Salvaging Jenny

I just read on a website that Creeping Jenny (a.k.a. Lysimachia for you Latin fans) has one of the most extensive root systems on Earth. In fact, many people have written in asking how to permanently rid their gardens and landscapes of it. And here I am, trying to save it. Go figure.

As I've said before, it's one of my all-time favorites for trailers in containers. It has come back every year for me. This year, it returned in a pot that was also previously planted with annuals. Of course the annuals died but I wanted to keep the Creeping Jenny. It seemed like it returned in sufficient quantity as to allow for division and distribution which is exactly what I did.

I used this great Felco saw that my brother gave me for Christmas. I don't know how I've survived this long without it. I cut the Creeping Jenny into several pieces and I've planted it into a couple of other pots. Now let's see if it lives up to its reputation.















Bookshelf: Container Gardening Books

Graham Thomas Returns

I had my fingers crossed all winter and it worked. Graham Thomas has returned. I bought this rose online from Antique Rose Emporium. It promised to be hardy to Zone 5 but planting in containers is different than planting in the ground what with the increased exposure to the elements. I vowed to do nothing special during the cold spells--no wrapping in blankets or any of that other inconvenient nonsense.

I'm happy to report that it looks pretty good so far. That's not to say that I didn't have to cut back some branches that didn't make it (see picture below). Of course, time will tell whether it demonstrates the same vigor and bloom that it did last year. I'll keep you posted.

While yesterday was a glorious day here, I did not succumb to the siren song of the garden center. Well, that's not altogether true. I did buy potting soil and a couple of perennials. But I saw lots and lots of people buying plants that probably are not yet ready to go in the ground. I anticipate a few more chilly nights in the coming weeks and I've been burned before. I'll be making most of my purchases in the second week of May. That's when I have schedule the arrival of my mail order plants as well.

Bookshelf: Container Gardening Books