Re: Plants for the midwest

Well now let's see. I am more of a cottage garden person than a formal garden person. I do like to keep things simple up front, as I rarely even use the front yard (same in Beaufort) so I have plans for that already including a Helmond's Pillar Barberry.

My perennial tastes run to hot colors, more specifically orange, yellow, and hot pink. I do also love the blues in pretty much anything, as long as it's really blue, and NOT some shade of purple that the naming committee decided should be called "blue."

I want to try my hand at peonies, lilacs, and several other things I've never been able to grow before. I love sun coleus and usually have pots of them sitting around in the garden. I also have a large variety of canna lilies in my basement.

I do want to try perennial geraniums as I couldn't grow those previously and I LOVE grasses of just about any sort. Again, my yard is small so I'm going to have reign myself in. I have a tendency to cram. I also am not much of a planner unless it's a specific area that the public will see a lot of. Like the front. I've already got that design in mind. The back, where I'll be spending most of my time, will certainly turn into a play area. What doesn't work will get moved.

Thanks for the ideas!
A


----- Original Message ----- From: "Donna" <gossiper@sbcglobal.net>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:37 AM
Subject: RE: [CHAT] Plants for the midwest


What you need to do is start watching your new yard for microclimates. Take
pictures when we have the light frosts in the spring and where the snow
(hum, don't know where that has been this year) is deeper. It will help you
decide where to put the more critical to zone plants at.

Plan on doing something about your clay- it will be your worse nightmare
here. (am I preaching to the choir here, sorry)

Don't forget you are welcome to come take cuttings/divisions of stuff I have
too!

What you might find Andrea, is that this area has a few good nurseries that
carry out of the ordinary plants and mail order is actually more expensive
due to shipping. Besides, you can purchase them after they have been through
the 'yucky' stage where they might not make it....

What type of garden are you planning? What color scheme? Give me some idea
of the overall effect you are thinking....

Donna

-----Original Message-----

OK my friends: I need suggestions.

I've gotten most of my plant and seed catalogs, and while perfectly
capable of
reading what zone these plants will thrive in, I want some suggestions
from
you all, as I trust your judgment, and know that if you've been having
success, then hopefully I will to.

I have a rather small yard, so I am interesting in colorful perennials and
small shrubs (evergreens always welcome).
I have a lot of clay, and a lot of sun. I suspect I'll have one small area
of
shade.

I also like annuals but am more interested in getting a good perennial and
shrub garden started this year with annuals in containers.

Thanks for any and all suggestions. I did take picture of "before" so as
soon
as I get those developed I'll post them for you to see. This yard needs
help!
Thanks
A

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