Oh no! Chinese Forget-Me-Nots are on my wishlist for my garden this year. Do you remember where you bought your seeds? Maybe I'll search for another supplier. They're so delicate and they bloom for ages. They seem like an ideal option for a small space. I'm sorry they didn't work out for you!
So I just looked at my seed packet, and they actually weren’t fresh—some Sow True Seed seeds I bought in Asheville end of season, half off. I also grew lavender from the same company and it did great, so I’m guessing I did something wrong or didn’t give it enough time? Anyhow I’m giving it another shot this year (same 2023 packet) but I’m trying out winter sowing since maybe they just need cold stratification? Please try them! I’m with you—they’re so pretty and they’d be so good in a small garden
This was lovely to read, Rhiannon. You piqued my curiosity about the mignonette, as I was planning on trying it out on the farm for a filler. Erin from Floret seems to recommend it from time to time. What about it didn't work for you?
Thanks, Rowen! I bought mignonette because of Erin, too, but I've never had the chance to grow it in the ground, and if I had a yard I'd definitely give it another shot. For me it came up really small and kind of browned and fizzled out early, but I'm pretty sure it was too hot up here for it, and I don't think that growing it in a pot helped either. I can't wait to see how it does for you--the flower itself is really pretty and it would be a perfect filler.
Oh, man. Oh, boy! I'm sure the growing, and the blooming, and all the gardening things are very fulfilling, but I am a sucker for process. Love learning about what worked and what didn't, then formulating new plans/approaches.
Are there approaches to gardening or "types" of Gardeners?
For example, I can see folks planting different things all the time strictly for the experience and experimentation of it all. And maybe other folks who try to find the best growing plants and get the same thing year after year. I'd like to think most gardeners are a blend of the two, they have their favorites, but are always open to finding something new.
Thanks, Jason! :) I'm like you, I think--I love the researching part of gardening, trying to figure out the best times/ways to grow something. It's almost more fun than the payoff--I love all the flowers at the end, but it gets a little sad when there's nothing left to plant or scheme. :)
There are lots of gardeners who figure out what works best in their garden and keep growing it, but for me it's so much more fun to have a bunch of new plants to figure out each year. I also like a good challenge!
Beautiful work. You described my January to a tee. I’m in the western hills of Maine. The little old colonial came with garden packed tight, with flowers and lots of stone but it’s been neglected for about 30 - 40 years. Born and raised in Salem, MA I intend to bring in some sense and order for a bit of a formal touch. It’s so much fun to dream about. Last year I began propagating things. I started with hydrangeas and made about 40. This year I did 20 boxwood. I really enjoyed your writing. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Lauren! Your garden sounds like my dream garden--before we moved to New York I was always dreaming about moving to Maine and having an old house and romantic garden. :) I never got around to adding formal structure in our last garden, so 40 hydrangeas and 20 boxwood sounds so daunting but also exciting. Please post photos on notes!! It sounds lovely.
Oh no! Chinese Forget-Me-Nots are on my wishlist for my garden this year. Do you remember where you bought your seeds? Maybe I'll search for another supplier. They're so delicate and they bloom for ages. They seem like an ideal option for a small space. I'm sorry they didn't work out for you!
So I just looked at my seed packet, and they actually weren’t fresh—some Sow True Seed seeds I bought in Asheville end of season, half off. I also grew lavender from the same company and it did great, so I’m guessing I did something wrong or didn’t give it enough time? Anyhow I’m giving it another shot this year (same 2023 packet) but I’m trying out winter sowing since maybe they just need cold stratification? Please try them! I’m with you—they’re so pretty and they’d be so good in a small garden
Thanks so much for looking that up, Rhiannon! I'll give them a go :)
I’m glad you are! Fingers crossed for the both of us :)
This was lovely to read, Rhiannon. You piqued my curiosity about the mignonette, as I was planning on trying it out on the farm for a filler. Erin from Floret seems to recommend it from time to time. What about it didn't work for you?
Thanks, Rowen! I bought mignonette because of Erin, too, but I've never had the chance to grow it in the ground, and if I had a yard I'd definitely give it another shot. For me it came up really small and kind of browned and fizzled out early, but I'm pretty sure it was too hot up here for it, and I don't think that growing it in a pot helped either. I can't wait to see how it does for you--the flower itself is really pretty and it would be a perfect filler.
Thanks for sharing that! I’ve heard it can be a bit tricky with heat, so I’m curious to see how it does here—fingers crossed!
Oh, man. Oh, boy! I'm sure the growing, and the blooming, and all the gardening things are very fulfilling, but I am a sucker for process. Love learning about what worked and what didn't, then formulating new plans/approaches.
Are there approaches to gardening or "types" of Gardeners?
For example, I can see folks planting different things all the time strictly for the experience and experimentation of it all. And maybe other folks who try to find the best growing plants and get the same thing year after year. I'd like to think most gardeners are a blend of the two, they have their favorites, but are always open to finding something new.
How would you describe your approach?
Really excited to watch your 2025 garden unfold.
Thanks, Jason! :) I'm like you, I think--I love the researching part of gardening, trying to figure out the best times/ways to grow something. It's almost more fun than the payoff--I love all the flowers at the end, but it gets a little sad when there's nothing left to plant or scheme. :)
There are lots of gardeners who figure out what works best in their garden and keep growing it, but for me it's so much more fun to have a bunch of new plants to figure out each year. I also like a good challenge!
Beautiful work. You described my January to a tee. I’m in the western hills of Maine. The little old colonial came with garden packed tight, with flowers and lots of stone but it’s been neglected for about 30 - 40 years. Born and raised in Salem, MA I intend to bring in some sense and order for a bit of a formal touch. It’s so much fun to dream about. Last year I began propagating things. I started with hydrangeas and made about 40. This year I did 20 boxwood. I really enjoyed your writing. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Lauren! Your garden sounds like my dream garden--before we moved to New York I was always dreaming about moving to Maine and having an old house and romantic garden. :) I never got around to adding formal structure in our last garden, so 40 hydrangeas and 20 boxwood sounds so daunting but also exciting. Please post photos on notes!! It sounds lovely.