looking for your ideas (flowers, grow, grass, trees)

[FLPL75]

hey everyone
I just spent 2 1/2 hours cleaning out these beds

I was thinking of doing some impatiens in the one on the left(first pic)

but am having a brain freeze as what else to add - thats what happens after months of not gardening
the first pic bed get a bit of morning sun
the 2nd pic bed get a good chunk of full sun
the trees are weeping bottle brush
open to all suggestions
thanks
karla
p.s. I am in NE Fla




the crown of thorn is staying

gardens flank the front door



Yeah I know I need a nicer entrance light lol just realized that

[MoMark]

Originally Posted by myfask

hey everyone
I just spent 2 1/2 hours cleaning out these beds

I was thinking of doing some impatiens in the one on the left(first pic)

but am having a brain freeze as what else to add - thats what happens after months of not gardening
the first pic bed get a bit of morning sun
the 2nd pic bed get a good chunk of full sun
the trees are weeping bottle brush
open to all suggestions
thanks
karla
p.s. I am in NE Fla




the crown of thorn is staying

gardens flank the front door



Yeah I know I need a nicer entrance light lol just realized that

what about red geraniums, the old fashioned traditional kind? They have beautiful flowers all year long in warmer places and you can trim them back if they get gangly. I love geraniums but I have to figure out how to save them when it gets into winter freezes here.
You could also use marigolds as a border for either the impatiens or geraniums (if you like geraniums).

[FLPL75]

the 2 pots in the entrance are geraniums once it gets into july and aug it is too hot for them
hence my problem

I have 4 pots of them in the screenroom that are actually from last year
I put them way back in the sunroom so they don't get baked
there is a way
right before you think the first freeze take cuttings use the rooting hormone
and 4" pots
you can set up one of your extra bedrooms as the "germinating" room
get some grow lights keep the cuttings moist (you can even use old comforter bags as mini greenhouses)
it will take 6 to 8 weeks for the cuttings to root
once rooted take them out of the "bags" and give them light feeding 7 to 8 hours of the grow light and when spring comes you will be ready to put them in bigger pots
karla

[Racelady88]

What about some grasses? I love the fountain grass, and monkey grass is nearly impossible to kill. Also, grasses are fairly easy to maintain.

[FLPL75]

hmmm Evey that may work they would be a nice background for the impatiens
I will have to see what they have at the nursery tomorrow
the only thing is I can't block the window the "kids" like looking out
lol that will be my next thread
"getting doggie "snot" off your windows"
I think its worse than fingerprints

karla

[plaidmom]

Karla,
Your house is....gorgeous! I love the arches.

I'm NOT a gardener, nor have I lived in FL.

Just wanted to say, with that great Mediterranean Architecture I envision rosemary, lavender, and perhaps bougainvillea.

[FLPL75]

thanks plaidmom

i have the bouginvilla in the back I was messing around with it last year and made some boug topiaries
here is a picture , it needs to fill more but I think once it does it will look great It is in the screenroom because we had a freeze a couple weeks ago and I haven't decided where to move it to


please ignore my sad garden now that "winter is over I have a lot of work to do
there is rosemary in the herb garden
alas lavender is a non fla friendly plant lol I have tried

karla

[Racelady88]

Ground orchids might be nice in that spot.

Nose prints are an issue at my house, too. I like the Windex pop ups.

[Cornerguy1]

An alternative to the slip method :

1. Just before frost, remove plants from containers or beds

2. Shake loose soil off roots

3. hang upside in a dark, place with a temperature between 32 and 50

OR

3a. dry on newpapers for a week and then store in paper grocery bags in a dark place with temps between 32 and 50.

Dark and dry is the key. A dry, cool cupboard in a basement works well.


4. Remove from storage, pot, water, and grow inside 45 - 60 days before target outside planting date.


Drying out a plant sounds strange, but it works.

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

mini roses