JD just a little warning about perennials they are very nice to have around in the garden. A word from a wise ol dahlia extremest…. Get em, grow em and luv em. They are so amazingly beautiful in any garden. There are small ping pong size blooms , medium sizes to dinner plate size. In any color of the rainbow in all shapes and textures. And they will knock your socks off. I get mine from Swan Island Dahlias online catalog. Order now before all the good one are taken.
You know what? I just recalled how much I loved rock gardens with waterfalls in childhood - Until I realized that I shouldn't have them around anywhere, specially not outside. Because that's going to become a paradise for snakes. And in my environment, every single snake is venomous... So that killed my childhood passion. But if your environment hasn't got such problems. Than I say go for it! Or better yet, make a living wall, with a rockery, and a waterfall - All indoors! And if pets are going to cause problems, then just put it behind glass. These below are some ideas, so just imagine the possibilities.
@Jersey Devil if you get Dahlias you need to dig them up and store them over winter because that Jersey Mud will rot them to hell !!
See, thats what I mean. There is always at least one glitch in everything. I was just gonna check them out and you had to bud in with your two cents. Thanks Annie, you saved me again with your knowledge Annie, I plan on ordering one each of Ilonka, and Isabell's daylilly from Oakes. They are rebloomers and tetraploids and dormant varieties. Is that a good choice for NJ ? Also do you plant the whole thing or break them up into a few plants ?. And obviously plant after threat of frost ?
Sjoerd, I found a place offering a Hardy Tall Phlox Mix, 10 roots for $27. What do they mean by "roots"? Are they bulbs, or actual plants? How long til they grow ? I feel like an idiot asking all these questions. I am like Sergeant Shultz from Hogan's Heros...."I know nothing". Thats why all I do is annoy people and post wisecracks instead of contributing knowledge
Okay, here's another piece of some "out of the box" thinking on my part - It's pet safe, doesn't require watering, nor any care... Who here (aside from myself) remembers these glowing neon bulbs which were shaped like plants from our childhood!? But I'm not sure how easily available they are today... I haven't seen them after the late 1980s.
I would plant the whole clump. You'll get 3 or 4 fans in the clump. Then, in a couple years, in fall, when the clump gets really big, you can divide it into two or even 3 clumps, if it is big enough, and you'll have more plants to plant someplace else. The dormant variety will loose all their leaves in winter but in spring you'll see them popping right up with new bright green leaves again. This Isabel's You got some nice ones. !! Ilonka
We get a lot of rain and cool weather here too. Most garden beds for garden plants need to be amended for good drainage and growth. Assuming garden beds are amended before planting perennials too. Even veggie garden beds or raised beds. So no mud here I had pure hard pack clay soil. Dahlias are easy to dig and pick up in late fall. No more complicated than perennials that need to be clipped down to a few inches above ground or harvesting veggies then winter prep or carting the clippings off. I do the dahlias at the same time when clipping the perennials back from the seasons growth then pop the dahlia tubers in a box for later storage. The beautiful flowers from June to Oct are so worth it in my garden. I have a bunch of dahlia tubers I’ve collected over the years. Swan Island Dahlias is a local source and one of the biggest dahlia hybridizers in the country.
Yes Pac lady. the spot I am using is pretty near the top of a small hill so it has excellent drainage. Plus my plan is to build a box about 6 inches high after turning over the ground about afoot itself. Gonna be excellent drainage, always has been there. So I am gonna re-add a dahlia to the list TYVM
Ok S-H now I’m searching for those beautiful floral light bulbs..reminds me of those outdoor flamingo lights. Of course everything is neon or LED lighting. So wish me luck in my search.. Update-Found them. There $3.50 each. Thanks S-H luv them & they will make nice Valentine gifts.
These bulbs are vintage now, so not easy to come by anymore, unfortunately. I had a few once, in childhood. Now they aren't available anywhere, (very sad). My favorite was the one neon bulb that flickered like a candle flame - Which too isn't available anymore. There's now an LED version of the flame bulb, but it's just not the same...
Just found something interesting on TEMU, they are solar LED lights made to look like glowing plants.
