cuttings | In the Garden With Jera

Busy week in week 17 as we hosted a garden party. The garden was at spring peak and we rented a tent and self-catered the food. We had a lovely time showcasing the flowers and spending quality outdoor time with friends and family.

Week 18 was the week goal week for getting my sunflowers and zinnias in. I did have to remove some poppies and cornflowers to make room for summer seedlings. I’m hoping the chipmunk and slugs allow me to keeps some! I planted sunspot, sunfill purple, cherry rose, teddy bear and sun rich summer Provence sunflower seedlings started in April. In addition, I put in parks lavender, benary giant mix, and Oklahoma salmon in my back zinnia border. I put parks siesta mix in my lettuce bed after harvesting bolting lettuce. Parks mix, and Art Deco mix ended up in my raised beds. Jim baggets mix and ice queen white were put out front. In addition to planting zinnia seedlings, I started several varieties of dwarf zinnia to fill pots that currently rely on pansies and cool weather flowers that will soon be dried up and will need to be replaced. I have started Aztec sunset, profusion cherry bicolor, Zahara raspberry ripple, and precious rose dwarf zinnias. I also started viscaria oculata, salvia summer jewel pink, Genovese basil and General Lee cucumbers.

My fantastic friend at Doc Green Grows traded me some eucalyptus, ptilotus Matilda, cockscomb celosia seedlings and a cafe au lait dahlia for chocolate mint and pineapple coleus, Avignon dahlia and Persian shield. These were planted in large containers as I do not have room for full eucalyptus trees. Weekend 18 was busy with planting and I still have 4 o clocks to plant which are small seedlings. I received these in a trade with another lady who traded for a rooted Maypop. I received a cutting of Jerusalem sage and some rooted oregano from a neighbor in exchange for a dahlia and an iris. I gave another neighbor a white iris for a split in the fall of her pink ones. If you know people with plants, ask to trade!

I also started rooting cuttings of 6 different Calibrachoa. I have no luck later in the season when they are woodier. I used fiber rooting blocks. Efficacy TBD on these!

If you’re looking for a petunia with heat tolerance, bounces back in the rain and can make it through mild winters look no further than the tidal wave silver petunia.

This plant is easily started from seeds-although they can get pricey. You can also start new plants from the tender growing ends of existing plants. Spring is the best time as woody plants in fall do not root! I propagate about 12 new plants a year by taking cuttings. I pull off the lower leaves and stick the cutting directly into moist potting soil. I set the pot in the shade outside and keep it watered. Within a few weeks I have 12 new plants to set in the landscape.

This plant spreads. My largest was 5 feet in diameter! It will also mound if planted in masses, and spill over containers and walls. I’ve had several overwinter but they will only live 2 summers which is why I continually propagate. Each of the photos below contain only one plant per photo, so you can see how large they can become. These are great all purpose petunias. What they lack in color they gain in being self deadheading and vigorous, easy plants to have in your garden.