| Image | Plant | Status | Notes | Events |
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Blackcurrant Sage (Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips') |
Have Cottage Garden New plants and seeds Perennials |
New for 2021. Grew four plants over the winter from green cuttings. Salvia microphylla, sweet smelling perennial. Tender perennial grown as annual in the north. Hardy to just 7a. Best to overwinter in 6a from cuttings (which I do.) Lovely black currant scent. Striking cerise red flowers. Bushy perennial habit - but is a tender perennial not winter hardy in 6a. From Garden.org here: "Salvias are a large group of garden plants that includes annuals, biennials, perennials, and shrubs. The perennial salvias are mainstays of the midsummer garden border. Another common name is sage." A relative of the familiar kitchen sage, flowering salvias produce spikes of small, densely packed flowers atop aromatic foliage. These heat- and drought-tolerant beauties bloom from early to late summer in shades of blue, violet, red, pink, and white. Plants grow 18 inches to 5 feet tall, depending on the variety. Salvias: Easy care/low maintenance. Good for cut flowers & attracts hummingbirds. Tolerates dry soil. Will grow in full sun and very well-drained soil. |
October 31, 2020: Winterized (Took softwood cutting today and 2 weeks ago. Planted the Salvia in a sheltered spot today surrounded by feverfew. We'll see if it will survive the winter. Hopefully it will regrow from the softwood cuttings if not.) June 3, 2022 - June 10, 2022: Transplanted (Transplanting cuttings overwintered indoors.) October 12, 2022: Cuttings stuck (Made a second set of cuttings as first set stuck Oct. 1 dried out. Placed in greenhouse.) February 2, 2023: Cuttings stuck (Cuttings taken from cuttings grown in basement since October) March 1, 2023: Cuttings took March 15, 2023: Potted up June 19, 2023: Transplanted (Transplanted into pots in the backyard.) October 16, 2023: Cuttings stuck (Four Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' sage plants stuck and placed in basement in bags. A continuation from 2021.) February 1, 2024: Cuttings stuck (Three or four new salvia cuttings stuck, snipped from the October cuttings which took. Have placed in pots to grow on. ) February 14, 2024: Cuttings took (Looking good, growing well. Cuttings setting roots. Adding LED light to grow on until it is warming in the greenhouse. For now growing in the basement.) March 27, 2024: Potted up (Transplanted and moved to the greenhouse. Doing well, overwintered well.) |
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Horminum Sage (Salvia viridis 'Blue Monday') |
Have Cottage Garden Cutting garden New plants and seeds Pollinators, Natives, Wildflowers |
Seed obtained in Seed Swap. Will grow more in 2023 and see how they do. | April 26, 2022: Seeds sown (Sown in cell pack in new greenhouse. ) |
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Mossy Rockfoil (Saxifraga Touran™ White) |
Have Cottage Garden Perennials |
New to me in 2022. Shear lightly after blooming to remove flower stems and encourage compact new growth. Alpine, likes it moist and cool. | April 24, 2022: Transplanted (Planted in containers for the front of the house garden. Photo in garden combinations. Added Jacob's Ladder and heuchera for one of the containers.) |
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Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica 'Alba') |
Have Spring Ephemeral Bulbs, corms, tubers (spring, summer) Cottage Garden |
Ordered 100 future plants (bulbs) today in an early winter special from Van Engelen This white flowering rodent-resistant white form of the Siberian Squill bears multiple flowers on strong stems. It also naturalizes readily in areas of light shade or dappled sunlight. It is a heritage cultivar from 1880. Use nine bulbs per square foot or scatter-plant for a more natural look. Bulb size: 8 cm/up. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in zone 5: March/April. Plant 5" deep and 4" to 6" apart. Height: 4" to 5". Scilla are also good for forcing: pot them up in mid-October, pre-cool at a consistent, dark 38° to 45°F for six to eight weeks with moderate watering. Bring into the house ~ they will bloom two to four weeks later. |
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Micro Dwarf Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Kitchen Minis™ Red Velvet) |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden Decorative Edibles New plants and seeds Veggies, Tomatoes |
Take care not to overwater. Some suggestions for this micro mini tomato: This is trademarked from a Kitchen Minis™ Collection of compact veggies that can be grown indoors in a sunny location or outdoors on a patio table. I'm going to try the greenhouse. 'Red Velvet' is a compact determinate, cherry tomato great for snacking. Dimensions: 10-12 inches tall and 6-8 inches. It needs a bright, sunny location. Water only when needed, OK being on the dry side. Stake with a 12 inch "skew" for the best yield. |
