Bye Bye Bee Balm!

[Snowwark]

It's gone! I gave it two years, I know three would have been better, but it wasn't happy in my garden.

In it's place I now have some "Magnus" Echinacea (coneflowers), and "Blue Mirror" Delphiniums.

I didn't realize that the coneflowers were the 1998 Perennial of the Year, also, so many of you have them, I was feeling left out........

Is there something that you've grown tired of, removed and replaced with something else?

 

[amid chaos]

Yup...that little wildflower i thought was so neat is taking over...ripping the stuff up and tossing it in the compost.

 

[Mamu]

Sorry to see the Bee Balm go but I have to tell you it doesn't live up to it's reputation even in my yard . Mine is planted in a garden that I give very little care to. It grows but I never know were. It spreads here, there or wherever it wants. It never becomes a full plant, just kinda blends in with other flowers that are growing. It's always kind of scrawny.

I redid a garden over this year that had become troublesome. A 20 year old Tea Rose Garden while quite beautiful when the roses were in bloom it was just too much trouble. I was constantly dealing with black spot, beetles and harsh winters. Every year would lose 3-4 bushes. So out it went and in went a new perennial bed. Not quite sure if I'm happy with this either. I guess it need a little time.

 

[sorcerormickey]

I had a Bee Balm too. I moved it last fall, then this year it only grew about 1 inch high, then stopped. I also had a Gallardia "Burgundy" that I could not handle anymore. It was pretty, but it just did its own thing. I yanked that out and replaced it with Russian Sage and Mexican Hyssop. I pulled out 2 Mums that had died in the center and replaced those with Mallow and Miniature Hollyhocks. I am enjoying my garden much more now, especially with that Gallardia gone!

 

[Snowwark]

Gardens are always evolving, we haven't "finished" one yet!

What did you put in your new perennial bed Mamu?

I've always wanted some Gallardia Sorcerormickey, but DH, for some very strange reason, doesn't care for it. Why am I letting that stop me???

 

[Mamu]

The perennial bed is diamond shaped It corners the front walkway and the driveway it is attached to 2 other beds. One separated by stepping stones the other runs along the front of the house.

Pink Yarrow
2 Columbines (pink and white purple and white)
2 Thrifts ( one pink one white)
Iris ( pink w/white)
Daylily ( white w/deep purple throat)
White Marigolds
2 Campanula's ( one low-growing w/white bells and one tall w/pink bells)
Cornflower (purple)
2 Delphinium (pink and purple)
Bleeding Heart (Small pink flowers)
Copper Grass
2 Geranium (blue and magenta cranesbill)
Heliotropium (purple)
Coral Bell (new silver leaf)
4 Pentas (pink)
3 Lupines (pink, purple, magenta)
Salvia (Victoria blue)
Alpine Aster (blue)
Pincushion Flower (butterfly blue)
Brachycome (Tuscan Tango)
Phlox ( Nora Leigh) Veriegated leaf with pink flowers w/dark center
Circles of Verbena in front( white, red, pink, purple)

 

[Snowwark]

Are all of these plants new Mamu? Wow! That would pretty well fill up my whole backyard!

 

[Mamu]

Yes they are all new additions.

We will see next year whether or not each plant has a permanent home. I'm sure most will stay, but I'm also sure some will not fit and will be moved.

This was my major project for the year. I dug out all the soil, because it was an old garden that had roses and replaced it with new soil. Everything seems to be doing good, but you always take extra care with new gardens. I do think next year this garden will need a few more annuals add to it to keep it bright and cheery.

The time has come for Mamu to invest in a computer and a digital camera. My contract with webtv is running out I've had 3 years of free service. I now must pay my own way. Help! What should I purchase? I have no idea. Dell, Gateway wish I knew.

 

[DixieDreamer]

My bee balm in the main garden is doing really well this year. The two new ones in the front bed are doing okay... but are kind of scrawny. I will give them another year to show improvement.

I am always changing my gardens. Sometimes in drastic ways! I have completely torn up sections and started all over.

 

[Snowwark]

Your new garden sounds lovely Mamu. I would love to try some lupines if I had the space!

The time has come for Mamu to invest in a computer and a digital camera. My contract with webtv is running out I've had 3 years of free service. I now must pay my own way. Help! What should I purchase? I have no idea. Dell, Gateway wish I knew.

Mamu, we have DSL high speed access, but I only know that because DH told me...lol. We're happy with it. I'm not (big surprise) a techie, or computer savy, so why not post this on the Community Board? I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice and help there.

I would love for you to get a digital camera!!!! It would be great to see your gardens, water feature, bridge, etc. What can I say, I'm nosy!!