Edging and mulch

Finally finished the fourth edge on the croquet lawn. Got the wood edging in place and a brick insert for moving the mower. Mulched the area between the lawn and the perennial bed with 3 bales of pinestraw and a 4th bale for the Abelia area.

Herbicide

1 gallon of Roundup along the golf course edge starting at the Loquat and going to the other end and then back along the pool fence to the Cyrilla. Also included the strip between the croquet lawn and the perennial bed.

Mulch

5 bales of pine straw to refresh the back along the golf course edge, just behind the pool fence. 1 bag of shredded cyprus on the shady side of the courtyard.

Mowing

Steve mowed the sides of the lot on the empty lots.

Mulch

Mulched and hand weeded the island bed in front and the turret bed. Used 3 bales of pine straw. Built a pine straw barrier 2 high with 8 bales total for the Clemson Bottlebrush.

Insecticide

Sprayed the Cape Honeysuckle in the conservatory with Bayer Systemic to remove aphids.

Cannas

Cut back the remaining Cannas around the pool plus the Elephant Ears and Banana. Mulched heavily with pine straw.

Cannas

Removed the red leafed Cannas from the left corner of the pool. Will replace them with the green leaf ones that are currently next to, and infringing on, the Yucca. Also removed some of the green leaf ones to make more space for the Yucca.

Replanting Kalmia

After considering the lack of roots when I replanted the Kalmia on Monday, I decided to replant it in the front where I think the drainage is better. I think it will take the sun if the roots are healthy and the problems it was having stemed from the very heavy soil.

Cannas

Cut back some of the Cannas around the pool - need to get some hedge shears to do the rest.

Planting

Planted the Peacock Camellia by the garage wall where the Japanese Maple was and the Fishtail Camellia between the Smoke Tree and the Chinaberry. Transplanted the Kalmia to a more shady location. Replaced it with Willowwood Kalmia. Planted the Hedgehog Juncus by the fountain. Planted the Bride Pearlbush in the front.

Cuttings

Took cuttings from the Sunny Side Up Lantana, Variegated Mexican Sage and potted up the Salvia Mesa for the Winter.

Potting up

Potted up Tropical Hibiscus, Ginger and Calamondin and organized the Conservatory for the Winter.

Edging

Edged all lawns.

Planting

Planted Mardi Gras Abelia and Amsonia hubrichtiiin the front near the Japanese Maple and planted 2 Serrata Hydrangeas, Tiara and Shirofuji along the side of the garage along with Fatshedera Angyo Star.

Mowing

Mowed all lawns.

Mulch

Spread pine straw around the pool area gardens. Removed the pine straw from the bed under Steve's window and put down cedar mulch instead.

Mulch

Spread pine straw in front on both sides of the driveway to the gateposts, the right property line and the left side planting bed.

Conservatory

Cleaned out the conservatory, bug bombed, windows, floor. Put plants in for Winter, except Lemon, Calamondin, Hibiscus, Mandevilla, Ginger, Cannas.

Planting

Planted a new Nandina Filamentosa by the helipad and transplanted the Dwarf Pagoda Holly from the perennial bed to the helipad. Planted the new Cryptomeria Koshyi in the perennial bed. Potted up the

Potting up for Winter

I potted up the new Sedums into separate pots, also the Starfire Lily and Pregnant Onion. Potted up the Shrimp Plant and the Little Penny Coreopsis.

Herbicide

Used 1.5 gallons of Roundup on the front and back. Just poolside left to do.

Mulch and weeding

Weeded the perennial bed and then added new mulch. Mulched the area from the golf course along the right property line to the conservatory with pine straw, weeding as necessary and adding soil to the base of the plants as needed.

Herbicide

Treated all the lawns with pre-emerge - Halts.

Mowing and edging

Mowed and edged all the lawns.

Planting

Transplanted 2 Dwarf Gardenias from the front to the back by the Loquat and the one remaining was potted up. In their place I planted the 3 Rose Creek Abelia which had been by the property line. I planted the Crocosmia from the cutting garden along the front property line. I moved a Firepower Nandina from the back by the Loquat to the front to add one to the line. I planted the Chipolo Pink Cliftonia near the conservatory along with a White Mexican Petunia. I potted up my Evil Ways Buddleia and put cuttings of Firespike from Betty C. in water to root.

Potting up for Winter

I potted up the Scheffler, Bird's Nest Fern, Vitex, and 2 Japanese Painted Ferns for the Winter. Also potted up rooted cuttings of Pineapple Sage and Cyperus umbellatus.

Planting

Planted a new Dianthus Coconut Surprise and Neon Sedum in the perennial bed and Helenium Double Take near the bird house. Replanted the Crimson Pygmy Berberis that I potted up in the Summer. Planted Aucuba Picturata and Aucuba Goldilocks in the courtyard. Planted a new Loropetalum Gempei in the place of a Carolina Moonlight Loropetalum that I potted up. Planted the Blue Suede Blueberry in the courtyard along with the Ledebouria cooperi. Moved the Captain Kirk Hosta to a more shady spot in the courtyard. Temporarily planted Coreopsis Little Penny by the golfer.

