tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87709600288683361572024-03-14T02:17:01.469-04:00Red House Gardengardening in my new digs in zone 6a outside of Boston, MAIndiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-38776267112156836592020-10-31T23:09:00.007-04:002020-10-31T23:13:45.641-04:00Summer, Fall...Winter?<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>June</u></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2rNcSsztyQ/X515FPIcOLI/AAAAAAAAI3M/NqgNioneBBADDIWhSsEHCJn_qYCL1dbtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6A382E48-E201-41B9-BAC1-4CFC76F578C8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2rNcSsztyQ/X515FPIcOLI/AAAAAAAAI3M/NqgNioneBBADDIWhSsEHCJn_qYCL1dbtgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/6A382E48-E201-41B9-BAC1-4CFC76F578C8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Well, this has certainly been the craziest few months. Canceled plans and lots of staying at home did give me more time to work on the garden, especially at the beginning of summer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V97pF0l_pNs/X515Mw3uZxI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/V8qdmrALGA8a70gVbu6Slx-hYGiZZigqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/June2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V97pF0l_pNs/X515Mw3uZxI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/V8qdmrALGA8a70gVbu6Slx-hYGiZZigqACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/June2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aren't June gardens beautiful?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgSdfdu5bUw/X5155eD0oYI/AAAAAAAAI3o/rfwRBUJDUOMwI4tlGshyuVP9upY5r1TRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/June2020%2Bcollage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgSdfdu5bUw/X5155eD0oYI/AAAAAAAAI3o/rfwRBUJDUOMwI4tlGshyuVP9upY5r1TRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/June2020%2Bcollage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>July</u></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jCTbekHFt5Y/X516IXxeqgI/AAAAAAAAI3s/mBHaBJQdYrQ1VWVOaczoZGtj5ahvKVQugCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jCTbekHFt5Y/X516IXxeqgI/AAAAAAAAI3s/mBHaBJQdYrQ1VWVOaczoZGtj5ahvKVQugCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/IMG_3004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This summer was quite hot and dry for New England. I spent a lot of time watering and watering... and taking photos!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FuaC0VeRUis/X516KFVbIwI/AAAAAAAAI30/f9tbCEK7OvYgGU_7nzOl7z8CbECyD45pwCLcBGAsYHQ/July2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FuaC0VeRUis/X516KFVbIwI/AAAAAAAAI30/f9tbCEK7OvYgGU_7nzOl7z8CbECyD45pwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/July2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This spring I started posting pictures of the garden on Instagram. While I'm not on social media a lot anymore, I have been enjoying Instagram. Posting pictures is quicker than blogging, and I love seeing other photos of gardens and plants!</div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>August</u></b></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7JpqVqBMZC0/X516k6n04rI/AAAAAAAAI4A/e841rHmxoSMKTb1YwHTzylvNCXJ08fiiwCLcBGAsYHQ/August2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7JpqVqBMZC0/X516k6n04rI/AAAAAAAAI4A/e841rHmxoSMKTb1YwHTzylvNCXJ08fiiwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/August2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Somehow life still seems busier than ever with everyone home all the time - lots of cooking and cleaning and trying to keep everyone organized.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a2N6YtujBgY/X516ov43L9I/AAAAAAAAI4I/mkaEsBrOvkMjycfrioYZMw7Tzce3S8NdQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1690" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a2N6YtujBgY/X516ov43L9I/AAAAAAAAI4I/mkaEsBrOvkMjycfrioYZMw7Tzce3S8NdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w330-h400/IMG_3691.jpg" width="330" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u-n85bg2RCk/X516mkbN0AI/AAAAAAAAI4E/EzKyCOzdK1kkJ4KyxGHawsELi36YI_iqwCLcBGAsYHQ/August2020%2Bcollage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u-n85bg2RCk/X516mkbN0AI/AAAAAAAAI4E/EzKyCOzdK1kkJ4KyxGHawsELi36YI_iqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/August2020%2Bcollage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With a serious health risk in the family, my husband is fortunate to work remotely, and the kids are in virtual school. Thankfully, school has been going relatively well, and the kids have some really great teachers that have been working hard to make things go smoothly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>September</u></b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LUnJrUaOaRo/X516ubbkvdI/AAAAAAAAI4M/JhOhGoaeb7k2nJx5vicay-c_ir1r7HCqwCLcBGAsYHQ/September2020%2Bcollage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LUnJrUaOaRo/X516ubbkvdI/AAAAAAAAI4M/JhOhGoaeb7k2nJx5vicay-c_ir1r7HCqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/September2020%2Bcollage2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Unfortunately, with a family member with a possibly worsening health issue, the one thing that is daunting is dealing with such things in the middle of a pandemic. