July 9th I transplanted an Acanthus that was obviously struggling where it was because two large Oak trees were taken down by my neighbor (the Oaks were dying). Now the Acanthus was getting way too much sun! I've never transplanted an established plant before, so I was a bit worried that it wouldn't make it. Especially in this summer heat. But I didn't think it would make it where it was anyway. So it wasn't really much of a gamble. But I've been watering it and watching it for about three weeks. I lost one big leaf after another, and usually right after I water it. I figured "Oh well, we'll see what it does next spring." But to my surprise, the other day I went out and saw something that looked like growth. Sure enough, it has a new leaf coming up! So my Acanthus lives! I love that line; it reminds me of the line from one of my favorite movies: "A Walk In The Clouds"!
Wednesday I added the last of 8 Patriot Hostas to my garden. Didn't really know where to put the last one until I planted the Venusta Hosta in the Aspen grove. That was the perfect spot to add the Patriot too!
This is a new beginning for this bed. 20 years ago I planted a clump of three Aspens that I ordered from the National Arbor Foundation. They were just little saplings that promptly got cut in half by rabbits! But they survived! I added three peach colored Azaleas but didn't take care of them and they died.
Never did much with that bed since then. But now it is alive with new plants! Not sure yet what all I will add to that bed next year. I'm definitely going to add an Astilbe. I may try another Azalea too.
The weather got a little bit cooler in the morning so I planted one Hosta on Monday. Planted the second one this morning. The first Hosta was gifted to my by a friend. So in trying to figure out which Hosta it was, several people in the Hosta forums helped me. It is Hosta 'Venusta'. The other one is Hosta 'Patriot'. I've always loved Patriot. I planted 7 of them this spring. Didn't know where to put the last one so it's been sitting in the pot. But after identifying the little Venusta Hosta and planting it, it was obvious where to put the last Patriot. In the same bed so they can keep each other company!
My tiny new own root 'America' rose has now got two blooms! I simply adore this color! Can't wait until it starts getting normal size and blooms. Probably next year! Went out this morning and took a picture, then a few hours later I took a couple more.
Planted three Bourbon Clematis this spring. One got wilt several weeks ago on one of the vines and I cut it and removed it. Yesterday I went out and two of the three Clematises that had grown beautifully to 6' on the trellis and were setting buds, got hit with wilt. I will wait and see what happens to the plants. But hope they make it through the winter. Read several good articles and links on the Clematis forum about it. Frustrating! Many gardeners on here say it is part of growing Clematis vines.