March 21, 2024: Obtained plant (Purchased from Trader Joe's. What a sweet little micro-mini plant to grow. I'll put it in the greenhouse for sunshine during the day and bring indoors for the evening, and will transplant to a bigger pot when it gets warmer.) April 3, 2024 - April 20, 2024: Harvested (Picking and eating a few tomatoes every few days. Tasty! Ripe!) April 5, 2024: Transplanted (Upsized to a bigger pot with drainage. Took cuttings. Rooting in water.) May 21, 2024: Potted up (In backyard large pot with basil, herbs) |
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New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) |
Have Cottage Garden New plants and seeds Perennials Pollinators, Natives, Wildflowers |
May winter sow again in 2023 pending. | February 28, 2021: Seeds sown (Winter sown. From MOGardener, DnD plant list) |
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Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) |
Have Cottage Garden Herbs New plants and seeds Perennials Pollinators, Natives, Wildflowers |
Received seed 10-20 from a generous Winter Sower for this plant. Can't wait to see how it grows in my perennial garden this spring.. ❤ Winter Sowed 1-2-21. Tanacetum parthenium. Perennial Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade Plant Height: 12-18'' some taller, Plant Spread: 12-14'' Flowers in Summer Late summer or early fall Uses: Medicinal Herb , NOTE: Propagation: Self fertile seeds, and self sows to extreme, suggest dead heading most plants Also known as Chrysanthemum parthenium or Matricaria parthenium, is sometimes called Wild Chamomile, as the two plants are very similar. |
January 3, 2021: Seeds sown (Winter Sowed 1-2-21. Seed via member on FB Winter Sowers group.) March 13, 2021: Seeds germinated (One of the first if the winter sowed to sprout. Great!) |
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Spider Flower (Tarenaya houtteana 'Colour Fountain') |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden Pollinators, Natives, Wildflowers |
New in 2021, seed from Renee's Garden. | March 19, 2021: Seeds sown (Winter Sown in DT window box to go in new, 2nd cold frame.) |
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Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) |
Have Cottage Garden Ground Cover and Creeping, Trailing Plants Herbs New plants and seeds Perennials |
Winter sown January 2021. Free Heirloom Seeds pack. Growing in backyard by pine trees since 2018. Growing in front yard since 2020. Does well winter sown. |
January 31, 2021: Seeds sown (Winter sown Jan 2021. Free Heirloom Seeds pack.) February 28, 2021: Seeds sown (2nd Sowing, Creeping Thyme, DnD Seed Swap ) March 22, 2021: Seeds germinated (Two WSown jugs seeded a month apart, germination about the same time.) April 1, 2022: Plant emerged (Growing well in 2022. Robust patch of this spreading ground cover in front yard area.) |
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Verbascum 'Snowy Spires' |
Have Cottage Garden Cutting garden New plants and seeds Perennials |
Seed received in trade. Suitable for winter or fall sowing. Sow 12 weeks before last spring frost. Sow seeds thinly, cover lightly Prefers full sun in moist well-drained soil. Has a long taproot. Do not relocate. Mulch protect in winter. |
January 20, 2023: Seeds sown (In Winter Sowing jug / split jug. Seeds from Seed Swap. Also sown with Lupine seeds from from heirloom seeds . org.) June 15, 2023: Transplanted (Planted 6 plants at CSS Project Grow garden.) June 15, 2023: Potted up (Transferred seedlings to Earth boxes to grow on to larger size while on vacation.) |
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Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) |
Have Cottage Garden Cutting garden Foliage for Bouquets Landscaping Plant |
NOT hardy in Zone 6a / 5b. Treat as annual. | April 10, 2023: Seeds germinated (Germinated in Dixie Cups in a WS Tote. ) May 16, 2023 - May 17, 2023: Transplanted (Transplanted into earth box so it will grow on while we're on vacation.) June 14, 2023: Transplanted (Planted seedling at CSS Project Grow.) |
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Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop') |
Have Cottage Garden Cutting garden Foliage for Bouquets New plants and seeds Tender Perennial (Michigan) Pollinators, Natives, Wildflowers |
Obtained seed, DnD Seed Swap. Note plant is NOT hardy in 6a. Reseed each year. Looking forward to growing this again. Beautiful in the landscape, though I have to grow it as an annual. Tender perennial. Beautiful in the landscape, though I have to grow it as an annual. |
February 28, 2021: Seeds sown (Winter sown. DnD seed swap seeds.) June 20, 2021: Potted up (Potted up seedlings from Winter Sowing jugs. Planted the rest in the front gardens.) January 14, 2023: Seeds sown (Winter Sowing. Note this is only perennial to 7a. Will save seed & make cuttings. Seed from DnD seed swap #9. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Needs darkness to germinate. ) February 25, 2023: Seeds sown (Winter sown in Dixie Cups, another format to try. NOTE: Needs darkness to germinate. Will place in greenhouse in March and compare to WS jugs for growth. Note: Grow as annual due to limited range. Seed from Fall 2022 seed swap.) March 27, 2023: Seeds germinated (Germinated in Dixie Cups in small tote and in larger totes. ) May 15, 2023: Potted up (Moved to earth boxes to grow on, especially while we are on a short vacation.) June 13, 2023: Transplanted (Transplanted small plants to spaces in the front yard garden in space by spent daffodils and iris.) |