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-acwezf8EMss/X516wi3khTI/AAAAAAAAI4Q/8Nr-6trMsisEJh_CA1KwgHYMLBClVRtFQCLcBGAsYHQ/September2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-acwezf8EMss/X516wi3khTI/AAAAAAAAI4Q/8Nr-6trMsisEJh_CA1KwgHYMLBClVRtFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/September2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Days of doctor's appointments and lab tests involve going in to Boston to the hospital - exactly where we were trying to not end up. The doctors are trying to get everything done as quickly as possible as our COVID numbers in Massachusetts are increasing.</div><br /><h3><b><u><br /></u></b></h3><h3><b><u>October</u></b></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xA6mblw47Nk/X54fU3677SI/AAAAAAAAI48/W634nmLuWO8evRjH51be3VSKZ8WG0cgzQCLcBGAsYHQ/october2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xA6mblw47Nk/X54fU3677SI/AAAAAAAAI48/W634nmLuWO8evRjH51be3VSKZ8WG0cgzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/october2020%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than the doctor visits, October in New England has been glorious. Fall is my favorite time of year, and the changing of the leaves has been spectacular this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HP_WZhQLpdM/X54fcRGeGPI/AAAAAAAAI5A/kllQdMNUaYMJzN-BT2KltmPmdW5_bC2pgCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_5145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HP_WZhQLpdM/X54fcRGeGPI/AAAAAAAAI5A/kllQdMNUaYMJzN-BT2KltmPmdW5_bC2pgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/IMG_5145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well, until yesterday anyway...</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j1zZ-6IZ7a4/X54mTBrWEcI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/DfxDUdshp74Zt0PkGSSz3AGmtIQ8XzF7gCLcBGAsYHQ/2%2B-%2B1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j1zZ-6IZ7a4/X54mTBrWEcI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/DfxDUdshp74Zt0PkGSSz3AGmtIQ8XzF7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/2%2B-%2B1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />A record for an October snowstorm here, of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seems on par for 2020, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BjnT8RAdfD0/X54mgDOAcxI/AAAAAAAAI5U/dPpdNKRJLawAsX7WwxKlGRfVctiXfneFwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_5311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1710" data-original-width="2048" height="334" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BjnT8RAdfD0/X54mgDOAcxI/AAAAAAAAI5U/dPpdNKRJLawAsX7WwxKlGRfVctiXfneFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h334/IMG_5311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy gardening?</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-27380586212289414392020-07-12T10:34:00.001-04:002020-07-12T10:36:57.768-04:00Canada LiliesThere are only three true lilies native here in the Northeast, and one of them is the Canada Lily, or <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_canadense" target="_blank">Lilium canadense</a></i>. (Our other native lilies are Turk's Cap Lily and Wood Lily.)<br />
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Three years ago I bought three lily plants from <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2015/05/the-largest-wildflower-garden-in-new.html" target="_blank">Garden in the Woods</a>, a native garden and nursery, and planted them in the <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2018/06/fortress-of-plantitude.html" target="_blank">gazebo garden</a>. They took a bit to get established, but now are flourishing.<br />
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Sometimes also called wild yellow-lily or meadow lily, Canada lilies are native to eastern North America and found in open woodlands, moist meadows, and savannas. They prefer dappled or partial sunlight and medium to moist soil and are hardy from zone 3 to 9.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXHxfX4MbnI/XwsOXecQxuI/AAAAAAAAI0o/N16dwtJoyikYh3N0PqSphpQ72Cbj99X8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/lily2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="960" height="377" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXHxfX4MbnI/XwsOXecQxuI/AAAAAAAAI0o/N16dwtJoyikYh3N0PqSphpQ72Cbj99X8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/lily2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My lilies bloomed for about three weeks from the later part of June through early July, with gorgeous apricot and yellow flowers, freckled underneath. Canada lilies may be different in coloration, though, ranging from yellow to red-orange.</div>
