These were the impatiens around the Amur Maple at the end of last June 2008. Tall, full, beautiful. It was the first year for both the tree and the flowers, so the dirt was new and loose.
These are the impatiens in mid-July of this year. This shows the best they looked this year. When I planted them, the roots from last year's crop were plentiful and I had trouble working the new flowers into the small holes. I planted them later than usual and let them sit in the four-packs longer than I should have. The white ones especially were sickly and leggy when I planted them, so I pinched many of them down so they'd come back fuller. That worked, to some extent.
Here they are now. Sad. Pitiful. On their way out. They now have a DNR order - they'll be watered on the same schedule as everything else. But, if they wish to go ahead and die, that's okay. They look terrible. Next year I need to do some things differently: add new potting soil, break up the old roots, plant earlier, buy healthy plants (one flat will do). I might try a more sun tolerant flower, but last year's picture shows that the spot is getting enough shade I think.
The once-lovely flowers of summer have been retired to a pile in the back of the yard. I can't stand to dump them until they're really dead, so they go back here to er, uh, complete their life.
The pentas are still lively and the monarchs seem to like them.
The old shed still stands, but probably won't by this time next year.
The hostas and impatiens have passed their prime, but still looked wonderful. I will definitely be going back to see it next May or June.
Shady heaven. Yum.
The hyacinth bean vine has done really well. I planted two sprouts, then a third bean sprouted so this is three plants. The mailbox is covered and it's started to bloom. They smell great - much like a spring-time hyacinth. Some of the blooms have turned to bright purple beans.
These were the impatiens around the Amur Maple at the end of last June 2008. Tall, full, beautiful. It was the first year for both the tree and the flowers, so the dirt was new and loose.
These are the impatiens in mid-July of this year. This shows the best they looked this year. When I planted them, the roots from last year's crop were plentiful and I had trouble working the new flowers into the small holes. I planted them later than usual and let them sit in the four-packs longer than I should have. The white ones especially were sickly and leggy when I planted them, so I pinched many of them down so they'd come back fuller. That worked, to some extent.
Here they are now. Sad. Pitiful. On their way out. They now have a DNR order - they'll be watered on the same schedule as everything else. But, if they wish to go ahead and die, that's okay. They look terrible. Next year I need to do some things differently: add new potting soil, break up the old roots, plant earlier, buy healthy plants (one flat will do). I might try a more sun tolerant flower, but last year's picture shows that the spot is getting enough shade I think.
