While this summer has been milder than most in recent years, we had a stretch of unpleasantly hot and humid weather last week, followed by several nice days this week, but we're facing another heat spike this weekend. And so, despite vague signs of fall's approach (spiderwebs, blooms on my Sweet Autumn Clematis, buds developing on the Camellias), I know it's probably way too soon to leap into fall planting activities here, especially when I factor in the collateral damage to my garden that accompanies our ongoing remodeling project. However, I can only contain my garden itch to a degree.
Last week, seeking to escape the noise of sandblasting in our living room, I spent a leisurely hour after meeting a friend for lunch strolling my local garden center.
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| I restricted my purchases to seeds suitable for direct sowing in early fall here |
The seeds can remain in their packets for awhile longer until the weather is more hospitable but I'm afraid my shopping has already extended beyond seeds.
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| After discovering that I'd missed out on most of the begonias offered for sale at the local American Begonia Society's show, I browsed the plants available on-line at Steve's Leaves and ordered 2 plants. Begonia 'Champagne Bubbles' is on the left and Chlorophytum filipendulum subsp. amaniense 'Fire Flash' is on the right. The plants arrived in perfect condition and have found a home in my lath (shade) house. |
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| After receiving notice of a sale by on-line retailer Mountain Crest Gardens, I took the opportunity to order 2 Mangaves I'd been eyeing there, as well as a few other things. Shown here are the larger specimens in my haul. Clockwise from the upper left: Mangave 'Waterfall', M. 'Tooth Fairy', Aeonium 'Silk Pinwheel' and A. 'Cyclops'. They also arrived in great condition and were promptly potted up, pending eventual placement in the bromeliad/succulent garden area in front of our garage. |
I ordered bulbs too, a few of which have already been delivered but, as most of those,
Ranunculus and
Anemones, are intended for my cutting garden, I plan to hold off on planting those until I clear out some of my summer bloomers in late October. Meanwhile, I'm dithering with garden clean-up activities, like pulling out the carcasses of my two bloomed-out agaves. How about you? Have you plunged into fall garden activities yet?
All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
