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Sunday, May 26, 2013

THE GARDEN'S LOSS IS THE HOUSE'S GAIN

Strong storms passed though our area over the last two days with pounding rain. The garden is grateful but some plants are lying flat on the ground this morning.


Bee balm, Monarda fistulosa 'Peter's purple', was one of the fallen. A passalong from our horticulturist Daphne Richards, Central Texas Horticulture, is the only bee balm with which I have had success. It makes a glorious stand perfect for the back of the border or a vase in the house.


Statice, Limonium sp, grown from seed. This plant, although considered an annual, is in its second year of flowering due to our mild winter. An everlasting flower with papery flowers it will dry here in the house. I shall have to consider supporting the bee balm next year.

19 comments:

  1. They are pretty and a very nice way of dealing with the aftermath of the storm. I'm glad to know Peter's Purple does well since I recently added it despite previous bee balm failures.

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  2. I love the monarda. I've never had much luck with it until we moved to Michigan. There was always too much humidity before---lots of mildew.

    Glad you were able to make some beautiful bouquets from what could have been just a mess.

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  3. Very pretty.
    I need to find some of that Peter's Purple. I grew red Bee Balm one year in my old garden. But, it didn't do as well as this one.

    Hope your lip is better, from the wasp bite.

    Have a good weekend.

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    1. You must come to one of the GoGos when we are dividing. Someone is sure to have some.

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  4. As the saying goes "when life gives you lemons...". The bee balm looks beautiful in your vase. I haven't done well with Monarda either - I'll have to look for 'Peter's Purple.'

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    1. Thanks Kris. This is the second year of flowering and they tested it before in the Extension Service garden.

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  5. Just beautiful, Jenny. Happy rain days!

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  6. I'm so happy that y'all got rain! Now if only I could have some, too ...

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  7. It looks glorious indoors Jenny. Glad your garden got some rain.

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    Replies
    1. Hope you got some too Jayne, although not as much as San Antonio.

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  8. The Bee Balm looks so pretty in your vase. Mine is just starting to bloom. Luckily, it is in a spot where it was protected from the heavy downpour. I've never grown Statice before. Love the color of the flowers.

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  9. Love the Peters Purple monarda! And it looks stunning in a vase, despite its rough treatment by the storm. I wonder if it is sold in nurseries or is more of a passalong...because I think I have the perfect spot for one.

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    1. I think they do sell it but passalongs are the way to go.

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  10. I've never had luck with bee balms (other than horsemint), so it is heartening to read that so many other experienced gardeners have struggled with it as well. It leads me to believe at least some of my failures are potentially not of my own making, but rather due to fussy varieties. The cut flowers are so graceful in your arrangements and perhaps the providing plants will gift you with more blooms after all the rain we've had.

    Statice from seed? I've only ever bought that in store arrangements and I love the way it dries. I'll have to keep a lookout for seed packets now. Did you buy the seed locally?

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    1. I'm told that if I cut it back it will bloom again int he fall. I will try that this year, in fact I just did the cutting back. I may have bought the seeds on line.

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  11. Nice way to salvage the remains after your storm, while everything dries out and those plants regrow! And hopefully the soil moisture recharges some in the process.

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  12. great idea to salvage from a storm. I love the purple bee balm. I have some Magenta in my yard which is spreading quite a bit now.

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  13. I have to try that Monarda. It looks great. The only Monarda I have ever had any luck with is the annual horsemint.

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  14. Oh my goodness!! Gorgeous! I would love that bee balm in my house!!!

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