Lilacs

Did you know that Lilacs are genus (relative) of the olive family?   At this time of year, I am constantly filling vases all over my home with lilacs.  The wonderful aroma from bouquets is sensed from every room, as well as the beauty of the blooms.

Lilacs are popular shrubs in my area of the Midwest.  The term French Lilac is often used to refer to modern double-flowered cultivars, thanks to the work of prolific breeder Victor Lemoine.
Lilacs flower on old wood, and produce more flowers if unpruned. If pruned, the plant responds by producing fast-growing young vegetative growth with no flowers which makes it a great hedge.  In an attempt to restore removed branches; a pruned lilac often produces few or no flowers for one to two years, before the new growth matures sufficiently to start flowering. Unpruned lilacs flower reliably every year. Despite this, a common fallacy holds that lilacs should be pruned regularly. If pruning is required, it should be done right after flowering is finished, before next year's flower buds are formed.

Lilac bushes can be prone to powdery mildew disease, which is caused by poor air circulation.  Fox Hill Nursery in Maine sells over 90 varieties of lilacs. 

Terrariums

Terrariums are fascinating eco-systems all unto themselves. They require very little maintenance and almost no watering. A terrarium is a collection of compatible plants grown in an enclosed, or partially enclosed, clear container.

Creating a terrarium filled with ferns and other small plants is a practical and fun way to have a miniature landscape inside your home. Their easy care is ideal for people who are too busy to spend a lot of time caring for plants. Your choice of containers is only as broad as your imagination. There are many ready made terrariums available, or you can use bottles, jars, aquariums, fishbowls, or even brandy snifters. The choice is yours. I have a vast collection of terrariums that I will feature here on the website.
Terrariums allow you to grow plants which require a high degree of humidity, which otherwise would probably perish in the dry atmosphere of a heated home. Once the plants become established within your miniature garden, the terrarium begins to create a climate of its own. The plants transpire moisture through their leaves, which then condenses on the glass, and flows back to the soil. This 'rain effect' allows the terrarium to go for weeks without watering. Terrariums should never be grown in FULL sun!

The gothic-inspired terrarium featured on this post is 18 inches square and 64 inches tall, making it perfect for orchids.

Alliums

There are hundreds of alliums, including the onions and garlic we eat. The ornamental varieties often have leaves similar to onions, as well as the onion’s round ball shaped flower heads. However there are many varieties with star-like clusters of flowers and others, like A. Cernuum, the ‘Nodding Onion’, with hanging pendants of blossoms.

Alliums grow from bulbs. Allium bulbs may resemple onions, but it's the flowers you are after with these ornamental varieties. Alliums are easy to grow and are undemanding. They have strappy, undistinguished leaves and straight tubular flower stalks. The flower form in clusters and are best known in the round pom-pom form, but they can be start shaped, cup-shaped, semi-circular or pendulous.

My favorite allium is the globemaster. Its' 8" purple pom-pom head sticks almost three feet off the ground making a truly wonderful display in your garden or great for a spectacular cut arrangement.

Pointsettia - [POIN-SET-E-UH]

The pointsettia is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 2 to 16 ft. The plant bears dark green leaves that measure 3 to 6 inches in length. The colored leaves or brachts, which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white or marbled - are not flower petals. Because of their groupings and colors, laypeople often think these are the flower petals of the plant. In fact, the flowers are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, and they are called cyathia.

The species is native to Mexico, and there are over 100 varieties of poinsettia available. In the language of the Azetcs, the plant is called the "skin flower." They used the plant to produce red dye and also medication. Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "Noche Buena" or Christmas' Eve.

The plants' association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.

Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America. They are available in large numbers from grocery, drug, and hardware stores. In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.

Until the 1990s, the Ecke family of California, had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias owing to a technological secret that made it difficult for others to compete. The key to producing more desirable poinsettias is to create a fuller, more compact plant. A poinsettia left to grow on its own will naturally take an open, somewhat weedy look. The Eckes' technique, which involved grafting two varieties of poinsettia together, made it possible to get every seedling to branch, resulting in a bushier plant. However, in the 1990s, a university researcher discovered the method and published it, opening the door for competitors to flourish, particularly in Latin America where the cost of labor is far lower. The Eckes family, now led by Paul Eckes III, no longer grows any on farms in the U.S., but as of 2008, they still control about 70% of the domestic market and 50% of the worldwide market.

The poinsettia can be difficult to induce to reflower after the initial display when purchased. The plant requires a period of uninterrupted long, dark nights for around two months in autumn in order to develop flowers. Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production. When watering it is important to allow the plant to drain out any excess water. Having a poinsettia sit in water can do harm to the plant as it prefers moist soil to direct water.

In the United States and perhaps elsewhere, there is a common misconception that the poinsettia is toxid. This is not true; it is at most mildly irritating to the skin or stomach and may sometimes cause sickness if eaten.

