First year sleep . .

You don't have to garden very long before you hear the old adage about plants: "First year sleep, second year creep, third year leap." When I plant something in May or June, I think that concept holds true.

But I am never sure how one counts when plants don't go into the ground until late August or September. That can be pretty dicey in my area, hoping that those late plants make enough roots to get them through the winter. 

. . .

I put in a pair of Agapanthus 'Galaxy Blue' in June 2020. The one in the slightly shadier spot came up but did not send up any flower stalks, unlike its partner. I've already moved it to a sunnier location. Though this is a variety hardy to Zone 5, I had my doubts. So I am thrilled they returned and I got flowers; great progress for year two. 

I planted Phlox paniculata 'Jeana' in mid-to-late August last year. This is a new variety that is supposedly less susceptible to mildew. It's the first time I've had Phlox in my garden in years. 

To my eye, it is a much more elegant plant than most Phlox, with its tall willowy stems and upright panicles of tiny lavender-pink flowers. I am considering this as the end of year one. So I am definitely impressed with this plant's performance.

I planted Angelica gigas last August in full bloom. It was one of my last purchases from our wonderful local nursery, The Flower Factory, before it closed for good. Since this is a re-seeding biennial, imagine my surprise when it showed up in the same location as last year and sent out flowers. 

I am absolutely enthralled with the way the flowers unfurl

I am making trips to check on what this plant is doing multiple times a day.

Every time I've gone to look at it, it's been covered with flying critters. Half of them took off when I came near the flower to take a photo.

Given that this plant can reach 6 feet tall, I am considering the fact that it is nowhere near that height proof that it is in year one. I let it go to seed last year, but did not see any progeny. I even took a photo of the leaf so I would recognize babies and not pull them, thinking they were weeds. We'll see how it goes this year.

Comments

[danger garden]

Planting in August and September, wow. I don't think you could dig a hole in my soil right now with anything but a pick-ax. So hot, no rain...

[Linda Brazill]

LOREE — ​It has been dry enough that I have been watering significantly. But we've had almost 3 inches of rain between Friday and yesterday, so everything is happy. However, it is now so hot and ​humid there is a heat advisory and I am staying indoors.

[Kris P]

I'm glad your plants have done so well! The Agapanthus look great - by comparison, I did NOT see blooms on my newer Agapanthus this year, although at least the plants are still alive. I love both the phlox and the Angelica, neither of which I've been able to grow here.

[Linda Brazill]

KRIS — I have been watching garden videos on Vimeo from the Northwest Perennial Alliance. Can't believe what they can grow and it is all so big and lush and mossy. 

[Kristin]

Wow, maybe I need to try Agapanthus again. I had blooms for a couple of years, but they just didn't come back one year. I agree with you about the elegance of that phlox, and the Angelica is incredible!!

[Susie at pbmGarden]

Your garden is lovely. I've heard nice things about 'Jeana' this year--I'll be on the lookout for it to try also. Have a good week.

[Frank]

Jeana is so different. I saw it for sale last week and almost took one home, but I'm worried it might not go well with the other phlox... as if that's ever stopped me before :)
Of course I love the agapanthus, and the Angelica is cool! I have one blooming again this year, just starting. They don't really like it here but every now and then one gathers enough strength to flower.