala. The hosta love this spot...but I'm thinking the azeala don't care for it at all! I'm doing my best to ammend the soil for them and just let them go this season and see what happens.

[LixyChick]

Here's the azeala in the side garden beside the smoke house. This one was on the property when we bought the place (almost five years ago) and I moved it from next to the house to this current spot. It does better that the others, but still nowhere near what some folks around here have growing in their yards!

*sigh*

[LixyChick]

My lilac tree. Deep, dark, extremely fragrant lilacs...mmmmm! They had just started to bloom when Grumble was visiting! I love this tree. Most lilacs are bushes. We figure this tree is at least 75 y/o!

[LixyChick]

We just planted this garden last fall. This year we are bombarded by cicada's. Noisey little creatures! I'll post a pic of the swarms later tonight. They are just now coming out of the ground and chose this garden to shed their shells.

[LixyChick]

I've been going round the yard taking pics that I thought would be fun to share. I will post somemore later...I have to go to work!

*hugs*

[huntersgirl]

Lixy~ your gardens are lovely! As for your azeala's they look like mine! I thought that is how they are supposed to look...I really need help...lol.

btw...still not sure about that vine, thanks for the pic of yours! How big are your leaves? I was under the impression that grape leaves were quite large. The leaves on this vine are pretty small.

[Lilith]

huntersgirl~ I would bet that those are muscadine grapes. Mr. Lil pinned them as those immediately too.

http://www.justme.org/garden/images/72903grapes.jpg

[huntersgirl]

Wow Lilith! That sure does look like it! I will just have to wait now and see! Thanks bunches;)

[LixyChick]

Oops! Sorry that I didn't get back here last night folks. I'll try again tonight.

The leaves on my grape vine are about 5-6 inches across and about 6-8 inches (and this is a total guess) from stem to tip. I can measure them later for a more factual reply.

As to my azeala's huntersgirl....they only stand about 1-2ft. high (and that's pushing it) and I've seen some neighbor's bushes that are 5-6ft. high and bushier than bushy can be! My hosta are much bigger than my azeala. That's a sad state of affairs! LOL!

BBL!