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Monday, August 31, 2009

Taking the Perennial Plunge!

Rhoda From Southern Hospitality is hosting Today's Thrifty Treasures... and I figured that it doesn't get much thriftier than the activity I did today, so I joined in for the fun. Stop by her blog to see what everyone else is sharing today.
I spent my morning driving from greenhouse to greenhouse looking for some perennials to put in the front yard. NONE. I was getting a little frustrated. This is the season to plant perennials here...so I was a little less than encouraged and decided to come home.
When I arrived...this is what I was looking at.
This bed has been the bane of my gardens since we first moved to this house. NOTHING seems to do well there. It grows...but does not thrive. SOOOOO....when the lady next door announced to me that she was turning her gardens into gravel...would I like the perennials in that bed? I jumped at the chance and went to work.
I figured that since she does not care for her gardens at all...or water...or anything...I could make good use of these plants...AND since they have never been cared for...they would love me for taking them and thrive! lol (like a plant thinks right?lol)
I ripped ALL of the annuals out of the bed and threw them...and the infestation of chick weed into the garbage...
Started to place the different plants on top of the soil to see what arrangement I would like best.
Then the planting took place. There were a few areas that were a little empty for my taste...so I put a couple of garden angels in and added a couple of pots off the front steps as fillers.
I added one of the garden MUMS that I got a couple weeks ago...didn't even bother to take it out of the pot...just planted the whole thing as it is.
Watered and fed the new plants....and cleaned up my mess....
This is a leap for me if ever there was one in my yard....I generally avoid perennials...lol
What do you think?
Then I set my eyes on this mess....ugh.
This bed is worse than the other one...it takes forever to get anything to amount to much....
I added some of the tiger lily from that bed into this one...
and in the place of the divided tiger lily...I put a bachelors button. I hope it grows...it sure is a pretty shade of blue! The original plant was HUGE...so I divided it and put some in the bed I am making in the back alley...(yes...I ran out of room inside the yard...so I am working my way out)
cleaned up my mess and moved on to the next task!
I still have three huge rose bushes and a giant hosta that she gave me to take and place...but that will wait for another post!
(I removed the post for the winners...Mishebe and Darla were the big winners...I didn't think that after they read that they won...that you all needed to read the whole thing too! How boring)
Thanks for visiting today...make sure you check the other posts for more Thrify Treasures....

26 comments:

Jill said...

It looks so pretty. Now only if I could see it in person.. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I would love to come and visit u... If only I won the lottery.. I would be on my way!

Rock River Stitches said...

Wow your perenial garden looks gorgeous now!! I have mostly perenials in my gardens. What a nice neighbor to give you all of her plants.

Tammy

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Lookin good!!!(-: What a great neighbor to share her plants(-:
I hope they grow well for you!(-:

Jessica said...

Toots~

I just love your gardens. :)

Love~ J

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I think it all looks gorgeous. I would love to have a yard looking that good. You should see mine. With temps staying in the triple digits for 3 months now, there is barely anything left alive. I can't wait for cooler weather. I just love the arrangement you did with all the flowers and pots. So pretty. Hugs, Marty

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

It looks great! And you cant beat the price! We badly need plants in our yard... as well as something to go next to the house, but I have no idea what. I guess Azaleas if nothing else.

HeatherF1 said...

Well, looks fabulous, but I think I also have to say, it's about dang time you put some perennials in ; ) I am all about the coming back each year, cheap or free! If you lived next door to me I would give you all my cast offs, too. I get the whole "plant guilt" throwing a plant in the recycle bin. Can't wait to see more pictures!

Tarva said...

Beautiful. Even your "mess" looks great to me.

Sigrun said...

Whew! I wish I had your energy. The beds look lovely.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

It looks awesome...You amaze me....

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OMG...Girl you out did yourself with this one...Now I'm loving your crown lite you put there...This is just Beautiful my friend...and I'm with Jill I would love to see all of this in person...I thought you knew I loved Princess Di...Just can't stand the rest of the Royals...Oh I take that back I love her sons...
Now here I am working with my faux flowers trying to make a fall center piece and you can do all of this...Hope you have a GREAT week Daughter...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Unknown said...

Your garden is beautiful! I love perennials and me think you will also. I just wish I had about half of your energy! Warm wishes for a great week, Esther

deb said...

woo hooo!! Don'tcah just love neighbors like that!! Awesome job of placing & planting!!

Four Paws and Co said...

What a beautiful plant bed you created and your crown is gorgeous! I saw one very similar yesterday but yours is so much prettier!

Your neighbor was very sweet to let you take the plants. ☺♥☺ Diane

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Wow, those plants look really good for not having been cared for. Your flowers beds look wonderful. Even the ones you said didn't look good looked wonderful to me. :) You did a great job. Everything looks lovely.

Sue said...

Wow, Tootsie....it's looking great!
I sure would love to live next door to you.....you could help me with my RATTY looking annuals, and I'd give you lots of perennial divisions. Geez, that mum is huge-I love it!!

Bonnie said...

Wow, everything looks great. I can't belive how great the plants look just after you planted them. Love the shape of that bed!

Unknown said...

Oh so pretty , so much work . I'd love to do what you do , just don't have your get up and go .
Mary

Sandra said...

Hi Tootsie! I have been admiring your garden! You are such an inspiration to us gardeners, girly. :) How great is that neighbor of yours to give you her plants. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Lona said...

Wow, I wish I had neighbors like that. The beds look so much better. I wish I had that black soil you have instead of this hard as rock clay.Your Malva adds some pretty height to the bed and your new mum adds great color to it. I love the blue flower in front of the windows. What is it?

squawmama said...

Tootsie, Like a rescued dog you have rescued the plants... I am sure they are jumping up & down on their little roots just knowing that they are finally with someone who will love & nurture them... Great job on placing them in their new home!
Have a beautiful day!

(((HUGS)))
Donna

The JR said...

Good makeover for your bed. I like perennials cause I'm too lazy to deal with annuals.

Ramona

Blondie's Journal said...

Oh wow, Tootsie! You are the luckiest girl in the world today!! Migh that neighbor be a leprachaun?? I love that first bed. You have an eye for great design and color. You trust your instincts and aren't afraid to make changes. I read zillions of gardening books and magazines and one of the key links is to move things around if you are not happy or the plant isn't doing well. You got it girl!!

Can't wait to see the roses!!

xoxo
Janie

Jacki said...

Lucky girl! You hit pay dirt, ba da bing! It looks great - you did a fab job arranging the newcomers.

When are we going to see the back alley bed? hmm?

DEB said...

You did a great job! Love the idea of leaving the plants in the pot. Looks fab.........Deb

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Wow! That looks great! You can't get much more thrifty than free, and you hit the freebie jackpot. laurie