What
we all dream of this time of year as gardeners is lots of sunshine, ample rain, minimal work.... Yes! This will be
the year I can kick back and view my garden from afar and smile (and not
stress) and meander (and not pull a single weed)! And truly as blissful as this
sounds, I have been working (smartly) towards these goals. Every year I tend to
my perennials like they are best friends & I plant just a select group of
annuals for a pop of color in the ground or a planter or two. I now have 3
planters that I can overwinter in my garage & pull out for next year. They
are gardenia, fuschia and oleander (not recommended if you have pets).
My favorite easy annual that I recommend
every year is the 'Dragon Wing" variety of begonia. Yes, one plant can fill an entire large
planter! Now, the "Big" series begonia is like the wax begonia on
steroids and is quickly becoming another favorite. It has larger leaves & flowers and will
stay a compact size so it is perfect to use as a bedding plant in shade or sun.
This year I only dug 12 holes for my "Big" begonias because they
looked 'full grown' when I planted them in May! No deadheading required! Gotta
love that.
Now do I just kick back & relish the
beauty from afar only? Heck, no! If you don't get up close you may miss out on
the passing hummingbird tapping on your bee balm or the luna moth resting for
the evening. I like to take my clippers & bucket in the morning and deadhead
the few perennials that need it. My rose & white campions give me that perfect
opportunity & needed garden therapy. I also love to clip a few stems & bring inside to enjoy in one of my many
pretty vases.
So plant smart so you can view relaxed from
your window & know it will all be ok, but also get out and meander to get
that free garden healing!
