Showing posts with label perennials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perennials. Show all posts

Saturday, May 16, 2026

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth....Midwest Gardening 2026 Spring

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My cousin J called to see if I was OKAY because I have been lacking in posts...YEPPERS, I am OK and this is a Midwest Gardening Post for Spring.

SO, Dear readers, Happy Easter,...Happy May, Mom's Day, and hoping a wonderful Memorial Day, etc.

Here at OldNewGreenRedo...we have been pretty much been doing the OLD, as in growing older. We are finding that full work days are now only 3-4 hours long, LOL. 

Also...everything around here is a REDO. Same old, same old and more. Fix, repair, move it around, rinse and repeat.

Spring here has been cold, fitful and dreary in NW Chicagoland. Winds off  chilly Lake Michigan reached far inland, where we are and kept the frosts and gray days continuous. Our Hostas braved the early weather and many have iced now brown, leaves. When everything is planted, I'll have to thin out all the ugly leaves.

I took these photos yesterday as it was sunny and bright yet still jacket weather.

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Our homemade  greenhouse finally got plants in the week after Easter, correction half our plants from the kitchen. 

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We had our trusty thermostat heater going in the greenhouse every night for 6 weeeks. It's adjustable to 1300 or 1500 watts, an adjustable thermostat (set to 45-50) and a dusk to dawn timer. I confess we had to run it a few days because of the cloud cover and temps.

It was too cold to hook up the greenhouse with water, (we already froze and cracked half our water system in the backyard) due to un-forecasted hard freezes, so  schlepping water was a pain to all those thirsty plants.

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Like many in the Midwest, Tornado warnings and the dreaded high winds kept the trees from opening up, stripping them of tender leaves, and tore down old branches. We still have a few late tulips trying to survive the temps of 80 plus today, while the Iris are in full bloom, but they won't last long if it stays this hot. Forecasters are willy-nilly and it is definitely a crap shoot here in Spring. Yes, we lived in the 40-50's just two days ago and high 30's at night...and now it's a blister.

I HOPE you all have your planting done or started. I took some photos of the greenhouse before I started planting on May 15.  It's crazy how happy plants are in a greenhouse. But with temps up now it's time to move them out.

oldnewgreenredo

Tomatoes and Peppers...YIKES, they have to go in the ground tomorrow!!! 

A few Peppers got into Pots, yesterday. We've found peppers like the large pots better than in our ground soil. Think Mediterranean climate..and they are happy --a bit hotter.   
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 I filled the pots with soil from our compost pile which is lovel, loose and rich with organic matter.

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One thing very happy with the temps is the Rhubarb, num, Rhubarb treats coming this week!

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I also have some pots with Dahlia and Caladium bulbs in, many which didn't survive their winter in the heated garage. Lots were mushy or shriveled and dried up. I planted what looked viable, but so far no Caladiums made it.

oldnewgreenredo

Peppers and a few perennials. Golly the seed manufacturers were stingy with seeds this year, a pack barely started 10 small containers. And, the germination wasn't that great either.  12 Better Boy Tomatoes produced 4 inferior plants at 40cents a seed..UGH! Name brand, too!


oldnewgreenredo

Dill survived in four heavily seeded containers. a feww Larkspur made it also. Hoping to nurse these into nice perrenial plants. I have a fenced in flower bed that doesn't get too hot..just for nursing first year perennials or plant splits.

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Some late starts, Alyssum which grows so fast, some more perennials and Coleus which I misplaced the seeds, I'll be lucky to get any from last years package and started too late.

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Supposedly eggplant and some Echinacea. I'm hoping these make it.

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More Tomatoes and Peppers, and the round pot??? I have it written down somehwere, but the plants looks weird the pot on the left?


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I planted my Dahlias in these big pots to see which would survive. They will now have to be trimmed back and transplanted, recover a day or two in a sheltered area outside and then moved into their summer locations. These are all big bloom Dahlias, focal points for the front of the house and a few by the patio.

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I had two pots on the left that really did nothing...with lettuce seeds, spinach, ??? Will probably put Dahlias in them also.

