Evelyn, delphiniums and foxgloves - two of my favorites! Delphiniums just don't do well here and although I have perfect conditions for foxgloves, I can't get the beautiful purpurea biennials to grow. I have tried numerous times, numerous locations, numerous methods - seeds, small plants, large plants. Nada. Not happening
Other foxgloves do great - the perennial digitalis grandiflora (yellow foxglove), digitalis lutea (small yellow foxglove) and digitalis thapsi Spanish Peaks. I just wish I could get those beautiful tall spires of purpurea!
I woke up this morning to much needed rain. Steady and gentle, supposed to rain all day. We sure do need it and I need a break from the physical strain of the gardening efforts that I have been pushing myself with for months. I've got that Mid Atlantic plant swap at my house coming up in 3 weeks. The gardens still need a lot of work and it won't all be done by then, but anything I do makes it better than it has been
Efforts for the last two weeks have been focused on spraying weed killer on the emerging stilt grass seedlings that carpet every bit of garden space. This thug weed has taken over and without getting to it before it set seed for several seasons, it is a nightmare. Next week I'll start mulching. It is going to be a major expense, even with my husband's business discount. I switched from shredded hardwood to pine bark mini nuggets about 5 years ago after seeing it in several friends' gardens. I like the look. It isn't carried in bulk but we get it by the pallet - I think it is 64 bags. It is actually easier for me to handle bags than bulk so it works out fine. I'll start out with 5 pallets, but I won't be surprised if that doubles. I've never hired help to do garden cleanup or mulching, but I'm thinking with the time crunch and volume of mulch that needs to be spread I might just do it this year.