Hardscape

Created a raised bed under the screen porch steps for shade plants.

Potting up

Potted up the Foxtail Fern for the Winter.

Planting

Planted Argentine Skies Anise Sage in the berm, Winning Ways Daylily by the flume, replacement Soft Touch Holly near the pool, transplanted Aucuba Gold Dust under the steps.

Mowing and edging

Mowed and edged bermuda, pool lawn, croquet lawn and edged front lawn.

Mowing

Mowed the front lawn - started raining and gave up.

Planting and potting

Planted the Seiryu Japanese Maple in the front, moving the Acoma Crape Myrtle to the back. Moved the Tango Weigela to the pool fence and put the French Lace Weigela in the front instead. Potted up the Rosebud Salvia which was stagnating at best. Potted up the Potato Vine which rooted by the golfer after pulling it up. Moved the Adonis Blue Butterfly Bush to the back and planted the Diamond Dazzle Crape in front. Planted Reifler's Dwarf Viburnum in front and potted up Atropurpurea Japanese Maple for future sale.

Planting

Planted several plants from Santa Rosa in the perennial bed:
Coreopsis Jethro Tull, Stokesia Colorwheel, Stokesia Peachie's Pick, Blue-eyed Grass, Yarrow Summer Pastels, Gaura Blushing Butterflies, Belamcanda Freckle Face, Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow, Helianthus Table Mountain.
Also planted Gaura Whirling Butterflies on the berm.
Moved the rogue green Lirope from the perennial bed and replaced it with a variegated one left over from the front island bed. Planted the green one in the front near the Variegated Chinese Privet, making a grouping of 6 in total.

Mowing and edging

Mowed and edged all lawns.

Planting

Planted the Shishi Gashira Camellia behind the garage, as well as the Sunjoy Barberry Gold Pillar. Planted Coropsis Limerock Ruby by the bird house and Abelia Sunshine Daydream with the other Abelias. Planted the Crocosmia Lucifer near the cable box.

Planting - perennials

I planted some of the perennials I got from Layman's. On the berm: Pike's Peak Purple Penstemon, Salvia Wild Thing, Scarlet Halo Blanket Flower, Irish Eyes Rudbeckia, Trumpet Red Blanket Flower and Montauk Daisy. In the perennial bed: Icicle Veronica and three Yarrows, Sunny Seduction, Saucy Seduction and Pomegranate Tutti Frutti.

From the perennial bed I moved the one remaining Red Hot Poker and the Hot Lips Salvia to the berm.

I planted the Caryopteris Summer Sorbet in the front garden and the Luna Rose Hibiscus inside the pool fence, removing some Cannas.

i also planted the Pink Mexican Petunia that had been in the pot with the Lemon Tree, at the side of the conservatory.

Mow and edge

Mowed and edged all lawns.

Planting

Planted two sets of garlic chives that had been in pots in the courtyard, putting them in front of the Gordonia.

Planting and transplanting

Potted up the Endless Summer Hydrangea for sale and planted the Silver Dust Camellia in its spot behind the garage. Planted Spirit Laurestinus Viburnum in the pool fence corner where the Camellia had been. Planted an August Beauty Gardenia that had been recuperating in a pot in front of the Kalmia, moved the Yellow Berried Nandina in front of the Fuji Snow Salvia and put the Chinese Abelia on the corner of the screen porch where the Nandina had been. Planted the Variegated Holly Osmanthus in front of Haley's Comet Anise, Sunburst Boxwood by the basement door and Itea back in front near the Santa Fe Coreopsis. Planted and staked Gordonia lasianthus in the berm and Ilex buergeri near the Arondo donax.

Planting

Planted Joe Pye Weed next to the red Swamp Hibiscus.

Berm and planting

Filled the berm with soil and composted manure - over 200 bags. Firmed it and replanted the Spiraea Fujino Pink and the Skinner's Banana Shrub. Also planted the Sunny Burford Holly, Philip Watson Holly, Cryptomeria Sekkan Sugi and Lusterleaf Holly. Covered all with pine straw.

Deadheaded Cannas

Deadheaded Cannas and weeded perennial bed.

Berm

Dug up the grass on the corner of the croquet lawn and dug up the remaining Mary Nell Holly. Potted it up. Cut the wood and attached the cross pieces for the back of the berm. Joined it up to the stone retaining wall at the property corner. Filled in the holes from the plants that have been removed with more clay soil.

Transplanting

Dug up the Loropetalum Sizzling Pink and 2 Mary Nell Hollies from the left property line and replanted them around the pool equipment. Moved 2 Gardenias from where the Loropetalums are planted to the other side of the pool equipment. Potted up one Gardenia.

Potting up

Dug up and potted all the baby aloes - total 18 pots but some have more than one to a pot.

Herbicide

3/4 gallon of RoundUp on the front, south side, golf course side of the pool fence and the side of the garage.

Mowing and edging

Mowed and edged all the grass.

Potting

Potted the Cassias from the courtyard and a Lantana that had seeded in the courtyard.

