So what have YOU not been able to resist?

I knew when I decided to go I didn't need any more plants. I also knew that if I went - I MIGHT not be able to NOT buy. Of course I always HOPE I'll go and be able to resist...but I also know it's NOT that likely.

So now my porch will be more pots that porch!

Between two nurseries I like, Walmart and Home Depot -- I got eight plants and a bag of alium bulbs. The perennials (which will all be potted) include:

- red hot poker - the last one I bought very late in the season and it never grew
- variegated Iris - a couple I put on an apparently too shaded hillside haven't done much
- thread leaf blue star -- new to me - I like the foliage so I bought it
- bee balm - don't know which but it's bluish/purple
- another gaura - this one pink fountain
- salvia - wendy's wish - tall deep pink kind of leggy not like the shorter purple ones I've seen
- agapanthus - which I'm praying will come back although the last one didn't
- lavender - couldn't resist the smell

This message has been edited. Last edited by: clbselah,

I don't know where you live, but why are you planting them now? I planted lavender this year so it's gonna bloom next year. Why do you plant in the fall, those aren't all bulbs. I thought you only plant bulbs in the fall. (please excuse my ignorance!)

I'm in Maryland half way between DC and Annapolis -- Zone 7.
Our nurseries and big box stores here always have a lot plants for fall planting.

I'm no expert by any means -- just someone who has been getting into gardening more and more over the years...

I think there are lots of plants you can plant, divide or transplant in the fall.
I have a few peonies, and have always been told (and read) -- that fall is THE time for moving them.

I don't know about the agapanthus, I've seen gorgeous giant planters of it in California, both in San Francisco and LA. I drag mine in and out each year, I can't get it to bloom, so this may be the year that it just stays out and freezes. Don't know if it is hardy in your area. I have ordered several new peonies that won't be shipped to me by the grower until October 15th so I think that is the correct time to plant them.

Clbselah, sounds as if you got some nice plants! I'm curious to know why you are planting them all in pots.

Fall is a good time to plant perennials as long as they have time to establish their root system before the ground freezes. In zone 7 that's likely not much of a consideration altho is here. I have recently moved some perennials.

I visited a garden center today and didn't buy a thing. Really wanted a tree but didn't see anything I liked. Probably influenced by the fact I don't really need any more trees or plants. Have too much to look after now.

wavy, perinnials can be planted at any time as long as the ground isn't frozen. yes, the nurseries make you think you need to plant new things only in the spring, because that's when they start selling them. now is actually a better time to plant everything, not just the spring bulbs. plus most of the places are clearancing every thing out, so, you get a better deal on plants anyway. so, if there's a plant you've been wanting now's the time to get it, since it will be cheaper now. I have lots of new plants waiting for me to get busy & get them in the ground right now. most of which are going on a hill that's currently tarped off trying to kill off the darned bindweed. any suggestions on how to get rid of that, anyone? I've been battling it for 8 years now. it just won't go away. any ideas out there?

1) As for plant sales, one of my favorite nurseries had big gorgeous peonies HALF-price last fall.

2) Don't know about bind weed - never heard of it. I'm battling ivy, virginia creep, cats briar, periwinkle -- AND violas!

Can you use brush/ivy killer on your nemesis?

3) joyluck, as for my pots....I know it makes no real sense but....(not even to me sometimes).

a) I started with pots not knowing I'd get 'so into' gardening, Even now I'm not sure how into 'gardening' I am versus -- "I like have plants and flowers"

b) the most sensible place for an in the ground bed would be in front of foundation shrubs I already have there. Those plants -- neatly trimmed individual boxwoods and lower to the ground blue star junipers -- would be blocked from the street and the sun.

3) that same spot wouldn't be big enough anyway for all the plants and flowers I like.

4) I asked a few friends who said putting the plants in the ground would likely mean they'd get bigger than they are in the pots. Which would mean fewer plants for the space

5) I COULD put the PLANTED POTS in the ground -- so from the street it'd look like they were in the ground anyway...but they'd still block my foundation plants.....I'd still likely have to water a bit

As for pots, which I like, the only few real down sides are: planting in pots costs more -- 'cause you have to buy the pots and potting soil etc -- and I personally have to do a lot of watering cause they're not getting ground water.

