Just a few

[14+kitties]

I can't show you anymore 'cause there are too many weeds.
Iris' just opening.
My tree peony.
My lupins. Wish they lasted longer.
Winston - I got a potato bush topiary the other day. See what you started!!

[Winston]

Love the pics 14+...I hope you like it ! I do! only down side is I have to bring mine indoors for the winter..My mom had one and left it out and it did not survive...Its really funny if you let it go without a haircut! looks like a chia pet gone wild! ..You lupins are beautiful too! mine are just coming up and not looking too good!

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Winston

Love the pics 14+...I hope you like it ! I do! only down side is I have to bring mine indoors for the winter..My mom had one and left it out and it did not survive...Its really funny if you let it go without a haircut! looks like a chia pet gone wild! ..You lupins are beautiful too! mine are just coming up and not looking too good!

Thanks! About the only things that look good right now. When I give mine a haircut I hope to be able to do cuttings. It would be neat to be able to sell them here without charging an arm and leg. Although a chia pet may be interesting.

Which kitty is in your avatar? He/she is very cute. I think it is time you posted some pics of your fur family. Not so subtle hint, huh?

[Winston]

Bomber is in my avatar and Tabitha is his sister..

[14+kitties]

Pretty babies!! They certainly don't look 12 years old! I see what you mean about them being small though. Didn't you say Tabitha was a tiny little thing? So cute!!!
And how is your cold coming along? Feeling any better yet?

[Chris21711]

Hmm - let's stick to gardening folks j/k

I wanna see photos of a potato bush please I don't know what that is.

Purty flowers 14+k more please, you have a whole greenhouse. It's amazing just living that little bit south what a difference it makes to the garden. Tho when I go into town (Newmarket) and that is only 15 mins away the difference is noticeable. :sad:

[hazelrunpack]

They're beautiful, Geri! I really like that peony tree bloom--looks like a rose! Do they get big and round like a peony when they're fully opened?

And how do you get your lupine to bloom? The native lupine around here does great, but the hybrids I have in the garden put out massive lush leaves but never bloom...

I can't believe you're in zone 6! We're in zone 3...4 in a warm year. Are you that much further south than we are?

Oh, and Winston--beautiful kitties.

[14+kitties]

Hazel - the peony tree is only a few years old and about 2 feet tall. I have one bloom fully opened, one not quite open yet. That is all I will have this year. Next year hopefully it will be bigger and I will have more blooms. They are gorgeous! The bloom that is open is about the size of a teacup saucer.

Lupine is tricky. Hates to be moved, transplanted, disturbed in any way, and it shows you by not flowering. Unless you are very fortunate. Some people say they bloom like crazy for them. I think it's the ground they go in. Not too heavy, well drained. The best way to get them to grow for you that I have found is to just wait till the seeds are very ripe and plunk them where you want them and then ignore them. If they grow, they grow. If not, try again. I don't attempt to grow them for the greenhouse because I hate people to be disappointed in my plants. If they don't grow for them I feel responsible.

As for our location - we are only about 1/2 of an hour or so away from Niagara Falls so yep, Zone 5/6.

[hazelrunpack]

My lupine were started from seed right where they are now. I'm wondering, though, if the soil is too rich for them? It's modified black dirt. The wild lupine prefer sandy, 'diluted' soil and they flower like gangbusters!

[14+kitties]

It might well be Hazel, that the soil is too rich. You could try moving them plant to a different spot with sandy soil. If you decide to try again try soaking your seed for 48 hours before starting. That gives them a better chance of germinating.

Taken from : http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/...14/-1/life0604


Perhaps finer than any listed here are the plants imported from England known as Russell lupines. Developed by George Russell of Yorkshire, after many years of selection and hybridizing, their flowering spikes are 2 ½ to 3 ½ feet high, the upper two-thirds of the spike a closely packed cluster of gorgeous bloom. Seeds are difficult to germinate unless nicked with a file, and if left too long in the soil without germination are apt to rot. For this reason, it is better to sprout them in pure sand or in posting mix.

Lupine like full sun to partial shade. They will grow quickly to a height of 2 to 3 feet. Lupine will do well in average soils and in cool weather. The soil should be loose and lime-free(they do not like lime). Keep the soil moist to feed their quick growth. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Adding a general purpose fertilizer once a month before blooming will result in bigger plants and blooms.

Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the blooming period. Insects and disease are not a major problem. If problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.

Chris - You are right, I am lucky. Where's your hubby? I'll put a bug in his ear! And the being scared - I figure if it's meant to work out, it will. If not, try again. Doesn't mean I don't get upset. I do. But I can't change anything so I don't stress too much! My lantana will be a good size for next year too. I will have to buy more seed this winter and start more.

[Winston]

Hey 14+kitties I didnt know they had a white one!! Guess what I am going to buy? Its sooo nice! I will post a pic of last years in bloom but its hard to make out with the wall of morning glories behind it! and what it looks like after I gave it a haircut after putting it outside!!! and one of my lillies I love the color!

Cindy