Scooby Dooby Newby

Garden people all over the world are reading catalogs which include the new and improved plants for 2011. We tend to utter fireworks kinds of sounds at a beautiful new introduction. (That’s “oo” and “aw” for those non verbal expressive friends.)

Which one of us would want to give up such wonderful improvements as spreading “Wave” petunias, mildew resistant bee balm, asters that no longer flop, and dwarf varieties for small garden space?

I am happy with a flower that “self cleans” by neatly dropping wilting flower heads without my help.

On the other hand, I like for many of my plants to stay traditional looking. For instance:

I want single petal hollyhocks not the new flowers that look like peonies on a stem.

I like my daylilies to be the single cup variety and not doubled like a rose.

Columbine is such a fragile looking flower with its little cup and the spurs nodding downward. Someone has bred a new variety without the spurs and the cups are ruffled and upright. Why, I wonder?

Breeders have gone crazy with pompon everything, trying to get a black flower, and often changing entire structures. If I wanted a shocking pink pompon coneflower, I’d simple plant a zinnia. I do not need my Rose of Sharon bush to have red, white and blue flowers all at once. I have a perfectly good flag for my patriotic purposes.

We now have sunflowers that are almost ground huggers and daylilies pushing six foot. I want to look up to my sunflowers and down to my daylilies.

Am I old fashioned and incapable of embracing change? I choose to think not!

I don’t want to lose the essence of what made a plant popular in the first place and has continued to keep it popular through the ages. Strengthen it and help it to be more disease and insect resistant. Experiment with flower and foliage color. Improve stem strength, improve upon the hardiness, and provide a means to increase yield.

But, please let the plant have some of the dignity and recognizable appearance of its own. Don’t try to make every plant into an over-the-top variation of something else. We already have something else!

The plant breeding industry does wonders for our food and farm production crops. They have improved many wonderful old plants to withstand and enhance the future. They also get a little carried away every quarter of a century and the outcome of some labs is a little like a plant Frankenstein.

The scary part is during these periods of exuberant change, we tend to lose heirloom plants – some forever. I’m thankful for seed collectors and the seed savers. Thankful for those nurseries and seed producers who refuse to let them quietly fade away.

Sure, grab that wild gold and blue striped marigold to match the Cats basketball uniforms if you desire – but also collect the seeds from that old fashioned Amish Gold marigold when you can.

As Scooby would say when looking at a twelve foot glowing lime green poppy, “Ruh-roh, Raggy!”

K Is For Knapweed

Knapweed is the less than a glorious name for a beautiful plant Centauria.  My particular plant is the Centauria Montana Blue.

If you think it looks a lot like a cornflower (bachelor button), you are right - it's a cousin.

This blue Knapweed is one of those flowers that is always prettier in person than in a photograph.  I think it's because it's so dainty and the color blue doesn't always photograph well.  Take my word for it, it's very beautiful despite it's common sounding name. 

Centauria Montana Blue is a hardy flower good to hardiness zone 3. The Centaureas are some of the most graceful flowers to grow in any garden. The flower heads are like showy, ragged thistle blooms of bright red, deep purple, golden yellow and blue. They grow from 2 feet to 3 1/2 feet tall and bloom during the Summer months.

Centauria grows easily in a mix of sun and shade.  If planted in their optimium garden spot (full sun & good garden soil) they will reward you with beautiful blooms.  (The Dusty Miller's flower heads are insignificant.)  They may be planted by seeds, division or plant sets. 

Here are some of the other Knapweeds you will find available in our area:

The Golden Knapweed (Ceataurea macrocephala) is perhaps the showiest of all because the thistle-like, golden yellow flower heads are very large. The plant itself is an erect and somewhat spindly grower and the stems are stiff.

The Knapweed (C. dealbata) has flowers which are lilac-pink to white in the center, or a bright red. This species seems to attract the birds when the seed is ripe, thus making it hard to save the seed.  C. babylonica is a whitish perennial with yellow flowers which grows at least 3 feet tall.

Several of the species are known as Dusty Millers; the foliage is white throughout the Summer. C. cineraria has less divided leaves than the other common species C. gymnocarpa, but the leaves are usually whiter.

