Blanket Flowers
do as their name implies. They were quite successful all over the campus. Our variety is a perennial which also seeds readily. Their maindrawback is their tendency to overgrow their beds.
Photos of plantings at Holy Cross. Most photography is by Susan Symington. As time permits, I'll add the plant names to those varieties we've posted.
do as their name implies. They were quite successful all over the campus. Our variety is a perennial which also seeds readily. Their maindrawback is their tendency to overgrow their beds.
One of the most beautiful roses on campus. Very fragrant too. Ours is a young plant.
We wanted fragrant plantings wherever people walk. The front of the church has lavender and white phlox.
A nice mixed border of hydrangeas, day lillies and coneflowers. Blanket flowers edge the parish field.
I read the plant was supposed to be interesting, so we grew a few of them this year. Once they bloom, however, they're inedible. I guess some people feel that way about them no matter what!
reseed and grow readily, much like the old vining petunias. We didn't have luck getting them established in the parking lot islands though.
Ramapo (center) and Mr. Stripey's (I think). This year I experimented with Ramapo and an assortment of heirlooms.
Several specimens of this clematis have been taking hold and growing well. They are covered with white, fragrant blossoms in fall and are prolific climbers - some vines reaching 20-40 feet.
These are the classic pink and white cosmos which are dependable bloomers and readily reseed. This year we also had good success with a yellow/orange cosmos which you might notice in the parking lot and around the perimeter of the parish field.
These were the only sunflowers that survived to bloom outside the fenced rectory yard. Several other varieties and many, many seeds were also enjoyed by the wildlife.
I never realized there were so many fall blooming bulbs, especially crocus.
Reputed to be quite hardy and easy to grow, we've been having a difficult time getting them to really take off. This poor plant was being trimmed by wildlife all summer long, but it finally got enough of a start to bear a few blooms.
Another hanging tomato planter. This one started off with a bang,but withered during the heat of the summer and bore many diseased fruits.
Classic coneflowers establish easily and return year after year, sowing freely in the fall as well. They attracted many, many goldfinches, who would alight on them to feed.
Breeders are introducing many new colors and bloom patterns.
Most of the sunflowers we planted turned out to be food for the wildlife, but this one was inside the rectory yard. Dozens and dozens of blooms were borne on one plant.
Topsy Turvy style planter gave mixed results. I enjoyed a few tomatoes and two or three yellow squash from this tree.
It seems important to get the soil mix and the irrigation right.
Our year round Advent wreath shows some seasonal summer color with daylillies and a centerpiece.
The "New Dawn" climbing rose in the background is a great performer. Disease resistant and prolific blooms. Dark green, glossy foliage throughout the year.
