u/claybakin247

For context LiliBet is 14 mos old and today was the first time we’ve left her. I know, my bad. It’s just that we’re retired so home all day and she goes with us everywhere. Or I get a sitter. She knows when we’re leaving and expects to go along but it was past time to cut the apron strings. Lunch with friends etc. She cried a little but I recently got a video monitor so that gave me peace of mind while we were out. It’s so freeing to finally feel like we can leave the house together and the world won’t end!

Dahlia Bonesta from Eden’s Rembrandt mix (I think). I’ll never order a dahlia mix from them again bc none of the tubers were marked and I’m a bit anal about that sort of thing. I overwinter my dahlias in the ground. The snaps are Potomac Lavender from Johnnys and I’m growing them in front of my dahlias. I’m using an “X” support system with bamboo stakes and that’s working well.

Zone 7a MidAtlantic

My arranging skills might need work though. I keep wanting to pack in ALL the things! LOL The star of this show is Marble Ball, the purple stripey one. It was in a collection from Eden Bros and of the dozen I planted it’s been the first to bloom. (I got them installed late. Zone 7a MidAtlantic). I purchased 2 collections from Eden and none of the tubers were identified. I’m having to install markers as they come into bloom. I let mine overwinter in the ground and my success rate is pretty good. I mulch heavily in winter.

There are 2 others here that have repeatedly come back, Linda’s Baby and Labyrinth. I’m most thrilled about the Feverfew! My first time growing it. The rest are annuals started from seed. Snapdragons, Ageratum, Gomphrena, Mexican Verbena, Cupcake Cosmos and one lonely little Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’. I’m excited to be growing that last one! I hope they start taking off but rn they’re taking their good ole time.

Any recommendations on other pretty cut flowers to add to my gardens?

I recently posted about my trials of first time growing SINGLE feverfew. So sorry for doubting you Johnnys! 🙊 I will enjoy it while I can. I cut some, left some. Hoping it will return again and again to delight me for a very long time! Also, one wee pink Cupcake Blush cosmos with more coming on! I’ve not exactly been enjoying gardening this summer (UGH that heat dome!) but bringing these indoors with me in the AC has been a pleasure!

Johnnys response to mislabeling my feverfew seeds. Look at these 3 photos. The first is what I was sent. Picture taken 6/30. The second is from their website. Third are the seed packets received. Labeled Magic Single. I did 2 plantings, winter sewn in jug #3 and in trays. Planted in 2 separate areas. Both bloom the same.

Their response:

“I have shared your photos with our growing team, and they have informed me that it is the Magic Single in the photo and that you are likely seeing the double blooms due to ether heat stress or drought. 

They recommend watering the plants deeply in the mornings and using a shade cloth until temperatures cool down.”

For those of you who live in a hot area (I’m in zone 7a mid Atlantic and yes it’s been hot here - within the recent devils heat dome actually - but when that photo was taken on June 30 we’d been having a long stretch or wonderfully lower than normal temps) - tell me if your singles grew into doubles. Also, I watered religiously. Babied these beauties like they are my children because wanted them that much. Darling sweet little singles, not doubles. Yes I’m being a big baby about this but how would you feel if you put a ton of effort into growing something, from seeds no less, that ended up being entirely wrong?