tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563110724482972442024-03-13T21:08:03.910-05:00Garden Musings from Memphis Area Master GardenersA compendium of thoughts, tips, recommendations, and
general garden miscellanySuzanne Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15303254428161539477noreply@blogger.comBlogger500125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-87788539096462569622018-03-05T10:11:00.001-06:002018-03-05T10:11:56.160-06:00What We Bring and What We Leave Behind<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> It is shocking what an absolute ARMY of time and talent is required to prepare for the <a href="https://www.memphisbotanicgarden.com/plantsale">Memphis Botanic Garden Spring Plant Sale</a>! And, by the way, lets use those words "time" and "talent" loosely; many of us bring only a couple of hours here and there and sometimes poor talent. There are, however, leaders who oversee this operation with time and talent in spades. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Willing volunteers were told to bring gloves and clippers but present themselves with much more than that: life experiences, garden lore, compassion and friendship. They bring to that few hours their past, present and future, cuttings to share and seeds to exchange, stories to share and hope or dreams to exchange and inspire. Most of all they bring acceptance, willingness and grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> But what do these volunteers NOT bring into the greenhouses? It is a funny picture indeed: all of their troubles in the parking lot of 750 Cherry Road mingling with the cares of fellow gardeners: a disagreeable boss, missing or deceased pets, </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">addictions, </span><span style="font-size: large;"> and family woes. Slouching in the cars and turning on the radios out of boredom are difficult neighbors, budgeting issues, and business decisions, fears of the future and </span><span style="font-size: large;">disagreements</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> For a few precious hours the multifaceted lives of the gardeners are focused on nothing more than the future beauty of a wretched looking bulb they are planting in the correct sized pot and good conversation with a fellow gardener. The problems they face in those greenhouse hours are ones they can generally solve or at least there is someone nearby who can.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The lives of the volunteers weave into productivity and chatter; while out under the trees wander about </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">medical decisions, voles that eat prized plants, a dinner that went awry, politicians with whom they disagree, aging and ill relatives, wayward teenagers, car trouble, pressures and expectations. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Should any of these woes come in on one's back it is soon sulking back to the car, unable to tolerate the caring warmth of community. And when the respite is over, life for the volunteer seems more manageable; courage, compassion and perspective have been renewed and imparted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Volunteers bring gloves and clippers, life, time, willingness to learn and to share, to be present and to befriend; they bring compassion, stories, hopes, inspiration, kind words and acceptance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They leave behind trouble and cares and fears, finding in the greenhouse seeds of hope.</span>Mamagardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12878511219960702248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-64539157147780574622017-12-09T05:50:00.000-06:002017-12-09T05:50:58.936-06:00The End of a Long Growing Season<span style="font-size: large;">Does anyone else think this has been the longest growing season ever? You have to wonder what this long growing season will do to next year's blooms, given how much energy has been used to produce blooms in this long growing season. I have only a few azaleas that are suppose to be repeat bloomers, but nearly every variety has put out at least a small flush of blooms this fall. As I write this on December 5, I have one spring-blooming azalea that is covered with flowers, not the scanty bloom that often happens in the fall, but nearly a full spring-like bloom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHFLhY_8o-I/WibN5QriLYI/AAAAAAAAMuE/nOB5lamVskwuECZwcd4t2pvBNanl_nl0wCLcBGAs/s1600/20171205_104621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1380" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHFLhY_8o-I/WibN5QriLYI/AAAAAAAAMuE/nOB5lamVskwuECZwcd4t2pvBNanl_nl0wCLcBGAs/s400/20171205_104621.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The weatherman is predicting nighttime temperatures around or below freezing in the next few days, so I decided to take a walk around the garden to appreciate the blooms one last time before cold temperatures destroy them. The sasanqua camellias that I wrote about earlier in the month continue to put on a show. There may be a few buds that are tight enough to survive a cold snap but I'm guessing I've seen the last of camellia blooms until the Japonicas bloom in the spring.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-CI-MCk1o0/WibL2g9_CJI/AAAAAAAAMt0/d8g0V_WjGqgqTyuRAGTv3T6UiY3hcfbXACEwYBhgL/s1600/20171205_103719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1342" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-CI-MCk1o0/WibL2g9_CJI/AAAAAAAAMt0/d8g0V_WjGqgqTyuRAGTv3T6UiY3hcfbXACEwYBhgL/s400/20171205_103719.jpg" width="335" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The fall bloom of the roses has been exceptional this year and long-lasting compared with most years. Every rosebush in my garden is in bloom to some extent. I considered picking some to take inside, but the bushes have grown so large on </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">the types that are best for cutting</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">that I can't reach the flowers. After they have gone dormant, I'll trim these large bushes back a bit to keep them from being beaten around by the wind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know the cold weather this week will take out these blooms, and, in previous years, that has made me a little sad. This year, however, I don't mind. These plants have worked hard this season, and I feel they are ready for their winter's rest. I'm ready, too. I'll settle in with my catalogs and await their reappearance next spring.</span>Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-61407917362663977162017-11-11T08:45:00.000-06:002017-11-11T08:45:14.045-06:00Sasanqua Season<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVn3qcWw27c/WgHctXOACOI/AAAAAAAAMmI/i3SWOc-L9GEe29lyib6x-iHTS8_1RzzkgCLcBGAs/s1600/20171107_100527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVn3qcWw27c/WgHctXOACOI/AAAAAAAAMmI/i3SWOc-L9GEe29lyib6x-iHTS8_1RzzkgCLcBGAs/s400/20171107_100527.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I'm a big fan of the fall-blooming Sasanqua camellias. I have a pink one, strategically planted so that I can see it from the kitchen table when I'm having my morning coffee. (The picture at the right was literally taken from the kitchen table.) I chose its location partly to maximize viewing its bloom and partly to provide a screen from my neighbor's house. Sasanquas often have an open, lanky growth habit (compared with the Japonica type of camellia), as this one does. If you look closely at the picture, you'll see thin new growth at the very top, but next year it will fill in and look less scraggly. I've been pleased that the height is going to be sufficient to provide the screening I desired. Some camellias max out in growth at 8-10 feet but this one appears to be on its way to getting much larger. It has my permission to get as tall as it wants. There is room in this spot for it to keep growing and, in this case, bigger is better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXCUZPMGFyk/WgHdt973hOI/AAAAAAAAMmU/N-Lo3FOpqR4RmgbQkmojrzFUemrW1aMQACLcBGAs/s1600/20171107_093210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXCUZPMGFyk/WgHdt973hOI/AAAAAAAAMmU/N-Lo3FOpqR4RmgbQkmojrzFUemrW1aMQACLcBGAs/s400/20171107_093210.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a closeup of the bloom (not taken from the kitchen window). Many people prefer the fall-blooming camellias because their blooms are more likely to survive long enough to be enjoyed. Camellia blooms do not like cold weather and a freeze can turn them to mush. The fall-bloomers usually have time to open their buds and put on their show before really cold weather arrives in our area. That's not a guarantee, but it offers an increased chance you'll get to enjoy the bloom. From my own experience I can tell you how sad it is when our usual spring cold snap nips those fat buds of the Japonicas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having said that, you'd think I'd never again buy a Japonica camellia--wrong! Gardeners often do things that defy logic. I don't have a white camellia and I really want one. I did some research on the type to buy and where to locate it to give me the best chance of enjoying its spring blooms. So, after thorough research, last week I made the trip to Dabney's Nursery (they have a great selection of camellias) to find <i>Camellia japonica</i> 'Seafoam'. I planted it on a slight slope in a spot that has dappled light from large trees and is sheltered from the wind by a nearby fence. If it does well in this spot, I'll be ecstatic. One of the factors I considered in choosing its location was that I can see it from my favorite reading chair in the living room.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-athOBJh9AXo/Wgb4Zzf2srI/AAAAAAAAMoY/8SLkkKNt44ozquTqVacaDfJqQ-DgAKZDwCLcBGAs/s1600/20171111_064013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1022" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-athOBJh9AXo/Wgb4Zzf2srI/AAAAAAAAMoY/8SLkkKNt44ozquTqVacaDfJqQ-DgAKZDwCLcBGAs/s400/20171111_064013.jpg" width="255" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I want to tell you about a grab-bag camellia purchase I made. I call it grab-bag because it reminded me of when I was a teenager and you could buy a bag of ten records (you do remember records, don't you?) for a dollar, but you didn't know which records you were getting. In this case, the grab-bag was the end-of-season 75% off shrubs clearance sale at Lowes. They had a table of unnamed camellias that were not yet in bloom and tagged simply <i>Camellia sasanqua</i>. The picture on the plant tag showed several colors. The plants had buds but none were opened. All of them appeared to be pink. Since I already had a pink one, I was hoping the bloom would be different but, regardless of the color, it was fun to pay a few dollars for a healthy-looking plant and wait for the surprise. The buds have begun to open and here's what I got. I'm thrilled! This purchase makes up for all those terrible records I bought as a teenager! I think I'll call it <i>Camellia sasanqua</i> 'Grab Bag'.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-15752397412105063892017-11-01T16:22:00.000-05:002017-11-01T16:22:56.409-05:00Okra Plants and Open Doors<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmzN0KcWrn4/Wfo6kDpze7I/AAAAAAAAACI/_Vh1SBLz6HgZcfgn1p_InUIamUhcB7HmQCLcBGAs/s1600/1420605666270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="616" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmzN0KcWrn4/Wfo6kDpze7I/AAAAAAAAACI/_Vh1SBLz6HgZcfgn1p_InUIamUhcB7HmQCLcBGAs/s320/1420605666270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I like to recall waking up under a Clemson Spineless Okra plant about 8 years ago as a Master Gardener intern. An unusually cool August morning, a little mist hung over the garden. And while I had driven the 30 minutes from home to Davies Manor it was the mindless kind of drive at the crack of dawn that does not really wake you up all the way. So I found myself on hands and knees, spreading straw under a 'grove' of okra plants and waking to the beauty of plants and nature and gardening and even life itself.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I also waked to the realization that the handful of tots, whom I had birthed, were almost fully capable adults. Over the last 25 years, I had worked myself out of that happy job; and there in that shady nook of the world the possibilities were without limit. Privileged</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to have been accepted into the Master Gardener program, I felt the blessing of that morning's work, little knowing the web of opportunity that would follow.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597 iM9K_2Jg7Jl8-zixyDjKkw5M" data-href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/287315651203871639/" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwj9o-S9iIzXAhWS2YMKHRngACsQjRwIBw" href="https://phillipoliver.blogspot.com/2011/08/trip-to-memphis-dixon-gallery-gardens.html" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="background-color: #222222; border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; outline: none; text-align: center;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for dixon gallery and gardens lectures" class="irc_mi" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBhmN8R340k/TlmXUtffMDI/AAAAAAAADfQ/jofng4a41R0/s200/dixon-gallery-gardens-2.jpg" style="background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 75px;" width="200" /></a><a class="irc_mil i3597 i9rVgvm6LbJk-zixyDjKkw5M" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwjVh7-fiYzXAhWK2YMKHeRuAXQQjRwIBw" href="https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferlane333/iris-rainbowchakras/" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="background-color: #222222; border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; outline: none; text-align: center;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for my big backyard" class="irc_mi" height="199" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2b/20/0e/2b200e4f5e902fb6574bbb66b5af228d--big-backyard-botanical-gardens.jpg" style="background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a><a class="irc_mil i3597 i9rVgvm6LbJk-zixyDjKkw5M" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwjq-daKiYzXAhUlxoMKHXkLBEYQjRwIBw" href="http://triyae.com/2017/05/big-backyard-daycare/" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="background-color: #222222; border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for my big backyard" class="irc_mi" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/32/df/16/32df16ad5a5a7b6b835d5487e65e7ee8.jpg" height="150" style="background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Attending lectures at the lovely <b>Dixon Gallery and Gardens</b>, and answering the horticulture hotline at the <b>Extension Office</b>,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> taking 'orders' from seasoned gardeners to prepare a garden for <b>Through Our Garden Gates</b> and teaching children at the <b>Memphis Botanic Garden</b> Harvest Festival about the variety of pumpkins, driving up to Jackson, Tennessee to the <b>Summer Celebration</b> and potting up Ajuga plants for sale at <b>Spring Fling</b>: are just a few of the volunteer and educational opportunities which opened up to me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The diversity of gardens and gardeners I have met is wider then I could have imagined. Their common threads of helpfulness, encouragement and acceptance have enriched my own garden but most importantly, my life; it is my hope that their goodness has rubbed off even in some small way on me and that I have been of help to my fellow gardeners. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Little did I know, all those years ago, tending okra that morning would open the doors to so much opportunity and change my life forever and for the better. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Mamagardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12878511219960702248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-46035092871098830332017-10-23T12:12:00.000-05:002017-10-23T12:12:45.607-05:00R&R Five Six, Pick Up Sticks<span style="font-size: large;">Five Six Pick Up Sticks</span><br />
