My mailbox Clematis is full of blooms, buds and new growth.
I have been poking my bottom lip out and pouting due to the fact that my Irises and Amaryllis' did not bloom this past season. My wonderful husband removed some sod for me over the weekend so I could make an Iris bed. On the expert advice of Dirt Princess over at http://northmobilegardensociety.blogspot.com/ I dug them all up, cut the fans back, (although she didn't tell me to cut them and it might be a mistake) and planted only the roots, leaving the rhizomes visible. Now I need to go get some mulch, edging..... and see what happens come Spring.
I asked you all about pruning the Gaura.....no one gave me a specific answer. So, I cut both of them way back about three weeks ago. Both of them are coming back with the most beautiful burgandy colored foliage.
Tomorrow is the last day of the first nine week grading period for the girls in school. All three of them are doing fantastic! The ninth grader is now Freshman Class President, the eighth grader made Symphonic Band, she plays the flute and the sixth grader made the middle school basketball team. Going to be an interesting school year!For more Wednesday Words..go visit Jen at http://muddybootdreams.blogspot.com/
26 comments:
Morning!!! Chilly...in Florida,want to come live in Canada...trust me we have already hit freezing here more than once,your flowers are so pretty,a distant memory here,thanks for coming by,and hey anytime you need advise,just ask!! All the best,Chrissy
Darla: What a great look at the Clematis, they are a beautiful flower. Busy kids are happy kids.
The gaura looks really good. They tend to get a little leggy if you don't prune them back.
Funny to hear that you had frost on the windshield. I don't think we have had any here yet up in the frozen north.
Pssstt. was it you that sent that "giggle, LOL " email?
Jen
I really am enjoying this weather! By the way I had a black snake try to get in my house on Sunday. Fortunately the sliding glass door was closed, but he tried to crawl up the glass and he was very persistent. My cat went nuts! The last time I saw the snake, he was slithering off into the grass. Now I'm afraid to go out in the back yard.
Sometimes irises are finicky especially if planted too deeply. Don't expect too much the first year but I bet by the second year-va vaboom! Lots of blooms! I cut my gaura back too but not too much new growth. Frost on the windshield? Mighty cold!
Beautiful clematis. My iris have way overrun their boundaries. Need to thin them out. Congrats to the girls for doing so well in school.
Marnie
Darla, you did good on the iris and gaura! That's some cold temps...especially for Fla!
Wondering if your kids are embarrassed they are mentioned on the blog...like mine! Congrats on their achievements ;)
That clematis sure is pretty! You must be so proud of your kids!!
That is a good looking flower to be sure. I just planted some wildflower seed today for next year.
I'll say it's roller coaster weather. It was scorching over here last time I dropped by!
Hello! Well thats great you've been making candles to. Can we email so I can get some tips from you.
Sounds to me it's going to be an interesting season. Your girls are going to be very busy which of course, means so will you!
I used to cut back my gaura every year and I ended up with a leggy plant too. I stopped doing it and have had much better results. -Jackie
The gaura looks interesting - I don't think I have come across this plant! I love burgundy foliage. Is it a hardy shrub?
That is a pretty clematis. I have a couple gaurias that are still blooming. Here, they'll die back over the winter, and I'll cut the dead stems off at the base to make room for the new growth. It looks like you did the right thing in cutting yours back. It's looking good.
It's a good feeling when our kids are doing well. I'm happy for your girls.
Oh, and a warm welcome to your new iris bed! It's exciting to see dirt and new plants.
Your Clematis is beautiful! You did a really nice job on the Iris, I enlarged the photo..they look great..you could cut the fans back some more and taper them into an upside down V ( it helps to have this shape for rain to run off) They should do great next year! :)
Ice in Florida? That is just not right! The girls sound like they are doing great. All my flowers are gone except my ivy and my mums. Yours are still beautiful
I can't believe you've had ice in Florida and we're still in the 40's at night. I didn't think you really got that cold there.
Your iris bed is looking great, always good to have less grass and more flowers :)
Your kids sound like they are having a great year so far.
Hi Darla!
Clematis is beautiful. Glad your husband lent a hand. A warm welcome to irises!
beautiful clematis! congrats to your kids! let them keep up the good works. :)
I need to do that exact thing with my iris and amarylis. It's getting cold here in Georgia, too. I don't like no stinkin' cold weather!
Humbug!
Florida isn't supposed to be cold this early! I like the idea of a dedicated iris bed...It might be easier to weed them and give them all they need! Nice hubby to dog,btw! gail
Hi Darla~~ Frost in Florida? Interesting. I guess it's better than a hurricane. It sounds like your children are thriving. Always a good thing. I think you handled both the iris and guara correctly. I'm sure they'll be rewarding you with blossoms. Your Clematis is gorgeous.
Odd weather at this time of the year here too. It was in the 50's earlier this week and almost 80 today. The Iris bed looks great and cutting them back was a good idea. That way they can put more energy into their roots. :) Can't wait to see how great this bed looks next year.
I have an iris bed that I plan to dig up this year. Only I don't know what I'm gonna do with all those iris'.
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