A Tale of Two Cannas (and other garden drama)

On the right side of the back garden I have two patches of Canna within 15-ish (maybe) feet of each other: Canna 'Wyoming' and Canna 'Flambe'.

Canna 'Flambe' looks like this:

Canna 'Wyoming' looks like this:

The grasshoppers went to town on the Canna 'Wyoming' and haven't touched the Canna 'Flambe'. It's baffling. I've never known grasshoppers to be particularly discriminating? They did that last year too, but my 'Flambe' were on the opposite end of the garden and I figured I'd just gotten lucky that they didn't migrate.

I'm tempted to pull them up and replace them with 'Flambe': they're SO unsightly, and they're getting too much shade to hold their dark foliage color. I LOVE the orange of the 'Wyoming' bloom, though. And if I'm being a garden mercenary, the 'Wyoming' may be the bait drawing the grasshoppers away from my 'Flambe'.

hashtaggardeningproblems

I can't believe I haven't posted since July. Every month I've taken pictures and mentally planned a post, and that's about as far as I got.

August started on a high note: I finally got my above ground irrigation system installed in all the beds (no more soaker hoses!), with timers so things would get watered automatically while we were gone at the end of the month. I'd gotten some great ideas from Lori and Robin for the back bed along the fence, and I couldn't wait to get busy on it! Then we left town to go to Oregon and run the Hood-to-Coast race, and Harvey rains swept through Austin.

I shouldn't complain: it was stressful to watch it from afar and try to figure out the logistics of my pet sitter perhaps not being able to get to the pets due to flooding in the 'hood, but it worked out fine and it sounded like we've had way worse rainfall in the last 3-4 years.

However when we got home I saw we'd clearly had a lot of water pass through the back yard very quickly: my young-ish Crepe Myrtle was nearly horizontal as was my brand new Fig tree and the Canna 'Flambe' (the ones above), and other smaller shrubs were pushed over with the soil partially eroded. The real punch to the gut: I lost 3 Fatsia 'Camouflage', I think because they just got saturated and rotted (they seem much more delicate than standard Fatsia japonica). Two of them were the ones I'd planted last fall and seemed to be doing so well.

I was SO excited to find more of them at Leaf Nursery, so I just bought more. They also died. Then I bought two more, which also died. I gave up on all of it at that point, and by "all of it" I mean gardening.

At present, I have one Fatsia 'Camouflage' that seems established and healthy, two that show promise, and 2 that are barely clinging to life.

This is as close as I'll get to this Fatsia 'Camouflage'.
Do not water or feed the Fatsia. Do not make direct eye contact with the Fatsia.

I've stopped watering all of them. I also stopped trying to work on that bed against the fence until this weekend. Well, I haven't actually done anything yet, but I'm at least thinking about it again. There's part of me that thinks I just need to get some big wide planters and give up on things in the ground: any time it rains, all the runoff from the behind-neighbor's yard flows through ours and saturates it. I need plants that can handle a period of drought punctuated by massive amounts of water.

I did take lots of pictures of the things that carried on in spite of my apathy! Brugmansia 'Double White' kicks ass! This is what it looked like last week because we got rain:

Brugmansia 'Double White' in late October, along with Canna 'Flambe',
Salvia 'Ember's Wish', and Whale's Tongue agave.

My red-blooming Firespikes are all going bananas, and yet I haven't seen a single hummingbird.

 Odontonema strictum aka Firespike

Close-up blurry  Odontonema strictum bloom

My front garden got huge and amazing, so I'll have to do a whole separate post on that!

The hardest working plant in my garden

I need to give a shout out to my Brugmanisia 'Double White'. This was what it looked like in mid-June:

Brugmansia blooms aplenty

Brugmansia 'Double White', rear right

If I throw some fertilizer down (I like Rabbit Hill Farm Buds & Blooms or Rose Food) and give it some water, it blooms obediently.

I guess there was still some fertilizer on the ground, because after a good soaking this is what it looked like on July 19th, a mere month and some change later:

This Brugmansia is a trouper!

(Those are new blooms, in case you aren't familiar with the plant.) This heat is beating the crap out of it, but it still blooms on command! What a champ!

Foliage Follow-up: July 2017

I had a little trouble narrowing it down this month, so all of this:

And since I posted about the Pennisetum (at right) last month, I decided to focus on the Yucca 'Lonestar' (left and far rear).