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We did have an easier time holding heat in the greenhouse due to the concrete blocks we used for the floor and the new foam insulation we used last year on the lower half. Everything  really needs cleaning now though. 

oldnewgreenredo

I concentrated more on produce this year (with food prices so high) but, purchased these flowers...Geraniums were a leader and only .99cents, the 8 packs were $2.99 so that helped. I bought some Wave Petunias for 2.49 each (a steal) and that will be the plantings for the front too.

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First time ever growing Larkspur (back skinny plants)...anxious to see them flower., I forget what's in front.

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I have vowed to do some decorating on the greenhouse this year, and a fresh coat of stain...you are witnesses, hold me to it! Time to make her cute and pretty, too!

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We have 5 windows and a storm door with screen in the greenhouse..and this huge fan to help control temps. The fan has three settings, and I use the lowest, circulating air helps plants grow very strong stems.

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Outside, we used vinyl thermo-paned basement windows, which are just held open with sticks, and they seal tight from the outside. Perfect for a greenhouse. The North window is and up and down thermo-pane which opens from the inside. 

Well...Hope you are all well and doing well, .
now it's time for GARDENING!...All those plants and seeds have to go somewhere...soon!

NEXT POST: IN THE GARDEN!

Thanks  ALWAYS  for visiting,
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

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All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, unless otherwise designated. Please do not use my photos without permission. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts, or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Sandi 





Monday, May 29, 2023

What's Bloomin' in Midwest Gardening 2023

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Good Morning, first hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. We celebrated with family yesterday, and it was lovely in the low 70's and we even roasted marshmallows at dusk. 

But yesterday early, I ran around the yard and took some quick photos...of what is in bloom!


We are just budding out after a very late dreary Spring, and we are already in drought here, but everything is busting out with diligent watering. Portulaca or Moss Roses in a pot. A bit of this and that in the earn. The stars here are the Hosta bursting in this shade bed.


These I grew from rootings from Home depot 2 years ago...they are huge this year.


I had to support all my Iris, with the dry winds, so many tipped over and broke, they are in the house in vases. We will have a few more next week, I personally like the foliage as a great contrast against the brick.  Plant in lower left is a transplanted Phlox grown from a root start. Crossing my fingers. Newly purchased Shasta Daisy is just opening. I had a much lower budget this year, but we lost so many perennials with the freeze and thaw winter. So I moved a lot of things around, and did purchase a couple replacements.



This front bed has several types of Day Lilies, Boxwood and Iris in the back, and Sedums in the front row which are very drought tolerant.


Another gorgeous IRIS, this one soaked up the sun and no adjusting of the photo could bring out the details...so pretty and tall!


These are my favorite, classic Iris, I've long forgotten the varieties. 


Out on the mound near the street, nothing is blooming YET, except these little pom-pom perrennials I just planted. In two weeks there should be several plants flowering. I've given up planting annuals out here as it just bakes in the sun. Perennials have deeper root systems and seem to survive better. I did loose a Hydrangea, a Rose and something else, I have to look at notes here this year, sadly. 


Without our own greenhouse plants this year, I purchased only a few basics. I'm skipping the trailers this year. Hubby had to rebuild this box as another car backed into the structure and really did a number on it. 
No one ever stops, to say they are sorry or help with the damage. That's three times in two years!


I've planted here, but it will take awhile for any really photo worthy shots. I'm trying Dahlias I started in the house, but they were so spindly, I don't know what will come of them.


My big pot by the stairway holds a 4th year Hibiscus (branches) we wintered over in the garage which was kept at a 45 degrees and lights on. The first weekend we brought it out, it got frosted and all the leaves dropped off. I pruned it and watered it, and it's coming back with buds all along the branches...we will see what happens.

I had tried digging it out to pot and bring in the house, but the roots were so massive, we decided to try and keep it wintered in the garage. 


More Iris behind the pond. The rose had significant damage, and this creeping invasive vine...went bonkers this Spring. I have to get in there and hack this down and try some root poison.  (Not a green thing to do--but it clearly is way too happy now.)
It also climbed on our trellis and swallowed our already dying Clematis.