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These lilies attract Halictid bees (aka sweat bees) and large butterflies such as Swallowtails and Great Spangled Fritillaries. The only thing I actually noticed enjoying my Canada lilies, however, was a hummingbird. I got some great pictures of it... if only the memory card had been in my camera.</div>
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I keep all my lilies in my protected gazebo garden so that the deer don't eat them. I have spotted a few of the invasive <a href="https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/beetles/lily-leaf-beetle.aspx" target="_blank">Lily Leaf Beetles</a> in my garden, but on my other, non-native lilies. It's the first time I've really noticed the beetle in my garden. They have released several parasitic wasps throughout New England for a biological control, so I do hope that they won't become a problem.</div>
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Historically Canada lily was used medicinally for such things as stomach disorders, dysentery, rheumatism, irregular menstruation, and snake bites. The buds and roots of these lilies were traditionally eaten by Native Americans, and the bulbs are said to have a bitter or peppery flavor. Some sources label the lily roots as 'starvation food' eaten in times of famine, so I don't think I shall be trying them any time soon.</div>
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I would rather have the flowers in my garden anyway.</div>
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Happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-69175583265303385152020-06-24T08:20:00.001-04:002020-06-25T11:21:39.168-04:00JuneberriesTowards the end of strawberry-picking season and before the blueberries start, there is the picking of the Juneberries.<br />
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Never heard of Juneberries? I hadn't either until about three or four years ago. In fact, 'Juneberry' is a more recent American marketing name for the harder-to-pronounce but much-more-fun name of <a href="http://saskatoonberryinstitute.org/saskatoons/" target="_blank">Saskatoon berry</a>.<br />
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Also historically known as pigeon berries or serviceberries, these shrubs are native to North America. The species commercially grown is <i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i>, which is a close cousin of our Eastern serviceberry (<i>A. canadensis</i>), which commonly grows around here. The berries are more well-known in Canada, especially in Saskatchewan, which holds a<a href="https://mortlach.ca/attractions/p/saskatoon-berry-festival" target="_blank"> Saskatoon Berry Festival</a> in the town of Mortlach every year (except this year, thanks to Covid-19).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-admieCDVwtg/XvNAXMkqahI/AAAAAAAAIzw/cFc1cYBHUUs6q1mJOVw3nZDsCtu-PD6SwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-admieCDVwtg/XvNAXMkqahI/AAAAAAAAIzw/cFc1cYBHUUs6q1mJOVw3nZDsCtu-PD6SwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The name of 'Saskatoon' is said to be from the Cree language word misâskwatômina (Mis-sack-qua-too-mina), which means “the fruit of the tree of many branches”. The city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has similar origins. Historically the berries were often used in pemmican, as well as used medicinally for a variety of illnesses. The berries also feed various wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and bears, and the shrubs are a larval host for several swallowtail butterflies.</div>
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Juneberry/Saskatoon berry plants are deciduous and grow in a wide range of soils, though they prefer well-draining spots. They can be grown as shrubs or small trees and can reach 16 feet tall. White flowers bloom in spring, followed by the berries in late June or early July. The berries are very nutritious, containing high levels of protein, iron, calcium, and antioxidants.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picking Juneberries</td></tr>
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A local farm started offering Juneberry picking, and last year we tried them for the first time. The taste is said to be sweet with hints of almond and cherry. The kids especially were excited to try them - but upon tasting them we found them to be not that great raw. They were sweet, but on the tart side, and rather watery and seedy. So I baked them into a pie...</div>
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...and wow. It was absolutely delicious! My oldest daughter, who had never cared for a fruit pie in her life, enjoyed it immensely. One year later, she is still talking about that pie. This is obviously a fruit that improves upon baking.</div>
