Crape Myrtle tree

Last week we planted a Tuscarora Crape Myrtle tree.  I had been wanting a crape myrtle for a few years but was planning to purchase next year as I thought a tree would cost about $50.  I was surprised to find several healthy looking but small trees at Lowe's for about $17.00 and decided to purchase.  The smaller size was probably a good thing for us since we wouldn't have to dig as large a hole. 

We skirted the piping for the sprinklers to settle it into the ground.  For this reason it's a little closer to the giant lavender than I wanted it.  We placed it in the southeast corner of the yard which is the hottest and sunniest spot.  This tree is supposed to do well in heat and with low water after established.   So far it looks well.

Rainbow's End

Planted two Rainbow's End miniature roses; one at the border of the patio and the other in a pot. Curious to see how they do close to each other but one in a pot.

The three Cottage Farms climbing roses are holding their own. It seems like they are growing slowly but one of them has a bud this morning. The Cottage Farms shrub roses are in three different stages of growth. I came home from a few days away and the one called First Prize had finally burst with leaves. Arizona has some pink shriveled leaves but I'm not sure if that's insect or disease caused. Need to do some research.

Marguerites

I moved a small pinkish red marguerite to the front yard near the hose bib to see if it would grow there (nothing seems to). It wasn't doing very well in a pot so why not give it a chance somewhere else. After about 3 weeks it isn't exactly thriving but it's hanging on. Three other new marguerites from Lowe's were planted in front of the picket fence in the front yard. They should be able to handle the full sun.

Climbing roses

Planted 3 climbing roses, Eden pink), Red Eden and White Eden. These are Cottage Farms ordered from QVC,Item #M23673. They looked good out of the box so I planted them against the wooden portion of the fence, pink, white and red from east to west. The other roses on the east side were fertilized and I'll finish the rest tomorrow or next week.

Seeds

I haven't done much with seeds in the garden. The only attempt a few years ago resulted in the seeds being scattered across the garden due to wind and rain. The tall purple flowers still pop up when the warm weather comes but they are not in the back of the garden where I intended.

Today I planted trailing lobelia in hopes of hanging this planter later. I am also trying to grow purple coneflower which I will transplant around the garden if they come up in pots. I also tried a few of the coneflower seeds in the garden near the Veteran's Honor rose. The garden is one big experiment.

I was considering digging up the two Meyer dwarf lemon trees after speaking with the guy at the garden store. When I went out last week to cut off all the branches prior to digging it up I could see that one of the trees had blossoms. So we got the spray to get rid of the miner that's been plaguing these and we'll see how they do after today's treatment. Need to fertilize them too.

English Primrose

Yesterday I cleaned up the border along the patio and planted red, white and blue English Primroses. This is my first try with primroses but they were inexpensive at $1.29 at HD so I bought 8. The day before I had purchased tiny Tete-a-Tete daffodils in bloom from Armstrong. I placed these among the primroses and elsewhere in the garden. Other bulbs are beginning to peek from the ground which sure helps when the roses are pruned back and leafless.

I was frustrated with Armstrong. After attending their rose pruning class a year ago I went back to replenish the recommended mix to use on my pruned roses. I have the SolPoMag but needed to replace the Alfalfa Meal and Iron--they were out of iron and couldn't tell me when they will get more in. I tried two other stores with no luck. Is there a shortage?

Winter care

This morning I began pruning the roses. I did perhaps half in the backyard roses will finish all of them in the next two weekends. Also time to do some other garden work for winter. The weather is beautiful this weekend and should be through next weekend as well.

Spotted a big grasshopper but couldn't get at it to eliminate it. I read that poisons won't kill them so I have to use a shovel. Icky but they'll eat everything.