Is It Art or Is It Gardening

Images: "Tree Clubmosses", "Ipomoea Tricolor Heavenly Blue" morning glory and a wine colored iris all by the famous botanical illustrator, Maud H. Purdy. The cover of "Dreer's" seed, plant, and bulb catalog with an illustration of crocus.

Old catalog and early botanical illustrations provide beautiful art.

They were often done in watercolor and ink, and most done from live specimens.

Burpee has a section of their web site devoted to pictures of their old catalogs. Those prior to 1900 have a delicate and lovely accuracy that are only seen in the work of skilled artists. I would have copied a few of those here but they are copyrighted. If you enjoy this sort of thing (both flowers and vegetables), their site is http://www.burpee.com/ Go to "Garadener's Corner" and then their Catalog Cover Gallery.

Another aspect of these prints is they show what was popular in that era. This is especially nice if you are creating or restoring a historic or period garden.

Of all the old catalog pictures Burpee features, the top flower was the sweet pea and the top vegetable was the tomato. Followed by the pansy and beans.

Today sweet peas are a nearly forgotten garden plant. It was introduced for commercial sale in 1670. Next, in the 1800s, the grandiflora or old fashioned sweet pea was bred. In the middle 1800s to early 1900s, the varieties were so numerous and varied they often featured more than ten new ones a year. The "Spencer" variety, introduced in 1901, is consider the new variety. One thing most valued about the early sweet peas was the strong fragrance. Today, it is difficult to find a sweet pea with any fragrance. You must go to a company that carries heirloom quality plants and seeds and even at that the variety has been limited.

We might have lost the names and descriptions of these old plants (along with the plants) if it hadn't been for the artist's renderings.

The royals and wealthy commissioned artists to draw flowers anatomically correct. It provided accurate and recorded pictures for scientific study and better understanding of plant life. Many of these original drawings are priceless.

There are quite a few old botanical and herbal books in libraries, public botanical garden gift shops, university files & studies, e-Bay and used book stores. Botanical and art museums might also be a possibility. Some are colored but the very old will often be black and white. Occasionally, there will be exhibits of some of the old and beautiful illustrations at some of the bigger universities or musuems.

I enjoy incorporating an old fashioned plant into my garden. It gives a slightly Victorian look and they most often have a stronger scent.

I am not dismissing modern botanical drawings; there are some beautiful ones, too. I just happen to like the old ones for the artist's technique and the historical record.

Rock Star

Images are from the 2009 "Howard Hite Award for Hybridizing Excellence" winner, James (Jamie) Gossard.

The green daylily is "Green Inferno", a 2010 introduction in the spider class. ($150)

The cream daylily is "Pattern Maker", a 2010 introduction in the pattern class. ($200)

The wine purple daylily is "Supernatural", a 2010 introduction in the pattern class. ($300)

Jamie and Diana Gossard are the owners of "Heavenly Gardens" in Galloway, Ohio. Like most who hybridize, they have specific areas where they concentrate their time and money. The Gossards explore the genetic possibilities available in the daylily to produce vibrant colors, intricate patterns, teeth and eyes and edges of different forms. Jamie's most extensive work is to pattern his flowers.

Although none of today's breeders could be where they are now without the hundred(s) of years prior breeders have contributed, Jamie has taken it to a whole new level. Not only beautiful and different shapes but they must be hardy. There are many more innovations he uses but it gets into daylily hybridizing and may be too much information for the average reader.

Now to the rock star thing:

I've been recording garden and daylily displays which are open to the public. Then, when my husband and I travel, we can incorporate these into the trip. Most breeders and many display gardens are private and must be called prior to visiting.

The ones that are private, I wrote and asked if, when and how to visit. As are most gardeners, they were kind in their replies. Then I get a personal and casual reply from Jamie Gossard. I reacted like a kid at a Rolling Stone concert when Mick Jagger asks them to come back stage (without the sexual overtones mind you). That's when I realized to a person possessed of "Daylily Madness - IE: me" it was like getting a note from a rock star.

I do know I'm going to have to work at not being star struck if we get to his gardens - the whole autograph, picture and giggling is so inappropriate at my age.

Would it be odd to have my picture taken with a lily - this is probably where my husband will roll his eyes.

To read more about "Heavenly Garden" and James and Diana Gossard's work, visit:

http://www.daylilynet.com/

or the American Hemerocallis Society, Winter 2009 "Daylily" Region 2 Newsletter at

http://www.ahsregion2.org/

Not the "Clubie" Sort

After years in a corporate environment, I seldom get involved in anything where I must vote, raise my hand, or keep to an agenda where I have no interest. If it's not for the "greater cause", it takes away too much time from the things I do want to accomplish.

There are so many worthwhile and/or interesting things we can help or enjoy, we must pick and choose wisely.

