elfcroft

Yes, there is room for annual flowers/plants in the lawn of perennial flowers/plants!  We choose to use containers for annuals.  Last year we enjoyed ferns on the new breezeway.

Last weekend I planted “Wave” petunias in the old containers.  These hang like photos on a wall in an indoor room by decorating the fence “wall”.  Cost = $3 each.

Wave petunias

The next project was filling hanging baskets.  These have another variety of “Wave” petunias.  We did three more baskets with begonias.  Cost = $5 each (including new cocoa fiber liners).

Hanging baskets

Three pairs of foam containers flank the front porch step.  My tradition/habit is to have geraniums and spike plant (foliage).  I choose variated Salvia for the largest of the containers.  Cost = $4 each.

Front step containers

Last but not least is a pair of containers for purple fountain grass by the garage doors.  This terra-cotta looking container has weathered well over 10+ years (unlike the real thing).  Cost = $8 each.

Purple fountain grass

Container contents Total = $74 plus some potting soil and mulch to top off.

Virginia Dare

Sword Dance

Garden Parfait

Karl Rosenfield

Foxtrot

The foliage is lovely throughout the summer, when it is time for other flowers taking center stage.

Over the years, it is easy to lose track of the names.  Posting photos is a great opportunity to look up names and get re-acquainted.

I usually use the expression “naming conventions” with electronic files.  It came to mind when considering who or how did these hosta varieties get their common names.  This post has a few names that may be new to you.

Earth Angel

Guacamole

Rain Forest Sunrise

Abba Dabba Do!

Sounds fun 🙂

Dianthus Firewitch

Dianthus Pixie

Dianthus Sangria Splash

If you see a pink splash this time of year, it is likely Dianthus also referred to as “pinks”.  I have these three varieties.  The foliage is more gray than green.  Firewitch and Pixie have been at home at home for eight years.  Sangria Splash is the latest addition in 2009.  There are some red varieties.  I have tried “Eastern Star” a couple of times unsuccessfully.

Alas, I was out-of-town again.  However, this article is still interesting, very thorough and has great links.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120320-spring-equinox-first-day-2012-vernal-science/

Great year for hyacinths

This has been the best spring ever for hyacinths.  These were so thick and heavy they were laying over.  Pink is my dominant variety.  Yellow and purple ones bloomed well, too.

Oh what a beautiful day!  Clear skies and cool temperature perfect for spring cleaning the yard.  I started with the dirtiest job first….compost bins.  I have three.  My first compost venture was the worm farm.  1000 worms work between 3 levels in a compost bin to decompose kitchen scraps.  Adding water occasionally steeps worm tea which is dispensed thru a spicket.  All this is wonderful until the temperatures drop and you cannot get approval to bring it into the garage for the winter.  Actually, I did the first winter and most of the worms died anyway.  😦  Plan B was the lowest cost.  Basic plastic garage can with holes drilled in the bottom.  Composting is a slow process and one bin could not keep up with all my trimmings.  Plan C was the mid-price with openings to “harvest” compost from the bottom of the bin.

B and C do not keep up with all trimmings, so today I had four bags full for the trash.  (Several years we burned trimmings, but we should have an official fire pit before burning anymore extra dry trimmings.)  Today’s dirty job was transferring the kitchen compost to the trimming compost to help it along.  That was about 150 pounds worth.

The crocus photos (taken today) go well with the blog banner 🙂