Spring planting, part deux

I went to Lowe's and Home Depot today and stocked up on annuals.  Calibrachoa (yellow/white striped, purple, and pink), white verbena (for $1), another verbena ($2), snapdragons ($1), petunias (purple and mixed, $1 each), and white vinca.

I also got a gorgeous bright red/orange dahlia.  I hope it lives!  I put it in a container with the yellow and white striped calibrichoa and a couple of white vincas.

I put the rest of the vincas (it was a six-pack) in the front, next to where the caladiums might come up someday.  And I put the big white verbena out front next to the dianthus.

Spring planting!

Last weekend I cut the butterfly bush back.  It was already putting out, so I didn't cut it as much as usual.  We'll see if it makes a difference.  I basically cut the peripheral limbs to get them out of the way, but kept the ones that were pointing up.

Today I trimmed the monkey grass and cleaned out the old rudbeckia and coneflower stalks.

And I planted a couple of red hot pokers (next to the mailbox and next to the power pole) and a couple of astilbe 'amethyst' in the shady corner of the yard.  The internet and the inserts seemed to differ quite a bit.  I'm hoping shady is right.  I got both of them at Wal-Mart in a moment of weakness.  I don't really need any more plants, but I see the red hot pokers near mailboxes when I'm out riding, and they seem to do so well, and are so bright and showy!