Few things are as exciting as a new plant. Let see what'cha got!

My newbies this year:


A NOID Salvia from a BBS:


I'll be surprised if this is still alive next month, let alone next year, but it was marked perennial. Label said Delphinium but it has larkspur leaves.


Firecracker (Russelia)


Lantana

They haven't arrived yet, but I just ordered two 3-gal Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' trees destined for our 42 acre rural property this Fall. Right soil and light setting, heat and drought tolerant. They will get mostly milder morning sun, so I hope they perform well over time. They're due to arrive in June and I can't wait to get them. https://inlandvalleygardenplan...

I'd be enthusiastic about that too! That's incredible!!

They just arrived: a little over 2' tall and very healthy/sturdy looking:

And a close-up of the leaves:


I'll be planting them out at the cabin next week, weather permitting, with all the thunderstorms we're having daily of late.

I'm at the edge of hardiness for this, maybe over the line a little, but hoping it survives. Tropical milkweed (with a few little friends from wildflower packet).

My entire yard is about the size of an average dining room table, but even so it's too much for me. I just don't have the gardening gene. This year I faced facts and brought in professional help. They dug up everything - including three (!) dead bushes, then put down compost and soil. They also started me off with a few plants, and I've filled in the gaps with things I like. That professional head start has meant everything. The soil is easy to work, and things are actually growing. I couldn't be happier. Here are some shots of my plants. I know this isn't terribly impressive to actual gardeners, but it's huge for me.




Coral Bells and King Tut grass - I just love Coral Bells in all their varieties



Variegated Archangel



Monks Hood - I found out this is poisonous after I purchased and planted it. Friends have reassured me it's no big deal but I will try not to touch it.







Here's a shot for comparison. This is by far the best I was ever able to achieve on my own. It's a mess. I had no idea about planning. I just bought things I like and crammed them in somewhere. Hopefully this year's garden will make this one a distant memory.

Welcome to the site!

Heads up, I would get rid of the Variegated Archangel, it is extremely aggressive once it gets going.

purpleinopp said:I'm at the edge of hardiness for this, maybe over the line a little, but hoping it survives. Tropical milkweed (with a few little friends from wildflower packet).

I think the issue with the tropical milkweed (if I remember the milkweed correctly) is that its foliage doesn't die back over winter and it can harbor something that can make the monarch caterpillars sick.

They sure are pretty though.

First bloom on my Salvia canariensis 'Lancelot''. Even if it didn't bloom, the leaves and stalks are super cool with white fur sort of like cotton candy, and an intense camphor scent. Supposed to grow to about 3'x4'.

TY, Ham.

That's really cool, Zoë!

Thanks Tiffany. New blooms this morning and more that a dozen buds. I'm really excited about this one! 💜

JohnCarocci said:My entire yard is about the size of an average dining room table, but even so it's too much for me. I just don't have the gardening gene. This year I faced facts and brought in professional help. They dug up everything - including three (!) dead bushes, then put down compost and soil. They also started me off with a few plants, and I've filled in the gaps with things I like. That professional head start has meant everything. The soil is easy to work, and things are actually growing. I couldn't be happier. Here are some shots of my plants. I know this isn't terribly impressive to actual gardeners, but it's huge for me.




Coral Bells and King Tut grass - I just love Coral Bells in all their varieties



Variegated Archangel



Monks Hood - I found out this is poisonous after I purchased and planted it. Friends have reassured me it's no big deal but I will try not to touch it.







Here's a shot for comparison. This is by far the best I was ever able to achieve on my own. It's a mess. I had no idea about planning. I just bought things I like and crammed them in somewhere. Hopefully this year's garden will make this one a distant memory. Looks like your off to a good start now.

Don't feel bad. Most of us have had to learn the hard way, trial and error. I have a giant [over 6' diameter] hosta i have to move as i never imagined it would get so big.

JPM, you don't have to move the whole thing unless you want to. You can use your shovel to chop down into Hosta to separate chunks to move elsewhere.

purpleinopp said:JPM, you don't have to move the whole thing unless you want to. You can use your shovel to chop down into Hosta to separate chunks to move elsewhere.

I'm afraid it will just grow back to the same giant size. It dominates the area.

Yes, eventually it would.

I'm extremely enthusiastic about Evolvulus! It's so blue, so cute!

I have it too, new to me this year! I agree about the blue 💙

Your camera does a much better job capturing the true color! Gorgeous!!

That's what the edit functions are for

Re monkshood (above).

Jpm995, that looks like Arend's/Fall monkshood. Have used various monkshoods in perennial gardens for years, but I wouldn't be too cavalier about handling monkshood or where to plant it. It contains potentially lethal toxins for humans and pets, though it has been used in herbal medicine. However, in the latter case, only when the toxicity had been greatly reduced.

Gardeners are often advised to use gloves when handling it. Although I have not always used gloves myself (for instance when just staking it). I have always washed my hands thoroughly after completing the job. Of the two dangerous situations, gardeners are not likely to be eating it (the very unpleasant taste would also be a warning). But the toxins (main one, aconitine) can also enter the body through open wounds. I've assumed that a major reason for advising gardeners to use gloves is if their hands have any broken skin on them (whether it's been noticed or not).

Re danger to pets, it was also once used to poison bate left to kill wolves.

Personally, I plant monkshood at the back of perennial beds where there is no easy access for children and pets.