One thing that stands out for me this gardening year has been the number sticks and branches that have fallen from my trees. Tarp full after tarp full have been picked up, dragged from back yard to front (uphill for me I might add) and placed near the street for pick up. I guesstimate that I have had spent the better part of five days cleaning up after various storms this year, the last being tropical storm Harvey and, like Sisyphus and his rock, just when I get them picked up another storm blows through and there are more sticks, or so it seems. The familiar nursery rhyme alluded to in the title<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOIvyoXXEYs/WcKcwICD5GI/AAAAAAAAADU/QIEKO-25buEntJV4YKZfAfUqKXym1s1CwCLcBGAs/s1600/Sisyphus%2Band%2Bhis%2BRock.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOIvyoXXEYs/WcKcwICD5GI/AAAAAAAAADU/QIEKO-25buEntJV4YKZfAfUqKXym1s1CwCLcBGAs/s1600/Sisyphus%2Band%2Bhis%2BRock.png" /></a></div>
was first heard around 1780 near Wrentham, Massachusetts. The main purpose of the song is, obviously, to teach children how to count. Originally the song might describe a regular day of lace makers who were traditional workers in the 17th and 18th centuries. One, two buckle my shoe would mean the that workers are getting dressed to go to work; three, four shut the door- the workers have arrived at the lace shop; five, six pick up sticks getting their tools ((wooden sticks were tools used at the lance making machine at this time). Of course, all this is just a guess as the original meaning has been lost over time.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Catalogue Time</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mt6ZfH9YVPQ/We4Xb_t8YDI/AAAAAAAAADk/2HsuKmWDx10WPsEB06LpyikYJruEpTYvgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hyacinthoides%2Bhispanica.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mt6ZfH9YVPQ/We4Xb_t8YDI/AAAAAAAAADk/2HsuKmWDx10WPsEB06LpyikYJruEpTYvgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hyacinthoides%2Bhispanica.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyacinthiodes hispanica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2poQyqO9tg/We4X4K4w0fI/AAAAAAAAADs/OxgfyyTtED8HtItW4R5B4oN-_gj5hby1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Fritilleria.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2poQyqO9tg/We4X4K4w0fI/AAAAAAAAADs/OxgfyyTtED8HtItW4R5B4oN-_gj5hby1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Fritilleria.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fritilleria inperialis<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, I placed my fall bulb order. I've ordered Hyacinthoides hispanica, Spanish Bluebells and Fritillaria imperialis, Fritillaria Maxima Lutea a yellow flowering Fritillaria. This will be the first time for me with these bulbs. There are great number of interesting bulbs (besides daffodils) that can added to the landscape this time of year. The Minor Bulbs are a group of bulbs that bloom in January, February and March that can be planted this time of year. Chiondoxa, Ipheion, Crocus, Scilla siberica, and Galanthus are just some of the opportunities to plant now. Another interesting, though little used bulb, Lecojeum also can be planted this time of year. Besides bulbs this is the perfect time to add trees and most shrubs to your landscape. Trees and shrubs planted now don't have the stress of our summertime temperatures and November is usually fairly rainy in the mid-South so nature makes sure the plants get the water they need. There are some shrubs, Gardenias come to mind, that are best planted in the spring, so check with your local nursery person before purchasing. Here's a short poem by Emily Bronte about the wind and it has a little Halloweenish in it; rick or treat.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Wind was Rough which Tore</span><br />
The wind was rough which tore <br />
The leaf from its parent tree<br />
The fate was cruel which bore<br />
The withering corpse to me<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBt70DvFUec/We4fF5MphmI/AAAAAAAAAD4/-iwSFG4Yzs0GNZT9Pji0bE7OCoMYTAd1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Emily%2BBronte.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBt70DvFUec/We4fF5MphmI/AAAAAAAAAD4/-iwSFG4Yzs0GNZT9Pji0bE7OCoMYTAd1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Emily%2BBronte.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily Bronte</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We wander on we have no rest<br />
It is a dreary way<br />
<br />
What shadow is it <br />
that ever moves before (my) eyes<br />
It has a brow of ghostly whiteness<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-61291735844879613692017-10-18T07:03:00.000-05:002017-10-18T07:03:04.355-05:00A Different Kind of Soil Test<span style="font-size: large;">Last Saturday I attended the Sierra Club's annual Community Environmental Conference. The conference was packed with interesting sessions on topics related to how human activities and choices affect our environment and often endanger the our planet. Among other things, I learned about mountaintop removal to mine coal in West Virginia and how it not only destroys the beauty of the land but also contaminates drinking water distant from the removal site. I also learned some frightening things about nuclear waste disposal, including, the fact that Tennessee received or produced at least 75% of the nation's low level radioactive waste, as well as radioactive waste shipped here from Germany. Did you know that the only facility in the nation where radioactive steam generators from pressurized water reactors are taken for processing is right here on President's Island? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like most conferences, this one included a number of vendors. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry was conducting a soilSHOP, (the name stands for Soil, Screening, Health, Outreach and Partnership), and they were testing soil. No, not the kind of soil test that we gardeners usually think of but tests for lead and other nasty things we definitely don't like to think about being in our gardens, especially our vegetable gardens. They were also talking about safe gardening practices as they relate to soil contaminants.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lZR44ChL9U/WeaQXorlQhI/AAAAAAAAMdw/gz2nTbkTy2Q3CMY2fdW60ZYfaVVcxrNZgCLcBGAs/s1600/20171016_124109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lZR44ChL9U/WeaQXorlQhI/AAAAAAAAMdw/gz2nTbkTy2Q3CMY2fdW60ZYfaVVcxrNZgCLcBGAs/s400/20171016_124109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, I did not know about the soil testing before I arrived at the conference so I did not have a sample to be tested. But I learned that lead and other chemical elements we fear are found in all soil but the important question is to what degree. Apparently, these chemicals do not readily move from the soil into plant tissue (this varies somewhat depending on the type of plant), and the greatest danger is the contaminated soil itself. I asked one of the gentleman working at the booth if they had other events planned for the Memphis area and he indicated they did not but could possibly set up one if there was sufficient interest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This made me think about what a great thing this would be to offer to local gardeners at a venue like Spring Fling. Many of us are growing a few vegetables in flowerbeds and who knows what chemical elements are in there . . . ? And this may be even more relevant to community gardeners and school gardeners, who may be growing plants in soils previously used for commercial or industrial purposes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/">Click here</a> to find out more about this agency and soil contaminants.</span><br />
<br />Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-7987995890402668692017-10-03T10:38:00.000-05:002017-10-03T10:38:57.917-05:00Fall Planting<span style="font-size: large;">I wandered into Dan West Garden Center the other day looking for inspiration for this blog post where upon Kenneth Mabry reminded me that "fall is our best planting season". That comment stirred my thinking about how to make the most of our tree, shrub and even perennial purchases.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As all our local garden experts</span><br />
<a href="https://www.dirtdoctor.com/pics/content_img.9315.img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="content_img.9315.img.jpg" border="0" height="200" src="https://www.dirtdoctor.com/pics/content_img.9315.img.jpg" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: none; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: proxima_novalight; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" width="189" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">seem to agree, this clay soil we garden</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">is a force with which to be reckoned!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Digging a hole and putting the plant right into it, is much like stuffing it into a clay pot without drainage. The roots will suffer, being submerged in water. Kenneth says, dig the hole deep enough and twice as wide. Essential to his formula is amending the soil and setting the plant a little above the level of the dirt to allow for settling and drainage.</span><br />
<a class="rg_l" href="https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fforestkeepersofcapecod.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F03%2Fmeasuring-hole-before-planting-tree-1024x513.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fforestkeepers.net%2F12-steps-to-planting-healthy-trees%2F&docid=dpBBC-moAYLesM&tbnid=GIW4ki7FF2mYuM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwiiqen4o7nWAhVMOyYKHUFXBaYQMwhnKDYwNg..i&w=1024&h=513&bih=794&biw=1600&q=how%20to%20dig%20a%20hole%20for%20planting&ved=0ahUKEwiiqen4o7nWAhVMOyYKHUFXBaYQMwhnKDYwNg&iact=mrc&uact=8" jsaction="fire.ivg_o;mouseover:str.hmov;mouseout:str.hmou" jsname="hSRGPd" rel="noopener" style="background: rgb(232, 226, 226); color: #660099; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; height: 159px; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration-line: none; width: 317px;"><img alt="Image result for how to dig a hole for planting" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF_pdPmVrJXf_1cWid6nEL7QJKJOM9VoUy8lDb_JYIni4GhuQH" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="GIW4ki7FF2mYuM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF_pdPmVrJXf_1cWid6nEL7QJKJOM9VoUy8lDb_JYIni4GhuQH" style="border: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); display: block; height: 159px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 317px;" /></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A handout I have from Diane Meucci at Gardens Oy Vey is quite clear about pine bark mulch being a soil conditioner and not really a mulch at all. so she recommends mixing three inches into three inches of the soil in which you are planting.</span><br />
<a class="irc_mil i3597 ivBfA9Oe3V4A-zixyDjKkw5M" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwi22NuV5NTWAhUhqVQKHV96AjkQjRwIBw" href="https://gaps.cornell.edu/educational-materials/decision-trees/soil-amendments" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; clear: right; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Related image" class="irc_mi" height="412" src="https://gaps.cornell.edu/sites/gaps.cornell.edu/files/shared/images/Tree-soil.gif" style="background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 69px;" width="304" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Her website is quite helpful and includes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> these <a href="http://www.gardensoyvey.com/planting-instructions.html">planting instructions</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and making it friendly</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for the new plants roots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After all, a plant is </span><span style="font-size: large;">only as good </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">as its roots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was instructed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">when purchasing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a trio of Farfugium</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">to think of my "hole"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">more as a saucer than a cup,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and to build the soil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">up to the level needed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The plants have certainly thrived!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This brings me to a little recent story in my gardening life...As I set out on a walk, I observed a spot under an oak tree that would nicely accommodate several azaleas. So, as I walked, I began planning. The thought of how to DIG under this tree, with its formidable roots, however was a hurdle. I had not gotten far into my daydream/walk when there on the curb for trash pick up were five lovely old azaleas, dug up for me and free for the taking! Heading home in high gear, I rounded up some help, rescued the azaleas and in about thirty minutes had set those plants about 3 or 4 feet away from the trunk of the oak tree and shored them up with bagged top soil left over from another project. I had nothing to lose and so far four of the bushes are thriving. Maybe next spring they will be blooming.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mamagardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12878511219960702248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-90755266351355212982017-09-12T11:22:00.002-05:002017-09-12T11:22:24.286-05:00Results of Some 2017 Summer Gardening Experiments<span style="font-size: large;">In earlier posts this year, I talked about several new things I was trying this year, and I want to report on two of those things. One was a new (at least to me) type of self-watering planter that I used for tomatoes. In the past, I've had real problems trying to grow tomatoes in pots. Even when I used what I considered to be large pots, they were a real challenge to keep watered. In the hottest part of the summer, pots watered in the morning became dry as a bone before the day was over. If you are a tomato grower, you understand how much tomato plants resent insufficient or inconsistent moisture. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWPNQeCpG00/WRODx8pabeI/AAAAAAAAKwQ/uHBCtigtjFcRwMGTism3gAjUDvVQoSnOwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170510_161415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWPNQeCpG00/WRODx8pabeI/AAAAAAAAKwQ/uHBCtigtjFcRwMGTism3gAjUDvVQoSnOwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/20170510_161415.jpg" width="257" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I was excited to find these planters on sale at a big box store in the spring and I bought two of them. I planted tomatoes in both, following the instructions about adding lime to the potting soil. The tomatoes grew like gangbusters, and I found that the water reservoir was big enough so that they needed watering only every other day, even in the hottest weather. However, they quickly outgrew their support. A strong wind in the late spring blew them over but did not damage the plant. I ended up leaning them against the patio table and that's where they've remained all summer. I'll use them again next year, but I'll be smarter about the kind of plant I use, choosing a smaller tomato variety. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-3nVl_NN2I/WQtnE8xhjtI/AAAAAAAAKoM/sswwIj2EC4AFaE_GuEHd1VkxbJjNCA7OQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170504_122454%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-3nVl_NN2I/WQtnE8xhjtI/AAAAAAAAKoM/sswwIj2EC4AFaE_GuEHd1VkxbJjNCA7OQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/20170504_122454%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The other thing I tried this year was planting several types of plants directly in the stream bed of our water feature. I planted impatiens and abelia without soil, just wedging the roots in crevices between the rocks to keep them from washing away. The abelia began to die immediately. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I should say that I've never had any luck with abelia. Those that I planted in pots and in garden beds died as well.) But the impatiens loved their watery home! Here is a single plant, shortly after I planted it in early spring.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kn7M4edcNRw/WaGmWG6dREI/AAAAAAAAMUE/ORuHUe5PlSkwI1uC-DXJbuQCZosuqpaIQCLcBGAs/s1600/20170826_114126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kn7M4edcNRw/WaGmWG6dREI/AAAAAAAAMUE/ORuHUe5PlSkwI1uC-DXJbuQCZosuqpaIQCLcBGAs/s400/20170826_114126.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the same plant in early September (and two of his friends I planted at the same time). The red flower is <i>Lobelia cardinalis</i>, the red cardinal flower. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tu4xf5pLPjs/WQtmSg1KVOI/AAAAAAAAKoQ/_mI_DzBEzDEjLLjhTA5RxauupOEFl9UmgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170504_123009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tu4xf5pLPjs/WQtmSg1KVOI/AAAAAAAAKoQ/_mI_DzBEzDEjLLjhTA5RxauupOEFl9UmgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/20170504_123009.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The iris and the cardinal flower above are growing in this planting bag made especially for water plants. I transplanted cardinal flower seedlings from garden beds, placing them bare-rooted in this netted pond bag in a shallow spot in the stream. The picture above shows what they looked like a few weeks after being planted. I also stuck the random iris in the bag as well because I liked the height the iris provided.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7tBw4aG8uM/WaGtQqSmTiI/AAAAAAAAMUk/5f0wgfREa60dctgPtGLwuJ3qD4jTRsQ7QCLcBGAs/s1600/20170826_120919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7tBw4aG8uM/WaGtQqSmTiI/AAAAAAAAMUk/5f0wgfREa60dctgPtGLwuJ3qD4jTRsQ7QCLcBGAs/s320/20170826_120919.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">There is one other plant experiment that I want to mention. I had a lot of mole damage over the winter and one of our hostas that had been large last year emerged as a tiny shoot this spring. Rather than leave the last little bit for the vole, I dug the tiny crown up and plopped it into the stream bed. It was so small that I didn't think it would survive. I placed it near the impatiens and forgot about it. Here's what it looks like today, in early September. I'll let it grow another month or so then transplant it to a more permanent place. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, I wonder what would happen if I left it in the stream bed over the winter . . .? Hostas are suppose to be very cold hardy; in fact, they prefer a much colder climate than we have. Maybe this is an experiment that will continue through the winter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-44970688567439741692017-09-02T21:03:00.000-05:002017-09-02T21:03:13.561-05:00Welcome and Welcome Back<span style="font-size: large;">In a largish flower pot by our mailbox I have been trying out, over the last few years, several annual vines. I could procure a more predictable Mandevilla or a more reliable Clematis. But experimentation can be fun.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: x-large;" />