Here is the Rose damage here. It is coming back---I didn't trim it early so I could see what was really dead. Will get to this sometime this week. So much winter damage...the worst we've had--and a very mild winter, also. The yellow Barberry are very happy also...and will need to be thinned drastically--and they are very prickly! 


Happiest plant on our lot...this Viburnum, which we deeply  trimmed from the inside out last year...and it rewarded us with TONS of blooms. A new drain pipe is going into this boxed area and I think that accounts for everything looking better.


The porch is sparse for now---the planter on the table is for my D-inLaws Birthday.
We have two Manilla hanging in pots. I will have to remember to water them. If they don't grow much in a week,  I will move them into the sun.


My porch herbs are happy! All the usual suspects, Cilantro, Thyme, Basil, Rosemary, and Parsley. 


Not a flower...but definitely Bloomin' are our two  Rhubarb plants---I'm thinking Rhubarb jam, rhubarb pie, rhubarb bars, bread, muffins, pudding....etc. NUM!


Not much is blooming---except of course weeds, this of course is Dames Rocket or Silver Dollar plants. I don't mind a few and the flowers are quite pretty and even cut well for bouquets. 


Another plant, Baby Tears...which the mild winter has encouraged. I've been digging  up hunks of this and using in my pots. SO FREE PLANTS! YAY! 
This area had our rain barrel and a bush which was lost last year with all the construction on the roof. I usually have a huge pot of Impatiens and Coleus here,
 but not yet.
I"M SO, so, So, far behind!


I am slowly tying up all the daffodil greens to make room for other plants. Eventually they get cut. The greens need to help and store food to the corms. Of course Daffodils really don't need any help to thrive. Buy them once and you have a gazillion for life!


The Hollyhock bed is coming along. I planted new ones last year and some this year also that are supposed to bloom immediately. YES--that is still the tent full of contents of the basement disaster. 
We are still working on that!



Last place with anything flowering is this small shaded bed next to our storage shed.

I grow root perennials in here, usually. I moved everything out , but these two columbine which are so happy here, and put in lettuce seeds and lettuce plants. This area gets filtered light with some sun...perfect for tender plants and lettuce, oh I did plant some Wasabi Radishes in here, too. We will see, lol.
Oh and it is totally fenced...seems we have bunnies that like to eat everything!



I've totally forgotten what this blue is, but it's happy right here, lol. where nothing is. At one time I had copper leaf and lime Heuchera or Coral Bells here, only one of four have survived over the years.
Crappy soil and tree roots seem to be the blame. 


This Clematis got a new trellis last year, and seems to have survived, despite the new well pump put in a week ago and getting bent and pushed aside.  Honestly another almost 3K...I wish we had moved a couple of years ago, instead of having to replace everything AGAIN!


Yep---stay in your home---and eventually rebuild it. We've put more $$$$ into this house in the last year then we paid for it by almost 50K. Something comes to mind about pouring money into a never-ending hole...
a joke...
NOT REALLY!

Still plugging away here in the Midwest...

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW!?


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 this post please follow this blog by blogger or FOLLOW IT which you will find in the upper right hand corner of this page. 


Thanks always for visiting. 
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!







All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

Sandi





 

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Finally a Chicagoland Spring

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 After crazy temps...82 to 26 in one day this last week, rain, snow, wind...such is Spring in Chicagoland. For a few minutes today, the sun was shining...I ran outside and quick took some photos, and then ran back in and closed the windows because of pending rain showers.

oldnewgreenredo

Daffy's that were frosted dead from low 20's temps.

Such a roller coaster. We've never moved into the greenhouse this year, and many plants have not started, I guess it will be a seed garden this year, eventually. We have also been drowned and then dry...crazy!

oldnewgreenredo

Early periwinkle that froze---luckily the thick growth behind protected the plants.

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It's not just frost...we have munchers...a few bunnies. I do have baskets around my Rubrum Lilies, though. We try and not use anything harmful in the garden---and hopefully these late tulips will still bloom.

