What new plants are you trying in the garden this year?
maryannnewcomer
| Posted in Mountain West Gardening on
I finally found an Oklahoma Redbud (I know, not part of the Mountain West). It is said to be reliably hardy here and rumor has it, it performs better in our 100 degree summer/desert climate. We shall see.
Are you growing something new to you? Vegetables? Flowers? Shrubs? Trees? Let’s visit about this. I look forward to hearing your stories.
Replies
I am going to try growing Sweet Potatoes for the first time. I have no idea how well it will work, but why not give it a try. They are really healthy and my dogs love Sweet Potatoe Chips. Just a couple of plants. If anyone has advice for me I am all ears.
Hey Marti!
I checked with my friend who also loves sweet potatoes. Her favorites to grow are Bonita and Murasakis.
Good luck!
Thank you for the advice.
Do they come as seeds? I was thinking like potato starts but no?
You are correct, you need to find slips/starts. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange has an extensive selection. I've not grown them, but now you are making me think I should get on board and give them a try! They have no tolerance for cold, so wait until it is good and warm. Good luck.
Royal Raindrops crab apple tree planted May 6-7 in my SW Colorado garden. Covered with deep pink flowers, about 8' tall. Used plenty of Happy Frog soil in planting hole. This replaced a Scotch Pine tree that just didn't make it through recent heavy snow and dry summer. Jacked the dead tree out and enlarged planting hole before amending with some good soil. I have been deep watering every 3 days and so far it looks happy. Does anyone else have this variety? Description says small fruit that lasts into December - a real treat for the birds.
I have a LOVELY Malus 'Golden Raindrops' growing in my garden. I bought it for a Northwest Flower and Garden festival show garden. It is so beautiful in the spring with white flowers, fall color is amazing, and the golden, tiny crabapples last well through December. check out the Regional Reports 'A Bird Friendly December' for a great picture.
Sounds good. I think the Golden Raindrops is mother or father of Royal Raindrops. I may put in a Golden for the white flowers. How large is your Golden Raindrops tree?
Re: growth rate of Royal Raindrops: I've read 10-12 inches per year, up to 12-24 inches per year. Every site I checked used the term "moderate" so I would lean toward the 12 inches a year.
Our Golden Raindrops is a nice 15 feet tall, on a hillside. It's been in about 15 years.
Mine is about 15 feet and has a nice spread of about 15 feet. It is in part shade but a very open high canopy. i love the size as it isn't crowding anything else.
OK, I DO have Malus 'Golden Raindrops' and it has been a great performer for years. And yes, it certainly is bird friendly!
Oh, this sounds like a great replacement. I do NOT have Royal Raindrops, but my neighbor just put one in. You are both making me jealous! I love the persistent fruit.
Let me know how your neighbor's tree does. This is a good time to plant and enjoy the bloom. Yes, all the winter birds will enjoy the tiny crab apples. My tree is planted inside a fenced area near the house. This should keep deer away from it and I can see the tree. The rest is 3 acres of native plants but this splash of color is great. Maybe some non-native flowers near it would add more color. Here is picture.
Will do and thanks for checking in!
Royal Raindrops does very well in the Omaha, NE area. It is quite popular and has taken over Prairie Fire as the favorite.
Wonderful. My tree was an accidental purchase but seems like a happy delivery mistake, from all available information. Any idea how fast it might grow?
Two days ago it looked like all the flowers were gone, BUT they were replaced by dark deep red leaves now growing into a summer tree with some faded flowers mixed in.
I think this was a "great" accidental purchase!
I am doing a big deep watering every 3 days and hope that is enough or not too much. Info about this tree says very disease free and hardy to -30. The sudden change from flowers to leaves kind of threw me, but all looks well so far.
I would take a sharp trowel or a hori hori knife and check the moisture level to at least 12 inches. Check it about 24 inches out from the trunk of the tree. Moist but not soggy is what you want. I live in Boise, ID, and it only warmed up for about 5 days a week or so ago. My point is that the soil is nice and moist around my newly planted serviceberry tree. Good luck.
What is a hori hori knife?
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Diamond-Sharpening-Thickest-Leather/dp/B016BBM6FI?th=1
I don’t know if you can see this, but it is my favorite gardening tool. If you cannot see it, please google it. They can be found for a little less and of course, a lot more.
Thanks. I am reading all the comments on hori hori. Most of my gardening is in large containers on the deck. This year I am planning some deep rooted flowers like delphiniums in the fenced area around the house. This might be a helpful tool there. All else is native trees and bushes. I never weed.
I am growing papayas now, glad I did not throw the seeds of that very sweet papaya! I hope this will be successful so I can give others the fruits and seeds too.