Planting

Planted Pennisetums Little Bunny, Little Honey, Piglet, Cassian, Pennstripe, National Arboretum and Red Buttons near the golf course. Also planted Spiraea Goldmound and potted up a Cerissa Holly from the same location. Potted up a tiny Adagion Miscanthus from the hill of grasses near the Pond Cypress and replaced it with one of the Pennisetums. Planted the Kowloon Serissa in the front garden.

Planting

Planted the Pittosporum heterophyllum 'Variegatus' and Viburnum harryanum inside the pool fence and potted up 2 Indian Hawthorns they replaced.

Berm

Marked off the plants for spacing and put the wood up, marking it for the cross pieces.

Planting

Planted the Miscanthus Variegatus in place of the Miscanthus Strictus - divided and potted up the Strictus, planting one piece near the golf course. Potted up the Lemon Grass for indoors.

Boxwoods

Dug up the Boxwoods from around the pool equipment and sold them!

Berm

Started work on the berm by removing the pine straw and putting up the string. Marked the center tree.

Repotting

Repotted the lemon tree - and the mexican petunia growing in it.

Edging

Edged the pool from inside the pool.

Edging

Blade-edged pool and front lawns.

Mow and edge

Mowed all lawns and strimmed.

Transplanting, planting and potting

Transplanted 4 Dwarf Gardenias from the island bed to the front of the house, replacing one dead one, one dead variegated ones and 2 variegated ones which were potted up to recuperate! Planted 9 Variegated Liriope in their place in the island bed. Need one Nandina to fill the front bed.

Potting

Potted up the 2 Geraniums from the front island bed and the Bloody Sorrel, Roxanne Geranium and 2 Potato Vines. Also potted up Hardy Ageratum, Pink Mexican Petunia for the plant swap.

Planting

Planted 5 Variegated Liriope and 6 Big Blue in the island bed.

Hardscaping - path edge

Worked on the wood and stone edging for the conservatory path replacing the pavers which I am using to extend the paver path.

Planting - Crippsii

Planted the Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' that I bought at Nur Car.

Potting up

Potted up Ilex buergeri and Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan Sugi' which I purchased today from Nur Car.

Hardscaping - path edge

Worked on the pavers by the conservatory to extend them beyond the fence.

Mow and edge

Mowed and edged the pool and front lawns and edged the bermuda.

Mow and edge

Mowed the bermuda and croquet lawn and edged the croquet lawn.

Edging

Used the hedge trimmer to cut down the weeds along the north side of the silt fence - after they mowed the field.

Herbicide

Used 1 gallon of RoundUp on the front garden.

Mulch

Pine strawed the pool edge cut yesterday.

Transplanting

Moved the yellow Canna and the white Canna from the edge of the Bengal Tiger Cannas so that they would be more visible - now between the Summer Snow Hydrangea and the Euonymus alatus.

Pool edge

Finished cutting and cleaning the 3rd pool side - the long side.

Hardscape - pool lawn edge

Cut and cleaned the pool end and some of the fence side. Mulched the new areas.

Mow and edge

Mowed the front and pool lawns and edged all the lawns.

Mow

Mowed the croquet and bermuda lawns

Hardscape - pool lawn edge

Continued removing turf from the newly cut edge.

Planting canna

Planted a new pink Canna from Layman's along the pool fence.

Hardscaping

Removed the wood from the edge of the pool lawn and started to cut new edges and remove the excess turf.

Mow

Mowed the front lawn and pool lawn and strimmed.

Herbicide

Used 2 gallons of RoundUp and covered everywhere except inside the pool fence.

Mow

Mowed the croquet and bermuda lawns and edged to the extent the battery would allow.

Planting Liriope and Perennials

Removed 3 Dwarf Gardenias from the driveway side, threw 2 away and tried to revive one by replanting in the courtyard. Replaced them with 10 Variegated Liriope. Also planted the Santa Fe Coreopsis near the gatepost and the Rudbeckia, Yellow Gaillardia and Butterfly Blue Pincushion in the raised perennial bed.

Edging

Steve edged the concrete parts.

Mowing and edging

Mowed all lawns and edged all except pool.

Silt fence

Repaired the silt fence - added extra supports.

Lawn fertilizer

Fertilized the bermuda with 32-3-3.

Hardscape - edging

Finished the edging for the garage path.

Weeding

Weeded front and some of the back.

Planting

Planted the Baptisia australis and Leucanthemum 'Becky' next to the Cherry Dazzle Crape Myrtle. Also planted Baby Doll Speedwell in the raised perennial bed.

Planting

Finally planted the Corkscrew Willow between the Dogwood and Magnolia.

Deadheading and pruning

Deadheaded all the plants and removed inward growing branches from the Bald Cypress.

Planting

Planted the remaining plants from Layman's - 3 Mosquito Grass by the Loropetalum on the outside corner of the pool fence, Phlox Laura, Dahlia Happy Single Romeo and Agastache Golden Jubilee in the perennial bed.

Mowing and edging

Mowed and edged the front lawn and the pool lawn.