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Juneberry picking season has just started here, and the farm is letting small numbers of people come pick on appointment, so we will be cautiously venturing out for more Juneberry acquisition.</div>
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Wish us luck (and many juneberries/saskatoon berries)!</div>
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Happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-69693616689641527372020-06-13T15:21:00.001-04:002020-06-13T15:21:56.560-04:00One Scarlet Poppy<div style="text-align: center;">
Last year I planted <a href="https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/181644/#b" target="_blank">'Bridal Silk' Shirley Poppies</a> in the gazebo garden.</div>
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The pure white annual poppies looked beautiful, a nice foil to lilies and delphinium.</div>
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Interestingly enough, one red poppy seed made it into the packet of white poppy seeds. I was amused and let it be in the garden.</div>
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But that one scarlet poppy had an effect. The plants seeded around in the garden, and this year, several of the poppies that came up are... a little different.</div>
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A few have blush pink edged petals.</div>
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A couple others look even more like (what I'm assuming is) their red-flowered parent.</div>
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It is interesting to see what effect just one poppy had on my little garden of flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbROV1tL9ro/XuUi2Py8m8I/AAAAAAAAIxw/9aS9FhEwEyYaavrPWhvgYl0MVDoF4BTbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbROV1tL9ro/XuUi2Py8m8I/AAAAAAAAIxw/9aS9FhEwEyYaavrPWhvgYl0MVDoF4BTbACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9857.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It makes me wonder what next year's garden would look like if I keep the red and orange ones in, though they do not quite go with my more pastel-themed front garden.</div>
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But how beautiful is that?</div>
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Happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-7469491208895819882020-05-30T08:40:00.000-04:002020-05-31T00:07:41.051-04:00A Season of Daffodils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, last year was a rather rough year for me, and this year has been rough for everyone with the coronavirus and everything going on. I count my blessings, though, as my family is staying healthy and able to do work and school remotely. With health issues in the family, we will be home for quite awhile, so we are very grateful for a yard - and, of course, a garden.</div>
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We had a really cool spring, so the daffodils were later to bloom, but they seemed to last forever. Even the snow we got in the middle of APRIL(!) didn't seem to slow them down or hurt them at all.<br />
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Daffodils are among my favorites, and they were such a joy to see in the garden this spring. There is just something so cheerful about them, and they really helped to lift my spirits.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clockwise from top left:</i> Narcissus 'Audubon', N. 'Bell Song', N. 'Acropolis', daffodils with Tulip clusiana 'Tubergen's Gem', N. 'Tahiti'</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOS2IVY7ayw/XtJM8aaI2OI/AAAAAAAAIv0/obuW-oazuN8WJyUBdLT7BNfEB8ohA62zACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOS2IVY7ayw/XtJM8aaI2OI/AAAAAAAAIv0/obuW-oazuN8WJyUBdLT7BNfEB8ohA62zACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7549.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was gone so much last spring helping my mom when she was ill, that there were a few varieties I had planted the fall of 2018 that I saw in bloom for the first time this year.</div>
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<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/-miL2TQHW3ds/Xsz7Xz661xI/AAAAAAAAIus/hjvKmpw7a7IUxcuwRxjOQUi0S2jweD45ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1515" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miL2TQHW3ds/Xsz7Xz661xI/AAAAAAAAIus/hjvKmpw7a7IUxcuwRxjOQUi0S2jweD45ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8034.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narcissus 'Firebrand'</td></tr>
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<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/-_2ynO4DdhYc/Xsz-vO5IClI/AAAAAAAAIvY/u2pzu5GmIRQlvRKqvsHtP7x33bU17duKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1210" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2ynO4DdhYc/Xsz-vO5IClI/AAAAAAAAIvY/u2pzu5GmIRQlvRKqvsHtP7x33bU17duKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8651.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">miniature daffodil 'Little Sunray'</td></tr>