I try to balance helping others with some things that are purely for personal enjoyment. My daylilies don't help mankind in any life altering way. But, I'm not of the school that feels if you aren't in a hair shirt 24/7 then your life is wasted.

From years of mentoring young people in the work place, I've found people are generally better at their jobs and improving mankind if they have a healthy balance with between their work life and their home life. With no outside interests (such as home, family, spiritual, volunteering, hobbies), the scope of an employee's ability to contribute value to a business is more limited.

With my need to explain all that done, I proceed:

I've inserted a picture of the American Hemerocallis Society's poster encouraging daylily lovers to join the organization. I do belong and have received value by the enjoyment it brings to me. Now, I'm contemplating another step in my daylily mania: a local group.

There is no Daylily Society located close to me and I'm really sure I don't want to drive a long distance just to attend meetings. I've been mulling it over - the benefits - the down side.

I'm just sure I don't want this to become something that needs a mission statement, dues, or other formal organizational fundimentals. I don't want the expectations of an orgnaization to outweigh the benefits of daylily enjoyment.

I do know daylily lovers are friendly and caring individuals from the most well known hybridizer to the newbie. It might be fun to visit some daylily gardens, share information, and enjoy this hobby with others.

If you live in the vicinity of Bishop Hill, Illinois and have any interest in this, please let me know and you can "mull" with me.

The Snow Fairy Was Here

Images of this morning's Hoarfrost.

Have you ever noticed there is a fine line between adults wanting to believe in the mystic stories of youth and the desire for scientific data?

WARNING: If you still believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, stop reading now!

Was this morning's crystal coating because the Snow Fairy visited last night? Perhaps, but then again:

Fog is a cloud that is touching the ground. When water vapor condenses directly into ice, you get snowflakes and frost. Frost is not frozen dew.

Frost on the ground comes from minute ice crystals. The larger crystals are called Hoarfrost crystals.

Hoarfrost grows whenever it's cold and there is ample water vapor. It can be on objects or it can be the sparkle we see some mornings on top of snow (called surface hoar.)

When the crystals collide with water droplets in fog and it's droplets are supercooled (below freezing), they freeze on anything they contact.

Best conditions are cold clear nights with a very light wind. The wind circulates the humid air around the surfaces. Because fog (clouds) contain moisture (humidity) and there is snow on the ground and it was certainly freezing, we woke this morning to Hoarfrost.

On a bit of another topic, but related: Have you ever noticed just when you think you have at least a surface grasp on most subjects of this world, you find there are people who are involved in something so remote to your world it's like opening a new door to the nature of humans?

Maybe not - but, I do this sometimes when I'm researching a topic. Because I'm naturally curious, I always go beyond the topic if there is something interesting. Today, I found one of those sites. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).

The NSIDC is scientific - scientific to the point at times I was thinking - huh? To realize there are my fellow humanoids so "into" snow and ice they are living, breathing, and studying all things ice/snow in that northern post. Cool! Both in truth and in comment.

I did notice there was no mention of the Snow Fairy. They probably save that for sitting around the igloo's fireplace at night.

State of Affairs

The governing bodies of each US state has voted to have certain symbols that they feel represents their state the best. Some are interesting or obvious - others are fun or funny. I've compiled the ones for Illinois and Indiana (where my garden articles are published). Illinois will be identified in RED and Indiana identified in BLUE.

State Bird: Both states have the Northern Cardinal "Cardinalis cardinalis".

State Flower: Blue Violet "viola sororia" - Peony "paeonia"

State Nickname/Slogan: Land of Lincoln - Hoosier State

State Motto: State Sovereignty and National Unity - The Crossroads of America

State Tree: White Oak "Quercus alba" - Tulip "Lereodendron tulipifera"

State Insect: Monarch Butterfly "Danaus plexippus" - Say's Firefly "Pyractomena angulata" (proposed)

State Mineral/Stone: Florite - Salem Limestone

State Soil: Drummer's Silty Clay Loam - Miami

State Song: "Illinois - Illinois" - "On the Banks of the Wabash Far Away"

All the following are Illinois and Indiana does not currently have designations:

State Fish: Bluegill "Lepomis macrochirus"

State Prairie Grass: Big Blue stem "Adropogon gerardii"

State Snack Food: Popcorn "Zea mays everta"

State Animal: White-tailed deer "Odocoileus virginianus"

State Reptile: Eastern Painted Turtle "Chrysemys picta"

State Amphibian: Eastern Tiger Salamander "Ambystoma tigrinum"

State Fossil: Fully Monster "Tullimonstrum gregarium"

State Fruit: Apple

Illinois has a State flag, seal and dance.

Indiana has a State flag, seal, beverage, language, pie (Hoosier Sugar Cream), poem and river.

