Not everything is edible in Maybelline’s Garden. This past weekend I tore out the pansies and stock from the two front flowerbeds. Some of the lobelia was trimmed in hopes of blooming later this summer. Those plants were planted back in October and had grown beautifully through the rainy season. Sadly, they were ripped out to make way for some muscle plants that should be able to thrive during the summer.
Some Wave petunias (Misty Lilac) were plugged into the bed next to the driveway (See the loose bricks? I drove into them.). The petunias were fertilized with Dr. Earth and given a long drink of water to start them off right. I never realized that petunias have a scent. These have a soft, sweet scent. Their light color makes them stand out at night; so I expect the hot summer nights to be perfumed with petunias. (I can smell the breeze bringing the scent inside as I post this. It sure beats the smell of feedlots.) The Wave variety of petunias spread out. The number of plants here should cover the ground nicely and continue to bloom until frost. The plant tag directs to feed weekly and to remove spent blossoms to encourage growth and continuous flowers. There’s a Watermelon Crepe Myrtle multi truck tree that is centered in this flowerbed.
The other small bed next to the sidewalk has Magellan Zinnias. Their not listed as dwarf but they only grow to 18”. This variety is multicolored and should be able to take the heat of summer. There are a couple of Loropetalum chinensis “Rubrum” in this bed as well. Until they grow up, there will be other plants to keep them company. This bed was also fertilized and irrigated to get everything off on the right root.
Farmer MacGregor fears that these zinnias will attract neighborhood hoodlums that aspire to recreate a scene from Caddy Shack.
4 comments:
Love the Caddyshack clip. Why are they called "wave" petunias? I planted some and had never considered the unusual name before.
*An - I believe the name "wave" is because the plants are supposed to spread out and produce waves of blossoms.
Petunias do have a scent, you're right!
The Wave petunias, I believe, were bred from a species petunia that was seed-swapped around a lot during the mid '80s. They are durable and everblooming. They came on the market and then the seed companies turned them into a commodity. I am trying to look back into my old notes and see if I can contact the original seed-guerillas who were just swapping them around.
*Aunt - If these petunias grow as promised, they should make a nice addition to the front yard. I would like to know how to propagate spider chrysanthemums. That is my goal for fall.
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