Planting

Planted the Red Maple Leaf Hibiscus I got at Layman's yesterday - put it where the Encore Azalea was by the pool fence. The Azalea was burning a little so I potted it up and put it in the conservatory.

Mowing and edging

Mowed and edged the croquet lawn and bermuda.

Transplanting

Moved the Salvia Marcus from the outside edge of the perennial bed to the place where Hibiscus dascalyx had been near the bermuda. Also move the Salvia May Night that was by the far end of the pool fence to the edge of the bermuda.

Edging

Finished off the edging around the front lawn.

Hardscape - edging

Used all the stones we had gathered and finished the garage path edging except for 33 brick lengths, approx. 22'.

Herbicide and deadheading

Sprayed 2.5 gallons of Roundup and pulled some weeds by hand. Also deadheaded perennial bed.

Mowing and edging

Mowed all lawns and edged Croquet lawn and bermuda plus 2/3 front before edger battery ran out. Also trimmed the edge around the pool using grass shears.

Hardscape

Collected more stones to replace the bricks along the back path.

Cassia

Transplanted the Cassia tree on the side of the garage. Also planted the Confederate Rose in the front.

Hardscape

Created a path from the front lawn to the pool gate and edged with pavers, filling in with cypress mulch.

Hardscape

Filled in the path from the garage to the pool gate with cypress mulch. Created a paver patio on the inside of the pool fence by the conservatory gate.

Cassia

Had to heavily prune and stabilize the Cassia tree which was uprooted again in the big rain and wind. We will have to move it so that it can be staked and perhaps the roots will spread enough to prevent the uprooting.

Hardscaping - path edge

Put in the stones we dug up yesterday and then completed the edge with bricks until we can get more stones. Also dug out the trench by the octagonal perennial bed which had filled with silt after yesterdays big rain.

Potting

The Variegated Gardenia was suffering probably from too much water so I have potted him up.

Potting

Had to put the Crimson Queen Barberry in a pot in the conservatory - it was losing all its leaves. Also put the Carolina Silverbell in a pot in the conservatory because it was failing fast after the deer ate all the top leaves.

Mowing

Mowed the croquet and bermuda lawns.

Mowing

Mowed the front and pool lawn areas.

Hardscaping - golf course edge - path edge

Dug out the weeds along the top edge of the golf course and installed 2 landscape timbers to finish the run - will replace with stones at some point! Also continued adding stones to the path edge and put the large stones in the flume.

Planting and transplanting

Transplanted the Purple Parasols Stokesia and the Butterfly Blue Scabiosa from inside the pool fence to the perennial bed, making room for the Balloon Flower and Becky Towe Phlox.

Deadheaded Cannas

Deadheaded the Cannas again.

Mulch and weeding

Spread 2 bales of pinestraw in the back and removed all the grass and weeds dug up when doing the edging.

Mulch

Spread 2 bales of pinestraw between the golf course and the croquet lawn - around the Abelia beds.

Herbicide

Sprayed 4.5 gallons of Roundup, covering the whole garden.

Edging

Used landscape timbers to form an edge on the bottom right side at the back. Also finished the short side of the croquet lawn nearest the house and raised the sprinkler head.

Planting the back right corner

Planted 9 Pennisetum Karley Rose, 3 Pennisetum Hameln, 1 Adagio Miscanthus and 1 Muhly Grass on the back right slope. Weeded and pine strawed the bed.

Mowed and edged

Mowed all the lawns and Steve edged everything.

Transplanting

Moved the Hibiscus dascalyx inside the pool fence because deer were eating the tops. Also moved a Muhlenbergia from the bottom corner at the back to the bed between the Bermuda lawn and the pool fence, replacing one that was failing. I potted the failing plant to try and get it going again.

Planting and transplanting

Removed the Euonymus alatus and the Euonymus japonicus and planted them inside the pool fence because the deer have been nibbling at them. Transplanted the Winterthur Viburnum on the pool corner outside the fence where the Euonymus japonicus had been and planted a Baptisia alba where the E. alatus had been. Removed one Indian Hawthorn and potted it up to make space for the E. japonicus.

Mulch

Weeded and spread some pine straw.

Potting

Had to remove Nipponanthemum nipponicum from the perennial bed - slowly each stem has browned. Roots were fine so I potted it and put it in the conservatory.

Mowing

Mowed all the lawns.

Fertilizer

Applied 10-10-10 to all shrubs.

Edging

Cut and removed the grass to make the second short edge of the croquet lawn. Also added gravel along the short edge by the golf course.

Deadheaded Cannas

Cut all the dead heads off the Cannas.

Replanting

The Inkberry Holly near the pool equipment is browning so I dug it up. The roots on one side were gone and there was water in the base of the hole so I raised it up and replanted it - trying to leave a channel for water to soak into the flume it is planted by.

Potting

The Itea in front seems to be dying one branch at a time so I dug it up and potted it and put it in the shade.

Planting

Planted the Cherry Dazzle Crape Myrtle near the croquet lawn and the Whorled Class Viburnum and Cosmopolitan Miscanthus around the pool.

Mowing

Mowed all grass today.

