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Knautia macedonica seedling

Plants for free

August 17, 2013 By Jools 6 Comments

Sometimes I feel like I spend more of my weeding time on paths than I do on beds. But then again, sometimes you get the nicest of surprises that sprout up on paths, especially if you have gravel paths which seem to be the perfect seed incubation site. Here’s a nice little Sedum seedling. I have a few around the place. I’ll remove this one from the gravel and pot it up to be re-homed most likely next spring.

Sedum seedling

Sedum seedling

My best self-sower is Verbena bonariensis. It could almost be called a weed if it weren’t so nice and so share-able. Every year I give away pots of the stuff. It creates a veritable forest and is covered with butterflies on sunny days.

Verbena bonariensis forest

Verbena bonariensis forest

Another nice little surprise I often find is Knautia macedonica. It is the favourite colour of course and fills a space nicely. It can get a bit floppy but, then again, can’t we all?

Knautia macedonica seedling

Knautia macedonica seedling

I worked a bit at the Big Garden last weekend. The rose beds were edged (three and a half hours later and with a gimped back). They look ok. I had to prune out most of the colour as the petals were dropping, but happily the dahlias (which were planted in the red bed to make up for the fact that the red roses were so pathetic) look absolutely fabulous. I don’t know the variety but they are ace. See for yourself.

Dahlias

Dahlias in the red rose bed

The big flower border needs edging (again) and general weeding and cutting back needs to happen. Hopefully I will be able to do a couple of hours tomorrow. The Little Garden really needs my attention but I’ll have to try and spread the love.

Here’s a nice way to end. Finally, a summer that has allowed for a pumpkin to grow outside in the west of Ireland. Here’s the progress so far:

Pumpkin

Pumpkin at the Little Garden

Next time… a few new plants to show off, plus lots and lots of bees and flying varmints.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dahlia, knautia macedonica, pumpkin, sedum, self-sow, verbena bonariensis

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Red Hen says

    August 17, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    My dahlias and chrysantamums are just fab this year too. I am sorry I didn`t plant more! Love those stone steps inset into your garden. I`m getting the impression of it`s being a fabulous old house!

    Reply
  2. Karen says

    August 18, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    I must plant dahlias in my garden next spring…love the bright red color of yours.

    Reply
  3. BigGardenLittleGarden says

    August 21, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I’m sad to say that it’s not my house. That’s at the Big Garden and I’m just the hired help!

    Reply
  4. greensideupveg says

    August 23, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Wish some of those would grow where I’m least expecting them! The purple emperor sedum is one of my favourites, it’s a bee magnet in our garden and a lovely contrast to other plants 🙂

    Reply
  5. bridget says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    Always great to get free plants…

    Reply
  6. Krista says

    September 30, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Ji Jools. That dahlia looks like “Grenadier” to me. I love it to bits!

    Reply

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