Monday, April 10, 2017 New Plants

Thunderstorms intermittently today. It has been two weeks since I last checked for okra plants at our favorite nursery. They told me at that time that the okra would be delivered in two weeks. My goals today include the okra, hellebore (to replace the coleus and mayapple between our hornbeams) and another rose for T's rose bed. With respect to the rose, I would like to find another Knockout, specifically the Coral Knock Out Rose.

My first stop however was at the local Harbor Freight to try to find replacement wheels/tires for my ancient Montgomery Ward Garden Mark wheelbarrow. My neighbor borrowed it last week and one of the tires broke. I don't know how old the wheelbarrow is, but I remember using it in my childhood back in Kansas. Therefore, I was not upset and actually surprised it has lasted so long. The wheel/tires are 9" diameter with a 1/2" shaft. At Harbor Freight, I found a 10" which looked like it should work. It did although I will have to forgo the original hub caps. The two new wheels/tires cost me $16 and should give me another 40 years of service.

Then off to the nursery. When I got there and did not find the okra, I asked and was told the okra would arrive in two weeks. I reminded this guy I was told the same thing two weeks ago. He just smiled and said the "two week" response is their standard response. I did find a couple of nice hellebores and also a really nice bleeding heart, which T loved. I was so happy about finding these that I forgot about the rose. It was not actually on my list, but I knew I would remember it.

When I got home, and took the hellebores to their new home, I was amazed to find that the mayapple, which I gave up for dead last year, had sprouted.

Mayapple

I will put of the hellebore (the "Shooting Star") between the hornbeams where we had a coleus planted last year.

Helleborus: "Shooting Star"

The other will go over by the east porch in a fairly open corner.

Helleborus:"Champion"

Now, where to put the bleeding heart? The tag says it prefers well drained soil and morning sun or partial shade. I would like to have it prominent and identified two potential locations. One is by T's rabbit on the southeast corner of the chess board. This location would help obscure the electrical outlets behind the rabbit and it is a very prominent location.

The other location is between the beech and the holly on the north side of the chess board. This location would offer the morning sun and afternoon shade. It probably is better draining soil that behind the rabbit.

I may sleep on this weighty matter, but I am leaning toward the rabbit location. I may change my mind if I dig a hole behind the rabbit and discover the soil is so poor (which I am afraid it may be) that I don't want to risk it.