Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Rather be lucky than good


A co-worker recently complained to me about his Rose of Sharon and the massive reseeding of itself it attempts every year. I had no idea what he was talking about, as my Rose of Sharon is very well behaved. Sooo happy I accidently wound up with the one I have. He said at least he got some free ones to transplant to his lake property. "Spreading the problem, huh?"

I don't know how long this mud dauber nest has been hanging above my front door. I vaguely recall sweeping the cob webs away last May, so it was sometime after that. Mud daubers eat spiders, but the arachnid population on the front porch does not look diminished.


First year for hyssop (Agastache 'Blue Fortune'), lobelia (Lobelia x speciosa - 'Fan Scarlet'), and pineapple sage. I thought the latter was a perennial, but while leafing through a book on attracting birds to one's backyard, I discovered it is NOT. Further research reveals that it blooms late, so late it may be too late. I'm contemplating digging it up before first frost and wintering it over inside.


It took a while, but my SO and I finally repaired the patio canopy. We relocated it a bit to the north, to make part of the patio seem more roomlike. I also abandoned the idea of weaving the canopy through the rafters, as I think that contributed to its downfall.


I love, love, love this hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna Red'. I love it so much I bought another.


It loves, loves, loves its new location in the raised bed by the patio.


2 comments:

jason said...

The species anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum, is also worth growing. It's one of my favorites, actually. I'd really like to have some rose of sharon and hibiscus, but I would have to sacrifice some of my existing plants in the sunny front yard, or seize a part of the neighbor's yard.

Patrick's Garden said...

Now that's a HYSSOP. I

Everything looks as lush as your hibiscus

f you visit back you'll see how much I enjoy my hibiscus