On the plus side -- if I ever want to UNdo something I won't have to get rid of a bed and put grass back where it was in the first place.

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Oh while I'm thinking of it......

Since my plants are on a covered porch the sun only comes in from one side -- and so, naturally the flowers and plants lean into that direction -- a lot.

How often do you think I need to turn them to make sure they don't 'lean?' You think once a week is enough?

I wasn't aware that all the flowers you bought were perennials. I just don't understand planting them now, to see them die in a few weeks. That's too depressing for me so I would only plant bulbs. I have to visit the box stores and check them out!
I would turn them more often, maybe every day or every other day.
How many container plants do you have anyway, about 25? I like them, the only problem is if you ever go away on vacation, it's a pain to ask someone to water that many nearly daily in the summertime. Otherwise, I like them!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

CLB I think you are officially under the spell of the garden fairies now!!! No use in fighting it! LOL Fall is a great time to look for sales to grow your garden. What area are you in? Wavy has a good point if they are annuals in your area? I am already pulling out some annuals. Yesterday I started packing up some things for winter storage in peat. Our temps can drop into 40's here already! Can't wait to see pics of your garden next summer.

SO everyone, how often do I need to rotate my pots for even sun exposure so the plants don't lean? Is once a week OK?
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wavy, you're in NJ so a little further north than I am....that can make a difference.

But I'm from Philly, and know people in south/central jersey who plant in fall. As I said, lots of people plant in fall.

Here anyway, the roots have plenty of time to establish themselves before it gets cold -- depending on what your definition of cold is. Usually highs are in the 60s and our lows are in the 40s through October.

I like where I am in ZONE 7 .. it's a nice mid area zone -- we can grow lots of stuff, even tropicals in summer. And if we take them in (I never grow them, too much work) can keep them from year to year. It get's hot...but not like Houston or Miami...it gets cold, but not like Buffalo or Minneapolis. The soil is not clay, not sandy.

As I look at what can grow here, there's a more choice than I see for some areas.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: clbselah,

quote:

Originally posted by aggiegrad:
trying to kill off the darned bindweed. any suggestions on how to get rid of that, anyone? I've been battling it for 8 years now. it just won't go away. any ideas out there?

Not sure if I've 100% gotten rid of mine - will know next spring. What I've been doing is pulling every bit I find and digging out the roots where I can. I've also been mulching heavily so if any comes back it may be easier to pull. Mine was in my wild garden which was very intensively planted (I let a lot of perennials self-seed there) and that area is now comparatively empty so the bindweed will be very obvious and easier to remove. Any noxious perennial weed needs constant removal to eradicate.

I tarped to try to eradicate quack grass and the !@#$% stuff is still alive after months. Going to retarp over winter/spring and hope for the best but may have to resort to noxious chemicals. Way too much work to dig it out.

Have fun planting! I love it when those plants jump right into your cart.

Just a hint! Don't plant the agapanthus...isn't that Lily of the Nile? It is not winter hardy in zone 7 (at least in my area of zone 7). Ask me how I know. Put it in a pot and keep it inside during the winter...it's one of those things I never buy anymore because of the constant digging up every fall.

Yes, turn your pots once a week to prevent lean, more often if you notice a trend. Winter sunshine is weak, so I do think once a week should be enough.

ve

quote:

wavy, you're in NJ so a little further north than I am....that can make a difference.

I think our weather is very similar. You're not that far from me! I was in Philly in the summer a few yrs. ago, on the way to Virginia or Mass, forgot where. We wanted to try the Philly Cheese Steak hero, and I remember it was hot. It was 'hot' like NYC/NJ 'hot', NOT Florida hot!!!
I give you a lot of credit for wanting to plant now. Everything is dying where I am, and I am just waiting a few more weeks, to pull everything OUT!! I heard it's great to plant trees & shrubs in the fall. I don't know about Perennial flowers though. Wild horses couldn't make me start planting now. Not in the mood at all, you go girl!!!! (group clapp!!)