I purchased them in 1 gallon containers 2, maybe 3 years ago? They grew MUCH larger than I expected. They were marketed as kind of a "brighter" soft-leaf Yucca, but if you looked at them side-by-side I don't know that you'd put them in the same category: they aren't floppy or soft. (The ones that get more shade have a few leaves at the base that flop down.)

Their upright habit is more like that of a Spanish Dagger, but the leaves are broad like the soft-leaf.

I love how the leaves of this Yucca look painted. I would buy more, but I haven't seen them at a nursery since.

Yucca 'Lonestar'

The second runner-up is my new plant crush, Datura wrightii. I love the gray-blue leaves, and the way it spreads out like an umbrella.

Datura wrightii

The one good thing about the gawd-awful heat of late is the way it affects some of my stabby plants. The Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac' and Agave striata 'Live Wires' have both taken on reddish-purple hues:

Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac'

(I tried to get better close-ups, but with my iPhone being my only camera these were the best I could do.)

Agave striata 'Live Wires'

I can't find any more Agave striata 'Live Wires' either. I bought 3 online at the same time maybe year-one of being in the new house, and only this is the one that made it. (I bought one just a year ago, and it has struggled mightily. It got off to a bad start by being in soggy soil.)

Tons of thanks to Pam Penick of Digging for hosting the monthly Foliage Follow-up!

I'd rather be lucky than good

I obsess and over-think things, and then my best plant combos tend to be complete accidents. Exhibit #437 is this:

You probably can't tell, but this was the Yucca I was given last year to rehab. It bloomed last year when I had it in a totally different spot getting full sun.

I didn't know where else to put it, so I stuck it in my least-shady-but-still-semi-shaded spot of the back yard. That spot is where I planted my first Peter's Purple Bee Balm (because I didn't know where else to put it), a large pot-bound Almond Verbena I bought on impulse (without having a place in mind), and some divided Canna Flambe.

It never occurred to me that:

1. It would bloom again so soon, or ever for that matter.
2. The bloom/buds would complement the canna so well, or vice-versa.

Here's a shot from just a few days earlier, when I realized it was re-blooming:

Note the Castor Bean in the lower left corner, and the last gasps of the Peter's Purple Bee Balm in the background. 

It all looks so harmonious you'd think someone planned it...nuh-uh. 

And what's the story with the Yucca re-blooming so soon? I'd like to pretend I'm a gardening savant, but I have no idea what I did or how to reproduce that next year. Maybe it responds to stress by sending up a bloom, and when I moved it I stressed it? I DID use a heavily enriched soil in that planting spot because the dirt over there was/is so poor...and here I worried that it was going to harm the Yucca. What do I know?

I'll take dumb luck any day.

June updates

I know better and I did it anyway: I planted a bunch of stuff last weekend. If loving plants is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

It's entirely my neighbor's fault. Well, technically the realtor. The corner house is for sale and had a large, unkept tree (maybe a Pittosporum? I've already forgotten) planted right up against it. It loomed large into our space. It was a lot like this:

Underneath it was a mess of Holly bushes leaning desperately towards the sun at the edge of the tree canopy, and a tangle of Virginia Creeper as well as some dead/broken branches. 

Over the years I'd often wished the neighbor would do "something" about it, and then the realtor did: they cut the tree down. That's it. It was still ugly as sin over there, but the plants I had in it's shade were getting full FULL sun all sudden-like. I had seven Salvia guaranitica 'Black & Bloom' that I'd planted back in February (!!), which was a risk that had paid off because we didn't have any more freezes and they were healthy/thriving. Then they were frying.

For the record, I met the realtor and he gave me an unsolicited apology. He had good intentions of making the house more appealing to potential buyers, and I'd probably have done the same in his shoes. 

I transplanted all but 3 to areas that get less sun during the day because of the shadow cast by the house. Once I'd done that, it set off a cascade of re-arranging. And buying. Because gaps and holes. 

It's really a testament to my quick thinking and flexibility, when you think about it.

I had expanded both beds back in the Fall but then lost steam/motivation to go any further, so I had 3 cubic yards of dirt delivered that first June weekend and spent the entire time shoveling it into those beds.

Last weekend I bought 7 Ruby Crystals grasses, 5 Datura wrightii, and 24 bags of mulch. Here are the results, with some highlights!

View from the edge of the driveway. Agave celsii in the foreground, and Agave gypsophila in the background.

Agave gypsophila 'Blue Wave'

I bought this Agave gypsophila 'Blue Wave' online. I had a large one of the standard variety several years ago and got cocky during a freeze, where I lost it completely. This one was tiny when I got it, and it has been well-protected in the garage for winters ever since (maybe 2 years ago?). 