Besides being interesting, gardeners may want to incorporate some of the flora that is a State symbol and may want to work at attracting some of the State critters.

To those that proposed the specific categories, I tend to enjoy many. I put out sunflower seeds and corn for the Northern Cardinals. I have a woods full of old blue violets - where the white-tailed deer visit occasionally. I have the old fashioned peony in many of my garden beds. My tulip tree is doing just fine and this is the second winter for my oaks.

I'm sure a bowl of Illinois popcorn is just what I need (it is a big farm product here). Hoosier Sugar Cream pie is perhaps the most luscious of all pies to the point it is in a category all it's own!

Couple of political observations:

The State of Illinois has many many symbols - I kinda wish they would spend that much time working on ethics and budgeting. . .

The State beverage of Indiana is water - kinda makes you go "hummmmm."

The Fickle Finger of Fate Isn't Green

Edit Image: 01-22-2010. The pink orchid pictures were sent to me by a friend who lives in Florida. He said he had the plant for awhile before it bloomed with no "orchid green thumb" from him. At any rate, it's a beautiful plant.

I don't know if you've noticed, but, I don't often talk about indoor plants. It's because it's not something I enjoy doing and I have little success.

I don't believe it's lack of capabilities, it's more like lack of ambition. Even though I find the routine of caring for houseplants b o r i n g, I do enjoy the beauty of other people's houseplants.

Right now I have an amaryllis and poinsettia blooming and looking beautiful - soon, very soon, they will be toast. The kind of plant toast caused by "oh my it's been two months since I last watered" kinda toast.

I've had "takes no care" to "takes expert care." No matter, both die of neglect.

For the many of you who do enjoy nurturing houseplants, there's an "Orchid Event" Saturday February 6 at Green View Nursery.

If you currently have orchids, want to have orchids, or just like to learn something new, this should be a good seminar. It's free but they want reservations - Call: 309 243 7761.

And, when you have orchid successes, take a picture and send it to me. Let me live in the vicarious houseplant world through you.

Come Sit a While

Here we are in the middle of snow and minus zero wind chills and I'm thinking of outdoor structures. Hot chocolate today - lemonade this summer.

If you don't have a place to enjoy the outdoors, let's think about some options.

Porch:

It's nice if they are large enough to position furniture. Today, we see fully furnished porches. It's much like decorating a living room.

Porches are covered and should provide shade in the summer and a measure of protection from the elements in the winter.

A front porch should complement the home's style. Porches are not an inexpensive project. It take good carpentry and design skills to construct a sound and pleasing porch.

Screened porches allow outdoor use during the "buggy months" of summer. Obviously, they also require a door.

Deck:

Decks are often at the back of a home because they tend to be constructed more informally and in conjunction with other entertainment. They complement a more contemporary home and are less expensive than a full porch.

A deck without a solid roof decreases cost. If built low enough to the ground, it doesn't need sides. Some urban buildings have roof-top decks which require significant investment and skill to construct.

Pergola:

Pergolas can be rustic and simple or formal and imposing. Most often, they are not attached to another structure. They don't have screen or a solid roof although most provide some kind of material for plants to climb up and over.

Gazebo:

Gazebos are much like a pergola except they have a solid roof and may be screened.

Patio:

A patio is usually a part of the landscaping and seldom is higher than ground level. As with a deck, they are sometimes used in conjunction with pools, cooking and other entertainment. Patios can be at either end of the price range.

Three or Four Season Rooms:

Cost is similar to adding another full room to your home unless you convert an older porch. The room has two or three walls with a large expanse of windows.

A three season room uses less energy saving materials and often has no heat/AC. Four season rooms are basically built the same as the rest of the house in all ways except it has more windows.

Sleeping Porch:

These are typically found on the second floor of older homes. They were used on hot nights to catch the breezes. Most people used folding cots. I've only seen a few of these added to new homes but as energy costs sour, they may become viable again.

The Commentary:

Our grandparents simply took a dining room chair, a glass of homemade lemonade and sat on the porch after supper in the summer. It was the coolest place to relax and visit with family and friends.

The decoration was perhaps a bench used to take off your shoes and maybe one of mom's house plants. It was on the south side of the house and had a big shade tree on the west side.

The porch was where you watched your children use the last bit of the day's energy while catching fireflies or playing tag.

If it was the weekend, mom usually brought out some homemade pie. And if you lived in the country, you could bet that your big city friends and family would be there on those hot nights to catch a little breeze they couldn't find on their porches.

It was where your teen's date called and was inspected by the entire family. It's where families laughed and talked to each other as the source of the family's entertainment.

It's where town neighbors waved or stopped to catch up on the latest gossip or just good visiting.

May I venture a question for you to ponder? Outdoor "sittin' places" have evolved into elaborate expensive entertainment centers. Could we have enhanced ourselves right out of the benefits?