<span style="font-size: large;">Last years selection was "Cypress Vine" </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">(Ipomoea quamoclit).</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> Agonizing a bit about the wisdom of starting what many consider an invasive thug, I concluded that the majority of complaints along those lines came from warmer climes and I would give it a try. As pictured above I ordered a mixture of colors white, pink and red in seed form, and nursed them along through early spring. They did not disappoint! Their cheery star shaped trumpets greeted us all through the summer and into the fall. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDJaO3vXPq8/WaVVQv4E3FI/AAAAAAAAMWY/SdN1aMKyNe0EfJvG121ne2gGuI0gHthvgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDJaO3vXPq8/WaVVQv4E3FI/AAAAAAAAMWY/SdN1aMKyNe0EfJvG121ne2gGuI0gHthvgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81o0KJv4YpQ/WaVW2pEE87I/AAAAAAAAMWw/P4puls6s3BEnoAARQfUtLl3xCMRpNmWbwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170826_082154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81o0KJv4YpQ/WaVW2pEE87I/AAAAAAAAMWw/P4puls6s3BEnoAARQfUtLl3xCMRpNmWbwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/20170826_082154.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This year I successfully grew from seed "fragrant corkscrew vine" (<i>Vigna caracalla</i>) not only by soaking them overnight but by starting the process with boiling water. As I recall 8 of the 10 germinated. Starting them out in the green cardboard boxes that strawberries come in allowed me to disturb the roots as little as possible when the time came to put them outside. I shared most of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Wb7pNx7pIs/WaVW8_RSVeI/AAAAAAAAMWw/NZDQsotJDBwiIXhGaxe5Smf0geUg8PAbACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170826_082148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Wb7pNx7pIs/WaVW8_RSVeI/AAAAAAAAMWw/NZDQsotJDBwiIXhGaxe5Smf0geUg8PAbACPcBGAYYCw/s320/20170826_082148.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The one I put in the vegetable garden succumbed to chipmunks or voles or something...one day it was there the next it was not. But the one in the pot by the mailbox flourished!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Its 'leaves of three' may have caused the neighbors to scratch their heads about my growing poison ivy, I have to admit I wondered myself about this experiment. But here in late summer it is becoming apparent that this is something different and fragrant and lovely.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2FKfTFaA1Y/WaVXERvfhcI/AAAAAAAAMWw/vULn-Ijabq8i2eYf4wiZTuePL85Anhk6wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170825_084618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2FKfTFaA1Y/WaVXERvfhcI/AAAAAAAAMWw/vULn-Ijabq8i2eYf4wiZTuePL85Anhk6wCPcBGAYYCw/s400/20170825_084618.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />And guess who came back! The Cypress Vine! With her ferny leaves and little red trumpet stars.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Mamagardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12878511219960702248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-408144074553568722017-08-28T16:57:00.003-05:002017-08-28T16:57:36.763-05:00R&R Summer's Ups and DownsIt been over two months since by last post and the summer gardening has had its ups and downs. In fact I would say that the summer is, in many ways, the most challenging season of the year. There always seem to be the some disappointments from what seems like a good start in Spring. Anyway, here is a recap of the ups and downs.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BPNDwhN5Bk/WaSIbvLucrI/AAAAAAAAACk/3YITCN9ED-0nPrd0V5S__NtCYPXOzInXQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Hibicus.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="221" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BPNDwhN5Bk/WaSIbvLucrI/AAAAAAAAACk/3YITCN9ED-0nPrd0V5S__NtCYPXOzInXQCEwYBhgL/s200/Hibicus.png" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hibiscus moscheutos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos): definitely an <strong>up</strong>. One of the first plants I bought when I moved to Olive Branch in 2001 it has bloomed every year. My hibiscus is a six foot plant with large pink flower (they are also red and other flower varieties). It's the June star of the flowers of my full sun flowerbed. The flowers close in the early afternoon; this phenomena is called nyctynasty. The flowers are spent now but the foliage remains, I'll leave it up until February and then cut it back to the ground.<br />
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): definitely an <strong>up</strong>. Another perennial that's been around for more than a decade. Three feet tall with yellow flowers and a black center the Susans have bloomed for over two months and are still going strong. While other plants faded out this plant just keeps going throughout the summer heat. Gotta love that!<br />
Lilies (Lilium): Asiatic Hybrid definitely an <strong>up</strong>. True lilies, not Day lilies which are Hemerocallis. I bought 25 bulbs from White Flower Farms and planted them in March. They did great producing a number of pretty flowers. I purchased a mix so I had red, orange white and yellow blossoms that lasted about a month.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w9o_nj837mI/WaSI_jxDiBI/AAAAAAAAACo/HEVEvp3-t5INcp6eJgehJS_B_JrPpHG6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Lilium%2BAsiatic%2BHybrid.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="204" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w9o_nj837mI/WaSI_jxDiBI/AAAAAAAAACo/HEVEvp3-t5INcp6eJgehJS_B_JrPpHG6ACEwYBhgL/s200/Lilium%2BAsiatic%2BHybrid.png" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilium Asiatic Hybrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lilies (Lilium): Oriental Hybrid were <strong>up and down</strong>. Another White Flower Farm purchase this year. Of the three bulbs only two managed to produce flowers and the flowers were short-lived. These were planted in a part sun bed but I don't think that was the reason for their mediocre performance. My reference books say the Oriental Hybrids are more difficult to grow than the Asiatic Hybrids. That was my experience as well. On the positive side the blossoms were very pretty even though that didn't last.<br />
Spider Lilies and Naked Ladies (Lycoris squamigera and Lycoris radiata): were <strong>up and down</strong>. Both<br />
varieties of lycoris bloomed in late July/early August but were gone too quickly; plus the Naked Ladies by the mailbox only produced one blossom as opposed to three in other years.<br />
Dahlia (Dahlia) way <strong>up with a little down</strong>. Another of my spring <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3gUzQJJLds/WaSJUCMK5vI/AAAAAAAAACs/9wzA_IdOq6c8aDBoY1KK2K5CTRfvg6M6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3gUzQJJLds/WaSJUCMK5vI/AAAAAAAAACs/9wzA_IdOq6c8aDBoY1KK2K5CTRfvg6M6ACEwYBhgL/s200/IMG_5391.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
purchases, Dahlias are known for their large flowers and it's hard to argue with that. Last week I picked the prettiest yellow flower that I have ever grown, a blossom larger than my hand. There are some downsides to Dahlias in my opinion. While the flowers are gorgeous the plant itself is not pretty at all; its appearance reminds me of a smaller version of pig weed that is a curse of cotton growers. Also, I have had to stake the flower stalks. (I'm a tough love gardener and expect plants to make it with minimal help from me.)<br />
Mulberry weed definitely a <strong>down</strong> this year. This is devilish weed; at only two inches in height it will produce seeds and produce them in abundance. Whoever is in charge of weeding my garden did a poor job the last two months. The heat makes for a less than enthusiastic gardener when it comes to weeding, at least it does that to me.<br />
Okra and Cucumbers and Hostas: all <strong>downers</strong>. Dr. Brewster M. Higley may have been fond of deer (Higley wrote the poem that became the song "Home on the Range") but they did in my vegetable garden and my poor hostas. It was positively a case of "hosta la vista baby". Sorry about that, but the pun was too good/too bad to pass up. <br />
I'll close with two poems one by Anonymous published in 1602 about Naked Ladies (unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, not about Lycoris) and one about Lilies by Raymond A Foss.<br />
<br />
<strong>Madrigal</strong><br />
by Anonymous<br />
<br />
My love in her attire doth show her wit,<br />
It doth so well become her;<br />
For every season she hath dressings fit,<br />
For winter, spring, and summer,<br />
No beauty she doth miss<br />
When all her robes are on;<br />
But beauty's self she is<br />
When all her robes are gone.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqpwYXVwblk/WaSLAuiXzJI/AAAAAAAAAC4/Qr1XyBV--jYBlVD0mbFrMeC-5AvWLp9bACLcBGAs/s1600/Raymond%2BA%2BFoss.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="193" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqpwYXVwblk/WaSLAuiXzJI/AAAAAAAAAC4/Qr1XyBV--jYBlVD0mbFrMeC-5AvWLp9bACLcBGAs/s200/Raymond%2BA%2BFoss.png" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raymond A. Foss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Clothed Like the Lilies</strong><br />
by Raymond A. Foss<br />
<br />
In the finery of God<br />
our every need met<br />
in wondrous grace<br />
<br />
Clothed like the lilies<br />
fed like the birds<br />
watered like the grasses<br />
held in his arms<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-66528155679925278382017-08-16T22:08:00.000-05:002017-08-16T22:08:11.315-05:00Glorious Caladium<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m not sure there is any plant dependent on foliage for
beauty that can surpass the self-dramatization of caladium in the garden
throughout the growing season. In a
previous garden, I paired </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qns3PHaTQjc/WZRTK3Z0zJI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Xmp857B4_CMRd_bifRCTI5jVgAjB1R-SACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1596%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1021" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qns3PHaTQjc/WZRTK3Z0zJI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Xmp857B4_CMRd_bifRCTI5jVgAjB1R-SACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1596%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Caladium</i>
having green-veined white leaves with dusty miller (<i>Jacobaea maritima</i>) and variegated monkey grass (<i>Liriope muscari </i>’Variegata<i>’</i>) against a backdrop of variegated
privet (<i>Ligustrum sinense</i>
‘Variegata’). I loved the green and
white palette and the vertical design, and the caladiums always seemed to leap
forth with a joyful nodding to greet me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxdZlk1KNuM/WZStu5FOtiI/AAAAAAAAAXA/8OLz6qtVcW0luRJg_lf3kR2XUZ02K--OgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxdZlk1KNuM/WZStu5FOtiI/AAAAAAAAAXA/8OLz6qtVcW0luRJg_lf3kR2XUZ02K--OgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1600.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Caladiums are grown as ornamental plants in large
“fancy-leaved” and “lance-leaved” or "strap leaf" forms.
The more common of these is the “fancy-leaved” form with its
heart-shaped white, pink, or red leaves, whose veins in contrasting colors add
to the beauty of the leaves. Common
names for <i>Caladium</i> are elephant ear,
Heart of Jesus and Angel Wings. The epithet “elephant
ear” is more likely associated with<i>
Alocasia</i> or <i>Colocasia</i>, whose
leaves are much larger and thus more emblematic of the name. The true elephant ears (<i>Colocasia</i>) have wintered over in my garden during mild winters, but
not my caladiums. They are a tropical South
American plant, zone ten <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caladium">(note details of caladium cultivation)</a>. In zone 7, the
tubers should be lifted before frost, cleaned of soil, and stored in a cool
location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jf_b3AaH46g/WZShNI_oC8I/AAAAAAAAAVw/zsq_m3GgxoAkwTeEtVEKUiSmIO8g3bbqgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jf_b3AaH46g/WZShNI_oC8I/AAAAAAAAAVw/zsq_m3GgxoAkwTeEtVEKUiSmIO8g3bbqgCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN1634.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite formal display of caladiums this year is in the
bed leading to the Hughes Pavillion at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. There, one finds a thickly planted circle of a variety that is new to me: 'Frog in a Blender.' I bought tubers of this variety at the Dixon Garden Fair early this year and planted them in pots. When these beauties popped up and started unfurling, they didn't stop until they were more than three feet tall! Had Dale Skaggs' garden workers mislabeled <i>Colocasia</i> as <i>Caladium</i>? Not so. This new variety is not only as tall as some <i>Colocasia</i>, but produces many beautifully variegated leaves for a </span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J3SiDZvjCcY/WZRUXmkyWRI/AAAAAAAAAVY/KWOw4kZ9E5U_dmta57SgPlASjMKnrI9tgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J3SiDZvjCcY/WZRUXmkyWRI/AAAAAAAAAVY/KWOw4kZ9E5U_dmta57SgPlASjMKnrI9tgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1603.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">striking display. While I have trouble imagining real frogs in a
blender, I can see that the name refers to the combination of lime-green splotches against a dark green background. That touch of red in the center of each leaf is hardly visible here and certainly not dramatic like the red veins in "Fantasy" at the bottom of the picture. I prefer to think of the red as the frog’s eye.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbOvydeyZgA/WZSh103sx7I/AAAAAAAAAV4/FaR0tpkjF6Qa6Y_h8__vt0js24DES8_uACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbOvydeyZgA/WZSh103sx7I/AAAAAAAAAV4/FaR0tpkjF6Qa6Y_h8__vt0js24DES8_uACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">How does one add the “Wow! Factor” to shaded gardens? At the Memphis Botanic Garden, caladiums
are an obvious choice to brighten shady nooks.
