Planting for the tour

It seems crazy but I am using this upcoming tour of the garden on Saturday as the impetus to do all sorts of garden projects that have been on my mind for a long time. Nothing like visitors to get me inspired and outdoors working. Thus, in addition to weeding, deadheading, and pruning, I am dividing and replanting, adding new plants and moving old things to new homes. My daylilies fall into the latter category.

I have been growing daylilies out by the street where they have been getting more and more shaded out. So they were all dug out last week and the best ones were potted up to be replanted.

I managed to get them all into new homes, including this one (above) with mid-size flowers which I believe is H. 'Red Magic'. I thought it would go well with the red-orange-tinged barberry and the tea house stucco color. Two more daylilies are next to the big ceramic pot across the path from 'Red Magic.'

I got interested in daylilies when I had a much smaller garden. Thus I am particularly fond of the varieties that are not such huge plants and that have equally smaller flowers, like this one, H. 'Little Red Warbler.' A more red-orange flowered variety — H. 'Petite Sioux' — is paired with it. That particular one is a descendant of the original plant I bought in the early 1990s.

New plants that have been decorating the deck are also finally getting put in the ground, like this Larch that I bought with my gift certificate last month. This space has been empty and crying out for something. Since the area is covered in moss and self-seeded Japanese painted ferns, it is clearly a moist location which will be good for the Larch.

The addition of the Larch makes this space finished as far as I'm concerned. And since the surrounding shrubs have been pruned and the whole area weeded, it is tour ready as well. Luckily this space is still open enough to the sky to continue to provide a home for my rain gauge. Our ancient dying Lilac tree is coming out later this summer. 

I also finished weeding along the fence on the other side of the gate. I'm leaving that clump of Perilla since I can't easily squeeze behind that 'Stolwijk Gold' Clematis anyway. One of our big garden "rules" is no plants closer to the house than two feet to allow for painting and maintenance. And nothing closer than a foot to the fence to keep extra moisture away from it to prolong its life. 

This is an easy area to weed since it is usually damp and mossy and things pull out easily. But it can be buggy and I have to remember to always check where I am in relation to the fence roof so I don't come up and crack my head or shoulder on it; something I still do with surprising frequency. 

Comments

[Barbara H.]

You are a busy woman! Those impending deadlines provide great motivation for immediate action. I'm glad your weather has improved enough to make it possible. I hope it is perfect for your garden tour.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Wow, you've really shifted into high gear to get ready for the tour. I'm really impressed that you were able to move the daylilies without snapping off the flower scapes. Your garden is looking fantastic!

[Kristin]

Sometimes it's good to have some external motivation! Your photos are making me sigh, and relax, and enjoy my memories of seeing your lovely garden in person. My mom and I were just at Butchart Gardens yesterday, and they had some lovely daylilies.

[Alison]

I hope the tour goes well! I'm sure your daylilies will be much happier in their new spots. I love daylilies and I'm in the process of sorting mine out as well. I have a lot, some of which are afflicted with gall midge, which distorts the flowers and keeps them from opening properly.

[Linda Brazill]

I think I am finally accepting the fact that every single thing we grow will have a pest or a problem soon or later. Daylily gall midge is a new one for me.

[Linda Brazill]

Hoping for the best for Saturday but the weather forecast has changed from 30% rain showers to 50% chance of storms, with storms predicted for today and tomorrow. At this point, I figure the garden looks good and we do need rain. I have been on some very rainy tours including the Chicago Botanic which closed the garden while our group was there as the rain turned into record breaking floods and damage!

[Linda Brazill]

I managed pretty well moving the daililies until I was planting the last one. It is a double yellow and I put it next to a Chamaecyparis 'Fernspray Gold" hoping the yellow would work with the acid yellow green of the foliage. The daylily had one bud on it and I broke it off as I straightened it in its planting hole! Aargh.

[Linda Brazill]

How is the weather there and what did you think of Butchart? We did not get there when we were in the area. My garden feels so nice not smothered in weeds.

[Kris P]

We all need an incentive to get to the neglected chores in our gardens at times! I had 3 visitors early this week and it prompted a clean-up but, following a major heatwave, there was only so much I could do. I love daylilies and only wish they were happier here. Will yours still be in bloom at the time of your tour?

[Linda Brazill]

I think there may be a few daylilies still blooming but the big Asian lilies should have started opening. Though I tend to think of my garden as slowing down right about now, I certainly lose energy in July and August.

[Frank]

You weren't kidding about putting a ton of work into the garden, the new plantings look great! I know rain or shine the garden will show off, but I hope the shine wins... just for the sake of those visitors who forget their umbrellas!

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Your garden looks ready to me. Love the new larch. I can see right now I need to have a garden tour. Maybe you should wear a bicycle helmet while weeding by the fence. ha...

[Linda Brazill]

Nothing like a tour to kick me into high gear. Can't tell you how many times I've smacked my head on the same tree branch etc. over the years. I get working and stand up before I think about where I am and what is around me.