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Anne’s balcony garden's avatar

Wonderful post as always!! I think I'm definitely a plant snob and Ive had a problem with petunias too. But this year I saw some good ones! Maybe I'll recover too? 😁

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Rhiannon Tyndell's avatar

Thanks so much, Anne! Ha ha, I'm glad I'm not the only one with the petunia snobbery. I will say, mine still look good and not too grotesque yet. :)

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jen k's avatar

Bahaha, I don't really get hostas either but I did have one with incredible smelling flowers. It's dead now.

I like petunias in nice colors and the heirloom ones smell like spearmint and bubblegum.

I heard from Brenna Estrada that you can perennialize some pansies as well as take cuttings! So, who knows, there are ways to keep the pansy party going.

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Rhiannon Tyndell's avatar

Ha ha, I don’t think I’ve ever tried to smell a hosta flower!

Ok, I’m very interested in taking pansy cuttings now. I’ve overwintered my violas in a cold frame but never thought I could get a pansy to survive the winter, but maybe?

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jen k's avatar

Where you are, you might need to bring them indoors? I’m not sure. I’ve had pansies survive in 20-something degree weather as long as they were covered in snow. But colder than that, I don’t know. I just got Brenna’s ‘Pansies’ book so I will find out more!

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Rhiannon Tyndell's avatar

Her book is so good!!! I’m in Brooklyn—it doesn’t get super cold here but all the violas are in pots so I worry about that. Also the rain we got last winter killed so many things in the garden 😓

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jen k's avatar

It would be worth trying, like you said, in a cold frame. Maybe even wrap the pots with something insulating? I have one plant I’d really like to keep going because who knows if I can kind it again.

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Anthe's avatar

Oh wow what a great article! I didn’t know you worked in a nursery in Illinois?

So that’s why now all your pots are filled with such trial & error and love & patience 🥰 Love seeing all your pictures always!

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Rhiannon Tyndell's avatar

Thanks, Anthe! ❤️ It was my first job in high school, but I worked more in shipping than planting. Tons of fun, though. Maybe too much. :)

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