Got any favorite/standout plants this season?

[Hound Heaven]

Pretty sure I don't have a space for any more, but I'm sure others would love to know which have been your most productive/satisfying plants so far this year? And are they terrestrial or aquatic? Any special care needed or have they been happy all on their own?
Course I guess it would also be instructive to ask which have been your biggest disappointments too...

I'm excited about a new elephant ear "Waikiki" - picked it up at HD on sale and it's growing well in both dirt and the bog. Looking forward to it next year. 2 out of 3 sunpatients failed, but one has been awesome. Probably because it gets the right amount of shade.

 

[addy1]

Love our converted bee area!

 

[Hound Heaven]

Soooo colorful!

 

[GBBUDD]

Thats the one thing i am no big on is flower colors . i have wild onion, blue cardinal, pitcher plants, and red impatience hibiscus red and white and a little money fist and thats it. i plan more for shape and color of the plants , so there is a constant color all year

 

[jgrandmont]

I'm excited about a new elephant ear "Waikiki" - picked it up at HD on sale and it's growing well in both dirt and the bog. Looking forward to it next year.

Isn't elephant ear considered to be tropical? Will it survive a Tennessee winter if you don't dig up the bulb/tuber and store inside for next year?

 

[Hound Heaven]

Isn't elephant ear considered to be tropical? Will it survive a Tennessee winter if you don't dig up the bulb/tuber and store inside for next year?

I think some are, but the other ones I have have come back each year. This new one claims to be able to survive in my zone but time will tell. I sure hope it does.

 

[Pablo]

I have a few that have been a nice surprise. This Lobelia is a little different, variety is Vulcan Red, the stock is deep purple and edges of leaves are purple. It is planted within the pond liner but tucked between top stone and liner.

 

[Pablo]

This is a common Lobelia but much taller than I expected, 4 feet high with long bloom time and multiple stocks.

 

[Pablo]

This is a cute little plant, Joseph's Coat, raspberry swirl, no flowers but nice variegated foliage, pink. Tropical so will not come back next year.

 

[Pablo]

Finally this Darmera (Umbrella Plant) has been very happy in the bog. Huge leaves as you can see, in the shade. It does flower in early Spring but I got this after bloom time.

 

[Hound Heaven]

This is a common Lobelia but much taller than I expected, 4 feet high with long bloom time and multiple stocks.
View attachment 164836

I saw some of these at HD earlier and never gave them much thought, I may now. Thanks.

 

[Pablo]

I saw some of these at HD earlier and never gave them much thought, I may now. Thanks.

Lobelias can come in lots of varieties and can come blue/purple along with the red. If you like hummingbirds they will be attracted to the red lobelia. Not a very fussy plant, and the flowers last a long time.

 

[Hound Heaven]

Lobelias can come in lots of varieties and can come blue/purple along with the red. If you like hummingbirds they will be attracted to the red lobelia. Not a very fussy plant, and the flowers last a long time.

Now that you mention the purple, I have had some long ago. I may have to make a spot for one. FWIW, I currently have a dark blue salvia that the hummers are enjoying. Thanks again.

 

[Jhn]

This year would say the best plant in my pond area is the Bengal tiger canna in the bog, it overwintered then grew like crazy this year, along with a few varieties of elephant ears that came back as well, and also grew like crazy.

I will say after having ponds for as long as I have your plants species will wax and wane each year. One year get next to nothing out of the parrot feather then it goes crazy another year, same with creeping Jenny. Certain plants go crazy every year like pickerel rush, Texas dawn water lilies, pull these out by the barrel full.

 

[Hound Heaven]

Nice thicket of plants you have there - and bananas too! Are they adjacent or actually in the bog?
Sure thing about the good/less good years. One year I threw out bucket after bucket of hyacinths and other years they barely multiplied. I love gardening