Meanwhile, back at the jungle


How can this be? It’s barely a week since I planted up most of my containers and everything was just beginning to shoot up. Now the lilies are leaning every which way, the weeds are waste-high, and the roses are starting to bloom. It must have all happened while I was in Chicago.


In fact, I’ve already carelessly snapped off a couple lily tops that were in the way. Oops! Now those are useless for the season. There are so many things in my garden that need to be propped, tied, and arranged in some way. This is partially thanks to the shade, which causes stems to be thinner and taller as they yearn for the sun, but it’s also because I use a lot of containers, and have a lot of vertical plants. This year I’m trying a couple new vines: hyacinth bean and moonflower. I already have a huge tangle of climbing hydrangea, wisteria, trumpet vine and clematis over the pond, with clematis, porcelain vine, and climbing roses in other locations. Let’s put it this way: I just don’t have too many short plants.


And then there are the plants that grow all year round, like this jasmine and gardenia that were just repotted for the 4th time. Now they’re in fiberglass, which will be easier to get up and down the stairs when it’s time to bring them in or out. Thank you, whoever invented these! I’ve used the polyurethane pots as well, and there are also resin pots, which I haven’t tried, because the ones I’ve seen don’t have drainage and it wouldn’t be easy to create.


Sadly, the jungle period does not last too long. Things begin to slow down; the lilies and perennials bloom, and the fresh green of June disappears. It’s still unkempt of course; my garden manages to maintain that look in all seasons. And I'm sure there will always be room for a few more plants—like these currently in residence on the patio table.

Comments

I like the jungle feel when the garden really gets going. It is so much easier to ignore the weeds when they decide to take off. I hate to break off large lovely blossoms though. I did that with my favorite iris this year. It is maddening.
Layanee said…
I snapped of an iris in full bloom the other day. Must slow down in the garden! It does look like a jungle out there right now and who doesn't love that look?
Gail said…
Amazing what a week away from a garden can mean to the weeds...they have over run one bed that I am now referring to as the Big Green!

I love the climbing plants you've added Elizabeth. Moonflower is delightful at night and if your lucky it might be visited by a Luna moth or two~ gail
Ramble on Rose said…
Please give us an update on how much sun your hyacinth bean gets and how it does--or rather, give me an update. I'm mulling vine choices and have tentatively settled on hyacinth bean, but my location will only provide part sun at best. PS-the jungle look never goes out of style!
Carol Michel said…
I love the jungle look, especially in the shade. It's hard to achieve in my sunny garden, but someday, I'll have shade.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens
EAL said…
Rambleonrose,

I believe hyacinth bean will take partial shade.
I've been accidently snapping off daylily blooms right and left. Gives me a sinking feeling every time. Interesting which two vines you chose for this year because those are the same two I chose. It's been quite a few years since I've tried either one so I'm anxious to see how they'll do in my new-ish garden. The hyacinth bean vine has just started to bloom.
Kathy said…
I don't quite have a jungle yet, myself. But this humidity is certainly adding to the atmosphere. Sorry! Couldn't resist!
Unknown said…
Garden is looking amazing, Elizabeth. You've reminded me that I haven't dragged my indoors plants outside yet for their 'time at the spa'. Must get to that sometime this week, assuming the last of the cold snaps is past.
Cindy, MCOK said…
I bumped into a tomato plant earlier this year and snapped it in two. I stuck the top in a pot and kept it shaded for a while; now it's got little baby tomatoes! I'm sorry you can't do that with the lily.

For Rambleonrose, Butterfly Pea Vine (Clitoria tenuata) takes partial sun. I have seeds from 2000 if anyone wants them. I planted some to check and they germinated, so the seeds are still viable. The blooms are a gorgeous shade of blue.
The idea of all the vines growing up and together is wonderful...I'm trying for that here too! I'll have to check out a few of the unfamiliar ones.
Rose said…
Your patio table looks like the area in front of my garage--it would help if I stopped buying more plants:) I agree that everything just seemed to grow overnight during Spring Fling, but especially the weeds. I haven't lopped off the tops of any blooms by mistake, but I have pulled out some seedlings accidentally in my eagerness to get rid of the weeds.
Anonymous said…
I've just discovered your site so I don't know if you've addressed this but concerning the weight of potted plants, I've found that using the molded styrofoam that you get in packages (say with televisions & the like) when broken into nice chunky pieces provides excellent drainage and lightens the load. It makes me feel good at the "two-fer"..., recycling and helping not reinjure my part (I'm disabled). My flower garden is mostly potted since my extremely large yard is bordered on the east by huge black walnut trees (arg!!!).

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