Re: yellow and blue

> Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000 13:55:38 -0500
>  From: Mary R Wills <mrwill1@juno.com>

>  Didn't know there were tall Veronicas, that would be fine for the site. I
>  lost my aconitums this year but they would be  all through blooming by
>  now. What kind are you growing?

Mary -- Actually, I'm not growing Aconitum in my garden right now, but I see 
them in bloom around here in late summer and early fall.  There are a few 
species that bloom earlier and you must have had one of those.  Most are late 
bloomers. 

I have only grown Agapanthus in pots, but I have found it very easy.  I don't 
see any reason you couldn't put it in the ground as long as you didn't expect 
it to overwinter.  It is a lovely shade of blue to combine  with yellow.  I 
have one looking great on my verandah right now, doing the sun and the sky 
thing underplanted with a trailing yellow plant which will remain nameless 
here because it is an annual.  

You mentioned in another post that you have had trouble with Delphiniums.  If 
you really want them, don't give up. I live in Missouri, too, and I lost 
plenty of them myself.  But I was determined to have them so I kept trying.  
I have found that they really need some protection from the hot afternoon sun 
here.  I either grow them in part shade or keep them in the back of the 
garden placed so other plants shade their base.  I give them good soil and 
pamper them and even so they are not long-lived for me because sooner or 
later they succumb to our summer heat or winter moisture.  I have to keep 
adding a couple of new ones each year to keep a good stand. I grow all kinds 
now and find the least fussy and easiest to grow in the Midwest are D. x 
belladona 'Bellamosum'.  The flowers are smaller than those of D. elatum, but 
it is a very nice plant.  You can put those in full sun.  

Another alternative is Larkspur.  I won't use that 'A' word again, but they 
are that.  They're very easy from seed and they bloom continuously all 
summer. I just scatter seed on the ground in either spring or fall.  They 
self-seed readily, too, if I remember to quit deadheading them early enough.  
 

Let us know what you decide.  I do think the Veronica longifolia would be a 
good choice, if you can find it.  --Janis

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