Along the pathway to the herb garden, for example, a patch of white caladiums
with green veins sparkles in the shady area near the dry creek bed, and
just </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ghM-G6QkQs/WZSiN7PJAfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/j8HVFsKnrEw4R1Q-16YNsYpV0lXMS-qyACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ghM-G6QkQs/WZSiN7PJAfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/j8HVFsKnrEw4R1Q-16YNsYpV0lXMS-qyACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1630.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">over the bridge at the entrance to this garden, the smaller lance-leaved (or strap leaf) <i>Caladium </i>'Desert Sunrise'<i> </i>seems to pop out of the dark shade beneath <i>Colocasia</i> 'Mojito' to welcome
visitors. "Desert Sunrise' is doing well in the shade here, but the strap leaf variety can tolerate more sun than the fancy-leaved variety. Near the entrance to the garden, beside the rectangular fountain, <i>Caladium</i> 'White Wonder' thrives with <i>Croton variegatum</i> and other sun-loving plants. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUu0B6_8eFo/WZSmRf72hII/AAAAAAAAAWg/7_6LGkxY8NQsNxnc2Rc4NQv8LGUt9AqFQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1626.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUu0B6_8eFo/WZSmRf72hII/AAAAAAAAAWg/7_6LGkxY8NQsNxnc2Rc4NQv8LGUt9AqFQCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN1626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dkkMaHL5bI/WZSj9adxjpI/AAAAAAAAAWM/anA0r89y3iQH28AzScDCTS88IJk2xIJ3ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dkkMaHL5bI/WZSj9adxjpI/AAAAAAAAAWM/anA0r89y3iQH28AzScDCTS88IJk2xIJ3ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1537.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Caladiums brighten porches all over Midtown and will
continue to do so until temperatures drop.
A fernery plant stand on my porch presents a mixture of ‘Frog in a
Blender,’ ‘Fantasy,’ and ‘Candidum, Jr.’ all from the Dixon sale. Rectangular concrete pots with red and pink
caladiums invite visitors to neighboring porches. Caladiums are also planted in some
flowerbeds. Patience is key to successful
inground planting. The gardener must wait until the ground warms; otherwise, the tubers may
rot in the rains that come in early spring. Also, the tubers take three to four weeks
to emerge after the ground warms to about 70 degrees.
I learned both of these lessons the hard way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Caladiums will bloom only if conditions are right. One of my plants did bloom this summer,
although the bloom (which looked like a stunted Calla lily bloom) was less
spectacular than the foliage and lasted less than a week. But who needs blossoms when the glorious
foliage of caladiums lasts an entire season?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIw0z1Abo6k/WZSwGvlGopI/AAAAAAAAAXM/VrRNoTFv0GIkst0C8vyxXj7gqM0JPaOtwCLcBGAs/s1600/caladium%2B%2527fantasy%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIw0z1Abo6k/WZSwGvlGopI/AAAAAAAAAXM/VrRNoTFv0GIkst0C8vyxXj7gqM0JPaOtwCLcBGAs/s320/caladium%2B%2527fantasy%2527.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Kathy Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141904624172495804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-43667127657514544232017-08-02T09:49:00.000-05:002017-08-02T09:49:09.416-05:00What's going well in your garden?<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's been said that our gardens are always the most beautiful in January because in that frigid, non-verdant month it is all in our heads: the seeds we plan to start early, the trimming we plan to do to get in a little more sun, the arm loads of harvest from our vegetable gardens, the woodland path we think of putting in and that all important focal point at its end. It will all be splendid! Weeds grow not in my dreams, and cucumber beetles are non existent. And if these problems arise THIS YEAR I know just the thing to eliminate them. I have my watering system all planned out and, of course, it all comes into color at the same ytime so that in my MIND, the hydrangeas of early summer contrast beautifully with the scarlet runner beans of late summer. The dreams of January! </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But it is now the hot middle of summer and reality has set in for us all. So I ask, "What is going well in your garden?" </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In my garden there are three C's that are bringing me joy; three C's that actually exceeded my expectations. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The first is COLEUS. The seeds I planted back in February thrived under the grow light in my garage and I had enough to share with a friend.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
These bursts of color in the cool shade are most rewarding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSuWC_S90U0/WXKhtcQ38ZI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/2he3vGtwgGE-BGY-zwmdcuDw8VO1l7tnACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSuWC_S90U0/WXKhtcQ38ZI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/2he3vGtwgGE-BGY-zwmdcuDw8VO1l7tnACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The second C stands for CUCUMBERS. For two years now I have ordered from Park Seed the seeds of a most deliciously sweet cucumber called Diva. And while They are a slender 6 to 8 inches when picked, they produce abundantly. There is a family debate about whether or not to dress them with Apple Cider Vinegar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UyHyT-Be2o4/WXKh3tAl6LI/AAAAAAAAL6U/gG0d-23Dh8MeNWUL0qgDBVvgvruxxnDaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UyHyT-Be2o4/WXKh3tAl6LI/AAAAAAAAL6U/gG0d-23Dh8MeNWUL0qgDBVvgvruxxnDaQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1727.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The C that brings me the most joy, however is the CHAPEL GARDEN. Blessed with two family weddings this fall I dedicated one raised bed to a chapel-looking bird house I found on the street...one man's discard... A rock path, some zinnias, marigolds and volunteer sunflowers complimented the rosemary and thyme that were already in place. It takes a bit of pruning to make sure the little chapel does not get lost in the foliage; maybe I should have cut back the zinnias before their first bloom. But they are reasonably cooperative and resemble exotic trees surrounding the chapel path.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLBlhvbS8jc/WXKiFzR0u6I/AAAAAAAAL6g/-kUK_hNI9uszz6dB0WPA1rajMs-_S1MywCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLBlhvbS8jc/WXKiFzR0u6I/AAAAAAAAL6g/-kUK_hNI9uszz6dB0WPA1rajMs-_S1MywCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are plenty of disappointments in my garden this year; that is part of it, right? So I'll choose today to ask myself, "What is going well in my garden?" </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What is going well in yours?</span></div>
Mamagardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12878511219960702248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-73624262156316262662017-07-30T07:12:00.000-05:002017-07-30T07:12:01.129-05:00The Year of the Mimosa Weed<span style="font-size: large;">Although weeds plague our lawn and garden every year, it seems that each year a particular weed takes center stage. One year it was wild violets. The next year it was purslane. A few years ago, we had elm seedlings sprouting everywhere. This year the villain in our yard is a plant we call mimosa weed (<i>Phyllanthus</i> <i>urinaria</i>) because its foliage looks similar to the familiar mimosa tree.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQdJ4eNYGls/WXUZwVW4GDI/AAAAAAAAL-A/rQyh_mVjU1IypI35Ywd_KUx6oS_x9ponwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170722_075226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1395" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQdJ4eNYGls/WXUZwVW4GDI/AAAAAAAAL-A/rQyh_mVjU1IypI35Ywd_KUx6oS_x9ponwCLcBGAs/s400/20170722_075226.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a nasty fellow. It invades lawns and flower beds indiscriminately and it is sneaky. It germinates later than most weeds, so late that our spring application of pre-emergent herbicide was not effective to prevent it in our lawn. It also develops seeds as a very small plant and they hide on the undersides of the leaves. So while you are thinking you have time to weed before that critical reseeding time, it is already developing seeds. It has a strong stem and large taproot, so it is not so easy to pull up. Roundup is effective on it but I try to avoid using Roundup when I can, both because it can cause damage to nearby plants and because I'm not convinced that it is not a dangerous chemical (even though there is no scientific evidence to support this idea).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jack and I have put in a lot of hours pulling up mimosa weed this summer, and I'm determined to get ahead of it next year. Our main problem spots this year were a bed that was not well-mulched and areas of the lawn where the grass was thin. We've been working to get the lawn in better shape this summer because dense, healthy turf is the best deterrent for all weeds in the lawn. Also, next year, we may change our pre-emergent for the lawn to one that is more effective in controlling this particular weed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If your garden has been plagued by this particular weed, you might find this <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/weeds/hgic2314.html">factsheet</a> useful for more suggestions about how to control it, including a complete discussion of the various chemical controls available.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder which weed I'll be complaining about next year . . . . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-66048838634773798382017-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:002017-07-01T22:16:57.518-05:00Repotting my Orchid<span style="font-size: large;">Several weeks ago I wrote about how my mother's orchid was nearing the end of its bloom and I was considering whether I should repot it. The first bloom spike had already turned brown and was ready to be cut off, but it appeared that new buds might be developing on the second bloom shoot. I was undecided about whether I should allow the last few blooms to develop or cut the shoot back to allow the plant to regain its strength. As it turned out, the second shoot simply lacked the energy to continue, and it, too, turned brown. In the end, there was no decision to be made. I cut off both bloom spikes as close to the plant stem as possible and proceeded with the repotting.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_HbXwmpdyw/WUXLtXho6MI/AAAAAAAALO0/uzl8rVZNjmI9rnl8uNbZNfW0KkvDAPVJgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170612_111731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_HbXwmpdyw/WUXLtXho6MI/AAAAAAAALO0/uzl8rVZNjmI9rnl8uNbZNfW0KkvDAPVJgCLcBGAs/s400/20170612_111731.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I bought this orchid, it was potted in this clear plastic pot, which was then placed in a decorative outer ceramic container. I always removed the clear container to water the plant and allowed the water to drain out before returning it to the ceramic container. As I mentioned in my previous post, most orchids that don't survive suffer from overwatering. With most houseplants, it's easy to stick your finger in the soil to determine if water is needed but that's not so easy with a bark planting media. I like these lightweight plastic containers because after you've watered a few times, it's easy to judge whether the plant needs water by the weight of the container. Fully moistened bark makes for a lot heavier container than one that has dried out. The other good thing about this type of container is that it allows you to inspect the roots from time to time. Mushy roots are another sign of overwatering.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n9Wl7J4DYk/WUXL3wSAuWI/AAAAAAAALO4/fV-nPHxoaAIvGNr6MvDpRMRkPhVVxIoCgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170612_111904_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n9Wl7J4DYk/WUXL3wSAuWI/AAAAAAAALO4/fV-nPHxoaAIvGNr6MvDpRMRkPhVVxIoCgCLcBGAs/s400/20170612_111904_001.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I slipped the roots out of the pot, I was pleased to see that the roots, for the most part, looked healthy. I gently teased the bark away from the roots, being careful not to break the roots, which can be quite fragile. Any roots that looked completely dead, I cut off. Be careful with this process because some roots appear to be dead at the top but have a healthy lower part. Notice the white root that begins on the right side of plant and curves down toward the left side. It looks dead near the top of the plant and is split and lifeless looking as you trace it downward. But the section below the split is very healthy. So be sure to inspect the full length of a root before deciding it is dead. Sometimes, just the tip will be alive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWew9_pb7uU/WUxUxGDloUI/AAAAAAAALZE/5J-r8_4N2V4MiEcI4iztav10MmjIrsuCACLcBGAs/s1600/20170612_112551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWew9_pb7uU/WUxUxGDloUI/AAAAAAAALZE/5J-r8_4N2V4MiEcI4iztav10MmjIrsuCACLcBGAs/s400/20170612_112551.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Here's what the plant looked like after I removed the remaining potting media and trimmed roots that I was sure were totally dead. The roots on the outside of the plant were the healthiest. They were plump and green or white. There were fewer roots toward the center of the plant and they did not look as healthy. They did not seem totally dead, but they were tan and not as plump as the outer roots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The picture below helps explain the reason why these interior roots were on their way to rotting. It shows the potting media that came out of the plastic pot after I dislodged the media from the roots. It's hard to believe that all this came out of that small pot. The smaller pile on the left is the bark, and the larger pile on the right is spaghnum moss. Because all I could see in the pot was bark, I assumed, incorrectly, that the planting media was totally bark. But it turned out that the bark was on the top and sides, and the center of the plant was tightly packed moss, which tends to stay moist for a very long time. I think this explains the less healthy interior roots, which had too much moisture and not enough oxygen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvOYOOGECW0/WUxXitH_V0I/AAAAAAAALZY/W_vqV5JzifgnDMYj93n7NX8Lyi8szM1PwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170612_112501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvOYOOGECW0/WUxXitH_V0I/AAAAAAAALZY/W_vqV5JzifgnDMYj93n7NX8Lyi8szM1PwCLcBGAs/s400/20170612_112501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I checked with the American Orchid Society (AOS) website before deciding which planting media to use for repotting. The AOS site said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>A fresh, fast-draining, but water-retentive medium is essential to the healthy root system necessary for good growth. Whether a bark-based mix (which drains well, is forgiving of watering errors but breaks down rather quickly), a peat-based mix (which retains moisture well but requires more careful watering and frequent re-potting) or some inorganic, basically hydroponic method, orchids have been grown successfully in a variety of media.</i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfqZbkPMHaU/WUXMHPdB7zI/AAAAAAAALO8/97szYCFBVak0iLk87Z2eQlOWTJaz2YTWgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170612_113107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfqZbkPMHaU/WUXMHPdB7zI/AAAAAAAALO8/97szYCFBVak0iLk87Z2eQlOWTJaz2YTWgCLcBGAs/s320/20170612_113107.