Weeding and mulching

Weeded the turret bed, island bed, front slope and one of everything beds. Also recharged the pinestraw in those beds.

Planting

Planted a replacement for the 2nd Daisy Gardenia from the left in front of the turret and also replacement Dwarf Gardenias for the one to the right in front of the turret and the 2nd from the end closest to the gateposts. Planted a Red Knockout Rose in front to replace the Pink one that was supposed to be red.

Herbicide

Finished off the roundup from the Blue Heron House - about 1/3 gallon - on the path from the garage to the perennial bed.

Insecticide

Trying the Cutter Backyard on the grass around the pool to reduce the number of bugs in the pool.

Weeding and deadheading

Deadheaded everywhere and weeded some!

Edging

Did all the lawn edges.

Potting up

Potted up all the new 3" pot plants received yesterday. 2 x Baptisia, Stokesia, Candytuft, Shasta Daisy, Luzula, Miscanthus Cosmopolitan, Phlox Becky Towe, Balloon Flower, 3 Karley Rose.

Mowing

Mowed all grass this morning.

Hardscape - edging

Worked on the edge nearest the golf course.

Mowing

Mowed all lawns.

Planting

Planted the Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' next to the Summer Snow Hydrangea by the pool. Also potted up the Sizzle Scissors Acalypha I got in the Cold Creek sale.

Planting

Planted the Salvia greggii next to the Itea in front and a Young Lady Smokebush near the Cleyera in front.

Hardscape - croquet lawn edge

Dug in the landscape timbers for the left side of the croquet lawn and prepared for the golf course side. Used some of the spare turf to fill in a weedy patch in the front lawn and a bare patch by the pool.

Mowing - bermuda

Mowed the Bermuda.

Lawn patches

Removed a crabgrass invaded patch of turf from the top of the pool lawn and replaced with some of the spare turf around the croquet lawn corners.

Planting

Planted the Purple Smokebush next to the Oleander and a Soft Touch replacing a Helleri near the mailbox.

Herbicide

Used 1.5 gallons of Roundup and got everything except inside the pool fence.

Fertilizer

Fertilized all the lawns with 30-3-3 - better late than never!

Planting

Moved the middle Knockout Rose which turned out to be pink not red and planted it by the pool fence between the Salvia May Night and the Pineapple Sage. Also planted a Lantana cutting by the Variegated Privet near the AC units. Planted the remaining Phlox (White - 4) between the pool fence and the cobble path, the Rusellia Yellow in the pot with the Rusellia Red (removed some Red and gave to Betty and Betsy), Ogon Asiatic Jasmine behind the Chindo Viburnum.

Weeding and deadheading

Weeded and deadheaded the perennials.

Planting

Planted the Chase Manhatten Ginkgo by the helipad along with a Purple Sunset Dwarf Pomegranate I got from Dr. Dirr. Planted the new Variegated Holly Osmanthus at the end of the grass path on the right property line and replaced the dead Variegated Holly Osmanthus with Leymus Arenarius in the front left bed. Replaced the Clemson Hardy Bottlebrush in the front right bed. Planted the Lespedeza from Goodness Grows in front of ShishiGashira in the second tier bed by the screen porch. Planted Summer Snow Pee Gee Hydrangea in the pool edge behind the middle Gardenias. Planted Sunny Side Up Lantana from Dr. Dirr below the birdhouse and the Carolina Silverbell behind the Dogwood on the right property line. Made a gravel and soil bed between the Daylilies and the path to the pool and planted Jenny Stonecrop and some Angelina Stonecrop pieces. Sowed some Basil seed in the courtyard and planted the rooted cuttings of Summer Coleus.

Mowing

Steve mowed all except the Bermuda.

Planting and potting

Dug up the Variegated Cleyera from the second tier by the screen porch and potted it up to try and save it. Replanted 2 Gardenia radicans and 1 Daisy Gardenia from the front of the house, raising them up. Dug up the Japanese Maple from the left property line and potted it up to be in the conservatory for the summer. Potted the Equisetum and put the pot in the Golfer.

Planting - Indigofera, Salvia and Caryopteris

Planted Indigofera kirilowii 'Angyo Snow' and Caryopteris divaricata ‘Snow Fairy’ in the left front bed and Salvia nipponica 'Fuji Snow' in the back near the White Nandina.

Mulch

Rejuvenated the pine straw in the right front.

Herbicide

Sprayed 1.5 gallons of Round Up inside the pool fence and down the right side property line. The last parts for this round!

Courtyard

Removed the remnants of the grass from one side and replaced with 2+ bags of shredded hardwood mulch. Let's hope Cleo doesn't eat it.

Herbicide

Sprayed Round up around the front and between the pool fence and the golf course. Also behind the garage.

Weeding

Hand pulled a lot of weeds!

Mowing

Steve mowed all the grass. Also edged.

Mulch and Weed Pulling

Hand pulled weeds between the golf course and the pool fence and then filled in all the pinestraw.

Herbicide

Sprayed Round up along the side of the garage, down the left property line, along the back of the croquet lawn next to the golf course and between the perennial bed and the croquet lawn.

