posted April 13, 2014 12:27 PM            

I didn't trim them back in the winter after they finished blooming (I just read that's what you're supposed to do with them), as I thought they would just come back of their own accord.

It's been pretty cold here lately, but I would think that they would be starting to turn at least a little green by now??

My Sacred Hearts are coming back in nicely, and our raspberry canes that we planted in the fall are developing little leaves, so I'm sort of wondering if I need to take them out and plant something else.

posted April 13, 2014 05:25 PM            

Assuming you are referring to the Shasta Daisy?

Your Tulip bloomed pretty near mine, so they should be showing leaf soon.

posted April 13, 2014 11:18 PM            

They're African Daisies, but I would think they should still be starting to turn a bit green somewhere...

I noticed little leaves springing up from the ground cover flowers I planted last year, so I'm not sure what's taking the daisies so long. I did read that they tend to bloom more in the summer, but it seems like I bought them around this time last year, or maybe I should give it a month.

posted April 14, 2014 03:43 AM            

They are pretty much an annual.

posted April 14, 2014 11:13 AM            

Aw, those were my favorites, second to the Sacred Hearts.

Any suggestions for nice, colorful and hearty flowers that like a lot of sunlight but can handle cool winters?

That particular area of the garden gets a lot of sun, so I think the shade loving plants are out... *sigh*

Time to get down to the nursery, I suppose.
My husband just bought some heirloom strawberries, and we put the little guys in the soil yesterday.
I hope it doesn't get too cold for them in the next week...

I suppose if we ever move to a warmer climate I can consider the daisies as perennials. Hrmphh.

I've been meaning to plant some Echinacea, but it looks like they don't like the damp soil very much. They thrive over at my grandma's on the other side of the state, where it's always very hot and dry in the summer.

posted April 14, 2014 07:20 PM            

Calendulas are a good cool season plant that will winter over.

The Gerberas are Very frost tender.

Maybe Hawaii.

Maybe.

I really like things like Hollyhocks, Red Bergamot, Delphiniums and Foxglove.

Makes a really nice Cottage Garden.

Bulbs are great too.

posted April 15, 2014 11:16 AM            

Somehow, they just don't look right to me if they're not growing next to a barn, haha. I think they just grew there naturally at my aunt's and my grandma's.

What a lovely memory that just brought back!

Oooooh, Calendula! I'm still confused about the difference between Calendula and Marigolds.

posted April 15, 2014 06:07 PM            

My Great-Grandmother had both Hollyhocks and the Moss Rose I ordered when I was a child.

They actually call Calendula Pot Marigold, because they resemble one another.

But only in appearance, they have quite different cultural requirements.

Calendula much prefers a cooler climate, while the normal Tagetes Marigold likes the heat, and is frost tender.

So the Calendula is an Alpine favourite.

Calendula is also one of my favourites, Horizon has a really good orange one, very proliferate in oils and well, sticky...
http://www.horizonherbs.com/product.asp?specific=386

I too, use it as a base for my face creme.

posted April 16, 2014 08:35 PM            

Those seeds make a very sticky flower, the oil is amazing.

I really love the way it makes my skin, it has Wonderful Properties!

It's great, because the plant will die if you don't pick the flower at full bloom, so there is absolutely no guilt involved...

Olive Oil is the best, it doesn't go bad for a long, long time.
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/olive-oil-organic-extra-virgin/profile

posted April 16, 2014 09:57 PM            

I do feel really terrible when I pick rose petals for making rose water... It sounds so silly, but it's absolutely true.

I really like the Kiss My Face lotion with honey and calendula, but I find that it's a bit heavy for my face, and it's kind of expensive when I can just use a small dab of coconut or jojoba oil instead...

posted April 16, 2014 11:25 PM            

Like my Real Rose Petal Rosary, though. It smells really nice when your skin warms it.

posted April 21, 2014 11:15 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Yin:
Oh thank you, you posted it above too, I'm still half asleep here.

Eta: I should only post when I'm awake. O.o

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