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I went to shop for potting media at my local store, my choices were reduced to bark and moss, and I choose bark. Given that the interior roots seemed to need more air and less water, I repotted using bark totally, rather than a combination of bark and moss. Making this change will mean that I will have to be careful not to underwater. The bark/moss mix in the original pot was a little more forgiving of somewhat infrequent watering.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAuaDAGWQTM/WU0MWgvdu9I/AAAAAAAALaM/-sOoCunYvDkLvcQ2HXkAui-BKzwed2G2QCLcBGAs/s1600/orchidpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAuaDAGWQTM/WU0MWgvdu9I/AAAAAAAALaM/-sOoCunYvDkLvcQ2HXkAui-BKzwed2G2QCLcBGAs/s320/orchidpot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also repotted directly in a pot made especially for orchids, one that has holes in the sides of the pot to improve air circulation. Since this type of orchid grows in nature by attaching itself to the bark of trees, this seemed to me to be the best I could do to mimic natural growing conditions. The challenge for me will be to develop a watering schedule that works. Since this ceramic pot is heavy, it is harder to gauge the added weight of the moist potting media.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After getting the plant repotted, I mixed up a liquid fertilizer that I had on hand at half-strength and watered/fertilized the plant well. I have to admit that I have never fertilized this plant so orchids must be pretty forgiving with fertilization, too. Many sites recommend fertilizing "weakly, weekly" or at full strength once a month. I intend to use the weekly schedule through the summer and fall while the plant is renewing its energy for its next bloom cycle, which, hopefully, will begin late fall or early winter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Phalaenopsis orchids are widely available and well worth the cost. The next time they catch your eye in the grocery or big box store, you might want to give them a try. Look for one that has a lot of buds (as oppose to fully open blooms) on the bloom stalk and fat, healthy-looking roots. It will give you weeks, perhaps months, of enjoyment from the current bloom. Use this <a href="http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/novice-phalaenopsis.aspx">AOS guide</a> as a reminder of how to care for it. The first time you get a re-bloom, you'll be hooked!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-35770604750571986682017-06-23T11:01:00.000-05:002017-06-23T11:01:28.873-05:00R&R David Austin English RosesOut of their catalog I bought three rose bushes from David Austin English Roses this year. This was my second purchase from them and I have been really pleased with the performance of both roses. English Roses are relatively new group roses coming to prominence in the 1970's. They originated from crosses made between certain Old Roses and Modern Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. The roses combine the fragrance of Old Roses (something my wife and I enjoy) with the color range and repeat-flowering of a Modern Roses. <br />
English Roses come in a wide variety of types. There are roses for small gardens, highly fragrant roses, roses for hedges, climbers and ramblers. The English Roses have proven to be resistance to disease which is important considering the way rose rosette virus has attacked the Knockout varieties. The catalog is over 100 pages and offers about 200 varieties. The David Austin English Roses run 25 to 30 dollars each plus shipping and handling. There is a discount for purchasing three of the same rose.<br />
The roses come as bare root plants, so it is important to soak them in a bucket of water for 12 hours in order to rehydrate them. English Roses are heavy feeders and require fertilizing about every thirty days. The roses also require regular watering which so far this year has not been much of a problem. So far this year, I have had to put the sprinklers out just once. Of course this could, and probably will, change as we get into July, August and September.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POfhA-w-Evw/WU0rPtmF-CI/AAAAAAAAACI/1I1__DlsLtY8YtVLwgjnA1lqtrzaEs7ngCLcBGAs/s1600/Young%2BLycidas.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POfhA-w-Evw/WU0rPtmF-CI/AAAAAAAAACI/1I1__DlsLtY8YtVLwgjnA1lqtrzaEs7ngCLcBGAs/s200/Young%2BLycidas.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Lycidas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My first purchase, three years ago, was an Old Rose Hybrid Young Lycidas. The rose is very deep magenta with purple mixed in. Young Lycidas won Best Shrub in Portland's Best Rose Contest in 2013 and was awarded the top prize for at the Cocur Internaticional de Roses, Barcelona. So it's highly fragrant and it's named after my favorite poem Lycidas by John Milton. Unfortunately, it's too long to put in this blog, but I highly recommend reading it. I planted this by my deck in the backyard and it gets afternoon sun from 1PM to 5PM so it's performed reasonably well without full sun. It runs about 4 x 3 feet and has about 90 petals.<br />
<br />
The Poet's Wife was this year's purchase. The rose is light yellow color with a great fragrance. It's produced flowers in abundance since May after planting it at the end of March. Supposedly, the fragrance gets stronger as it ages, we'll see. It's planted in my full sun bed in the front yard along with some lily bulbs I purchased from White Flower farms. I may have messed up by putting the bulbs in front of the roses, of course, the roses haven't yet reached their full size of 4 x 3.5 feet. The Poet's Wife's was introduced in 2015 so it hasn't had the opportunity to win any awards but I like it. It's yellow and I really love yellow flowers. It has about 77 petals.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQNNBB72AO0/WU0u6xl6qBI/AAAAAAAAACU/U2xtwdxRR0ofAkh9ojPUBvh7iPKEX7CuACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BPoet%2527s%2BWife.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQNNBB72AO0/WU0u6xl6qBI/AAAAAAAAACU/U2xtwdxRR0ofAkh9ojPUBvh7iPKEX7CuACLcBGAs/s200/The%2BPoet%2527s%2BWife.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Poet's Wife</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Below is a poem by George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Anne Evans. Her novel Middlemarch is 12th on the New York Times greatest novels of all time. It's really great. <br />
<div align="left" style="padding-left: 14px; padding-top: 13px;">
<span style="color: #3c605b; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Roses <span style="color: black;">by George Eliot</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; padding-left: 14px; padding-top: 20px;">
You love the roses - so do I. I wish<br />The sky would rain down roses, as they rain<br />From off the shaken bush. Why will it not?<br />Then all the valley would be pink and white<br />And soft to tread on. They would fall as light<br />As feathers, smelling sweet; and it would be<br />Like sleeping and like waking, all at once! </div>
<div style="padding-left: 14px; padding-top: 20px;">
<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_facebook at300b" href="http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/george_eliot/poems/3453#" title="Facebook"><span class="at-icon-wrapper" style="background-color: #3b5998; height: 16px; line-height: 16px; width: 16px;"><svg alt="Facebook" class="at-icon at-icon-facebook" ns1:xmlns:ns1="" ns2:ns1:xmlns:ns1="" ns3:xmlns:ns2="" ns4:ns4:ns1:ns1:xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ns5:xmlns:ns4="" ns6:ns3:xmlns:ns2="" ns7:xmlns:ns3="" ns8:ns2:ns2:xmlns:ns1="" style="height: 16px; width: 16px;" title="Facebook" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns:ns1="" xmlns:ns2="" xmlns:ns3="" xmlns:ns4="" xmlns:ns5="" xmlns:ns6="" xmlns:ns7="" xmlns:ns8="" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M 22 5.16 c -0.406 -0.054 -1.806 -0.16 -3.43 -0.16 c -3.4 0 -5.733 1.825 -5.733 5.17 v 2.882 H 9 v 3.913 h 3.837 V 27 h 4.604 V 16.965 h 3.823 l 0.587 -3.913 h -4.41 v -2.5 c 0 -1.123 0.347 -1.903 2.198 -1.903 H 22 V 5.16 Z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></g></svg></span></a> <a class="addthis_button_twitter at300b" href="http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/george_eliot/poems/3453#" title="Twitter"></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-87129233590500745482017-06-14T15:18:00.000-05:002017-06-14T15:18:13.905-05:00A New Garden Room?<span style="font-size: large;">The idea of a garden divided into rooms is credited to the British garden designer Lawrence Johnson. Gertrude Jekyll, the most influential garden designer of the early 20th century, popularized the concept in almost 400 gardens throughout England and the United States. Jekyll believed that no garden could be beautiful in every season and therefore promoted the idea that gardens should be divided </span><span style="font-size: large;">into "rooms" or separate enclosed spaces, decorated as</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8t4wA9m6IM/WT7t22k8GJI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Npe6qwc37uMXelUNFU042HofQ9QMCnm0wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8t4wA9m6IM/WT7t22k8GJI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Npe6qwc37uMXelUNFU042HofQ9QMCnm0wCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN1108.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a back fence garden room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">differently as the rooms in a house, so that there would always be a beautiful room to visit. Box hedges, trees and shrubs, herbaceous borders or stone could provide "walls" enclosing these rooms, and different plants, colors, and themes could individualize them for visitors who moved from one room to another.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Garden lovers witnessed that the concept is alive and well in Memphis as they wandered through the garden rooms of Jane Carter (one featuring a purple bedstead and matching flowers), Anne Riordan (yes, a garden room for golf), or another of the tour hosts for the MAMG Through Our Garden Gates Tour in early June. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This penchant for garden rooms got me to thinking. We live in a time when people's possessions overflow into attics or basements or garages or even PODS. In dogwalking throughout my Midtown </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFTcfrDDlC4/WT7uN79iBLI/AAAAAAAAASU/bZAj4z3MElU9lw7OjOHIKD_lXugJiRKkQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFTcfrDDlC4/WT7uN79iBLI/AAAAAAAAASU/bZAj4z3MElU9lw7OjOHIKD_lXugJiRKkQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a more cared for look than most alleys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">neighborhood, I have observed that sometimes horticultural activities escape the normal boundaries of front, side, and back yard, even into that area behind the back fence. I'm wondering if the alley could be our new "garden room"?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I admit that alleyways aren't actually "enclosed," and even more to the point, most are anything but garden spots. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xw965addE4c/WT8F6wjz9EI/AAAAAAAAASw/Smb3peKRX3Mn6gXrusVDuN-M1X7cKHkbQCLcB/s1600/DSCN1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xw965addE4c/WT8F6wjz9EI/AAAAAAAAASw/Smb3peKRX3Mn6gXrusVDuN-M1X7cKHkbQCLcB/s320/DSCN1530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a typical overgrown alley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every kind of Memphis vine, weed, grass, scrub brush or stunted tree can be found there. Trumpet vine, Virginia creeper, and poison ivy flourish on the fences. Johnson grass reaches its peak heights. Frequently, rubbish accumulates and is covered by the brush. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are exceptions, however, to the typical alley, as the first two pictures above illustrate. One of my favorite alley gardens runs between Forrest and Galloway just west of the Memphis zoo. Here, there are no</span><span style="font-size: large;"> weeds. Flowers bloom in most seasons. This narrow alley garden is planted and cared for perhaps because it is adjacent to a garage and the main entrance to the property, but I wouldn't bet that was the major reason. Its attractiveness seems to be an outgrowth of the owner's love of plants. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUnKre1tz0k/WT7vMdpuG5I/AAAAAAAAASY/8YE5Vd-zNpESPYwvGdm16IQrW37SOkE_ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUnKre1tz0k/WT7vMdpuG5I/AAAAAAAAASY/8YE5Vd-zNpESPYwvGdm16IQrW37SOkE_ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1104.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking east to McLean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aHHrCkDJZpM/WT7vqJJMVRI/AAAAAAAAASc/Tat4w4_1Mvw76dBHNBKuGsPNfflcInPUQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aHHrCkDJZpM/WT7vqJJMVRI/AAAAAAAAASc/Tat4w4_1Mvw76dBHNBKuGsPNfflcInPUQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCN1103.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking west</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sI6ZWEDUg7k/WT8HJ1u_LBI/AAAAAAAAAS4/LbFfxaTZghAJY0eSojX3MAqEz-dzmUKygCLcB/s1600/DSCN1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sI6ZWEDUg7k/WT8HJ1u_LBI/AAAAAAAAAS4/LbFfxaTZghAJY0eSojX3MAqEz-dzmUKygCLcB/s400/DSCN1524.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">functional and attractive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also enjoy several alleys where hydrangeas flourish. I'm not sure these alleys would qualify for the Mid-South Hydrangea Tour, which took place this past Sunday, but they certainly brighten up a dogwalk. The first picture shows a garbage can tucked in among attractive foliage, and also sports some nice signage. The hydrangea scene below backs up to a wrought iron fence that adds to the attractiveness of this alley. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZjzPBIiStI/WT8HCXUrMLI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Fwj1Wcqz-AEiIY8wj9U91xBoVonjt0w6QCLcB/s1600/DSCN1520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZjzPBIiStI/WT8HCXUrMLI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Fwj1Wcqz-AEiIY8wj9U91xBoVonjt0w6QCLcB/s640/DSCN1520.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjfLdXFzhvw/WT8PPvmehUI/AAAAAAAAATQ/T_GPtzC2Gj4cOTJNxLyOdZ_6b9-iRYMNQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjfLdXFzhvw/WT8PPvmehUI/AAAAAAAAATQ/T_GPtzC2Gj4cOTJNxLyOdZ_6b9-iRYMNQCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN1477.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">A few years ago, I started trying to keep my alley neat, or at least free of noxious and annoying weeds and debris. One thing led to another. I began to transplant extra stuff from my yard--Dutch iris, daffodils, and canna--between the monkeygrass, periwinkle and Virginia creeper that grew there uninvited. A holly showed up (I didn't plant it). A friend gave me some orange daylilies (ditch lilies) and they went to the alley. Replacing the old fence with a new one was an incentive to consider new plants, and last year I added several hostas. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the hostas (a Lowe's purchase) turned</span><span style="font-size: large;"> out to love the alley. So I imagined a new life for the mophead hydrangeas languishing in the afternoon sun by my front porch, and transplanted them to the alley. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know whether the alley garden should be labelled a room rather than simply a border. I have observed only a few that can accommodate a bench. Maybe what I am calling the new alley room is simply a less exalted type of the French <i>allee</i>, the formal pathway between similar trees or shrubs inviting one to a distant feature. Yet, whatever the name, alley gardens offer a casual passerby what all of us strive for in our usual gardens: a pleasant design of color and texture, a sense of calm and peace, and an invitation to pause in our busy lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I know that I will keep adding to my alley plant collection--new daffodil bulbs this fall and whatever else is in abundance. I expect that I will be "decorating" my alley garden room for some time to come! Oh Gertrude Jekyll, what would you think of this?