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Annuals to Grow Again

Category: Plants | Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:01 pm

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Like many other gardeners I try to limit the number of annuals that I put in my garden. It is nice to not have to worry about starting seeds and caring for tiny seedlings....BUT this year I discovered some new-to-me types that will be a MUST for next year!



Decor Zinnias- I can not praise them enough! The plants are HUGE sprawling shrubs almost with stems thicker than my thumb! The flowers are coral or chartreuse and perfect for cutting. On the coral flowered plants some flowers are as big as my hand. One of the coral colored ones has a flower that is almost a rich rose...so pretty. The chartruese are a little less vigorous but the flowers are so full and so pretty, they completely outshine the green envy type I've also planted.

Grandpa Ott's Morning Glories- Another WOW! One tiny plant has grown to envelop this entire stump (see above picture, behind zinnias). The vines have wrapped around themselves to form a 2 inch thick rope. Every day it is covered profusely with velvety electric purple blossoms. BTW, I fertilized mine and it hasn't hurt the blooming one bit!



This is supposed to be a perennial where I live, but for most it is an annual....Moonflowers! Mine are finally starting to bloom...the buds look like soft serve ice cream cones and in the evening open into giant trumpets with a beautiful fragrance. My husband and I decided they smell like fresh clean laundry...kind of a clean cotton scent. The vine is pretty on it's own...heart shaped green leaves and stems of purple.



I will also always grow Cosmos. I knew I loved them...the tall stately plants with feathery leaves and stems...but I tried a new one...Candy stripe..and I love them! They come in striped pink, or pink edged white...both pretty, but I think I like the white the best.



No matter what, I know I will be growing these annuals again. I am separating the Decor zinnias by color so I can try to grow the green ones instead of the Envy variety.

If you can find these types I would highly recommend them. It is very hot and humid here and they have all performed like champs!

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Meet Copper, the Beagle Pup

Category: Odds n' Ends | Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:42 pm

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I've just been so busy lately! One of the reasons is that we have just gotten a new Beagle pup! The kids have named him "Copper" after the hound from Disney's "The Fox and the Hound". He is settling in well...pretty good on the housebreaking part. I've never had a Beagle before. My dh had one growing up. I had a hound mix growing up, so I have some experience with hounds.

This pup is pretty smart, but can be quite vocal (which I am learning is true in Beagles). He does really want to please so this helps with the training. He is so loving and playful! I've gotten him to play fetch, and he is learning to sit. He already knows the word "No" which helps when he starts to try and pull up my ferns!

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