if at first you don't succeed...

Yep. It's me again. Woman of the Black Thumb.

Back when we were readying the yard for spring I planted Vincas along both sides of our walkway as you got close to the front porch. I like Vincas. I like their dark green leaves and their smartly-tailored flowers. As you might already know (cuz I've reported this before), the flowers on the right of the walkway flourished, doubled in size. Look at the pic. I'm not making this stuff up.

Unfortunately, the flowers on the left of the walkway turned a nasty yellow and died. I ripped those babies out one day in a frenzy. I replaced them with impatiens, and while I realize impatiens are shade plants...and I planted them in full sun...I could swear to you these impatiens were WITH the full sun plants...and I'd read about full sun impatiens.

BUT.

These impatiens were apparently NOT full sun because they shriveled and died.

My mom told me to plant Begonias. I'm not a fan of the Begonia. I don't even really like the name. I thought about just giving up. After all, it's not shameful if you've already planted your flowerbed TWICE. For goodness sakes.

But in a last fit of stubbornness, I took myself down to the nursery...the real one...not Home Depot or Lowes. Last time I went to Home Depot I asked the guy for something to treat aphids. He thought I wanted to fertilize them. Ummm...aphids are bugs.

Then he pointed me to some Andro. Ummm...these aphids are on my green bean plants...I'm fairly certain Andro is not vegetable friendly. Get my drift about Home Depot?

At the real nursery I explained my sordid gardening past, and the gardening man suggested Pentas. Yes, Pentas please.

They are grafitti white and pink. Also, they are perennials, so in the off chance we don't have subfreezing temps this winter...the pentas could always make a comeback.

I also planted some Lantana in a pot on my porch. I'm downright amazed at the intricate flower on Lantana. I know my Mom doesn't like Lantana for some reason...but I can't remember why...I just hope it's not because they up and die on you. Or get worms. Or turn yellow. I've had about enough of that.

Comments

[Tawna]

I LOVE Lantana, especially the pink and orange confetti ones, but it always seems when I am in the market, wherever I'm at is plum out of them. I also have a very black thumb, so I am impressed withyour successes.

[Big Momma]

I LOVE Lantana too, but all the lantana I have planted got white flies disease under their leaves and died. I do think Penta's are a good choice.