Back At It

BY SKEETER

 I have finally finished Posting about the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling! I know some of you are saying FINALLY! But it was such a wonderful event that I wanted to share every thing with those of you that could not make the visit to Asheville, NC. I hope I have inspired you to get to that beautiful city as it is worth a visit. Or at least be a bit more open minded about different types of gardens.

Now I am back in my Georgia Gardens and a lot has been going on. With all the Fling talk, time did not stand still and my gardens are ever blooming and expanding. As I sit at the computer in the sunroom, I look to the right and this is my view out the window!

 I am ever so happy to see Hibiscus Luna is doing well and getting bigger and stronger each year. She is filling my eyes with lots of beautiful blooms.

 Not dinner plate size but about dessert plate size. I will take this on my plate any day.

 I am not happy to see this guy. Japanese Beetles have been showing up the past few weeks. I have been squashing them as fast as I find them. It appears this one has been in this spot eating for a while. See the poo behind him? This one succumb to my fingers just after me snapping this photo. I did not know there was a second one under the leaf until I saw this photo loaded on the computer. That is the beetle that got away! Bugs are really bad this year especially the grasshopper and crickets. But to be expected with such a mild winter.

Right in the middle of composing long postings on the Fling, the McCorkles "Giant Plant Sale" (Open to the public) took place. The Saint took the day off from work and accompanied me to the event! We had agreed we would not get any trees as this is not the ideal time of year to plant them with the heat taking off and our continued drought conditions. The first plant in our little red wagon; A darn tree! The Saint grabbed a 10 gallon Leyland Cypress for $8.00. He said he could not resist and the hole was already dug and ready. The tree is now in the spot where we lost a leyland from last years drought. It did not take me long to get my wagon full several times. Once I felt there was nothing more for me to see and I was starting to melt from the heat of the day, we cashed out and left. I came home with a nice haul.  

 Knock Out rose's for $9.00 in colors of red (double knockout) and yellow. Hosta @ $3.00. Butterfly Bush @ $3.00. Hydrangea Mini Penny @ $5.00, Deep purple (rare) Crepe Myrtle @ $12.00, A huge Agapanthus, Barberry, Plumbago, etc.

 A return trip had me taking home some small perennials and annuals as well. $7.50 for a flat of 12. Fun things such as Salvia, Sage, Coneflower, Phlox, Purple Queen, Moss Phlox, Angelina Serena, Coleous, etc.

And my pride and joy find was this Persian Palm @ $8.00! I have seen them priced at this size for $29.00 and up! I happen to be at the truck when it came in from the fields. I am a seasoned veteran with this sale and know that when a closed truck comes in from the field that you better be by it when the back doors open as you may miss out on something great. I was there when the worker took the Palm off the truck and I said to just hand that one to me rather then stock it. He said I was the lucky winner as it was the only one they had from the greenhouse's! As I walk to my truck with it, people kept oohing and aahing and asking me about it. It is hardy in zone 8-11 and I fear it will perish if I plant it outside. We do have mild winters and I may plant it. At that price, it will not be a great loss. I may weaken up and bring it inside and into the NO NO Room away from the cats for the winter. Only time will tell as to my decision.

I also found Silver Berrys @ 6.00 when I normally pay $15.00 for them Retail. Yes, this is a bargain hunters world, this twice a year Open to the Public Sale! McCorkles grows for Companies such as "Southern Winners" ... "Gardens Confidence Collection"... "Southern Living"... "Knock Out Rose" amongst others. These are some of the goodies I have in my collection.

Mark your calendars for the next sale this fall where we plan to rack up on some evergreen items. September 21-22, 2012. You can find Magnolia's, Leyland Cypress, Giant Green, etc in 15 gallon pots for $15.00! There are bargains galore and you never know what they will be bringing in from the field next! I spotted an Atlas Cedar Tree in 15 gallon pot for $75.00. Garden centers have them at retail in 10 gallon pots for $128.00 and up!  

They have lots of bushes also but I do not know much about them. I so need for someone that knows these plants to come to GA for a visit and go with me! Tina, Janet, are y'all listening? You will have free Room and Board.

I have most of my new goodies in the ground as I have been working my rump off the past few days. We had a low humidity spot and I took total advantage of it. I have a few remaining items that must find a hole but I have decided it is time for The Saint to dig a hole or two as I am not a good hole digger. 

As you can see, I am BACK AT IT, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Hibiscus Luna

By SKEETER I showed you this same Hibiscus Luna a year ago. Click HERE to see her then. I am happy to report she is surviving in my Georgia Garden. She was getting tall and starting to fall over so I gave her a little support with a few sections of fencing.
She was full of blooms but I was not full enough of steam to go out and snap pictures in her full glory. I did snap these two pictures from the window of the sun-room where it is nice and cool. Today (Wed) I dragged the hose around for 2 hours, painted 2 doors, gave the ceiling of the bathroom 2 coats of primer and the walls of the bathroom one coat of primer. Once the Saint was home from work, I helped him grout the tiled floor. My arms are really sore so this is all for today. I get a smile from seeing my LUNA HIBISCUS, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Hibiscus Luna

By Skeeter
Things are hot and very humid here in my Georgia Garden. Luckily, we have had a few afternoon showers to give everything a nice drink filled with vitamins and minerals that the hose cannot match. I don't usually purchase plants for the garden this time of year but some times, we get off our garden normal.

As I walked through the garden center on my way to pick up a few items at Wally World, I noticed they had some plants marked half price. I just had to stop and take a peek as to what remain on the shelf. I found this beautiful green healthy plant.

I had no idea what it was due to lack of a tag in place. But hey a half price bargain is a half price bargain ya know. Plus this was sitting on the Perennial rack so I could not resist.
The leaves are a heart shape and I just love hearts in the Garden don't you? Later on, I spotted the name "Hibiscus Luna" and "Pink Swirl" printed on the container. I still had no idea what I had purchased. To the Internet I went to find out that I have a Hibiscus Moscheutos, Also known as Rose Mallow and Swamp Mallow. I planted Luna in the ever growing Wishing Well Garden yesterday. This Gem of a plant will have large blooms, attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds. Is heat tolerant and low maintenance.It loves the sun and can withstand temperatures low as -20 degrees! It will grow to a height of 24"-36" and will be about 24" wide. Me thinks me has a winner!Hopefully with 2 more months of heat, she will have time to establish before the cooler temps set upon us. Look at that bud of HIBISCUS LUNA, In the Garden...Update: Here is a Hibiscus Luna bloom that I saw in Tina's garden last summer. I wonder if mine will be white or a pink color? Only time will tell so stay tuned...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO OUR CRAFTY GARDENER DAWN!
Go over to C&G Design and give her a birthday greeting if you have a minute...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,In the Garden