Saturday, November 20, 2010

Wildflower Seeds, Backyard Tree and Thanksgiving

I thought I would give you an update on the wildflower seeds I planted in October. With the warm sun and lots of watering, it didn't take them long to germinate. This little area behind the pond is not the best place for spring wildflowers, but even the few seeds I scattered here have developed into tiny seedlings.
Along the fence and in the corner wildflower bed I scattered Lemon Mint and Standing Cypress seeds. There are lots of little seedlings in both areas that are continuing to grow. We have had some rain, but not enough so I have tried to keep all areas watered enough to help the little plants out. Wildflowers are drought tolerant, but not until they are larger rosettes.
I found an empty area in the corner bed and planted Golden Wave Coreopsis that are starting to come up. I wish they were further along as our temps may get to freezing this next week. I also planted pass-along poppy seeds and some heirloom larkspur seeds a MG friend of mine gave to me. I am so hopeful both of these plants come up and produce blooms.
Along with all the new little seedlings are bluebonnets that re-seeded. You can see how nice and healthy they look. I really wish everything was this big and may regret planting in October instead of September. We are due for a warmer winter this year, so maybe all the seedlings will be fine. Fingers will be crossed!
The Chinese Pistache tree in back has been turning a beautiful red this year. It is still not the prettiest tree, but we are hoping this is still part of the "ugly ducking" stage they say Pistache trees go through for 5 years. I do think the size makes it perfect for our little backyard.
But now let's talk about the wildflower seeds that I scattered under this tree...
Well, I am not very excited about all these little plants because I just planted Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush here. As you can see, there are tons of things popping up and I can tell you it's not just bonnets and paintbrush! My biggest problem with this bed is that it is being taken over by Carolina Geranium! I think I told you last year there were a few plants in this bed I couldn't identify and I think a few of you told me it looked like a wild geranium-and it was! As soon as those plants got bigger and I could tell what they were, I pulled them up. This year they have taken over! Yes, there are bluebonnets and I think paintbrush growing among the "weeds", but I am not sure who will win out. I have tried to pull the unwanted plants, but it is not easy-plus I have trouble not pulling bonnets that are mixed in. So..bottom line is that I may not have a pretty wildflower bed around the tree in spring, plus next year I will probably not plant seeds here and try to eradicate the unwanted weeds. Just hate this, but I will have to live with the problem for now.
It is hard to believe next week is Thanks-
giving. And, it's hard to believe 2010 is about over. Time really does fly by when you are having fun, and I have had lots of gardening fun this past year! I am grateful for all the success with plants I had, and even for the failures as we learn so much from those experiences. I am grateful for my wonderful family and my home, and for all my precious friends.
So, from my home to yours:
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

13 comments:

Barbee' said...

Well, there may be weed seedlings in there to taunt you, but the full view photo is beautiful! I fight Carolina Geranium all the time here. So, I understand part of your problems.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thank you Barbee'!! (and how are you--haven't heard from you in way too long!) :)
What do you do about the wild geraniums? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I think they came to us with the new tree.

JenningsJunk said...

LOVE how colorful your tree is!! None of my trees are changing yet - weird....but then, as soon as they start changing, they'll start losing their leaves - ugh! bare trees sadden me *sigh* Ok - gloomy gus is done....gonna be thankful for what is happening in the now!!!! Enjoying your pictures soooooo much!!! thanks :D

Meadowview Thymes said...

JJ-look around the our area and you should see trees changing, but you are sooo right. This front on the way and all the wind is going to take the leaves away. Like you, I do hate the bare, brown and cold of winter. There is beauty there I know..I need to look harder and find it! :)

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hello there Linda !
My goodness you have such patience with seeds : ) I totally forgot to plant any of them this year .. I couldn't believe I did that either but I think they will keep until next year ? hopefully ? haha
Your garden is looking great for this time of year and yes it is hard to believe this year is almost over .. I missed so much of it it makes me crazy .. but on the other hand it saved money in the budget since I couldn't shop for plants while injured .. too funny .. but I might make up for it next year ? LOL .. Thanks for stopping by : )
My blog spot address has changed to "CanadianGardenJoy" now if you look for me and I disappeared ;-)
Joy

Barbee' said...

Well, ours are not coming up among baby seedlings, so we just weed, weed, weed! Try to get them before they go to seed. Of course some do at one place or another. This place is too large to keep up with everything. I haven't written in over six months, I guess. I just read other people's blogs. Maybe I'll go back to writing someday. The heat this summer nearly did me in.

Racquel said...

Glad you are getting a good germination rate with most of your areas. Hope that area around the tree turns out better than you expected though. Happy Thanksgiving Linda from my family to yours! :)

Meadowview Thymes said...

Joy--Oh I will find you! :)
You can do seeds next year--and shop, shop, shop to make up for lost time too. It is easier to be patient with wildflower seeds as you plant them in fall for next spring. Spring planting seeds are another story. I go crazy waiting for them to not only germinate, but get big as well!

Thanks for the information Barbee--I will remember that next year as I think planting wildflower seeds under the tree is out so I can weed.

Thanks Racquel--I hope it will turn out better too! Fingers stay crossed! :)

tina said...

Well a Happy Thanksgiving to you too! What a lovely poem. That pistache tree is huge! I had not idea you all planted such a large tree. It is a pretty color indeed.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks Tina! The tree is tall, but still spindley. We are hoping it will grow to be beautiful. The color is really pretty though. For some reason trees here are very fallish with their colors, but the wind is really blowing leaves away! sigh...

Cindy, MCOK said...

The Pistache tree looks beautiful in its fall colors! I think it was an excellent choice.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks Cindy! I hope it continues to grow and fill it.

Anonymous said...

I hope all your weeds turn out to be wildflowers, especially the bluebonnets! Pansies will not last through the whole winter, but might come back in the spring. We'll see!