Planting

Planted Elliott's Lovegrass near the Bird House post. Also Clinopodium georgianum 'Desi' and Salvia Blue Hill in the same area. Planted the Hibiscus dasycalyx next to the Inkberry Holly between the golf course and the pool fence. Planted the Carissa Holly that had been recuperating in a pot next to the Muhlenbergia between the golf course and the pool fence. Transplanted a Muhlenbergia from the back right corner to the grouping of 3 between the golf course and pool fence - replacing one that did not come back. Also planted the Kerria that Genie gave me along the side of the garage next to the White Hibiscus and 11 White Carpet Phlox around the bird bath in the front.

Pruning

Cut back the Ruellia that is growing in the pot with the Lemon Tree.

Removing Juniper

Had to remove 2 of the Junipers from the right property line. They were not draining - and drowning. Put them in pots to try and recuperate.

Planting - right property line

Planted the Ruellia brittoniana (blue) that Betty gave me for overwintering in the conservatory - next to the Saucer Magnolia. Also the Arundo donax 'Peppermint Stick' in the same area. Put 5 Big Blue Liriope around the red-leaved Berberis on the right property line, with 3 White Carpet Phlox in front.

Planting and potting

Planted the Cabaret Miscanthus and potted up the Ponytail Palm and Bird of Paradise (with some variegated Alstroemeria too).

Hardscape

Got all the plant labelling up to date.

Planting perennials and potting

Planted 3 Blue Fescue and 3 Gaura in the fountain bed. Also planted another Aloe by the bird feeding post. Decided to plant the Rhubarb Elephant Ear in the ground and put it next to the Variegated Boxwood on the helipad. Potted up the Pygmy Date Palm for the helipad.

Planting perennials and Spiraea

Planted the First Frost Reeves Spirea in the front near the Fringetree and then planted 3 May Night Salvias, one in front by the Citrus Swizzle Forsythia and 2 in the back, one along the pool fence and one near the Dolchica Spirea. Planted a large aloe in the ground near the bird bath in the back.

Planting - purchases from Nur Car

Planted Dolchica Spirea, Magic Carpet Spirea, Kirlowi Indigofera, and Rosa's Blush Blueberry near the bird house post between the perennial bed and the golf course. Planted John Blue Blueberry along the golf course edge with the Muhlenbergia. Planted Hopley's Abelia along the strip between the croquet lawn and the golf course. Planted the Fragrant Abelia behind the garage near the screen porch. Planted Chantilly Lace Hydrangea on the second tier by the Sasanqua Camellia. Planted Giant White Calla Lily by the helipad. Planted a mammoth Elephant Ear behind the elephant.

Planting

Planted 3 Rose Creek Abelia in the front along the right property line. Also moved 5 Variegated Acorus from the pool fountain bed to the big fountain bed. Planted the Umbrella Sedge in the pool fountain bed along with a lot of Dwarf Mondo Grass. I dug up the 2 Elephant Ears by the helipad because they are spreading like crazy, and potted them up.

Hardscape - edging

Finished the edging around the Bermuda and started to replace pine straw along the bed. The part behind the perennial garden is done - just need more plants!

Planting - Daylilies, Acorus

Planted 18 Acorus, 7 Stella de Oro Daylilies and 2 Pardon Me Daylilies around the fountain.

Planting - Zenobia, Buddleja, Daylilies

Planted the Zenobia pulverulenta 'Woodlander's Blue' and the Buddleja lindleyana that I got from Woodlanders, both in the back near the bird post. The Buddleja is replacing the Mediterranean Fan Palm that did not survive the winter. Also planted 11 Stella de Oro Daylilies and 5 Pardon Me Daylilies around the fountain.

Planting - daylilies, verbena

I planted 10 Pardon Me Daylilies around the fountain in the back and 18 Homestead Purple Verbena around the edge of the front grass. Also potted up the Tibouchina grandiflora with some Maidenhair Fern and put it in the courtyard.

Mowing - bermuda

Mowed bermuda and weeds.

Planting - perennials

Planted the following plants from Santa Rosa:
Geranium Rozanne - by the golfer
Sedum Vera Jamison - in the raised perennial bed
Lavandin Provence - in the courtyard.
And these from Evergreen:
Matrona Sedum - on the second tier by the screen porch steps
Artemesia Powis Castle - by the bird house post
Stokesia Purple Parasols - on the second tier by the screen porch steps
Scabiosa Butterfly Blue - on the second tier by the screen porch steps
3 x White Carpet Phlox - on the second tier by the screen porch steps
Salvia Marcus - by the bird post.
From Goodness Grows, x pardancanda 'Lollipop' - on the second tier by the screen porch steps.
From Thyme after Thyme, Buddleja Bicolor.
Replaced one Lantana from the right side of the driveway with another cutting.
Replanted the supposed Sun Coleus from the golfer bed in the courtyard.

Blooming

The purple iris are just starting to bloom, Tango Weigela started a few days ago and now the Variegated Weigela is blooming too. The Kalmia buds are getting ready to burst.