Prepping Concrete Statuary & Fountains for Winter

The best method to protect all cement products from winter damage is to take them inside a shed, garage or basement for the winter. Keeping them away from the freezing and thawing cycles of winter will help your fountain last for years. Unfortunately not all cement products
are easy to move and many people do not have inside storage facilities available. For the situations where the cement products must stay outside for the winter, start preparing you planter, fountain, birdbath, or statue for winter storage during the spring or summer.

Natural aging and weathering may open little cracks in the paint or sealer, allowing water to penetrate into the cement. Applying a clear concrete sealer in the spring, every two or three years, will help to prevent water from penetrating into the concrete. Repainting or touching up damaged areas will also help prevent water penetration. Protecting cement products from water and ice is the most important part of winter prevention.

If you must leave your fountain, or other cement products, outside for the winter, remove the pump and statue. Drain the bowl and let it completely dry before the first frost. Fill the bowl, after it is completely dry, with burlap bags or blankets to absorb any water that may still be in the bowl or that may accidentally accumulate in the bowl during the winter. The burlap will also shield the bowl from the sun.s heat during the winter, preventing the freezing and thawing cycles during the day. If possible turn the bowl upside down for the winter. Cover the entire fountain with a heavy-duty plastic that will not tear easily during the winter. Secure the
plastic with heavy-duty twine. You have now protected your fountain for the winter season.

kon-tent media sighting - Susan Reimer - Baltimore Sun

Thank you to Susan Reimer with the Baltimore Sun for posting such a nice article regarding my article about Haws watering cans. I admit, I thought they wer for snooty gardeners - but I have been won over. It is a must have for anyone that owns a plant!

Please check out her blog, it is a fantastic read and resource.

August 15, 2009
Tool time: Haws watering can
Photo courtesy of Ross Svebak
Ross Svebak, a lifestyle blogger from Minnesota, pays tribute to the Haws watering can in a recent post.
You know these watering cans, even if you don't know the maker. They have the long arm and the upside-down watering head.
He says he resisted buying one for years because he thought they were the stuff of snooty gardeners, but then received one as a gift.
He writes a bit of history about the Haws company, too, which began with John Haws application for a patent in 1885. Check it out.

Gladiolus - August Flower

Gladiolus (from Latin, the form of the word gladius, is sword) is a genus of perennial bulbous flowerig plants in the iris family. Sometimes called the sword lily, the most widely-used English common name for these plants is simply gladiolus (plural gladioli, gladioluses or sometimes gladiolas).

The genus is found throughout Mediterranean Europe, Asia, Tropical Africa and South Africa. However the center of diversity of the gladiolus is located in the Cape Florisitic Region in Africa, where most species were discovered. As a matter of fact, 163 out of the 250 species of Gladiolus are from Southern Africa.

Haws Watering Cans

When it comes to watering cans for your garden, nothing beats a Haws - plain and simple. I avoided buying one for years thinking it was a purist coup. I finally received one as a gift many years ago and came to the realization that I was resisting for no reason. This watering can design is amazing. Simple to fill and carry around the house or the yard due to the design, and the various attachments make it perfect for delicate flowers or new seedlings.

Over one hundred years ago in 1885 John Haws of Clapton, London obtained a patent for an improved watering pot. John Haws first worked out his improved design and method of manufacture from a French made waterpot (or can as they are now called) and designed a can with perfect balance. Whether full, half full or empty the can could be used without undue strain to the operator.

To this day, the original design has not been altered in any major way.
As watering was all done by hand in those days, there was a clear need for a good range of watering cans and the new Haws models found a ready market. Sales were buoyant both to the large glasshouse nurseries being established around London and the large provincial cities, and to professional gardeners on the landed estates flourishing throughout Great Britain.

When John Haws’ descendant Arthur Haws took over the management of the business in the early 1900s he faced stiff competition from companies imitating the Haws design. To meet it he spent a good deal of time perfecting the design of the roses, both oval and round, such that they were suitable for watering newly sown seeds, delicate seedlings and small plants. This feature of Haws cans also remains as important now as it was then.

Today, Haws’ comprehensive range of watering cans continues to offer new innovations (pot watering attachments and parking points for roses are recent examples) as well as utilizing the many excellent design features of the original models.

I have several of these now, even a plastic one. If you are a serious gardener or you know one, I would call this a must have! They have several price points to fit anyone's budget and you cannot go wrong.

Marigolds

Did you know that Marigolds are a genus from the Daisy family? My grandmother planted Marigolds all over her yard and they have always been a favorite flower of mine. Surprisingly you can also use the flower petal in cooking, as long as they are free of pesticides.

The foliage has a musky, pungent scent, though some later varieties have been bred to be scentless. It is said to deter some common pests. They are often used in companion planting for tomato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco and potato for this very reason. They also have been known to be deer, rabbit and rodent resistant.

The petals of Marigolds are rich in the orange-yellow carotenoid (coloring/dye) and as such used as a food coloring. Marigold is another herb found beneficial in the warts removal. The juice of the leaves of this plant can be applied over warts. The sap from the stem has also been found useful in the removal of warts. This is one among many effective Home Remedy for Warts.