I'm thrilled that it's doing so well, but the downside is that it's getting a little big to pull up and that pot sure isn't going anywhere. I might have to use the shop light/frost cloth method that has worked for my Aloes the past 2 years.

Above you see my 2 new planters, aka "metal fire pit rings" if you're searching for such a thing on the internet. The one in the foreground looks crooked in this shot, and I'm hoping that's just a bad angle. I obsessively tried to level both before filling them.

Each one has a Whale's Tongue agave. I'd had them in the bed against the garage in the Fall/Winter but reality set in and I realized they'd get way too big for that space. After I moved them to the other front beds I felt like they needed to be elevated, hence the fire pit ring planters.

Salvia 'Henry Duelberg' in the foreground, Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara'
in the background with a Whale's Tongue agave in the middle.

Keepin' it real with the neighbor's trash bins in the back-background.

Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Satin'

Behind the planter is one of the two Hibsicus syriacus 'Blue Satin' I planted in the Spring of this year. It's dumb: the deer snack on them, but for some reason they leave the buds? It's a battle I may ultimately lose, I'm rolling the dice.

This is the bed against the garage that I've posted about many times. Last Fall those Yucca rostrata 'Sapphire Skies' weren't looking as robust as they had in years past, so I raised them up on berms and treated them (I hope prophylactically) for agave weevils.

Above shows where 3 of the Salvia guaranitica found new homes. In hindsight they really needed to be there the whole time (or something did). I like them against the Pennisetum grass (a variety I'm hoping I might have documented in another post) along with the new-ish Artemesia and the brand new Ruby Crystals grasses.

I still love this potted combo of Opuntia Santa Rita and Agave parryi var. truncata. The agave puts out lots of pups, I suspect it's because it's all so pot-bound. (Come to think of it, that whole section is on borrowed time *cough* Bismark Palm *cough*.)

I know it can't go on like this forever, but the combo of agave pups and my PTSD from that Opuntia's fine-yet-vicious stickers will keep me from addressing it until I absolutely have to.

This is the bed formerly known as 'partial shade'. The grass is Pennisetum 'Purple Prince', transplanted from the back last year I think? I added Artemesia back in February, and the Ruby Crystals grasses are of course new along with a Datura you can't see too well.

If you look carefully, you'll see another of my many questionable judgement calls with respect to planting things in June, in Austin.

Yep, I bought an Albizia julibrissin 'Merlot Majik'. Another one, if you're keeping score. The one I planted last Fall didn't make it, to no one's surprise. I blame myself.

Albizia julibrissin 'Merlot Majik'

These photos may be the only evidence left by the time Summer is over. I don't want to hear "I told you so".

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-up: May 2017

It's been a while since I participated in Garden Blogger's Bloom Day (and I'm a few days late) but I finally have a little time AND have something exciting to share: my Chocolate Mimosa bloomed this year! 

Chocolate Mimosa bloom at dusk (so the leaves are closing)

Chocolate Mimosa bloom in the morning!

(For some reason my pictures of the whole tree came out blurry/fuzzy, ugh.)

I also purchased two Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Satin' and planted them in the front beds. Despite the best efforts of the deer, one is blooming profusely and has more buds in waiting!

Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Satin'

My neighbor's Hibiscus seems untouched by deer, but it's much larger and taller and maybe that's a factor? I'm hoping these will live long enough for me to find out!

For Foliage Follow-up, one of my favorite color combos: silver and burgundy!

Unfortunately I can't remember which Pennisetum that is, but that's an artemesia and a Sharkskin Agave alongside it.

And finally my winners in both the bloom and foliage category: Peter's Purple Bee Balm and Canna 'Flambe'.

Canna 'Flambe' and Peter's Purple Bee Balm

Those Canna are transplants from the other side of the yard, and the Bee Balm was a passalong plant from a Garden Blogger's Go-Go. My love for the Canna is well documented, but I'm now a HUGE fan of the Bee Balm! I need to acquire more of that for everywhere.

Thanks so much to Pam Penick of Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-up every month, and thanks to Carol of May Dreams Gardens blog for hosting Garden Blogger's Bloom Day!

Orange trifecta and other Spring happenings

I've been holding off on a post until my 3rd new orange plant blooms, and it finally did this weekend! I'm pleased to introduce Salvia 'Amber's Wish':

Salvia 'Amber's Wish'

The color is more intense than it looked online; less orange, more fuchsia-orange (is that a thing?), and lovely!