Knapweeds look pretty in informal gardens.  Most produce long stems and lasting flowers making them good for cutting.  The Dusty Millers are great for contrast with bright perennials and may even be clipped to form a soft edging.   All Knapweeds will do well in pots - just make sure you are aware how tall they will become when you incorporate.

The drawings are from old botanical prints. 

Ice Equals Spring?

A night of thunder, lightening and heavy rain.  Waking up to a heavy coating of ice outside.  It can only mean:  SPRING?

  

March 1st is the official first day of the Meteorological Spring.  Not the same as the Spring Equinox which arrives this year on March 20. 

February 2011 is one for the history books - literally.  Our area tied with 1994 for the snowiest February coming in at 20.7 inches (give or take according to where you live.)  Average snowfall is 4.9 inches.  So far this winter we have had 46.6 inches of the great white fluffy stuff. 

What the March 1st day gives us is the realization that the days are getting longer and that means the little internal plant systems will begin the process of wakening.  On March 1st, daylight will be 11 hours and 18 minutes long.  On March 31st, daylight will be 12 hours and 39 minutes long.   When you live in an area where February is typically gray and more gray, you count the minutes of increased sunshine.  

Wildlife begin their spring rituals, too.  Opossums, wild turkeys and turkey vultures, coyotes, ruffed grouse, flying squirrels, muskrats, chorus frogs, raccoons, minks and skunks breed.  Chipmunks end hibernation.  Resident Canada geese nest.  Duck migration peaks.   Turkey vultures, non resident doves and bluebirds return.  Pheasants start crowing.  You may see some Sandhill cranes migrating overhead as they head farther North.  Great horned owls eggs hatch.  Rabbits will bear their first litter of the year.

Before the month is over, red maples will start to bloom.  You may see some spring flowering bulbs sprout.  (Yes, it's the time of the year when you congratulate yourself that you got those spring flowering bulbs planted even if your fingers were numb.)

We will probably see a few really warm days, some more snow and definitely more thunderstorm and ice.  All the while we, too, know our internal "spring" clock is making us anxious to get gardening.  Today, one of my Amaryllis bloomed and the other is almost ready.  These are the two from last year.  A surprising success!  The beautiful and bright flowers are a reminder of things to come. 

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If you'd like to see the photos in a more dramatic size, double click on them.  Meanwhile ~ happy Meteorological Spring!   Does this call for a cake and balloons????  I'm sure it does.

Dinner on the Grounds

Been scouting out recipe books for a project for one of our kids.  Went to an auction today and bought over 40 cookbooks for $12.  They had belonged to a older farm wife and reflected much of that life.  The above "Albert E. Brumley's All Day Singin' and Dinner on the Grounds" recipe and song book was an interesting little find.  

Albert Brumley wrote over 600 gospel songs - one of his most recognized is "Turn Your Radio On".  This song-cookbook is a trip down the southern church memory lane.  

All day singin' and dinner on the grounds was most often on a Sunday starting with preaching, Sunday School, followed by a bounteous feast on the grounds with singing starting about 2:00 p.m. and lasting until time for folks to get home and do evening chores.

The meetings produced good music, good food and good fellowship and often brought visitors from miles away just to hear the gospel with friends and family.

Some groups would pack "box" lunches for their own family and then bring extra for those less fortunate.  Other groups brought quantities of the homemaker's specialities and it was served buffet style - typically with boards on sawhorses out in the church yard for serving tables.  

The day was filled with games for the children while adults caught up on all the news.  But, the highlight of the day was the dinner.  

Women brought their special dishes - often the ones that had been handed down through families.  You always knew whose lemon pie was the best, which plate the heavenly angel food cake would arrive on, and which cookies always had fresh walnuts.

If you were in the deep south, tradition always had several ladies bringing pimento cheese, pineapple and tomato sandwiches.  Every woman had her own special version of potato salad and other produce either direct from the garden or from produce she had preserved.

I'm convinced children learn more about life, manners, friendship, family and God at these church dinners than most anywhere else.  You also learn to enjoy good food.

A list of just a few of the recipes is a good example of the end result to growing your own produce:  Pickled Vegetables, Kraut Salad, George Washington Cherry Cake, Molasses Cookies, Peach Dumplings, Pecan Pie, Green Tomato Preserves, Green Beans and Hog Jowl,  and Fried Cucumbers. 

