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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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Yankees in our gardens (Got one? Time to share)
Posted Jul 25, 2010 by Loren Omoto
Updated Jul 26, 2010 at 08:33 AM
I’m a chicken when it comes to buying plants from other states, even other parts of Florida. I have enough trouble keeping those that like it here happy. I can’t imagine the complaints and (shudders!) rapid deaths of any unlucky enough to find themselves in my brutal yard.
Just look at the people up North right now. They’re getting a blast of Florida in July, and they can’t take it. Should we expect more from plants? Without the benefit of central air?
That said, when my sister, landscaping her new vacation home in Vermont, sent an email about her balloon plants —with buds that look like little balloons—I had to have one. Just to try.
Plant, cutting, seed — anything, I told her. I want balloon plant!!
My dear sister flew home with four of them, which the flight attendant insisted she shove up under the seat in front of her during takeoff. She was in agony, but they were troopers.
Good job, Sis, and thank you!!
Here’s the balloon opening.
My balloon plants are adjusting so well, I started thinking about other Northern plants we’re growing here. It’s fun to see a little touch of the North, and interesting how many plants will adapt.
FOD Pumpkin, Janice Vogt, loves bringing home plants from her travels. This clematis, has been growing in her garden for more than 10 years.
What’s her secret? The roots are in the shade; the top is in the sun, she says. She also plants them very deep in the pot or ground.
For her clematis and all of her plants, Pumpkin starts by making sure they have the best soil possible.
“When I plant a new plant I throw away the (old) soil and use Miracle-Gro Garden Soil,” she says. “I fertilize once a year with Dyna-Mite (a slow-release granular) from Home Depot.”
She also gives all her plants Mills Magic Mix fertilizer (available on-line or locally at Shell’s Feed Store), blood meal, bone meal and Black Kow compost
Another of her guests, foxglove. I love the flowers!
It’s an annual here, she says. It gets morning sun and that rich diet of good dirt.
If you have a snowbird plant, send me a photo at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)and tell me what you’re doing to help it adjust. I’ll post the photos here, and if I hear from a few people, I’ll put them in our Tribune Dirt column, too.
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Reader Comments
Posted by (Chip) on July 26, 2010
Did I ever mention I just love flowering plants? Very nice! Thank you Penny and Pumpkin! The only Yankee visitor I have [that I know about] are my yearly strawberry’s, they grow year around up north and are perennials, here they are annuals I still have one from last year it made it through..“Chip”
Posted by (kgardens) on July 26, 2010
I can see why you wanted to try growing that Balloon Plant, Penny. It’s really pretty. I am amazed at Pumpkin’s clematis and foxgloves. My M-I-L in Ohio has those I drool over every time I’m up there. I never even thought about attempting them here. Pushing the zone usually means going too tropical, but this is an interesting twist.
Posted by (Chip) on July 26, 2010
I was turning my compost bin. And I found one of the cherry’s jubilee living and doing well in the bin. Who knew? I gave up on them! I will cross my fingers it lives through the transplant. That was one that should have live through the cold…“Chip”
Posted by (Janna) on July 26, 2010
Nice find in the compost bin, Chip! You find jubilee, Rick Brown finds hollyhocks. We’ll cross our fingers with you for a successful transplant.
Beautiful clematis and foxglove, Pumpkin. Further proof that you can grow anything. I also use Miracle-Gro and Dyna-Mite but maybe I should also try the Mills Magic and your other ingredients. I have a few plants that are alive but refusing to bloom. I think they need a little more help!
Posted by (Janna) on July 26, 2010
Great photos of the balloon flower, Penny. Kudos to your sister for getting it back here for you!
I can’t be sure until I get home from work and double check, but I think I may have a balloon plant that sprouted in my backyard. I wasn’t sure what it was, but now I have your pictures to compare it to. If that’s what it is, not sure where I got it. Maybe a little birdie flew in from Lutz and dropped it off.
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on July 27, 2010
You know if we could grow all of our flowering plants in morning sun we would all have great gardens.The heat this year has been horrible on my plants in full sun. My roses look like they just melted by 3 in the afternoon. If I had it to do over again I would only grow St. Patrick, Belinda Dream, Moonstone (very nice rose).
Penny, Good luck with you balloon plant,it looks hardy. Are they annuals up North? Pumpkin
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on July 27, 2010
Yes they are. St. Patrick’s petals do not even fall off. It will dry on bush or vase fully intact. It is a just perfect yellow rose with a slight green tint.
Posted by (Chip) on July 29, 2010
Man it is HOT! I almost got the shed done, the storm that blew through cut my day short. My garden is in survivor mode and keeping my seedlings alive is my main focus right now so I will have something to plant for my fall garden. It is to hot for even yellow pears to set fruit! The only thing that likes it this hot are my peppers….“Chip”
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on July 29, 2010
Chip, Stuffed green peppers are good. Well I am heading out for the mountains for 10 days, will blog to you guys when I get back. Pumpkin
Posted by (Chip) on July 29, 2010
Oh lucky you Pumpkin! I has to be cooler there at least less humid. have fun!..“Chip”