People were much more practical in days gone by.

Sheesh, Cherie, you'd think they would bend over backward to get the economic boost these days. Sometimes I just don't get it.

Drove by out Lowes yesterday and not a plant Everything is gone and they are all set up for Christmas trees.

Two weeks ago I did get a climbing hydrangea for $1.75 , should have bought more but didn't know where to put them.

Tee,
Is that lambs ear?
Looking great

I've considered getting the Helen Von Stein lambs ears - the ones with no blooms. I try to dead head my lambs ears, but I still have them popping up everywhere.

Another cool substitute is Salvia argentea. I think it's a biennial, but Annie's suggests cutting the blooms before they seed to extend the life. It's a *really* cool looking plant.

That is a pretty plant.

I'm tickled by the size of the Salvia argentea leaves....might have to try that one. I put in Stachys 'Hummelo' this summer. So far, I'm not all that impressed by it, but maybe next year it'll really wow me and turn into something great.
I know that my bees really prefer my byzantine over just about everything else in my gardens....you never see a plant without at least one. They'll even go to them in the rain!

Oh yeah - I had 'Hummelo', but it got abused and I finally lost it. I liked the color of the blooms, really nice.

I was happy with mine this year , this is the 2nd year for this plant in my garden.

Awesome looking, Cinda!

Sorry, Sheryl :(

Did you replace it with something else that's pretty?

I just put 3 Hummelos in this summer. Waiting for blooms. Yours look great with the bird bath

Great looking, Cinda!

gardengus said: Tee, Is that lambs ear?
Looking great

Yes, it's the kind that doesn't bloom and make new plants all over the place. I absolutely love it.

Gardengus, is that a chinchilla as your picture. If you have one, does it sleep all day.
I have brought in my geraniums in pots. I was hoping I could keep them alive over the winter even if they are dormant. I don't have a really cold area, maybe 50F in the garage. Should I water them lightly say once a month?

'Hummelo' does look really good with that birdbath.

chelle said:Awesome looking, Cinda!

Sorry, Sheryl :(

Did you replace it with something else that's pretty?

Yup, Monarda! We'll see how it looks next year.

I agree - that looks great, Cinda. Either that bird bath is *really* short or your plants got much taller than mine!

Oberon, I think you just hang the Geraniums upside down, maybe in a paper bag? I'm afraid I have *no* experience with overwintering them, but I know a lot of people do.

sheryl said:


Either that bird bath is *really* short or your plants got much taller than mine!

Hah! I was thinking the same thing!

sheryl said:
Oberon, I think you just hang the Geraniums upside down, maybe in a paper bag? I'm afraid I have *no* experience with overwintering them, but I know a lot of people do.

This is what I've heard too ....just shake most of the soil off the roots and hang them upside down in the dark. >>>Sounds kinda mean, doesn't it?

Rather like a Medieval torture chamber but with only the best intentions for the plant at heart. I've never over-wintered them either but it's good to know that it can be done.

Geraniums are very easy to start from cuttings. I've started them in fall and kept them under lights and they bloomed all winter.



Karen

Yeah, my mom tells me that my grandmother used to keep them in the kitchen window all winter. Of course, that's different, though.

I remember my grandmothers collection of gerniums.
1940's or so.No modern light system in those days. She has terrecotta pots on dinnerplates. By January the new shoots were reaching out.I was a kid and thought they looked strange. This was my first introduction to the life of plants as seasons change. Gramma was an amature gardener but showed me the basics and I learned to love gardening with her.
Thanks Sheryl

You bet!

As you can see, my grandmother started early with her plants (she's the girl in the middle) and passed the obsession down - actually, I'm sure this was her mom's table... anyway, just like you Jo Ann, I come by it honestly!