They come in so many color and size variations, easy to plant and draught hardy. Add them to your garden and enjoy the benefits for yourself!

Various Marigold Genus Forms:

Marigold (common), Tagetes
Pot marigold, Calendula
Mexican marigold, Tagetes erecta
Tree marigold, Tithonia diversifolia
Desert marigold, Baileya multiradiata
Corn marigold, Glebionis segetum
Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris

Thank you to Katie Pertiet for the beautiful image.

Topiary

Topiary is the art of creating sculpture through the medium of clipped trees, shrubs and vines. I have been fascinated with the art of topiary as it combines gardening and art in one package. I started out many years ago with a small sphere which I trained an English Ivy on and my collection grew from there. There are so many forms, the imagination can run wild.

My daughter Hadass - whose name is derived from the Hebrew word for Myrtle as the Myrtle tree blooms all year round, stands for abundant life. Much to my amazement after I began doing topiary - I discovered myrtle was a perfect medium. The tiny blooms are wonderful addtions to the tiny leaves of the 12" standard I trained.

You can do topiary with various herbs, such as rosemary and bay laurel.

Arborvitae as well as boxwood are common mediums for topiary in the outdoor arena.

Strawberry Pot Garden

It is the season to get your herbs growing! Not everyone has the room for a garden, and sometimes your garden is a far walk away from your kitchen. I started growing herbs in a strawberry pot over a decade ago when I was married and we had no area for a garden. I find this technique quite useful because it allows me to actually bring it in when the growing season come to an end and we have a frost advisory. I also bring it in at the end to extend the growing season allowing me to use the herbs in canning.

I generally put the herbs I use most in the top. Basil, chives, parsley and rosemary get a lot of press at my house. At this point, I have two strawberry pots dedicated to herbs. Herbs I grow every year are thyme, tarragon, lavendar, sage and mint. Putting mint in a pot like this controls it's vorracious habit to want to take over your lawn.

Rhubarb - did you know?

Did you know that rhubarb is considered a vegetable? While the leaves are toxic, the stalks are used in pies and other foods for their tart flavor. Among species found in the wild, those most commonly used in cooking are the garden rhubarb and the so-called false rhubarb, which is actually a true rhubarb.

The plant is indigenous to Asia, and many suggest that it was often used by the Mongolians; particularly, the tribes of the Gobi Desert. The use of rhubarb stems as food is a relatively recent innovation, first recorded in 17th century England, after affordable sugar became available to common people, and reaching a peak between the 20th century's two world wars. Rhubarb first came to America in the 1820s, entering the country in Maine and Massachusetts and moving westwards with the European American settlers.

The colour of the rhubarb stalks can vary from the commonly associated crimson red, through speckled light pink, to simply light green. Rhubarb stalks are poetically described as crimson stalks. The colour is not related to its suitability for cooking. The green-stalked rhubarb is more robust and has a higher yield, but the red-coloured stalks are much more popular with consumers.

Although beautiful, the only other attention required is to cut off flower heads which may appear in early spring as the new rhubarb stalks emerge. Do this as soon as possible - if the flower head is left to grow and set seed, the plant will never fully recover to good strength.

Gardening - Begonia Escargot

Begonia rex ‘Escargot’ is attractive and hardy. The name rex implies that it is difficult and possibly might eat you if you if you made yourself visible, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this might just be the perfect house plant, as it resists diseases and insects. It handles all but the worst neglect.
Begonia rex ‘Escargot’ gets its name from the unique way that the leaf curls in on itself, creating a spiral effect that resembles the shell of a snail. Someone in marketing was definitely thinking when they devised the more sophisticated name of ‘Escargot’ over the less catchy "snail begonia". The name sells the plant, because as soon as I heard about it - I wanted it.
The deeply spiraled leaves of Begonia rex 'Escargot', marked in bands of silver and green, are the hallmark of this hybrid that drew quite an audience when it was launched.

Capers

Capers are flower buds. To be harvested, they must be picked in the morning time immediately before flowering; they are never dried but pickled in oil, brine or vinegar. Less often, capers are preserved by packing in coarse salt. These must be rinsed before usage. If left to flower, they are as delicate as a poppy.

Flowering Jasmine Tree

I am the world's greatest optimist! I will try anything once and refuse to give up. When I started gardening I did not have a lot of success, but with trial and error discovered ways to make my green thumb greener. When I purchased this flowering jasmine tree six years ago, I was walking through the local nursery and was overwhelmed with a scent. My nose led me to this standardized flowering jasmine triee that has weathered the test of time and always been a performer. For me, at this time of year it has a wonderful display of powerfully, scented white flowers that burst forth in abundance all over the tree. Then it will drop its' leaves and hibernate until summer brings it alive again. If you are not a green thumb and have the space for a truly beautiful plant that is not high-maintenance, give this one a try - the scent of the flowers (and the flowers themselves) will constantly remind you why you brought it home.