tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post4862868120211666101..comments2023-12-21T01:10:25.829-06:00Comments on Urban Oasis: An Audience With the KingIowa Victory Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-53536655324647750822008-08-20T22:07:00.000-05:002008-08-20T22:07:00.000-05:00Hey Shady,Hope you get a good sense of what it wil...Hey Shady,<BR/>Hope you get a good sense of what it will look when not being devoured. Did you just put yours in this spring or previously? Are there any buds forming? That would be bizarre to see it blooming on a plant bereft of leaves!<BR/><BR/>We should have watered a bit, but it's supposed to rain most of tomorrow, so I held off (had an exhausting day at work) in hopes that will happen. We did have some light rain move through tonight though.<BR/><BR/>You should start your own compost ... it looks like you have the space where you are (we do, with much less). It really doesn't require much attention other than turning it every week or so (Fernymoss uses a pitchfork). We compost as much as we can, especially weeds and grass clippings and any veggie waste and coffee grounds from the kitchen. And if you throw your fall pumpkins in (not seeded) you might just get a Punkinstein!<BR/><BR/>Ack, grass... I refuse to spend any time or effort on the stuff! But that is really annoying that the tree rats have been digging yours up! Loathsome creatures that they are....Iowa Victory Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-48573441614083837962008-08-20T22:01:00.000-05:002008-08-20T22:01:00.000-05:00Hi Annie,There's no end to the coolness of the kin...Hi Annie,<BR/>There's no end to the coolness of the king, in my not so humble opinion. What's not to love?<BR/><BR/>I did neglect to mention how big it gets, so thanks for the reminder. It usually (this year as well) tops out at about 4 ft, which is exactly what the Fleming site says it should. I think it was also bred for compact height as well, because it has never gotten any bigger than that. Now 'Blue River' is another story entirely! That did overgrow because of the rain, and if it hadn't been knocked over and some broken, it probably would have been over 6 ft or more this year. It's about over my head now (I'm 5'9") so it still could, theoretically.Iowa Victory Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-3566705598599792852008-08-20T21:56:00.000-05:002008-08-20T21:56:00.000-05:00Hi Daisy,I was concerned about hibiscus hardiness ...Hi Daisy,<BR/>I was concerned about hibiscus hardiness in your zone so I consulted the Arbor Day Zone map (in sidebar at right) and it has you listed as Zone 4 now. It might be pushing it a bit to try it where you are, but if you could give it privilege place close to your house in full sun, and some winter protection you could maybe pull it off. I did see Zone 4 gardeners on Davesgarden saying it did well for them. <BR/><BR/>Just remember, it's <I>very</I> late to emerge in spring, often in late May early June for us, but once it does, it grows very quickly. <BR/><BR/>They're not terribly expensive so if you did lose one you'd only be out the emotional turmoil, but not a while lot of money. :-)Iowa Victory Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-87747712765293607122008-08-20T21:48:00.000-05:002008-08-20T21:48:00.000-05:00Hi Gail!I wish Blogger would get its act together ...Hi Gail!<BR/>I wish Blogger would get its act together regarding comments! You're not the first (or last probably) to mention they've had comments eaten, and it's happened to me several times recently at other blogs (including yours) ... oh well, it's always when we write the most brilliant things they get eaten, huh? I wonder where they go? Probably the same place that missing socks end up (which is at the end of universe, if you believe Ren and Stimpy, lol.)<BR/><BR/>I think once your King gets enough sun in a new home next year, he's bound to bloom. I'm sure you'll do this, but it probably wouldn't hurt to really amend his new digs. Though oddly enough, H. moscheutos seems to do ok in a little clay.<BR/><BR/>I saw 'Fireball' on their website, (it's a beauty!) but we don't have one. Our red ones are 'Lord Baltimore' (one of the old classic varieties, very tall) and the two 'Luna Red' (newer, bushier) I got this year. So we just have KK, LB, 'Blue River' and a couple of Disco Belles. I'd like to see that one they have called 'Old Yella,' in bloom, because I'd love to have a pale yellow one ... not a color you really see in the perennial varieties.<BR/><BR/>Hope you're enjoying your guests!Iowa Victory Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-29296971986328986142008-08-20T17:49:00.000-05:002008-08-20T17:49:00.000-05:00IVG, Yes, KK definitely has a beautiful flower. Th...IVG, Yes, KK definitely has a beautiful flower. The foliage is very distinctive (when it's not being devoured!). ha. Thanks for the condolences. At least I can enjoy your photos. I especially liked the little ladybug! :-)<BR/><BR/>I'm watering quite extensively today. I purchased a very small (smaller than I thought it would be) Bobcat scoop of composted dirt today. It didn't go as far as I'd have liked, but I wasn't really in the mood to do much more. <BR/><BR/>I purchased grass seed for overseeding last night. I hope that by watering the lawn a bit, the soil will be easier to work up slightly so I can broadcast seed and water some more!<BR/><BR/>We had some crazy squirrels tearing grass out of the lawn this year, never seen it before, for their nests, I assume. Anyway, there are some crazy large dead spots!Shady Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05007816271406393818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-27939071602785610832008-08-20T14:59:00.000-05:002008-08-20T14:59:00.000-05:00When clicked, the foliage in the photos looks pret...When clicked, the foliage in the photos looks pretty cool, IVG - and I like the way the petals are sort of overlapped and swirled. <BR/>You probably mentioned it already but how tall has this plant grown in Summer 2008? Did the extra rain mean extra height? <BR/><BR/>Annie at the Transplantable RoseAnnie in Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662139490401110432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-75452533992288390492008-08-20T13:07:00.000-05:002008-08-20T13:07:00.000-05:00oh my goodness! bring on more kopper king picture...oh my goodness! bring on more kopper king pictures! I don't think I could get enough. I know I said it before, but when your page loaded, I instantly thought of Georgia O'Keefe again. I really want to get one of those growing my garden...Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657241461465217108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29575688.post-10330272130996269542008-08-20T12:00:00.000-05:002008-08-20T12:00:00.000-05:00I was pretty sure I posted already but it was eat...I was pretty sure I posted already but it was eaten by the blogger monster! I see Monsiour le King is indeed decked out in his finery, even sporting a bejeweled beetle. We aren't too green with envy, yet! We will if once he decamps to the sunny palace, he still refuses to govern! <BR/><BR/>This morning I was at a nursery and met another Fleming creation...H Fireball? I saw no flowers, just the lovely leaves...Did I forget you have him? Possibly a crown prince? <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the link!<BR/><BR/>I have had company for 3 days...so I haven't been posting or really out and about! <BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.com