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Kathy Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141904624172495804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-33975949460454456222017-06-03T07:58:00.000-05:002017-06-03T07:58:07.295-05:00My Mother's Orchid: To Re-pot or Not<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xJWrJUef8Y/WS6-7F2UjsI/AAAAAAAAK3w/9aMgBecZuaAMU9i0D1hy4f6gjOGGtF1rACLcB/s1600/mamaorchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xJWrJUef8Y/WS6-7F2UjsI/AAAAAAAAK3w/9aMgBecZuaAMU9i0D1hy4f6gjOGGtF1rACLcB/s320/mamaorchid.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In February, I wrote about how the orchid I bought for my mother for Mother's Day last year had started to re-bloom. This orchid is special to me because it was the last Mother's Day gift I'll ever be able to give to my mother, who died in October 2016. After last summer's blooms faded, I trimmed the bloom spike back to a node, hoping for a re-bloom but nothing happened until winter when buds appeared. By February, a few blooms had begun to open, and this is what it looked like on Mother's Day this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing I love about orchids is how long the blooms last. While a bouquet of cut flowers might last 2 weeks if you are lucky, the blooms of an orchid can last for months and months. Then (at least in the case of P<i>halaenopsis </i>type of orchid), you can cut the bloom spike back to a node, and it sometimes produce a secondary (albeit smaller) bloom spike, as this one did. Purchasing an orchid is an inexpensive way to have beautiful flowers around for a very long time. I expect that the blooms on this plant, which began to have blooms in February, will continue to look good for several more weeks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While I've grown orchids in the past and I know a little about how to care for them, I'm not an orchid expert by any means. I was guessing that the time to re-pot might be immediately following the finish of the bloom period, so I consulted the website of the <a href="http://www.aos.org/">American Orchid Society</a> and several other places to plan my next steps. Since this orchid is special to me, I'd like to learn how to care for it properly and increase the chances that I'll have it around for as long as possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">As I suspected, the best time to re-pot is usually just after the plant has finished flowering. For this species of orchid, that is usually in the summer. However, re-potting is not necessarily needed every year. According to the American Orchid Society, there are two important indications that the plant needs to be re-potted: (1) overcrowded roots inside the pot and large numbers outside the pot or (2) the potting medium has begun to break down. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3d_LBywkr0/WTGaJNL4FYI/AAAAAAAAK7U/cdy5nP0oR1s-mUJ-Zrxd4-EvxNQMDVbGQCLcB/s1600/20170602_113203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3d_LBywkr0/WTGaJNL4FYI/AAAAAAAAK7U/cdy5nP0oR1s-mUJ-Zrxd4-EvxNQMDVbGQCLcB/s400/20170602_113203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This orchid definitely has a few roots coming from the growing media that have escaped the pot and it also has a lot of "air" roots that have emerged from the upper stalk of the plant. Since <i>Phalaenopsis</i> are epiphytes, these air roots are normal, as this kind of orchid in nature would use these roots to attach itself to a tree or rock, where it gets its nutrition from rain and air. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wP6oBorp0G8/WS6-5uI3A9I/AAAAAAAAK4A/crGN3nNjhikqsIf-353h-qt82RX1L3w9QCPcB/s1600/orchidroots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wP6oBorp0G8/WS6-5uI3A9I/AAAAAAAAK4A/crGN3nNjhikqsIf-353h-qt82RX1L3w9QCPcB/s400/orchidroots.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The roots that we are most concerned about being too crowded are the ones inside the pot. We need enough of the roots inside the pot to contact the moisture from the growing media and we don't won't them so crowded that they are not getting enough air. But orchid roots are prone to rot if the pot is too large, so I don't want to increase pot size unnecessarily. Until I remove this orchid from its pot, I'm not sure whether I will need to move it up to a slightly larger pot or simply put in new potting media. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Most orchids are potted in a mixture that is either bark or peat-based. This one is potted in mostly bark, and the mix still looks pretty good so I might be able to wait a bit before I would need to re-pot based on the soil mixture. Again, it is hard to tell until I remove the orchid from its pot and examine it more closely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So my plan is to wait until the current blooms finish, and then remove the plant from its pot so that I can inspect the roots. As you can see below, one of the bloom spikes has turned brown and is ready to be cut off. But when I took this picture today, I noticed that the spike that still has blooms on it is showing signs of putting out additional flowers.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mOGz0FJHos/WTHbPfsrU7I/AAAAAAAAK8Q/ZAQSU0tAxqM2d1NDs6Q7Id_fczrz0yLHQCLcB/s1600/20170602_161403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mOGz0FJHos/WTHbPfsrU7I/AAAAAAAAK8Q/ZAQSU0tAxqM2d1NDs6Q7Id_fczrz0yLHQCLcB/s400/20170602_161403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Look for the new growth in these pictures. It appears that bloom spikes might be branching out here:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8zmtG2xEWk/WTHc0Ba3tUI/AAAAAAAAK8U/oWn-wP7XcMUls-AtdMp4UfLIDucHCpcjwCLcB/s1600/20170602_162924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8zmtG2xEWk/WTHc0Ba3tUI/AAAAAAAAK8U/oWn-wP7XcMUls-AtdMp4UfLIDucHCpcjwCLcB/s400/20170602_162924.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">and here:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woSTVZWdJqs/WTHdhYxUHBI/AAAAAAAAK8k/BSScLYUnPXwfQHVGuhOzw1wUTlm0NC4VwCEw/s1600/20170602_164853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1600" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woSTVZWdJqs/WTHdhYxUHBI/AAAAAAAAK8k/BSScLYUnPXwfQHVGuhOzw1wUTlm0NC4VwCEw/s400/20170602_164853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So while I'm waiting for the current blooms to fall, I'll keep my eye on what happens with this new growth. These blooms will not be as showy as the blooms on a new bloom spike that would emerge from the plant if I cut this existing spike completely off. So it looks like I might have a choice to make. I can either continue to enjoy a few blooms on this old bloom spike or I can cut the spike off at the base and let the plant direct all its energy toward a larger display in the early spring. I'll keep you updated on what happens. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Advice/recommendations are welcomed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-16670027955259006722017-05-23T07:54:00.000-05:002017-05-23T08:14:08.970-05:00R&R The Ikea EffectThe end of "Spring Clean Up/Start Up" is almost over. Most flowerbeds have been weeded, newspaper put down and mulch (eight cubic yards so far) applied. Brown metal edging has been placed around five of the beds to prevent the mulch from washing away. Trees have been "limbed up" (there are few things as tiring to me as using a pole trimmer) and hauled to the front of the yard for pick up. More sticks and branches than I can count have been picked as well. (It seems as if I finish this just in time for the next storm to blow down more sticks and branches.) New roses (Rosa) from David Austin and bulbs (Lilium) from White Flower Farms have been received, planted and fed. Daffodils (Narcissus) and Summer Snowflake (Leucojeum) have been cut back and placed in the compost pile. Azaleas (Rhododendrun) have been cut back and other assorted shrubs trimmed and shaped. Crepe Myrtles (Lagerstroemia) have been inspected and treated (sort of, see last month's blog for details) for Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale. This is gardening; this is what all gardeners are doing this Spring and do every Spring. So, is this work or love or both?<br />
Social scientists have described a phenomena know as "The Ikea Effect" Ikea, a Swedish retailer, is known for selling items that require "some assembly". What social scientist have discovered is that people place added, inordinate value on items that required some "sweat equity" from the customers. The customers feel that their piece of assembled furniture is on a par with that crafted by a professional. So, to apply "The Ikea Effect" to gardening: is what we do a labor of love or a love that's created by the labor? Do we love at first sight or learn to love? Just something to muse on before heading back to the garden.<br />
Here are a couple of poems to think on. One by William Blake and one by Gary R. Ferris<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for william blake" border="0" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="PonjaMbgvb-nvM:" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="height: 160px; margin-top: 0px; width: 112px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Blake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>The Garden of Love</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I went to the Garden of Love.<br />
And saw what I never had seen: <br />
A Chapel was built in the midst,<br />
Where I used to play on the green.<br />
<br />
And the gates of the Chapel were shut,<br />
And Thou shalt not, writ over the door;<br />
So I turn'd to the Garden of Love,<br />
That so many sweet flowers bore,<br />
<br />
And I saw it was filled with graves,<br />
And tomb-stones where flowers should be:<br />
And priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds,<br />
And binding with briars, my joys & desires<br />
<br />
<strong>Why Do We Labor</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Why do we labor and work so hard?<br />
Is it for riches that leave us scarred?<br />
What makes us rise and begin each day?<br />
When for courage and strength is what we pray.<br />
We do things we hate so deep.<br />
Murmur and complain until we are asleep.<br />
What makes us choose the things that we hate?<br />
Almost like sorrow has become our fate.<br />
Why can't we choose the things that we love?<br />
Things that bring joy and come from above.<br />
Why do we labor for all that is vain?<br />
Somebody tell me. This is insane.<br />
Why do we labor for all that is vain?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-4280114122121695772017-05-11T06:38:00.001-05:002017-05-11T06:38:31.719-05:00First Tomato and New Vegetable Containers<span style="font-size: large;">I think it was very early March when I noticed a tiny tomato plant that had self-sown in a flower bed. I had not planned to have a tomato plant in this flower bed, but I was in no hurry to plant the bed so I did not immediately take it out. This particular bed holds water and I've found that if I plant too early, the plants succumb to root rot. I have been trying for the past few years to add amendments to address this issue. This spring I added a mixture of good bagged garden soil, pine fines (aka soil conditioner), and our own homemade compost. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo2SEMxcmug/WRN9b2AjKCI/AAAAAAAAKuw/-fPTq9hiKXErmDmlcg8GzQ2EEn0o4FMYwCLcB/s1600/20170510_131448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">It was a few weeks after I noticed this little tomato plant that we had that cold snap (the temperature was 26 degrees one night at our house), and I fully expected that this little plant would simply turn to mush. But apparently it must have had a strong will to live. Or maybe it lived because it was protected by growing so close to the house. In any case, it came through unscathed, and I plopped an old tomato cage over it while I decided what I wanted to do with it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-di94zJDIonk/WRN_Kfxa-aI/AAAAAAAAKvE/suRMLQ4ugSQOVa9Mv3ufcVsNEbCVBGE5wCLcB/s1600/20170510_131448%2B-%2BEdited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-di94zJDIonk/WRN_Kfxa-aI/AAAAAAAAKvE/suRMLQ4ugSQOVa9Mv3ufcVsNEbCVBGE5wCLcB/s400/20170510_131448%2B-%2BEdited.jpg" width="268" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I decided it was time to plant summer annuals in this bed. I love annual vinca (also called Madagascar periwinkle), which prefers a sunny, fairly dry location. I debated about removing the tomato plant (which likes more moisture than the vinca), but, by this time, it had gotten quite large. It was too large to transplant to another location and too healthy-looking to yank it out and throw it on the compost pile. So I took the easy way out and postponed the decision once again. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, while watering the vinca, I noticed a tiny tomato fruit, and this sealed the deal. Even though I know that trouble awaits me as the tomato plant grows (crowding, watering, etc.), it will remain in my flowerbed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMns1_y4_18/WROFR3Vse5I/AAAAAAAAKwY/8k023lknhcsyaBU8ZFWcpVCmE-STIyljgCLcB/s1600/20170510_131157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMns1_y4_18/WROFR3Vse5I/AAAAAAAAKwY/8k023lknhcsyaBU8ZFWcpVCmE-STIyljgCLcB/s400/20170510_131157.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Although I can't be sure, I believe that it is a cherry tomato. Last year I had two cherry tomatoes in pots on the patio and I suspect that this is a seed from one of those. It's possible, though, that it could be a Roma or even a full-size tomato, as these seeds were probably in the compost I put in this bed. Whatever it is, I'm hoping for a winning tomato for the <a href="http://www.memphisareamastergardeners.org/events1/document2.pdf">Great Tomato Contest</a> on July 1. I planted tomatoes in my patio pots, but they were planted too late, I think, to produce ripe fruit by then. This may be the only entry I can come up with.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWPNQeCpG00/WRODx8pabeI/AAAAAAAAKwQ/xujXz37DV90vL9mAKp74F2T4wvHXbx-TACEw/s1600/20170510_161415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWPNQeCpG00/WRODx8pabeI/AAAAAAAAKwQ/xujXz37DV90vL9mAKp74F2T4wvHXbx-TACEw/s400/20170510_161415.jpg" width="257" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of patio tomatoes, I came across these nifty, self-watering vegetable planters on sale. Never able to resist a bargain, I bought two of them for the tomatoes I grow on the patio every year. The planter is on rollers, which makes it easy to re-position the plant when it starts growing toward the sun. The bottom of the container is a water reservoir, and water is added through the tube that can be seen in the left corner of the container in this picture. Maintaining consistent moisture is important to prevent blossom-end rot in tomatoes. Keeping a regular pot consistently moist can be a challenge, especially when the plant gets large and the weather gets hot. I am really excited to see how well these planters work for our tomatoes. I have high hopes they will produce some excellent tomatoes! And did I mention they were on sale?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-25723734378628835222017-05-05T12:00:00.000-05:002017-05-05T12:00:19.239-05:00The Joys and Trials of Water Features<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't everyone love water in the garden? When Jack and I moved here from Virginia, one of the things that attracted us to the house we bought was that it had a water feature. I have always admired water features in the garden but had little experience with them. Our townhouse in Virginia had a very small garden area so my options to include water were extremely limited. When I saw that the property we were considering here already had a water feature, I was delighted. But then reality set in . