I spent some time this afternoon at Palmyra with my daughter and saw the gorgeous Salvia row there. Several large plants were in full bloom, and we even witnessed a hummer nectaring on them. There were several Raspberry delights, Wild thing, Cherry queen, Cherry chief, Big Pink, Lipstick and Coral, to name a few, blooming in the blazing sun.

Thanks Ward and Vicky for showing us around and for the wonderful job that you are doing.

Suchie

I'm gonna get there one of these days! Can't wait

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Suchie,

You must have been in your glory, considering how you are nuts about Greggii's. I take it my care package made it to your park guide?

Pam NJ 6B

Pam,

Everything was safely delivered.

As of now, Raspberry Delight is my favorite, with Wild thing following as a close second. You have to go and check it out. The size of those plants and the quantity of blooms just take your breath away. I can imagine what the hummers must be feeling.

Suchie

Suchie,

I've been there several times but NOT when everything was in full bloom. I saw the bush sages bare from last season and they were huge! Maybe I'll make it back there later in the season, its a bit of a ride and its Ward's turn. Did you walk the trails? There's a nice pond and the birding isn't that bad, not in the same league as Sandy Hook, but its ok.

Pam NJ 6B

Pam,

We did walk on one trail near the pond, but I don't think we covered everything. Also, planted Cardinal climber seeds in several areas near the pond.

Suchie

It isn't everyday when someone shows up out of the north with not only gifts but an offer to work and a daughter to do the work too - and not only a gift from Suchie but a bunch of stuff from Pam too. I don't have the proper words for saying thank you.

Pam, you are right about Suchie, a true Salvia greggii nut. At one point after her daughter and I had planted the Cardinal Climber and we were heading back to the parking lot she asked: "will we be passing the sage row again"? What could I say, who doesn't want to have their works appreciated.

Ward,

No thanks are needed, we all pass it on. A current picture would be great though, maybe Vicki has some? I know she is a camera person. Hey Vicki!

Pam NJ 6B

A current picture would not be good. Winter took a heavy toll with some sages suffering 50% or higher losses. It will be a while before things recover since many survivors were taken to within an inch of their lives and only began to show life in the past week or two. If you put aside the Wild Thing and Raspberry Delight and the unknown microphylla there really isn't much happening.

Ward,

I am glad you are enjoying the Phygelius.

Pam,

The garden is spectacular. Ward is just lazy to post a pic.

Suchie

Can someone take pics the next time they go? For those of us that can't get there...
I'd love to see the gardens!!!

Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

I second (third?) the motion for the picture request--I'd love to see those bush sages!

Donald

Zone 4 Red Wing MN

There are several problems with posting pictures. Even if I knew how I don't currently own a camera, and have dial-up on the home computer. That is right, I am living in the dark ages.

Ward,

Well you could DESCRIBE them, you have a way with words (if not with technology). We'll get the picture.

Pam NJ 6B

It will be an interesting year for Agastaches. A rough count of mature and seedlings plants came to at least 150 individuals. Hopefully the recent regular rains will push the young ones along to a decent size by bloom time. It always seems to be the case that the gardener must wait until next year with the seedlings and new cuttings of Agastache, although the genus flowers the first year, the glory lies in year two and beyond.

We also have quite a few seedlings of greggii, microphylla, and their hybrids - volunteers. Thirty or so little three inch plants that should show their stuff by fall. I love mystery seedlings because you never ever know what will result. The key is not weeding them out by mistake when they are small.

ard,

Quote: "The key is not weeding them out by mistake when they are small"

I can relate to that, hence all the TALL weeds in my gardens!
One another note, you mentioned the 2nd and third year plants, oh if they all could be 3rd year plants "what a wonderful world it would be". I have finally gotten some BIG buds on my Red Hot Poker after about its third year in the ground. Looking forward to their debut.

Several Penstemons are looking good this year also, I guess they also needed to mature.


Pam NJ 6B

There is something to be said for long courtship, Lady in Red may be fine for a summer fling but the best charms take longer to reveal themselves. I still remember the days when nothing good was available in nurseries and it seemed like everything took three years or more from seed. Now you get to find out whether your RH Poker was worth waiting for.

Yes, Ward is one of those unique individuals who captures our hearts and tickles our fancies with his words, that's for sure! One of the great writers in our midst. (I always wonder if he's able to employ that skill in his livelihood)
That said, I will never plant another LIR without thinking - "Grow for me, my little "summer fling" "!

Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

Ward,

I found nice spots in my garden for the cherry queen and white witch. Sound like characters out of a fairy tale. I forgot the names of the other two salvias. I think one was on involucrata? If you remember, please let me know and their cold hardiness. I think you mentioned that both got large and bloomed later in the season.

Suchie

I am sorry about the lack of labels on those two - they were the last of their types. The one with dark green leaves is miniata and it isn't hardy at all. It doesn't seem like much until August and then it gets fire engine red large fuzzy flowers. We haven't spoken recently about it but many members wouldn't be without it - roots very easily. A little shelter is good for this one. A well grown plant can be 4 X 4.

The other with the more heart shaped leaves is involucrata. It can grow quite large and spreading from the weight of its growth. Another name for it is rose-leafed sage or rose-bud sage. It generally hits its stride in September and is occasionally hardy in New Jersey. It is also easy to root and over-winter. A well grown plant can be 5 X 6. Once it starts to grow give the terminal shoots a pinch so it will be more bushy.

I suggest you give them both a good feed. I am sorry I didn't have larger plants for you, with a little luck they will grow and prosper anyway.

Ward,

Thanks for getting back to me. Both sound lovely and don't worry about the size, where else can I walk out with any plant that I want. The Cherry queen is sitting next to the hot lips and the white witch is rooming with the Furman's red. In another year, or so the combinations should be great. I am thinking of potting the other two.

Suchie