After Cleo died, I wanted to have something to take care of, so I bought some outdoor flowers to "fill" that time I was missing with Cleo. I didn't really think about this, though, until our neighbor, Doris, brought me a pretty pink begonia. She didn't know Cleo had just passed-- and she still doesn't. She just came for a visit and brought the flower. The grassy plant in the middle has tripled in size. I have only 1 cluster getting ready to bloom out at the moment though and 2 older clusters dying out. Up to last week, however, it was pretty full. So, I'll try to get more clusters to pop up. Maybe it needs more feeding than the other plants.
Anyway, the following week, went out to buy more flowers. I got a yellow Bee's Knees Petunia, which I LOVE. I also got the pink & white Trailing Petunia and Crimson Trailing Verbena. I originally hung the latter 2 on a double shepherds hook in the yard because the instructions said to keep those in full sun. They both wilted terribly a few times before I decided to bring them onto the deck which gets quite a bit of sun with afternoon shade. They are doing much better now. I water them daily and feed them once a month with Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food. I've trimmed back the Trailing Petunia and Verbena a few times. The idea behind these particular flowers were to attract hummingbirds and butterflies since our butterfly bushes died and we cut them down in late spring. My husband had a stare down with a hummingbird that was on the deck when he looked out the back door just the other day, but he didn't see if it went to any of the flowers.
Petunias are very easy to deal with. I've had several of those over the years. They don't mind a chilly morning. We actually had a few mornings with temps in the 40s, and they thrived. The Trailing Petunia and Verbena don't like to be rained on. So, I move them under the eave when we're expecting rain. I've uploaded some June and July of 3 of the flowers that have done very well during the month or so that I've had them.
June 2023
July 2023
June 2023
June 2023
July 2023
Having the flowers has been a great pastime. Not only has it been great therapy from our loss, but it has
gotten us outside nearly every day, and I love the pop of color on our deck. My husband wants to paint over all of the rust on my hangers and lawn ornaments, but I've asked him to leave everything alone. I love that rusty patina. It has character. I've been able to get most of my flowers to do well in the original pots I brought them home in this year. And I believe it's the extra, daily care I've given them. In case you're wondering, I do talk to them especially when I'm cutting off the dead blooms a couple of times a week.😉 Or maybe it's the Miracle Gro. I don't know.
It's not too late to grab a few flowers to enjoy through the rest of summer and into fall. As I said, petunias do well if you have chilly mornings. They're just overall easy to take care of. Just keep the dead flowers pruned away, and keep them watered. And they'll go well with the fall plants that will be showing up soon. I got my flowers at Lowe's, Walmart, and a local greenhouse.
Take care and God bless,
Patricia
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