I also planted 4 'Lady of Shallot' roses in the back along the only fenceline that gets any sun, and one bloomed! So pretty. (I'm not sure they'll get enough sun there, crossing my fingers.)

Lady of Shallot rose

Last Fall I drank the kool-aid and brought home Tangerine Beauty Crossfine for my back fence. Now that it has bloomed, I totally get the hype. These pictures don't do the color justice:

Tangerine Beauty Crossvine

My Fatsia 'Camouflage' survived the Winter and are getting bigger (woohoo!) so I ordered 2 more online from Plant Delights Nursery. I planted them along that same back fenceline, on the other side of the big Oak tree.

Fatsia japonica 'Camouflage' or 'Murokamo Nishiki'

My Canna 'Flambe' are coming back strong. I was really worried that I'd lost them in the freeze, but they're just slow to emerge I guess. Given Austin weather, that's smart. I dug a few up and put them on the opposite side of the garden; they'll get more shade over there, so it's an experiment.

Canna 'Flambe', Salvia 'Amber's Wish' and Brugmansia 'Double White'. Palm in the back is Brahea armata.

Behind it you can see the foliage of my Brugmansia 'Double White', and immediately in front of it is the Salvia 'Amber's Wish'.

As I do every year, I try to capture the beauty of my Chocolate Mimosa, but fail miserably:

Chocolate Mimosa

And then there's my new Clematis 'Armandii', aka Evergreen Clematis. I planted it late last Fall, and nailed wire mesh to the posts to help it climb. This Spring it hasn't need much help, just an occasional nudge to cling in the right direction.

Clematis 'Armandii'

I didn't ever recap the losses in 2016, either most due to weather but some were my choice/frustration:

• Begonia luxurians
• Rose Campion
• Salvia clevelandii (all varieties/hybrids)
• Canna 'Blueberry Sparkler'
• Iochroma 'Princess'
• Smoke tree (I found it a good home!)
• Merlot Majik mimosa
• Mexican weeping bamboo
• Peach tree (sigh, I transplanted it but didn't have enough root)

Everything has seemed slower to get moving this year (myself included). Hopefully soon things will start to fill in and I can get some decent shots to post!

Indoor container gardening experiments

I've always struggled to keep indoor plants alive, however I'm making an attempt at succulent arrangements to see if I have better luck.

About 2 weeks ago I got on Instagram for the first time. I didn't have a clue how to use it (still don't), and started "hearting" things (is that even what you call it??)

One of those things I hearted was an all-in-one succulent arrangement from JuicyKits. They have these darling little planters and arrangements, which they sell as separate items or as a kit (including soil and everything). I fell in love with The Egg and was jonesing to "garden", so I found a 15% coupon and splurged.

It arrived late last week, securely packed with everything clearly labeled, and instructions for how to put it together:

I think it turned out okay!

They gave you the option to select your own plants, and I let them choose but in hindsight I'd have preferred a little more color variation/contrast. That said, I can swap out the succulents whenever I want! The only thing I'm iffy about is the moss that you place on top of the dirt - I may replace it with gravel or rocks.

They're doing a 40% of sale of all inventory right now, so go see if you need anything!


Container project #2 was more...inspired. Ryan and I went to a gathering with friends for a Not-Christmas/Valentine's Day White Elephant party. We took home these Star Wars koozies from Think Geek, because Star Wars.

We (okay, I) debated using them as actual koozies, but we really don't drink a lot of canned beverages so it seemed like yet another thing we'd put in a drawer and never use.

I pulled out the foam innards, put some filter paper on the bottom so the dirt wouldn't fall out, and turned them into succulent planters!

I put them in the boys' bathroom and scored kid-points for about 2.3 seconds (because duh, they're plants). Then the next day Max informed me that the "flowers" in the bathroom make his nose itchy, so now they're in my office/sunroom.

New office, part 2: manifestation!

I posted here about my vision for a space where I could work and lounge. I am writing this post from my new office, specifically my new chaise.

Ollie the photobomber

Daisy wanted in on the action too

I still want to get a few more plants, and of course a pot for that Bird of Paradise, and 2 floating shelves for the far wall by the hook rack. Those are the little things I can do over time (and paychecks).

If it weren't for "Winter" (such as it is here in Austin) I likely would have let this project languish for years, so thanks Winter! And stay away now because all my perennials are starting to sprout, kthxbye.

If I could move into this I would. Lots of sun, a view of the garden, all my gardening books within reach...heaven.