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| Foster puppy on the left, learning how to sit with my two goofballs. |
Maybe it's best that those posts stayed in my head!
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It's so hot and dry. Late spring and early summer started off with higher than average rainfall, but August brought less than an inch of rain during the entire month. I try to water my perennials as infrequently as I can most years but have had to turn the sprinkler on them several times in the past weeks to keep them from keeling over.
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I planted milkweed last fall and when it came up this year - surprise! A monarch found it! YES!
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| Not milkweed, but the monarch liked the hibiscus as well. |
And then the orange aphids found it too, and I couldn't get them off with natural controls so I cut the plant down. I hope it grows back next year.
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My neighbor got a new fence. She went from a DIY metal one (first pic) that I was sure her tiny dog was going to get through to a wooden one. I like it a lot. I'm slightly worried that it means a little less sun in that area because of the fence shadow, but I'll make it work.
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| Old fence |
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| New fence |
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The caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise' that I ordered and planted last fall, partially for its variegated foliage, is growing in....not variegated. I feel like this like the time when we got a puppy when I was a kid. I asked my mom when she'd learn to pee lifting her leg like other dogs. I was missing some common sense then, and feel like I'm missing something obvious now.
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| Not a whole lotta variegation going on now. |
I'm starting to compile my fall plant order. Spreadsheets abound! Are you ordering anything fun for next year?
I have four dogs but used to have five. Five is the most fun. :o) You can wipe the aphids off with your hand. Predators will eat many of the ones that are left. The monarchs need the milkweed. :o) Try cutting off the non-variegated foliage since it's reverting back to green to see if new variegated growth appears.
ReplyDeleteI realized that it would be SO much easier if I had a fully-fenced yard (with a dog run like you have). Taking them all on walks was really tough. Thanks for the non-variegated foliage tip.
DeleteI've got three clematis 'Betty Corning' coming at the end of the week. Plus a bunch of Asclepias sullivantii. I'm also going to order some Rudbeckia laciniata. Just a thought, but would you consider leaving the Milkweed standing with the aphids there? They'll most likely attract predators sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteI already cut that milkweed done by the time I'd posted this :( But I do have two other plants that the aphids didn't find that were doing fine. And now I know for next year to let the plant be (or wipe them off with my hand as Tammy suggested above). Enjoy your new plants!
DeleteGood to see you back! Summer can really get away from you, but there's always something good that comes out of it. Lucky little buddy you had there with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm really trying to be good this fall. If I can make it through with just a bulb order or two, and maybe a couple new plants, well then I think I've won.
But then again if I lose all control and end up with a bunch of new things.... can't really say I lose :)