I haven't tried this recipe, but, it sure does sound like it would be a dinner on the grounds kinda cake: 

Company Time Lemon Cake

2 C     Sugar

1/2 C     Butter

6     Egg Yolks - Beaten

1     Egg - whole

4 C     Flour

1/2 tsp     Soda - dissolved in

1/2 C     Milk

Zest of one lemon - chopped fine

Juice of one lemon

Cream sugar and butter.  Add eggs, flour, and milk (with soda dissolved in) beating well.  Add lemon juice & mix.  Bake at 350 degrees in 3 greased and floured round pans.  Bake until middle of cake comes out clean when a pick or knife is inserted.  Makes 3 layers.  Ice each with:

Candied Syrup

1 1/2 C     Water

1 lb.     Sugar

Cook syrup (stirring) until it becomes thick like pancake syrup.  Ice between layers and grate lemon zest/rind over the tops of each and assemble.  Cover and refrigerate until meeting time. 

You may not have a lemon tree in your backyard but wouldn't one of these Dinner on the Grounds recipes be wonderful!  Consider planting some produce this year which would make great "feed" for all the family and visitors.  Maybe you can be the one who gets these dinners re started at your church.  We're never too contemporary or busy that a few hours of good eating wouldn't be fun for everyone.  An opportunity to influence another generation with the benefits of Singin' and Dinner on the Grounds. 

Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho

It's off to work in snow!  Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho.  Heigh-Ho.  Heigh-Ho.  I've got ya rockin' now!

Yes, it has snowed again in beautiful wintry Illinois and all fairy tail creatures are busy clearing the walks - again.  Snow White's loyal little friends are trying to drive their tiny SUV to the mine while our pure princess is washing the floor of those puddles of wet footprints.  All in a winter day's work in the forest.

It's been a busy week on "The Hill" we call home.  For retirees, having multiple tasks and appointments each day is a thing of the past - most weeks.  As we finally sat down last night to watch the weather forecast, it was with a realization if I didn't go up to bed I would fall asleep somewhere between "Good evening folks" and "We'll be right back with tonight's weather forecast."   Alas, my body, pleased I had heeded it's early sleep call, rewarded me with fully waking at 3:30 a.m.   

3:30 a.m. can be a reward (if rationalization is your thing).  I looked out the window and the wintry scene, highlighted by our nite lite, was a picture of serenity and beauty.  Enough fluffy covering to hide the mud and crud of the last melting snowfall.  The light glittering off small stacks of snow on each seed head, a little hat on my garden path solar lights, a white roof coating on the bird feeder - the moments before dawn breaks and life begins it's hustle and bustle.  A beautiful moment in the day. 

Maybe Snow White and the little guys will take the day off.  After all, they have been heigh-ho ing since 1937 and it's time for them to kick back and retire.  This wintry morning, have a cup (granted they would have a very little cup) of hot coffee and know the serenity of simply enjoying this morning's snow.

“Winter came down to our home one night

Quietly pirouetting in on

Silvery-toed slippers of snow,

And we, we were children once again.”

- Bill Morgan, Jr.   

       

   

Brugmansia

I've grown Brugmansia, on and off, for years.  It's about the only tender or house plant I make the effort to overwinter.  The two (on the right) in this photo were last winter's victims of overwintering in the garage.  Victim as in died from the cold.  The pots containing mature Brugmansia plants were so very heavy they didn't get hauled to the basement or into the house. 

They may be cut down to make moving easier.  Done regularly, it will keep it more movable.  Do not prune until the plant has formed a "Y" stem (they bloom next year on stems above the Y.)   Otherwise, it will do well each year after pruning.  The roots may also be pruned to keep it in a smaller pot.  Not a small job. 

 A native of the subtropics of South American, they need the warmth and humidity of that climate to flourish and survive.

In full bloom, they are heavenly - which must be why they were nicknamed "Angel's Trumpet".  Not only the beautiful flowers but many have a very sweet strong fragrance, especially in the evening.  Once they start blooming, they are full of blooms for a couple of months.  Under the right conditions, they may bloom year round.   

They are offered in several different colors (yellow, peach, white, and pink) - the yellow seems the most fragrant.  Some are double and several have new color combinations such as the purple and white variety. The trumpet flower can be 12-20 inches.  They become a tree and are long lived in the right conditions.  My longest lived ended up touching our 8 foot ceilings (may top out at 20 feet). 