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I left the Giant Red Sedum plants for winter interest---I haven't finished clearing the beds, You can also see where the ornamental grass has been chewed on, but will keep coming. I constantly have to thin this or it becomes invasive.

oldnewgreenredo

Why Sedums for the upper Midwest?

They are super hardy and drought tolerant---easy to grow in any soil, sun, or shade. They add structure to floral areas, the BEES LOVE THEM, and they are the last thing with color in Fall. 

oldnewgreenredo

This is westside new area we planted near where the neighbors' walnut tree was cut down. Walnut shells kill just about everything. We also lost a wonderful Cinnamon Maple because of the Walnut, not to mention the mess. 

The small bushes are old growth Forsythia we trimmed way back, added two new Cedar, one columnar and one global. Some transplanted striped grass, and I added a bunch of bulbs last Fall, we will see what makes it. I have the Liatris started in the kitchen which will be perfect here for interest.

We have Creeping sedum started on the edges, I will transplant more this year. The dense roots are good soil retention along the beams.


oldnewgreenredo

In front of the house, the old growth Forsythia dies and basically moved. Now it's crowding these fab old Tulips. You can see the nibbles on the leaves. Love the centers and yellow edges.
Mostly I have Iris in this front flower bed and late tulips which are barely up.

“After women, flowers are the most divine creations.” – Christian Dior

oldnewgreenredo

The westside is pretty sad at the moment. This gets lots of shade, has crappy soil (clay based) and is dotted with this and that. I use focal pots over on this side. We plant bulbs, which last a few years if the squirrels don't get them.

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I always plant in groups of threes. Here it looks like two are still alive.
Pretty soft color on this tulip. I hope the others make it!

oldnewgreenredo

The Mound at the front of our lot looks the best, right now. We have planted new bushes in the last two years, so this area gets watered regularly. Here you can see the perennials doing well, despite the crazy weather.

oldnewgreenredo

YEARS AND YEARS AGO ( 20 or more) We planted Periwinkle here because of the shade from the Spruce trees and the crappy soil. Well, who knew I have been moving it around the last couple of years, so with the regular watering and more sun as we lose the trees, it's doing very well. It's hardy--almost evergreen-- in non-snow months, and is the only thing choking the mint I have been pulling for 39 years!!!

oldnewgreenredo

Speaking of Mint, this is just outside the mound bed---so invasive and nothing kills it. We have already applied weed treatment on the lawn. We are in a lake community and we only use the recommended treatments as all run off ends up in the lake.
I wonder if CEMENT would work...LOL.

oldnewgreenredo

The centerpiece of the mound bed is the birdbath. But, these red ladies are stealing the show!

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Our crocus and snowdrops were under snow and barely made an appearance...but these TULIPS are gorgeous, but have to brave some wind and cool temps as well as crazy hot.
The Periwinkle doesn't seem to bother perennials, although it will hamper annuals, so I'm going to stick with pots for color here.

oldnewgreenredo

We have one Peony left. Old ones were replaced with some new columnar bushes.. Vinca vines are also a ground cover, drought tolerant and hardy. I haven't cleaned out any of the flower beds, leaving the waste for the bees and helpful insects for some warm safety from the crazy temps.

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Since most of the Daffodils were frozen, I'm excited at how gorgeous and brilliant these Tulips are...and love the striped foliage.

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Even with the wind, the camera caught their faces staring right back at me.

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These pale Narcissus are the last grouping on the mound. They really multiplied in two years. Whee! I will get to split them in Fall! 

He who has two cakes of bread, let him dispose of one of them or some flowers of the narcissus; for bread is the food of the body, and the narcissus is the food of the soul.    GALEN                           

I will be moving lots of plants: Iris, Daffodils, three Day Lilies, and more giant Sedum, creeping Sedums here. The east flower bed by the house will be taken over for the All-house generator to be installed as soon as the permits go through. 

Hopefully, all those plants will be happy here! 

How Are Your Gardening Plans Doing?

If you enjoyed this post please follow this blog by blogger or FOLLOW IT which you will find in the upper right hand corner of this page. 

Thanks always for visiting. I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!






All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

Sandi