It's so easy to notice and remember the plants that have been disappointments, isn't it? Those that didn't meet expectations, that are taking forever to grow, that ended up withered and diseased, that turned out puny and unproductive.
But it's a lot more fun to celebrate the plants that earned an A+ rating -- that came in full and overflowing, that grew faster than expected, that continue to stand vibrant and healthy as the summer draws to a close.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Catmint 'Walker's Low'
BEFORE
.
June 29, 2007
AFTER 
September 17, 2007
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Coreopsis Threadleaf 'Moonbeam'
BEFORE
June 14, 2007
AFTER
September 17, 2007
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Caryopteris Bluebeard 'Longwood Blue'
BEFORE
June 14, 2007
AFTER
September 17, 2007
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Cosmos 'Sensation Mix'
BEFORE
June 21, 2007
Hypoestes 'Pink Splash Select'
BEFORE
May 5, 2007
Cosmos & Hypoestes
AFTER 
September 17, 2007
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Salvia 'Victoria Blue'
BEFORE
May 4, 2007
AFTER
September 17, 2007
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Yarrow
BEFORE
June 14, 2007
AFTER
September 17, 2007
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
BEFORE
June 14, 2007
AFTER
September 17, 2007
Ah, yes. I see, and I appreciate, that so many things went right this season. And I'm looking forward to even bigger and better things from these hard-working plants next year. Here's to the easy growers!
The cosmos and saliva really took off, along with the yarrow and sedum.
Posted by: Curtis | September 17, 2007 at 10:37 PM
I really like all these before and after shots. It really gives you a sense of how much a plant will spread out.
Posted by: Felicia | September 19, 2007 at 05:16 AM
Hi Felicia! I agree. It's like watching kids grow, or any other slow, gradual process. You don't appreciate the magnitude of the change until you look back at an earlier stage. I'm filling in a lot of empty spots as a "young" gardener, so I really like plants that spread out quickly!
Posted by: Beth | September 19, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Hi Beth,
What a lovely record of your garden successes this year.
Sara from farmingfriends
Posted by: farmingfriends | September 19, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Hi Sara! I guess I SHOULD document the failures as well. Much less enjoyable -- and I'm not sure anyone wants to look at photos of dead things. But it's only right to complete the picture...!
Posted by: Beth | September 19, 2007 at 09:07 AM