As with many tropicals, all parts of the plant are highly toxic.  It is a member of the nightshade family. It is used for shamanic intoxication but can often be fatal.  I don't recommend it if you have small children, puppies or cats.

My plants enjoyed their summer vacations outside.  As outdoor dwellers, they required daily monitoring and watering.  It's essential that the plant is in a large enough pot from the beginning because they become difficult to transplant later in life.  The tops will become so heavy, the pot will tip over if it isn't adequate in size. 

This beauty is located in the UC Davis Arboredum.

Pots need drainage holes - they need heavy watering but will rot if they stand in water.  They also need a very large saucer to sit in if they are in the house.  In an effort to keep them moist, they tend to overflow.

The perfect spot for this plant is near where ever you will be able to smell it during the evening hours.  By your porch, patio or outdoor seating is perfect.  They should be located out of high wind simply because of the damage wind can inflict on the leaves and flowers and the danger of tipping.

Plants need fertilized on a regular basis in the summer.  They will develop a large root system and are heavy feeders.  Although they enjoy full sun, they also need protection from the really hot sun during the middle of the afternoon in the hottest of summer - or in more southern climates.  If you are growing in hardiness zones 9 or warmer, they may be planted in the soil outside.  There are other instructions that will help you do this optimally.

As with any tropical and houseplant, they may have some pest issues.  Keep an eye on them and spray them with water before bringing into the house.

Do these sound too complicated or require too much work?  Not really.  They are much like every houseplant we may have up North.  If you like spectacular, perfumed and tropical looking plants - this is certainly a must have.  Most nurseries carry at least one variety - obviously the more mature specimens are more expensive.  A smaller plant may not bloom the first year although mine have.

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Side Note:  The annual datura is not a Brugmansia although offered in many nurseries and has many lovely qualities.  It is also highly poisonous.   As a wild flower, it is known as Jimsonweed/thornapple and considered a pest weed and poisonous in fields if eaten by livestock.

J Is For Jacob's Ladder

This is a photo of Polemonium caeruleum L."Jacob's Ladder" the year it was planted. 

I bought this plant from Prairie County Gardens in Galva IL.  Diane Nelson often has an assortment of unusual Perennial plants hardy to our zone.  Most varieties of Jacob's Ladder is cold hardy to Zone 3. 

I typically give plants that enjoy shade a try.  This one has not disappointed.   

In the Spring, it sends up flower stems about 18 inches about the plant that produce blue flowers and yellow stamens.  Note the little bee at the bottom right enjoying a sip of nectar.  A wide range of bees will visit this plant. My particular variety forms a nice clump and looks especially natural in an informal garden.  There are some 30 different types in this family.   

Jacob's Ladder originally came from the Biblical story, described in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob envisions a ladder to heaven during his flight from his brother, Esau.  Versions of the story and artistic renderings are bountiful.  As bountiful, are the interpretations of the meanings of the story both in Jewish and Christian cultures.  An amazing amount of pop music has been written about the theme.  Not to be outdone, there was a thriller Vietnam movie, and episodes of Walker Texas Ranger and LOST using the story of Jacob's Ladder.

Botanical Drawing

Aside from the cultural and Biblical Jacob's Ladder, my little plant has a history worthy of a good story, too.  The foliage resembles the rungs on a ladder - these are a bright green - one type is variegated.  This plant enjoys only partial sun to part shade, moist well-drained soil with a neutral pH.  It's not fond of humidity.  In other words, make sure it has moisture by providing shade from hot sun, mulch, water when the ground becomes dry, don't spray the leaves and never let it stand in water.  

This isn't always a plant that survives in every garden.  I've been fortunate it happened to thrive in the spot where it was "plopped".  It may selfseed with abandon although my plant hasn't and I'd be good with it if it did.  It's listed as surviving in the wild in Illinois, including most of the Midwest and over to the Eastern coast.  Cats are attracted to young plants and they will need protection (the plant - not the cat) until it becomes well established.  My cat doesn't bother my plant but then she has several acres to bother.

  There you have it - a Biblical named plant with a today's kind of appeal.  If you have the right spot - it will reward you with years of charm. And, I find I have this strange urge to go play my old Led Zeppelin IV album . . .