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Speedwell (Veronica 'Whitewater') |
Have Cottage Garden Perennials |
Seed from Jan. 2022 seed swap. Will see how well it germinates. | January 25, 2023: Plant Ended (Removed, Died, Discarded, etc) (No evidence this plant made it to bloom in 2022. May try one more seeding in a tote in 2023.) |
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Viola 'Helen Mount' |
Have Container Garden Cottage Garden Decorative Edibles Perennials |
Have grown this before. It is a lovely, old fashioned favorite. May overwinter, and/or self-seed. Trim in June for better flowers in late summer and fall. | January 29, 2022: Seeds sown (Winter Sown in a jug.) |
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Johnny Jump-Up (Viola tricolor) |
Have Cottage Garden Feature plant Perennials |
I love this old and charming favorite. It self-seeds, but not aggressively. It's also edible and beautiful in salads and frozen into ice-cubes or made as a decoration under rice wraps for spring rolls. | March 24, 2021: Seeds sown (Sown in outdoor pots under cold frame cover. NOTE: Needs darkness to germinate, so a very thin covering of soil over the seed is recommended.) March 3, 2022: Seeds sown (WS in jugs. Needs darkness to germinate. Ferry-Morse seed.) |
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Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden New plants and seeds |
Viola wittrockiana hiemalis from Happy Green Shop, Ireland Received seed in February 2023 |
February 9, 2023: Seeds sown (Sowing some seeds two pots and placing in the greenhouse. Hopefully the temperature variations will be suitable to the pansies.) March 6, 2023: Seeds germinated (Germinated, and in April, put out in pots, brought into the greenhouse or covered if the temp dipped below freezing.) April 10, 2023: Potted up (Planted seedlings in large pots with calendula and five spot.) May 7, 2023: Transplanted (Transplanted into pots and into South facing backyard garden by Fig tree & roses. ) May 15, 2023: Bloomed |
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False Queen Anne's Lace (Visnaga daucoides 'Green Mist') |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden Cutting garden Foliage for Bouquets New plants and seeds |
April 3, 2023: Seeds sown (Some sown in spring sown container, Dixie cups with vermiculite, placed outdoors in same container as Orlaya. Some sown in green mini humidity dome with heat. ) May 16, 2023: Transplanted (Germinated in Dixie Cups in April. Transplanted into earth box so it will grow on while we're on vacation.) June 11, 2023: Transplanted (Sown around sunflowers and other early planted plants in new south fence sunflower row border.) June 12, 2023: Seeds sown (Seeds (along with transplants listed) sown around sunflowers and other early planted plants in new south fence sunflower row border.) June 13, 2023: Transplanted (Transplanted from earth box into pots. Will plant in front yard and at CSS Project Grow.) July 25, 2023: Seeds sown (Planted a second groups of seeds at CSS Project Grow. July sowing.) |
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Zinnia 'Profusion White' |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden |
Border zinnia, Profusion Zinnia Double White, Swallowtail Gardens Seeds. Sowed in soil blocks. Grew well, solid performer in 2021. Growing again in 2022. Beautiful front of border annual. | April 10, 2021: Seeds sown (Sowed in soil blocks. Indoor cultivated.) June 2, 2021: Transplanted (Planted in the garden around this date. Plants did beautifully all summer. Growing again from fresh, ordered seed in 2022, Swallowtail Garden Seeds.) April 16, 2022: Seeds sown (Sown in new greenhouse, using heat mats. ) April 27, 2022: Seeds germinated (Lovely to see them growing. The heat mats are working great in the greenhouse) |
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Zinnia (Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Coral') |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden Cutting garden Pollinators, Natives, Wildflowers |
Saved seed and grew these successfully in 2021. Growing again in 2022. | April 10, 2021: Seeds sown (Seeds sown in soil blocks. Growing indoors. Coral, Salmon color) April 26, 2021: Seeds germinated (Germinated fine indoors, but produced more orange than coral colored blooms. May have cross pollinated with yellow or orange.) May 25, 2023: Obtained plant (Purchased new seed from Hoss Tools in 2023.) June 11, 2023: Seeds sown (Sown around sunflowers and other early planted plants in new south fence sunflower row border.) |
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Zinnia (Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime') |
Have Annuals Cottage Garden Cutting garden Market Flower or Vegge |
Queeny Lime Mix ordered from Seeds n' Such on Feb 8, 2024. | June 10, 2023: Transplanted (Queen Lime Mix plants planted in sunflower row, fresh seed for 2023.) May 28, 2024: Seeds sown (Planted in sunflower row, SE side of house by fence. ) |
