Arbor vitae "wall" comparison

Can't necessarily tell that the arbor vitae have grown much. But the russian olive and the hydrangeas sure have!

Growth and a few comparison shots

The white roses appeared yesterday. Nice contrast to the catnip. And a comparison shot to show growth..

May 12

Today

Front yard planters

Planted these on May 17. Three pots cost approximately $50. Really went full-out experiment on these. Dianthus, persian shield, and snow princess. All new this year. Put in a few standby impatients...as a "just in case" everything else dies. Moved the pansies from the pots to the area in front of my asian garden.

Window boxes on detached garage

Window boxes on detached garage went in today. In each planter. Impatients (2 packs of 6); Lobelia (1 pack of 4); Portulaca (1 pack of 4); Nicotiana (1 pack of 4 plus one extra plant...total of 5 in each planter). Total cost for 3 boxes approximately $50. Expecting portulaca to be questionable in this spot...but we will see...

Strawberries and herbs

On the experiment list is a strawberry pot...alpine and everbearing strawberries in the pot. I had 4 alpine strawberries extra so I put them in the ground next to the thyme and sage (can't believe how well that has come back!) and 2 new italian parsley plants. Bought 3 sweet basil plants and put them next to the lavender. Also one french tarragon plant too.

First batch of annuals

The first batch of annuals went in yesterday afternoon. Planted the window boxes above the garage. Experimented a little more this year. Still put in a few impatients (3 packs) and pansies (4 packs) and vinca vines (4 vines). Since the snapdragons (3 packs) actually did well last year towards the latter part of summer, we put in some of those as well. Splurged and bought 4 big new guinea impatiens (really liked the color of the leaves). So the experiments are the trailing lobelias (2 packs of 6 minis) , zinnias (4 packs), and argryanthemums (2). Total cost $110-ish including herbs and strawberries. Really hoping the argryanthemums do well since I put them in front and center.

Garden update

We've had a nice week of rain....but suddenly very cold. May 8 (day before mother's day) held a threat for an inch of slushy snow....which thankfully never materialized. Frost warnings. Still haven't put in annuals yet. Waiting on a warm up.
Jim installed soaker hoses and put them on automatic timers throughout our garden beds....come to think of it...that's probably why it started to rain.