Anyway, my other resolution to have more colour in my garden is another story, I'm happy to say. I started on my West Wall Project in December 2010 actually, a modest shaded border of lilac-coloured plants. Here is how it looked then.
I love hydrangeas. My parents should have named me Hydrangea instead of Rosie. Of course I love roses too, so Rosie was an apt name. Oh, and I adore the Passion Flower (as you would have known if you had seen my Macro Flowers post where the Passiflora photos almost occupied the whole length and breadth of your monitor screen! It would be difficult to go through life as "Passion" though, if I had been named after that flower. Anyway, my hydrangea border has grown with more varieties added. Here they are.
Two more colours are yet to be planted - one blue, and the other pink. I will need to put a bench near my hydrangea border so that I can sit there all day long and just admire the blooms.
The other plants that I have placed in my semi-shaded area by the wall are the gladioli plants. These plants are what I dream of in my dreams. We can't get gladiolus corms easily here in Malaysia, so these corms which I bought from New Zealand are more precious to me than rubies, diamonds and pearls put together!
My plan was to have them in three separate patches so that I can grow low-lying plants in between. I have one patch of giant-flowered "Her Majesty", one patch of "Tout-a-Toi", and one more of "Dark Eyes". I have finally decided to plant low bushes of multiple-petalled hibiscus in between the patches. The first plant is light purple in colour and a free-flowering variety.
I had told myself that I would make my flower borders as colourful as possible! So the first cluster of plants in my area that gets full-sun will be red! I chose the Red Ginger plant for its fabulous red cones. They are exotic ornamental plants that tower over the other low-lying plants like the variegated ruby-red patterned coleus, another hibiscus plant, a white tropical 'snowdrop' which I have yet to discover the name, and red ixora. The last two plants that I mentioned have not bloomed, so I can't wait to see the full effect.
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| This needs to fill out, and the effect can be seen in a few months. |
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| The flamingo is sitting down, thinking of what plants to add to this bed. |
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| The orange ixora is not blooming yet. |
You can read more gardening plans if you hurry on down to Fer's little garden.Click on this link:
Good morning! I think I just discovered your comments on my blog from several days ago... thank you for being my 10st follower... your posts and gardens are lovely! Larry
ReplyDeletewhoops... I believe that was 101st follower! L
ReplyDelete@ Larry - Thanks for your comments, and it is a pleasure to be a follower, even if I am the 101st. I so wanted to be the 100th. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are gorgeous. I like your lilac section and have also created one on the South section where there is less sun due to the towering willow tree. Did you just recently purchase the yellow hibiscus? It's lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe grow the type of hibiscus that you grow outside as houseplants here in the UK - I have a red one and an orange on on my windowsill.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks amazing! so great that you have so many coveted flowers to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLove the bench by the way. I want to have something like that in my garden some day.
Best luck for the coming year!
Love your garden beds and got to love hydrangeas. I have them stuck around in all of my beds. The yellow fuchsia is so gorgeous ans such a cheery bloom. I think everyone is starting to plan for some new plants and beds. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI love all your infusions of color, Rosie--the red ginger plant is really eye-catching! I love hydrangeas, too, but I do think we would have gotten funny looks with a name like that:)
ReplyDeleteYou really have variety of flowers growing in your garden! Gladioli? wow! Can't wait to see!
ReplyDeleteYou have a pretty large garden, I must say... good luck with your plans!
ReplyDeleteRosie, It's going to be a beautiful jungle there pretty soon.
ReplyDeleteoh such a mystery, I love reading a good mystery. I also spotted a couple of crane, maybe?
ReplyDeleteLovely garden.
I've been out of town for a few days,and am a tad late with my replies, but I really appreciate all the comments you have left here for me.
ReplyDelete@ One - Yes, I bought five hibiscus plants without seeing what colours they were. Were told that they were orange ones. But when the yellow one bloomed it was like a bonus for me, as I liked it.
@ Green Lane Allotments - they are hardy plants to be able to thrive as indoor plants! I even have some that are on the slope in my backyard where the environment is harsh and dry.
@ fer - Thank you. Will let you see how my plans turn out as the border progresses this year.
@ Hocking Hills Gardener - Glad you like the look of my young beds. Can't wait for a more mature look to develop.
@ Rose - Aren't you glad to be a Rose then, eh?
@ Malar - When I got home today, I found 3 buds on my gladioli. Wowie!!!
@ Lrong - Thanks, I need all the luck. The weather can be very dry this time of the year, and the wind so strong. Am afraid my hydrangeas won't be able to take it.
@ Carolyn - It is always a jungle out here, haha. I'm using your idea of using ground cover. Still looking for some with striking patterns.
@ lifeshighway - oh yes, a mystery that is half-solved. Oh, those are my weather-beaten flamingos which were pink four years ago.
Hydrangeas and hibiscus are good choice. Did I see a double petaled red hibiscus? Hibiscus plants attract lots of butterflies to the garden.
ReplyDelete@ Autumn Belle - Yes, there's a red double in my flower bed. I collect mainly the double-petalled ones as they remind me of huge roses.
ReplyDeleteI love hydrangeas too, where can i buy it and plant? i stay in Penang.
ReplyDeleteI usually get mine from the Garden nurseries in town, Stephy. It is seasonal though, not available all year round.
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