Lyn, I'm going to try that method. I noticed that every single one of the cheap bag roses I bought this year are super vigorous and already blooming. It's the first time EVER that I have had success with them, and the difference is, I potted them in good potting soil. They are so big now that I think I do need to put them in the ground. I'll let each bloom one bloom to confirm identity, then cut off later blooms so it can focus on root development.
Toni, I also lost every one of the coop roses, and I bought 12. gulp. They were barely rooted, and I made the mistake of planting them in the ground right away. I mulched them really well, but I was gone so much last fall that I didn't keep up with watering. Those babies didn't stand a chance.
The lilacs are so pretty this year that it was hard to resist buying more last week when Edmunds priced them at $7. They send quart size starts, but that's what mine were just a year ago, and this year they are 3' tall and they ALL bloomed!
I'm voting for Beauty of Moscow as my favorite. Yummy.
Lowes has gallon Hostas on sale 3/$10 today. My hostas that were in pots over the winter all croaked. The ones in the ground survived. A hosta guru spoke to our club and told us to grow them in pots if tree shade was all we had. He said they just can't compete with tree roots. I think the difference in our area versus his is, our nighttime temps in the summer are still very high. Those roots don't cool off when they are in pots. I'm going to mulch and water better, and see if they can make it under my apple tree. I picked up Whirlwind, Earth Angel, Patriot, Blue Hawaii, Paul's Glory, Twilight and Barbara Ann. All were lush, with several eyes, and roots coming out the bottom of the pot. Heck of a deal.
The mislabeled Morden Sunrise I saw last week was sold out.
I missed out.
It's cloudy and cool today, perfect gardening weather. Feels like it could rain, so I rush a bit more.
I tore up the lawnmower last night, so that chore is off the list for today.
There's still lots of pruning to do, and beds I have not raked out or weeded. The hardy hibiscus are starting to show life, so spring is truly here!
Funny how the roses are blooming before the hibiscus even wake up.
