Stubborn Planting Bed or Is It?

When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside, too. ~Linda Solegato

First bud this year on David Austins Abraham Derby

Only the second year of David Austins Crocus Rose

The above two roses have been successful in my garden, both planted last year and thriving better than I had ever imagined. However, I have a problem in another area.......... or do I?

It seems everything I plant in a small strip of shade against the north side of my house dies. My azalea died after surviving two years. Last year my hosta didn't come up, but this year it is, though it's tiny and only just now peeping out of the ground. The ghost fern thrives here, a few geraniums and the climbing hydrangea planted last year are growing well, so that's a plus. So I decided to fill in the gaps with Ferns.
The above picture is one of three that I planted, Osmunda 'Purpurascens', Purple Royal Fern is similar to Royal Fern, but emerging fronds and stems are reddish purple. Fronds gradually mature to bright green by summer, while stems remain purple. It tolerates more sun than most ferns. Athyruim niponicum 'Pictum' - Japanese Painted Fern and Matteuccia struthiopteris - Ostrich Fern are the other two additions. So I will keep an eye on these three and post some pictures when they burst in growth, as I know they will.......going to stay positive.

The Veggie Garden

Shall I not have intelligence with the earth?
Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself.
- Henry David Thoreau

Saturday the 2nd, I was looking forward to getting much accomplished in my garden. I'm pretty proud of myself , I started early this year with the mulching, weeding and transplanting, Time for the veggies... yum yum. I had been waiting three days for the ground to dry, we have had several spring showers. WJ had already tilled the garden , all I needed to do was plant to my hearts content. I walk towards the veggie plot, check that I have all my supplies ... ground looks dry. I step into the tilled dirt and my foot sank ...........up to my ankle. Oh NO!!

The tilled dirt and low ground made it the consistency of WET CEMENT. I have limited time for planting because the forecast calls for more rain on Wednesday! At this point I am in panic mode. What to do.... what to do? No problem... I'll add more top soil in the low spots and with a couple more days of sun it will dry out...... I hope.

It worked, but didn't dry until Tuesday afternoon....... as you can see above I finally finished. I worked frantically until 9:30 pm , rain was in the forecast not only Wednesday but Thursday, Friday. .. then more rain next week on Monday, Tuesday... well you get the idea.

Planted this year was white corn, okra, green beans, yellow squash, zucinni, jalepeno, bell pepper, and two varieties of tomatos 'parks whopper' and 'big boy'.


And above is a thornless blackberry bush I added to the mix this year.

A nice surprise to days end with day lily Stella D'ore the first bloom this year.

Lavender

Lavender and Alice Hoffman
(Practical Magic )

There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can.

From High Country Gardens is Buena Vista English Lavender and Shimmer Evening Primrose. I took this picture to show how deep the pots are from High Country. Plants in deep pots are great to purchase, the roots are more established, which of course makes the plant have a greater chance to establish faster and thrive in your garden. In the background a gift from a friend of mine a football gnome featuring the Indianapolis Colts.

Viola 'Cornuta Purple Showers' that I planted April 13th and already blooming.


A close up of my Honeysuckle in full bloom.



Ghost Fern came out fast this year.


A three year old Clematis (type unknown) getting ready to bloom. Here it is last year.