You Little Pansy!

Viola - Jump Up Purple

Because 2013 kicked my butt, I'm determined to start 2014 off positively.  Today I planted pansies.  The sun was bright with no rain clouds for thousands of miles.  Three varieties were planted:  Dynamite Lavender, Jump Up (pictured), and Sorbet White. 

Because I'm still not cleared to bend, my gardening has been modified.  Using long handled tools I prepped the bed then augured the holes for the plants.  As I hovered over the hole, I plunked a plant right into place with the precision (sometimes) of a bombardier.  Loose soil was raked in around to tuck the plant into its new bed.  After a nice drenching of water, snail bait was dribbled out.  I used Deadline (Force II).  In the morning, I expect to still see my pansies with snail carcasses littering the flower bed.

The rain outlook for California in 2014 is tragic.  If you would like to follow the progress of our precipitation, try this website.  Mama mia!  Really tragic. 

Silver lining:  It looks like a perfect year to replace your lawn to conserve water.

 

 

 

Winter White

I’ve been searching for a dainty white flower to help “pop” some light under the dark crimson mums and a deep burgundy Loropetalum Rubrum.  Voilà!  Violas at the local nursery would do the trick.  A couple of flats of Penny White violas help to catch sun rays where before was deep darkness.These petite flowers are pretty tough though.  They are heat and cold tolerant.  They are also delicious to slugs and snails; so a good sprinkling of Sluggo was provided to all 72 transplants.I’m looking forward to enjoying these very low maintenance plants until “swamp pants” weather rolls around again. Until then, we’ll both be thriving in the garden.