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a picture taken when we first moved in. There were several things that did not appeal to us. For one thing, there was too much stone for our tastes. Black mulch had been used between the stones, but it was not suppressing the weeds so we knew it would take a lot of work to keep the weeds out. Also, neither Jack nor I liked the overgrown look of the plantings. In particular, there was some kind of water plant in the pool (a small portion of the pool area is just barely visible in the lower left corner) that had escaped its pot and over-run the pond. We had to drain the pond and take all the stones out to remove the roots.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7Za_KMOveM/WPtvXkOYMiI/AAAAAAAAKds/lsrmrHqDLLE_kaYMm45JoVXyC6GDyPlQgCLcB/s1600/water%2Bfeature%2Bbefore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7Za_KMOveM/WPtvXkOYMiI/AAAAAAAAKds/lsrmrHqDLLE_kaYMm45JoVXyC6GDyPlQgCLcB/s400/water%2Bfeature%2Bbefore.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our water feature in 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So for the first few years, we set about removing some of the stones around the water feature, cleaning out the invasive plant in the pool, and getting rid of all the black mulch. Then we began to replace the plants in the surrounding area. We put in a red Japanese maple to spill over the waterfall and an assortment of ferns and hostas to soften the edges of the stones. The bright, grassy plant at the lower left side of the picture below is Japanese forest grass (<i>Hachenechloa macra</i>), one of my favorite plants for brightness and texture in a shady area.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppj86lg9xXI/WQtPbQIDO5I/AAAAAAAAKkg/uWR6r7MzNMIdO9MY2BjdalgZ3jyk8NszwCEw/s1600/20170502_091042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppj86lg9xXI/WQtPbQIDO5I/AAAAAAAAKkg/uWR6r7MzNMIdO9MY2BjdalgZ3jyk8NszwCEw/s400/20170502_091042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We cleared out the taller plants along the stream (they blocked the view of the waterfall) and replaced them with low-growing, groundcover plants that would minimize weeding. Because this area receives partial sun, we were able to use plants like phlox subulata, candytuft, gardenia radicans, and spreading juniper. The very low-growing groundcover in the picture below is a mixture of ajuga and creeping charlie. Since both were already there, I decided to leave them both and see which one crowds the other out. So far, the creeping charlie is winning near the edges of the stream and the ajuga is winning in the drier areas.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q1IEsc-YIXg/WQtWBduOUtI/AAAAAAAAKlc/x9sQRktdpNIDHvh3irWY-3u4GdCUzZ6OACEw/s1600/20170504_111741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q1IEsc-YIXg/WQtWBduOUtI/AAAAAAAAKlc/x9sQRktdpNIDHvh3irWY-3u4GdCUzZ6OACEw/s640/20170504_111741.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that we have the plants surrounding the water feature pretty much done, I've been thinking more about plants to go into the water. The ecosystem of a pond is a very delicate and complicated thing. For whatever reason, the ecosystem of our pond has always been healthy. We have goldfish that seem to be healthy with no supplemental feeding and a lot of tadpoles in the water. Even so, I'd like to have some vegetation to provide a hiding place for the fish. (That fake heron in the picture above is sometimes joined by a real one, and a hawk frequently hangs out in our backyard). Also, the pond end of the water feature gets afternoon sun, so without some plants to provide shade, algae can become an issue when the weather gets hot. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the past, I've used water hyacinths to provide coverage in the pond end. We usually buy two plants in the spring and in a few weeks, they've covered half the pond. They multiply like rabbits! For the rest of the summer, we are throwing away about half of them every week to keep them from suffocating the fish. In places where they can survive the winter, they are considered invasive water plants that are dangerous to the environment. Supposedly, water hyacinths are annuals here, but with--dare I say it--global warming, that may change at any time. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Looking for an alternative to water hyacinth, I was delighted when a master gardener friend shared some of the floating plants from his pond.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another thing I'm experimenting with this year is growing in the stream a variety of plants not traditionally thought of as water plants. Impatiens, which I've grown in the stream bed in previous years, does great.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-3nVl_NN2I/WQtnE8xhjtI/AAAAAAAAKoM/55CBd8h7vsQ1clSuBGj_0s1qBO-cUUkfACLcB/s1600/20170504_122454%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-3nVl_NN2I/WQtnE8xhjtI/AAAAAAAAKoM/55CBd8h7vsQ1clSuBGj_0s1qBO-cUUkfACLcB/s400/20170504_122454%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uu5SQJxWd1s/WQtqfloJVHI/AAAAAAAAKpI/IR3PMCbmeiMaqHpzwsFWiEPSn8QdNnMVACLcB/s1600/20170504_122612%2B-%2BEdited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uu5SQJxWd1s/WQtqfloJVHI/AAAAAAAAKpI/IR3PMCbmeiMaqHpzwsFWiEPSn8QdNnMVACLcB/s400/20170504_122612%2B-%2BEdited.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="378" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This year, I'm experiment with lobelia, as well. So far, it seems to be doing quite well. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Notice that both the impatiens and the lobelia are simply wedged, barerooted, between rocks at the stream's edge. Not only does it look more natural without a pot, there is no risk of the soil escaping to muddy the water.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu4xf5pLPjs/WQtmSg1KVOI/AAAAAAAAKoQ/W0TWCpFYceoxzSpcbryYmVolKrzJcmYkgCEw/s1600/20170504_123009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu4xf5pLPjs/WQtmSg1KVOI/AAAAAAAAKoQ/W0TWCpFYceoxzSpcbryYmVolKrzJcmYkgCEw/s400/20170504_123009.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I'm also trying a few cardinal flowers (L<i>obelia cardinalis</i>) directly in the stream. These are plants that typically grow near streams so I'm pretty sure this will work. Because these plants can get fairly tall, I placed several in a mesh planting bag hoping it will provide enough support to keep them from falling over. As the plants get taller and fuller, I don't think the bag (which is placed behind a large stone that serves as a bridge) will be noticeable.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having a water feature this large is not without work, but I'm hoping that as Jack and I learn more about how to manage it efficiently, we'll find more joy and fewer trials. Already it is more than worth the effort we put into it to be able to watch the birds that bathe in the stream and to listen to the frogs whose babies swim in the pond and laugh at the cat who sits on the edge watching the fish swim just out of her reach. There is something very soothing about water . . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-65611759765977257802017-04-25T10:13:00.001-05:002017-04-25T10:13:31.671-05:00R&R Me and Yew and Me and a Dilemma<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y0BAuRHf2xY/WP9jS2-l5FI/AAAAAAAAABg/BfXjuBHVzZkWClzO6jcFA0CWUSD7CEE7ACLcB/h120/images%255B7%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="Kx-O-x" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y0BAuRHf2xY/WP9jS2-l5FI/AAAAAAAAABg/BfXjuBHVzZkWClzO6jcFA0CWUSD7CEE7ACLcB/h120/images%255B7%255D.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 91px;" width="90" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yew (Taxus)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am half way through weeding and mulching my 14 flowerbeds. While working on a bed I call "The Island of Unwanted Plants" (a bed mostly populated with shrubs I've pulled out of customers landscapes) I pulled out seedlings from my three Yews (Taxus). The seedlings were about the same size as the three I transplanted some 16 years ago when my wife brought them back from her parents house in Bush, Louisiana. Now the Yews are 8-15 feet tall, the shortest one having survived my accidentally mowing over it a couple times. It's always good to see a plant thrive in your landscape and it's especially nice when there is a connection to your past. As our ancestors immigrated to this strange new world I'm sure they brought plants from their homeland mainly to remind them of their former life. Coming from the Coastal South to the Mid South meant a lot of familiar plants just wouldn't work as well here as there so the Yews doing well has been nice. That's the good news.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z5gv_JNVmj0/WP9j4Jp56VI/AAAAAAAAABo/HxBB7zeeJ_keXYoJIS-wKLnn04-7JPRpQCLcB/h120/images%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="Kx-O-x" height="120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z5gv_JNVmj0/WP9j4Jp56VI/AAAAAAAAABo/HxBB7zeeJ_keXYoJIS-wKLnn04-7JPRpQCLcB/h120/images%255B2%255D.jpg" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 90px;" width="90" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CMBS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for my dilemma: my Crepe Myrtles (Lagerstroemia) have Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS). Fortunately, the infestation is not widespread, yet. In order to stop/control the spread of CMBS I took a sponge and a bucket of water and washed off as much as I could reach with my 8 foot ladder. I did this to three Crepe Myrtles and I was surprised at how quickly the water turned dirty. The need to frequently change the water made this a laborious process. So for a different three Crepe Myrtles I put on my neoprene gloves and " massaged" the bark, rubbing off the scale. This went a lot quicker though I must have looked like a nut to anyone passing by-talk about your tree hugger. My goal is to see how well each method controls CMBS. I'll be checking every few days to see if CMBS returns and if so how quickly; as that great Zen philosopher, Yogi Berra, once noted "you can observe a lot by watching".<br />
My dilemma is what happens if this "hands on" approach doesn't work and I am left with the option to use a neonictinoid chemical to systemically removed the CMBS. Neonictinoids, chemicals such as imidiacloprid, have been linked to Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. These chemicals are indiscriminate pesticides and degrade very slowly. So the dilemma is how do you choose between crepe myrtles and bees; to save one could harm the other. I try to be a good steward of the environment but I am not a 100% organic gardener. The potential loss of pollinators is a cause of real concern and I try to practice Integrated Pest Management, impacting the environment as little as possible, but where to draw the line. <br />
Another example of this is the overuse of nitrogen fertilizer. With the Mississippi River draining over half the land mass of the continental United States the runoff of excess nitrogen has caused a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico that is basically 80 miles by 80 miles just south of the mouth of the river. In addition, excess nitrogen causes algae blooms that periodically have killed off aquatic life off coastal Florida. Anyone with the answer, please let me know. <br />
<br />
Since it's still Spring I'll finish with two short Emily Dickinson<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>A little Madness in the Spring</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for emily dickinson" border="0" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="ZWCZQ6oPjpfZuM:" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="height: 170px; margin-top: 0px; width: 168px;" /></a>A little madness in the Spring<br />
Is wholesome even for the king<br />
But God be with the Crown-<br />
Who ponders this tremendous scene-<br />
This whole Experiment of Green-<br />
As if it were his own!<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>I cannot meet Spring unmoved</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I cannot meet Spring unmoved-<br />
I feel the old desire-<br />
A Hurry with a lingering, mixed,<br />
A Warrant to be fair<br />
<br />
A Competition in my sense<br />
With something hid in Her-<br />
An as she vanishes, Remorse<br />
I saw no more of Her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-10035064795425462017-04-13T14:05:00.000-05:002017-04-13T14:07:01.024-05:00Loropetalum <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The New Southern
Living Garden Book</i> calls this plant “as common as barbecue and beer.” No, the reference is not to azaleas or crab
grass, but instead to the perennial loropetalum (<i>Loropetalum chinense </i>var<i>. rubrum</i>), also know as Chinese fringe-flower. It is indeed everywhere in
and about our county and available at most plant sales and garden centers. In early spring the pink flowers of
loropetalum signal the change of seasons, along with the yellow blooms of
daffodils and forsythia, and although by mid-April those pink blooms are gone,
the attractive burgundy-colored foliage will endure throughout the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Its popularity is due not only to its beauty but to its resistance
to disease and pests and its varied uses as an understory plant. Native to the Far East, it is happy in our
climate, thrives in partial to full sun (and will tolerate shade), needs only
moderate amounts of water, and is deer resistant. The <i>rubrum</i> variety grows 8-15 feet tall, but shorter, more compact cultivars are available. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkR4jk-otCw/WO0Vk3kcdmI/AAAAAAAAAQg/1gPO1Qu5pns6-pmnj-tdaYCcYE3WL-7kgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkR4jk-otCw/WO0Vk3kcdmI/AAAAAAAAAQg/1gPO1Qu5pns6-pmnj-tdaYCcYE3WL-7kgCLcB/s320/DSCN1361.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loropetalum at Sally Hillard Mini-Park at Evergreen and Belvedere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Loropetalum prefers acid or
neutral soil and can exhibit signs of chlorosis (yellow leaves with green
veins) if the soil is too alkaline.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PasixkDq_8/WO0Wbdm6mYI/AAAAAAAAAQk/b6A7XSUwoZsWhchx41ALf5Wm5uHOEdyswCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PasixkDq_8/WO0Wbdm6mYI/AAAAAAAAAQk/b6A7XSUwoZsWhchx41ALf5Wm5uHOEdyswCLcB/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The genus name <i>Loreopetalum</i>
describes the flower shape and combines two Greek words, <i>loron</i> meaning strap and <i>petalon</i>
meaning petal. The strap-shaped petals form in clusters similar to witch hazel
blossoms; both plants are in the Hamamelidaceae family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I learned about this perennial when I moved into my house
and found two five-foot-tall shrubs in the backyard. I didn't recognize it; certainly, my flower-loving grandmother never grew it, since it wasn't introduced into the country until the late 1980s or early 1990s. It took me awhile to roll the name off my
tongue (thanks to Mary Wade), and I have progressed to giving friends and even strangers lectures on
the plant in grocery stores, in bank parking lots, and on street corners. A year or so ago, in a gardening article in
the <i>Commercial Appeal</i>, Chris Gang
recommended loropetalum and ocala anise as good choices for screens or
borders. Since I have experience with
both in my <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKNNh2n88uQ/WO0YXU5Ew6I/AAAAAAAAAQo/WFpGO4JmssArTU1Pj7V2v2shP1ty4-6MQCLcB/s1600/DSCN1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKNNh2n88uQ/WO0YXU5Ew6I/AAAAAAAAAQo/WFpGO4JmssArTU1Pj7V2v2shP1ty4-6MQCLcB/s320/DSCN1359.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larger shrub in Evergreen Historic District</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
landscape, of course I recommended these shrubs to a friend who was
searching for a privacy screen between her front porch and the neighboring
porch only a few feet away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lorepetalum is more than just a shrub, however, although
most specimens are shrub-like, growing in a natural mounding shape. Mine
were, until they outgrew themselves into gangly, seven-foot tall masses, so