Planting - perennials and cuttings

In the courtyard I planted a Vitex trifolia cutting from last Autumn. I planted another in the front next to the Magnolia and one by the pool near the Cannas. Also I replaced the one by the retaining wall in the back with a cutting.
By the bird bath I planted a Caradonna Salvia and then a Mexican Variegated Sage by the gatepost - a cutting replacing the one from last Summer. By the opposite gatepost I planted a Pineapple Sage cutting.
In the raised perennial bed I planted an Arizona Sun Gaillardia, a Purple Knockout Salvia and a Hot Lips Salvia.
By the pool near the Cannas I planted two dark Elephant Ears and by the Agapanthus, a Bright Edge Yucca.

Hardscape - bird house and bird bath

We put up the post for the bird house and set up the bird bath in the front.

Mowing

Mowed all the centipede for the first time.

Planting - Amarylis and Sedum

I dug up the Sedum that was at the Willow Lake house, transplanted from NC, and planted it around the bird bath which set up in the front across from the TV room window. I also took some Amarylis from Willow Lake and planted them in front of some Cannas around the pool.

New plants

Potted up the following that I received from Santa Rosa today:
Leymus arenarius 'Blue Dune'
Arondo donax 'Peppermint Stick'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Cabaret'
Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun'
Geranium 'Rozanne'
Cyperus involucratus

Hardscape - retaining wall

Built a mini retaining wall in front of the fire hydrant for the Cabaret Miscanthus.

Planting - Lamb's Ears

Planted 3 Lamb's Ears that Ruth gave me in the tiered retaining walls.

Planting - Lantana

Planted the remaining 5 Lantana along the driveway and the street.

Planting - elephant ears, mandevilla, rosemary

I planted a black elephant ear by the pool fence next to the Bengal Cannas. Then I transplanted the Rosemary from the cutting bed to the side of the conservatory between the Dogwood and the Magnolia. I also planted the Mandevilla under the frame I got from the J&P outlet, behind the garage so we can see it from the screen porch.

Hardscape - edging

Started digging in the edge stones for the bermuda lawn. Digging down and then adding gravel and putting the stones on top. Got only 38 done before I gave up from exhaustion.

Planting

Planted the Camellia handelii 'Snow Bells' in the back behind the garage, Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' on the corner of the screen porch, Rosebud Salvia and Pineapple Sage along the pool fence by the perennial bed, Mexican Variegated Sage and Sensation White Salvia in front of the screen porch. The Salvias had all been overwintering in the conservatory except for the Sensation White which I got on sale at Lowes. Also planted the Angel's Trumpet grown in the conservatory from a cutting from Linda by the side of the croquet lawn and Spiraea thunbergii 'Fujino Pink' between the Loquat and Mary Nell on the property line. Finally Euonymus alatus 'Cole's Select' in front of the AC units.

Tropicals

Moved the plants out of the Conservatory and put them in the garden in pots.

Mowing

Mowed the weeds along the property line and the Bermuda on high to reduce the weeds!

Planting

Moved the Princess Bush, Tibouchina urbilleana, out of the conservatory and planted in the courtyard. Also planted the Schefflera arboricola out in the courtyard and the Foxtail Fern, Protasparaus densiflorus, and Bird's Nest Fern, Asplenium nidus.

Planting

Planted the Cyrilla parvifolia on the back right property line and the Calypso Oleander on the back left property line. Both from Nurseries Caroliniana. Also planted the replacement Gardenia that I got from McCorkles along the pool fence. Potted up the Chase Manhatten Ginkgo, Abutilon megapotaminum variegatum and Acalypha pendula from Avant Gardens. Planted the two Cannas that I grew from seed last year and overwintered in the Conservatory, by the pool. Moved a Maidenhair Fern from the conservatory to the courtyard and planted it out and potted the Rhubarb Elephant Ear, Variegated Alstroemeria and another Maidernhair Fern in a large pot by the helipad. Planted the Shrimp Plant and a black Elephant Ear from the conservatory in the second tier retaining wall by the helipad.

Planted 5 more Lantana, Thuja, Cordyline

Planted 5 Lantana grown from cuttings and overwintered in the conservatory, along the left edge of the driveway. Also planted a Thuja plicata 'Pygmaea' in the perennial bed where the Eurya used to be and the Cordyline had been transplanted to. The Cordyline has produced a 'baby' so I potted that up.

Planting - Potatoes

I put 30 potatoes, a mix of Peanut and Red Thumb Fingerlings in the MV plot. Also did 3 in pots at home.

Planting - Agapanthus, Lantana

Planted 2 more Agapanthus in the perennial bed, 1 was Bressingham Blue and the other was from NC. Also planted 8 Lantana from cuttings overwintered in the Conservatory, along the right side of the driveway.

Bald Cypress, Distylium, Rosemary, Agapanthus

Moved the Bald Cypress to the property line to make more room for other trees. Moved the Rosemary in the bed by the screen porch so that it defines the corner better. Also planted 3 Agapanthus from NC that were overwintering in the Conservatory. Planted the Distylium myricoides in the front near the Fringetree.

