So I am growing clematis up my mailbox post and am getting ready to fertilize

[LaydeeBug]

so since I will be (gently) digging up some soil to accomplish this, I was thinking of panting some annuals or maybe other perennials to protect their delicate little feet.

I am in zone 7b, and want to stay in a cooler color palette.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Is there a question in there????

if so, maybe some sturdy bulbs? daffodils, something which blooms early enough to be pretty before the clematis does its magic, maybe.

I have sweet autumn clematis, which, when I moved here 12 years ago, was in one spot.
now it is on three sides of the house in the back of the yard, but I have never planted it, nor did it grow there from the one patch. I guess birds...dunno. Pretty stuff, esp, from 60 feet away.

[radical noodle]

2. Vinca?

Not the vining Vinca, but the annual plant (also known as periwinkle) It has lots of blooms, is pretty tolerant of a certain amount of neglect and has beautiful green leaves. Blooms available in many colors.

I've had it actually live through one or two mild winters in Indiana, but no promises on that.

http://www.costafarms.com/plants/vinca-annual

[peacebuzzard]

3. I need to check into periwinkle if it thrives with low maintenance care

I love flowers, but have a steep hill and deep shade in most areas. Will periwinkle survive that? Usually mild winters.

[radical noodle]

7. If you want ground cover

get the vining kind. On a steep hill that's what I would probably plant. It survives most anything and should be fine there. Vinca annuals would work too, but if you want something that you don't bother with on that hill, try the vining kind. It will survive winters in Indiana, because I had some of that too.

[peacebuzzard]

8. Thanks! Just found this group, in the right season!

I am a novice at gardening but a "wannabe" ! I have an old home, hilly terrain (very hilly) and my desire to have some colorful and decorative landscaping is real this spring. This is something I would like to know more about, anyway. So, thank you, I have my to do list started, I will come back to this group again to see what else is in discussion!

[radical noodle]

9. You're quite welcome!

Keep in mind that it will grow fast and cover a wide area in very few years after you plant. Nonetheless, it is virtually maintenance free unless you need to trim it back.

[LaydeeBug]

5. wow...thanks for that. nt

[radical noodle]

6. You're welcome!

I used it a lot in Indiana. Love it.

[sprinkleeninow]

4. I'm in zone 7b! Previous post suggestion of vinca annuals is

quite a good one. I would plant them every year; they do well and are really colorful.

GO HEELS!

[peacebuzzard]

10. I just realized that it is periwinkle (Vinca) that I have growing around my house

I thought the beautiful vines and blue/purple flowers were called "Forget Me Nots"
But they are spreading and I hope they continue because of the terrain. Meanwhile I am battling a real war with poison ivy that is also proliferating. It is everywhere, and while I am basically just pulling it up, I am thinking of getting Round Up, but I have a dog that loves to nibble the grass, so I am refraining so far.

[peacebuzzard]

11. I have never planted periwinkle (vinca) and it just started growing

Although once I did plant the "forget me nots". The periwinkle comes back every year and even survives somewhat in the southeast winter.

[sprinkleeninow]

12. Something was amiss with my comment. Yes, vinca is periwinkle, a vine. I meant to advise planting

Impatiens around your was it lamppost? They come in an array of colors and do well where we are.They're annuals tho so mb if you planted some pachysandra first around your clematis, then a ring of impatiens for seasonal color. The pachysandra is hardy and will stay green year-round.👍

When I got married, my grandmother wove 'crowns' of periwinkle that were placed on our heads in the beginning of the marriage ceremony. That was in '72. I still have them!
The words spoken were, "Crown them with honor and glory".

Good grief. Your doggie sniffln' poison ivy. You have to watch them 24/7. Tonite ours snagged a frog and deposited it on our back doormat, like a cat would!

I don't know the best method to get rid of it. MB a pro if it's really severe.

[sprinkleeninow]

13. Ai chihuahua! Man, I'm loopy. I elaborated re: vinca, periwinkle and impatiens and replied to

'Peace'. Meant to correct my first post in that I am wanting to tell you about impatiens for around your mailbox post. First some pachydandra, circled by impatiens. Pachy is hardy and stays green. Impatiens comes in an array of colors for seasonal planting.

(Ima mess! )

[LaydeeBug]

14. also, do I stop feeding them when they bloom?

Next year will be a banner year for this clematis, but the other one on the telephone poll hasn't bloomed yet. Should I continue to fertilize?