that in February I cut them back. They
are pitiful now, but I had seen this dire step in process in a nearby landscape
and knew that the plants would become the shrubs I want in a year or two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7HbYudHop0/WO0Uq8exGzI/AAAAAAAAAQY/8G-gvpCCeHQwg8le7vkwmcsKMLeKl9npwCLcB/s1600/DSCN1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7HbYudHop0/WO0Uq8exGzI/AAAAAAAAAQY/8G-gvpCCeHQwg8le7vkwmcsKMLeKl9npwCLcB/s320/DSCN1365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheared loropetalum at Regions Bank on Cleveland Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Loropetalum can be sheared into a formal hedge like boxwood,
as was the case in front of the Regions Bank on Cleveland Street. There is a wilder version of the loropetalum
hedge near My Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Garden. A row of six-foot-tall (at least) <i>Loropetalum lanceum</i>, the white flowering
species, lines the entry walk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATNoCxtXpw0/WO0VCWqRb7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/V2DQPzUXMdERmdfGnXokYPvhUVtYebCIQCLcB/s1600/DSCN1355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATNoCxtXpw0/WO0VCWqRb7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/V2DQPzUXMdERmdfGnXokYPvhUVtYebCIQCLcB/s320/DSCN1355.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Loropetalum can be limbed up to make a single-trunked small
tree. I have seen several examples of
this in my neighborhood, with the tree usually located at the corner of a house. It can also be espaliered to a
fence or wall. I have read that it can be used for bonsai.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have just removed a dead gardenia beside my front porch and am wondering what to put in its place. Should it be another gardenia (not likely), an azalea (possibility), a Little Lime hydrangea (strong possibility), or something else? Maybe I should choose one of the compact versions of loropetalum that I keep recommending to everyone else! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Kathy Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141904624172495804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-91561729303665844132017-04-02T08:21:00.000-05:002017-04-02T17:57:26.256-05:00Dealing with Freeze Damage<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure that all of us are dealing with damage from the freeze we had mid-March. After a very warm February, most plants had already begun to show signs of spring: deciduous magnolias and azaleas were blooming; and ferns, hosta, and other herbaceous perennials had sprouted. Then, on March 15, the nighttime temperature in my neighborhood was 26. Although I have a few frost blankets, I did not cover any of my plants. So many were at risk that the task seemed impossible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although it was sad to see so many plants suffer from the cold, it was interesting to see how the same species were affected differently, depending on the specific cultivar and location of the plant. Take azaleas, for instance. Some of my azaleas had been blooming since early March, and the fully-opened blooms on these were completely ruined by the cold. This was not a terrible loss since their blooms would have been declining very soon anyway. On others (see picture below), the blooms froze on the parts of the plants that were more exposed (and thus the blooms were farther along), and the parts of the plant where the buds had not yet opened were spared and have since flowered.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTbtqlmY2XM/WNltePe9MeI/AAAAAAAAJ3w/jqwWa52DoxcccCZWkP0VoCIK2AdD503IwCLcB/s1600/Azalea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTbtqlmY2XM/WNltePe9MeI/AAAAAAAAJ3w/jqwWa52DoxcccCZWkP0VoCIK2AdD503IwCLcB/s400/Azalea1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What to do about cold damage on azaleas? I don't intend to do anything until the azaleas have finished blooming. Then I'll prune as I usually do. Admittedly, the freeze-damaged blooms are unattractive and seem to be taking longer to fall off the plant than an undamaged bloom would, but I'll wait and see what happens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Quite a few of our hosta were also damaged by the cold. Some had not yet broken through the ground, and others were barely peeking through. These were not damaged at all. Others had broken dormancy to various extents, and these were damaged to varying degrees. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWOHZUWENxg/WODxnpTO8gI/AAAAAAAAKHU/0rIBPqCwbwoT6rSKs8DXmGqrTezG6b-bQCEw/s1600/Hosta1%2B-%2BEdited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWOHZUWENxg/WODxnpTO8gI/AAAAAAAAKHU/0rIBPqCwbwoT6rSKs8DXmGqrTezG6b-bQCEw/s400/Hosta1%2B-%2BEdited.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a cultivar called 'Fragrant Bouquet' that had a few stalks emerged and was somewhat affected by the cold weather. The older leaves on the left side of the picture are a bit crinkled and deformed, but I will probably leave them on the plant and hope that the new foliage will be enough to disguise them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is another 'Fragrant Bouquet,' planted in the same bed, that was completely turned to mush by the cold. Go figure. I will completely remove these stalks once the new ones begin to appear.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNOQVf8jS6o/WODz3QIp22I/AAAAAAAAKHk/k0ltNM8CqN4pG4jLq0GXk-slnHkiEeJmgCLcB/s1600/Hosta2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNOQVf8jS6o/WODz3QIp22I/AAAAAAAAKHk/k0ltNM8CqN4pG4jLq0GXk-slnHkiEeJmgCLcB/s400/Hosta2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, here is a different cultivar (not sure which) that was fully emerged when the cold came, yet seems to be unaffected.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4fOouR3_FY/WOD8FTP0MnI/AAAAAAAAKKU/d-FFmYjBgKM4h6IXP7s26FcfHTHRQd4lgCLcB/s1600/hostagroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4fOouR3_FY/WOD8FTP0MnI/AAAAAAAAKKU/d-FFmYjBgKM4h6IXP7s26FcfHTHRQd4lgCLcB/s400/hostagroup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For me, the list of plants affected by the late cold is a fairly long one. My hardy orchids (<i>Bletilla striata) </i>were fully up with buds about to open, and they were all killed back. They are cold hardy to zone 5 so I'm not too worried about their ultimate survival, but I don't expect to get flowers this year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The plants I worry about are the ones that are borderline hardy in our area, like the paperbush (<i>Edgeworthia chrysantha).</i> It had already pushed out new leaves, and they seemed to have been stopped in their tracks by the cold. They did not turn brown and crispy but neither have they continue to grow. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHrtIgj1s78/WOEB2r89Y8I/AAAAAAAAKLw/7wZPnpHs_7A4P1BJsYdhftwBQTgi8B-xQCLcB/s1600/20170402_084010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHrtIgj1s78/WOEB2r89Y8I/AAAAAAAAKLw/7wZPnpHs_7A4P1BJsYdhftwBQTgi8B-xQCLcB/s400/20170402_084010.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The paperbush pushes up new shoots from the root each spring, seen as the green center in this otherwise still-brown plant. I typically cut these shoots back each year because I like the branching structure that is visible in the winter. This spring, I will wait to see how well the old part of the plant recovers. If it doesn't, these new shoots will become the plant, and I will cut away the old part. I don't think that will happen but I will be patient before pruning away the new shoots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of patience, in one of my earlier posts, I talked about using a warm February day to cut away the old foliage on our autumn ferns. I wish I had shown more patience in that case. By cutting back the old foliage and revealing the crown to the warm sun, I encouraged early new growth that was too tender to withstand the cold temperatures. By cutting back too early, I left the tender emerging fronds to face the cold without the protection that the old foliage would have provided.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, we are safe from freezes and frosts for this spring, but only Mother Nature knows. While the rule of thumb for the frost free date is April 15 for our area, it is good to be reminded that there is always the risk of the occasional exception. According to the National Weather service, the latest recorded spring frost date (36 degrees and below) for Memphis is May 4 and the latest freeze date (32 degrees and below) is April 25. </span>Deb Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717967426822480145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-69487285526043176782017-03-21T08:38:00.002-05:002017-03-21T08:38:33.152-05:00Rhyme and Reason It's Spring!<br />
Today is the first full day of Spring! The vernal equinox occurred yesterday, March 20th, at 5:29AM. After six months of more nighttime than daytime the scale tips in favor of daylight and, with more daylight, comes warmer weather. In gardening time it has been "spring" for a while. The mild temperatures in January and February caused many perennials to emerge and bloom earlier than usual.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBKKHqysX4g/WNEqcO9ELuI/AAAAAAAAABM/hGGdrvrZICgrWaB8vvKWSdwLVE1SKVtGgCLcB/s1600/images%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBKKHqysX4g/WNEqcO9ELuI/AAAAAAAAABM/hGGdrvrZICgrWaB8vvKWSdwLVE1SKVtGgCLcB/s1600/images%255B2%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiondoxa forbesii Glory of the Snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In March my garden has seen blooms for: Ipheion uniflorum (Spring Star Flower), Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill), Anemone blanda, (Greek Windflower), Chionodoxa forbesii (Glory of the Snow), Polemonium reptans (Jacob's Ladder), Lecojum aestivum, (Summer snowflake), Vinca minor (Common Periwinkle), and on one of my deciduous azaleas. In addition to the blooms on the above, the foliage for Lycoris squamigera (Naked Ladies), Columbine chrysantha (Golden Columbine), Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susans), Sedum (Autumn Rose) and both the Bearded and the Louisiana Irises have appeared. The Narcissus (Daffodils) have come and gone along with Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops), and Eranthis hyemalis (Winter aconite) but the Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Roses) are still blooming. It seems that everyday offers some "renewal" in the garden. My gardening goal is to have something blooming every month and Spring gets everything started in that direction. I hope all your garden renewals are bringing as much joy to you as mine bring to me!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhd9rz8-Poo/WNEp40KIcbI/AAAAAAAAABE/4wOqPWiKZCQA2TA7XTL8Zu_BlbhgvkBlgCLcB/s1600/images%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhd9rz8-Poo/WNEp40KIcbI/AAAAAAAAABE/4wOqPWiKZCQA2TA7XTL8Zu_BlbhgvkBlgCLcB/s200/images%255B5%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lecojum aestivum Summer Snowflake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are so many great garden poems for Spring it's hard to pick just one, but I'm going with e.e. cummings this month. Last month we used a romantic poem by a poet, Robert Frost, who didn't write a lot of romantic poems. This month's poem is by a guy who wrote a lot of romantic (some might say erotic) poems and very few nature poems. Here is his Spring tribute:<br />
<br />
Spring is like a perhaps hand<br />
(which comes carefully<br />
out of Nowhere) arranging<br />
a window, into which people look(while<br />
people stare<br />
arranging and changing placing<br />
carefully there a strange <br />
thing and a known thing here)and<br />
<br />
changing everything carefully<br />
<br />
spring is like a perhaps<br />
Hand in a window<br />
(carefully to<br />
and fro moving New and<br />
Old things,while<br />
people stare carefully<br />
moving a perhaps<br />
fraction of flower here placing<br />
an inch of air there) and<br />
<br />
without breaking anything<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856311072448297244.post-21288843342630361092017-03-07T20:52:00.000-06:002017-03-07T20:52:23.038-06:00Changing Weather Patterns: What’s a Gardener To Do?<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Friday, along with its friend Easter, always has been
one of those strange holidays that bounced around all over the calendar. Rather
than being based on a human calendar, it was determine by nature’s schedule.
The actual occurrence could range from March to April, making the selection of
that frock for Easter Sunday dicey at best in the most unpredictable of seasons
in the South. But one thing was a certainty. My grandmother would be planting
her garden on Good Friday no matter what day and month.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rMbQ2XMDDE/WL8pIf-eGDI/AAAAAAAAAF0/pthqT5B5328xufPdfcDd4Y6zMkEB0IDowCLcB/s1600/erl519967f1_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rMbQ2XMDDE/WL8pIf-eGDI/AAAAAAAAAF0/pthqT5B5328xufPdfcDd4Y6zMkEB0IDowCLcB/s320/erl519967f1_hr.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Mother Nature’s schedule has been shifting and changing.
According to a report recently published in the journal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Environmental Research Letters</i>, spring, defined as the day when
leaves first appear and flowers begin blooming, will arrive an average of 22
days earlier by 2100. The good news is that the Southern states, where “leaf
out” already is relatively early, will be the least affected.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, predictions are that nationwide planting zones will
shift more rapidly than in the past. Currently, Memphis is a tiny island of
Zone 8 with most of Tennessee in Zone 7. The map below shows Zone 8 moving
north over the next 30 years. For some of us, this will mean opportunities to
plant gardens that are more traditionally Southern. For others, this could
create challenges in maintaining some of our favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gns3YZL1Yac/WL8o2DMUMWI/AAAAAAAAAFw/c2KIIXImpEQgj2Ugzx3jOdCToun9qyMRQCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-03-06%2Bat%2B2.16.32%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gns3YZL1Yac/WL8o2DMUMWI/AAAAAAAAAFw/c2KIIXImpEQgj2Ugzx3jOdCToun9qyMRQCLcB/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-03-06%2Bat%2B2.16.32%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the immediate future looks warm and warmer. While many
Memphians are hoping for a hard freeze soon to help control the insects and
other critters that plague us during our long hot summers, neither the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Farmer’s Almanac</i> nor the various weather
services are offering much hope. Temperatures are predicted to continue to be
fair through the spring, although, as we well know, there are no guarantees!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what’s a gardener to do? First is to realize that we are
not in control as much as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we’d like to
be. Whatever the reason for the increasingly warmer weather, most of us are not
in a position to do much about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Realize that the warming trends eventually become more
apparent and adjust accordingly. Respect your Zone and smaller ecosystem where
you garden. Keep in mind that the numbers thrown out are averages and not one
of us, nor our gardens, should be considered average.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>342</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1954</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Conner Consulting</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2292</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sources:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Environmental Research Letters, Farmers Almanac, GlobalChange.gov<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13484828607078811906noreply@blogger.com1