Irrigation

Switched the irrigation on and made sure all was working right. 85 degrees this afternon (45 this morning).

Pruning Ligustrum and Hollies

Pruned the Ligustrum and Hollies a little for shape.

Fertilizer and insecticide

Fertilized all the shrubs today with 16 4 8 or Holly-tone or Osmocote. Also treated three fire ant mounds.

Planted Dianthus and Scabiosa, Lysimachia, Ragin' Cajun and Tricolor Sage

Planted the Dianthus and Scabiosa I found on the clearance rack at Lowes, then the Lysimachia, Ragin Cajun Ruellia, and Tricolor Sage in the raised perennial bed.

Conservatory Plants

Moved a number of plants out of the conservatory today. Also potted up the Bougainvillea I bought on Monday and the Mandevilla. I decided to give them a couple more days in the conservatory before exposing them to the outside.

Path from the screen porch to the helipad

Originally this was going to be stepping stones but the cobbles looked so good I thought a continuous path would be better. I used 258 cobbles, 6" x 6" and need 5 more for a total of 263.

Planting - Geraniums, Sweet Potato, Bloody Sorrel

Planted 2 Geraniums, a Bloody Sorrel and a Black Sweet Potato Vine in the front bed by the golfer.

Planting - Liquidambar, Bamboo

Planted the Liquidambar Gumball along the property line and the Rivieriorum Bamboo by the pool fence.

Planting - Butterflies Magnolia, Illicium

Planted the Butterflies Magnolia and Illicium in semi-raised beds along the back right property line.

Planting - May Knight, Pond Cypress, Ilex Highlander and Frankinia

This afternoon I transplanted the May Night Salvia from the Courtyard next to the Raised Perennial Bed. Also the Prairie Sentinel Pond Cypress on the corner of the golf course, the Highlander Holly near the AC units and the Franklinia by the guest room window (replacing the dead one!) Then I moved 5 Lirope from the Front Island Bed and planted them around the Pond Cypress and planted a new Sun Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine in the front.

Planting - Purple Pixis, Acorus, Fibre Optic Grass, Juncus

This afternoon I planted the Purple Pixie Loropetalum near the raised perennial bed, by the future bird house. Also 15 Variegated Acorus in the fountain bed by the pool, along with a Fibre Optic Grass and Curly Juncus.

Ornamental Grasses

Cut all the grasses back - need to be a couple of weeks earlier next year.

Herbicide

A full round of Roundup - 7.5 gallons used.

Path edging

I worked on the edging for the path from the garage to the back garden. It is a stone edge so I used the stones I was clearing up.

Planting - Eurya

Had to move the Green Thinly Margined Eurya from the perennial bed - it was browned badly from the cold this winter - needs a more sheltered location I think. So I put it by the helipad where one of the Cordylines was. The Cordyline appeared dead, but when dug up, the roots were still alive so I transplanted it in the perennial bed for the time being.

Mulch and Herbicide

Removed the pine straw from the raised perennial bed and replaced it with 10 bags of shredded hardwood mulch. Weeded the bed and put down a weed preventer underneath the new mulch.

Planting - Gardenias

Raised and replanted the 13 Gardenias in the island bed. Also added a gravel drainage channel all around the bed.

Roundup and Pre-emerge

Sprayed Roundup on the weeds in the front gardens - lots of problems with the sprayer! Also spread pre-emergent (Halts) on the front lawn and the pool lawn (but not around the pool).

Planting - Helleri, Loropetalum, Daisy Gardenias

Planted the replacement Helleri that I bought at McCorkles in December, on the left side of the driveway. Also raised and replanted the three Loropetalums in the front island bed. Dug a drainage channel in the bed to move the water away from the plants. Planted the two replacement Daisy Gardenias by the turret.

Planting - Helleri

Moved a Helleri Holly from in front of the fire hydrant to the other side of the driveway to replace one of the ones that failed last summer. Also added soil to the base of the first Dwarf Yaupon Holly on the right side of the drive because the soil has been washed away.

Pre-emerge

Spread pre-emergent herbicide, Halts, on the croquet lawn and bermuda lawn.

Crocus and daffodils starting to flower

The crocus in the pot by the courtyard gate are blooming and the daffodils in the perennial bed are starting to bloom.

Cut flowers

Got my first daffodils for the house today, from the cutting garden by the conservatory.

Weeding

Weeded the cutting garden around the conservatory and the perennial bed.

Pruning

Cut back Liriope in the perennial bed. Also trimmed dead wood from perennials, cut the Lantana in the courtyard and front garden and pruned the Crape for shape.

Pruning liriope

Cut back liriope in front garden.

Pruning cannas

Cut back the cannas and elephant ear around the pool.

Planting

Finally planted the Riverbanks bulbs:
Triteleia laxa 'Queen Fabiola' in the cutting garden with the Amaryllis
20 Gypsy Girl Crocus, 10 Blue Jacket Hyacinths, 10 Lady Jane Tulips, 10 Candlestick Tulips in containers
5 Summer Snowflake by the Sky Pencil Holly next to the courtyard.