Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Leap Year

The calendar shows 2012 as a Leap Year.  And in gardening terms, It should also be "leap year" for my garden.  There is a saying among gardeners regarding perennials that the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap.  In other words, after transplanting perennials, they need to first get established, then they slowly start to take hold, and finally -- beginning with the third year -- they leap into full growth.  If that holds true, the perennials I began planting in 2009 should be "leaping" by early summer.


Of course, the weather has to cooperate and that's sometimes a tall order here in south Texas.  The big freeze in February 2010 and the heat and drought of last summer knocked some of the perennials for a loop.  This creeping germander has been set back by the heat and spent last summer sleeping when it should have been creeping.   It's beginning to creep a bit now so what will it do next spring.  Will it leap or creep?




 The Russian Sage should be taller and fuller by next fall's bloom season

 

 
Perhaps this Blue Hill Salvia will "leap" over the stone edging as planned



The white-blooming lantana, salvia, and plumbago in this bed have definitely slept and crept, so even a little leaping would be appreciated next year.


 
No doubt the Artemsia "Powis Castle" will leap.


This Flame Acanthus has not disappointed so far with its growth and blooms last summer.   I will enjoy seeing it leap and set even more blooms next summer.




Will the Callistemon "Little John" (in the foreground above) recover from last year's deep freeze?

This Firebush (Hamelia patens) is already growing well and setting blooms right through December.  Should I expect even more next year?


Is this the year Pomegranate "Wonderful" will set fruit?

 

This Indigo Spires Salvia has already grown and bloomed beautifully these first two years, how much better will it look when "in-Spired" by leap year?



 Yes, this should be a great "leap year" in the garden.

7 comments:

  1. I like your interpretation of leap year and hope it performs true to name for your garden (and maybe a little in mine too!)...

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  2. May our gardens leap, but stay strong so the wind doesn't flop them! Nice to see plants in their 2nd year...esp their 3rd and beyond.

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  3. I hope all our plants do some leaping this coming year.

    Happy New Year.

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  4. This is a great post. We were also affected here in Tucson. And the same issues occurred that you experienced. No fruit on some of the trees. I'm sorry I didn't write back sooner, I'm on vacation right now and catching up on reading. I look forward to reading your work....love San Antonio! Thanks for following.

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  5. DG & L/P - Thanks, and I wish the same for your gardens in 2012.

    DD - Thanks, I'll check back in on this post next year for reference too.

    Rohrerbot - Thank you, enjoy your vacation and I plan to show a lot more of our beautiful San Antonio in 2012.

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  6. I hope you do enjoy a leap year in your garden. This was the "leap year" for portions of my garden, but the freezing winter and broiling summer and drought kept that from happening. Maybe this year--ever hopeful!

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  7. Thank you Pam. Here's to a better gardening year in 2012!

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