Things are really starting to 'green up' around the mountain top, and the real planting season isn't very far away at this point....which means I am SOOOO excited to get my garden gloves on and get out there and DIG!!
I have been studying my Hydrangea bed from every angle, and I definitely need to do something to improve it this season, or I might just go bonkers.
Yeah, I'm a little nutty like that.
I'm still drawn to Hostas, but I think I want to mix them with some Cranesbill to keep the effect a little less formal.
I read somewhere a while back about an amazing variety called Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill - it has vibrant pink flowers and the foliage is supposed to be spectacular in fall.
Via |
The pricing I'm seeing on the web varies but it all seems to work out to at least $20 per plant once you add in shipping.
Are you kidding me? That's not happening!! Remember, I'm a gardener on a tight budget.
So I started looking at other options - and I found this collection from Brecks - Everblooming Hardy Geranium Collection - 10 plants for $29.99.
Now that's more like it!!
Sign up for emails, get free shipping on a $50 order.
I'll take it!
Via |
Here's what their site says about the collection (2 of each of the following):
Biokovo Geranium |
Biokovo: Eye-catching hot pink sepals highlight starry white blooms
on this award-winning variety. Glossy green foliage takes on an attractive
reddish hue in the fall. Height: 10-12" Geranium cantabrigiense
Tiny Monster Geranium |
Tiny
Monster: One of the longest-flowering
geraniums to date! Hot pink, bowl-shaped blooms with darker veining will pop
against the rich green foliage. Height: 6-8" Geranium sanguineum
Splish Splash Geranium |
Splish
Splash: Exceptionally beautiful and rare
bicolour variety. The delicate, 1¼" white cups are heavily splashed and
banded with rich mauve-blue. Strong growing with a tidy form. Height:
18-24" Geranium pratense striatum
Ballerina Geranium |
Ballerina: Award-winning Ballerina bears icy pink, ¾" flowers
highlighted by dark maroon veining and centres. Small, deeply divided, slightly
tufted, grey-green foliage. Height: 5-7" Geranium cinereum
Johnson's Blue Geranium |
Johnson's
Blue: Large, 1¼", saucer-shaped
flowers of deep lavenderblue are tinged pink at the centres. Handsome, finely
cut foliage turns orange and red in fall. Height: 12-18" Geranium
himalayense x pretense
I'm not sure all of these will go into the Hydrangea bed, but I wanted to add some Cranesbill to other gardens this year, so this is a perfect chance.
While I was on their site, I searched their Hosta catalogue for a reasonably priced variety to add to the mix.
Wide Brim Hosta |
I found this lovely variety, Wide Brim Hosta, for only $5.99 per plant, a far cry from some of the others that go all the way up to $40 per plant - what???
The site says this is on sale, normally $19.99 per plant....I'm not sure if that's true, but at $5.99 per plant that's a great price for a substantial Hosta like this. Our local nursery charges ridiculous prices for Hostas, and as much as I'd like to support them, my budget always wins.
So, the plan is a mix of Hostas and Cranesbill. Hopefully they will spread, keep the weeds under control, and satisfy my urge to tidy up the hydrangea bed and bring some continuity to it.
What do you think?
So, the plan is a mix of Hostas and Cranesbill. Hopefully they will spread, keep the weeds under control, and satisfy my urge to tidy up the hydrangea bed and bring some continuity to it.
What do you think?
Those all look good. I have Johnson's blue. They are beautiful but can get a bit leggy later in the season, so feel free to cut them back. Just a thought, but if you lived close by, I'd give you divisions of my plants. Perennial gardeners are always looking for people to give plants to. Do you know anyone who is also a gardener? They would likely be glad to dig out a few shovel-fuls of hostas or cranesbill, since each is so prolific. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteMy mom is an avid gardener, she gives me bits of her plants....my previous garden was full of pieces from her garden! I spent some time yesterday moving pieces here and there....you know how it is! A piece of Hosta moved over there....some Bee Balm stuck here and there...hopefully with all this rain it will all take!
DeleteI think you've got a solid plan there that will look beautiful. You are a far better bargain finder than I. I think it's my lack of patience.
ReplyDeleteHa ha and for me it's my lack of budget that forces me to have patience!!
DeleteGood thing you looks into everything. Plants can be so expensive especially periennels. You are going to have such beauty with everything you picked out. I cannot wait to see them all blooming and circling your pretty hydrangea plants.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
You and me both, Kris - that Hydrangea bed is giving me serious agita these days!!
DeleteThose are some great prices and I love the plants you have chosen.
ReplyDeleteOur local nursery is wonderful but crazy expensive, Penny - I have to bargain shop when I can!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful geranium collection! Happy planting ~ FlowerLady
ReplyDeleteI think I need an assistant, Lorraine - any volunteers?
DeleteI've never tried growing Cranesbill. Sure has pretty flowers. Be interesting to see how it turns out!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
It would probably be nice in your big blue bed, Brenda - it's a great plant and long blooming.
DeleteI like your solution! Those cranesbills look lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love Cranesbill, Carole - I have a great one that I just moved from another garden where it was too tall into the perennial bed....can't wait to see how it does there this year!
DeleteI think all of this is going to be gorgeous!! I can't wait to see it. And you are right, some of those prices are totally ridiculous!! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteRidiculous is right, Benita! I'd need to be a billionaire to afford some of those Hostas!! :)
Delete