Comeback

Last year’s white petunias are merrily blooming again with their newer Johnny Jump Up roommates. Most of them can stay beautiful for awhile before the slugs get them.

I’ve often read that stale beer is just the thing to slow down the slimy creatures so they can be caught…hmmm, you just don’t think of slugs being fast, but we’re not beer drinkers and there are children around who might get too curious. Or the neighborhood cat. I’ve heard of birds eating such inebriated insects and becoming a bit tipsy themselves--flying under the influence. No, a different remedy will have to be found. Meanwhile, there are plenty flowers for all to enjoy.

Today’s weather was forecast to be sunny with a high of 78 degrees but it’s been cloudy and nowhere near the balmy high. Brrr…I’ve had to put on a heavier sweater.

Colorful Company

The stalwart white petunias are no longer alone and no longer colorless. They have cheerful orange and purple violas (or Johnny Jump Ups) to keep them company. In pigments (such as paint or dye) white is considered to be a non-color (though in light, it contains all the colors). To an artist who paints in vibrant colors, white by itself just isn't enough. However, white petunias seem to have the most wonderful fragrance of all their fellows, so they usually find a place in my colorful world.

The petunias, though amazingly hardy in the face of several frosts, were nonetheless battered by an unknown assailants—probably snails or slugs. With trimming and new color, the whole garden-in-a-pot looks a lot better. I hope the slimy eaters don’t like violas.

I had bundled up in jacket, hat and scarf to venture out for the transplant but soon realized (after greeting a neighbor who probably wondered) that it was far warmer than I thought. Huh. Oh well, no problem; I easily remedied the situation by unbundling.

Fall Flowers

I finally splurged and bought a few violas to add some color to the stalwart white petunias. I never cover these petunias but they keep blooming—I rarely even water them since they’re in an inconvenient spot for watering.

The violas or Johnny Jump Ups were some of the few flowering plants available since most have been cleared for Christmas trees. These have a lot of spent blooms; some have even gone to seed. Though not in the best shape, they were some of the best of the group, and I can definitely rescue them. Some dead-heading and watering will improve their outlook.

I’ve had to do a lot of trimming today since I was half asleep when I heard Friday night’s cold forecast. Most survived well except for the long branches. It seems the farther a branch was from its source, the more damage it received. With more warm days and mild nights here and there, they may actually sprout new leaves, though those are more vulnerable.

The day started off without much hope for the weather. The forecast was for drizzle off and on all day. The way the sun is shining now, that doesn’t seem likely.