Gardening with ornamentals is still rather new to me.
I tend to like perennials, especially the bulletproof ones! This
was version one of my perennial bed, which has undergone some
major alterations this spring (in other words, I don't want to show
you what it looks like now). As they say in Chicago, just wait until
next year!
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The true geranium 'Johnsons Blue' is one of my favorite
perennials. It's pretty foolproof, and blooms over a long season.
Here it is alongside some Lychnis (rose campion), with calendula in
the background. Johnsons Blue attracts a lot of bees, which endears
it both to me and to my golden retriever (she likes to eat the bees).
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I'm learning to love lilies, especially the oriental and trumpet
varieties with their amazing scent. This yellow trumpet, who's name I don't
remember, held it's own versus the Nicotiana sylvestris that was next to it.
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Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' is probably my
favorite flower over all. It blooms through most of the summer,
especially if I keep it dead-headed. Indian Summer always looks
like such a happy flower! Okay, maybe that's a stretch...
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I don't grow many annuals, but Cosmos are worth it!
They meet my basic criteria of being bulletproof and pretty low
maintenance. In addition, they provide ample color over a long
season, and (with their size) cover a multitude of sins. It's too
bad they can't hide the dogs' path, there in front of them.
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'Purple Wave' petunia is another annual I grow every
year. Normally I'm not crazy about petunias, but this one is amazing!
One plant fills a large planter, and cascades down several feet!
It might reach the ground, except my daughter always pulls the stems
when they get down to her level.
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Did you get to see the first tour page, which showed the vegetable garden?
All contents © Travis Saling
This page was last updated
November 18, 2013