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There are a few varieties missing from the garden this year. I'm not sure whether to blame <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2017/06/the-last-daffodil-and-what-eats-it.html" target="_blank">bulb flies</a> or the strange couple of winters we've had with cycles of rain and freezing instead of our normal snow cover. But then again there are other varieties that have multiplied.</div>
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<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/-vaAoaJruLg4/Xsz9AIaWWoI/AAAAAAAAIvA/UgGdoRUKCQMdI1pLYMcR9KfOgmnqBrZpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8091.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaAoaJruLg4/Xsz9AIaWWoI/AAAAAAAAIvA/UgGdoRUKCQMdI1pLYMcR9KfOgmnqBrZpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8091.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N. 'Thalia'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo4kZB8Zc8U/XtJOBEDkPXI/AAAAAAAAIwA/uICzteIph4AWjk3yd3dWV89gAXxyEAfOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo4kZB8Zc8U/XtJOBEDkPXI/AAAAAAAAIwA/uICzteIph4AWjk3yd3dWV89gAXxyEAfOACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8289.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N. 'Hawera'</td></tr>
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With the cold weather I find myself cutting and bringing daffodils inside more often. I am enjoying having flowers in the house this year...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp4T04u3yEI/Xsz9r0CCXUI/AAAAAAAAIvM/pSySZZA4fDcwWgn7wsPEQoDPUpqefLhkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1600" height="361" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp4T04u3yEI/Xsz9r0CCXUI/AAAAAAAAIvM/pSySZZA4fDcwWgn7wsPEQoDPUpqefLhkACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8643.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...especially the fragrant ones. I smelled the flowers from this heirloom white variety before I even saw them.</div>
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<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/-27wbLnC4s98/XtJL9Yi0S4I/AAAAAAAAIvo/LlzLQy-Js88kdBxA69YJmUuqCYIxc7MjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27wbLnC4s98/XtJL9Yi0S4I/AAAAAAAAIvo/LlzLQy-Js88kdBxA69YJmUuqCYIxc7MjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9046.JPG" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narcissus albus plenus odoratus</td></tr>
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Now at the end of May, the temperatures are heating up, and daffodil season is winding down. These are some of the last of them clipped from the garden.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gM5pvhU3Vk/XtJOh2sMfxI/AAAAAAAAIwI/pFc4iX0IcfUTTNBq-UbLmbGq8wS1aeQ4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1600" height="345" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gM5pvhU3Vk/XtJOh2sMfxI/AAAAAAAAIwI/pFc4iX0IcfUTTNBq-UbLmbGq8wS1aeQ4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8910.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Until next year, lovely daffodils.</div>
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Happy gardening, dear readers, and stay safe.</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-7072653911098047312019-08-30T06:43:00.000-04:002019-08-30T06:43:18.696-04:00Until We Meet Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLTl7ocPzZ0/XWj8ztMvPnI/AAAAAAAAIr8/ZLLvE-Nkom05wHBZqC1Tvs-HdwbNPmMsQCLcBGAs/s1600/bluebird1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1024" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLTl7ocPzZ0/XWj8ztMvPnI/AAAAAAAAIr8/ZLLvE-Nkom05wHBZqC1Tvs-HdwbNPmMsQCLcBGAs/s400/bluebird1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rest in peace, Mom.</div>
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You were the best mom a girl could have, and you are so, so very missed.</div>
<br />Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-88526158885056903502019-07-02T10:09:00.000-04:002020-06-13T15:27:10.443-04:00Fire the Gardener?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During the winter I always come up with so many plans for the garden, and it is always right about now that I realize just how many of those didn't come to fruition due to the laziness of the gardener. (I really should fire her...) </div>
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<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/-O82poLIx7zc/XRtPen87G0I/AAAAAAAAIpU/f-xsYzcImLENYuSuqXjaVqUOoLzhnV4KwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O82poLIx7zc/XRtPen87G0I/AAAAAAAAIpU/f-xsYzcImLENYuSuqXjaVqUOoLzhnV4KwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3736.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lonicera sempervirens </i>'Tangerine Princess'</td></tr>
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I have a shoebox full of seeds not sown, and my deck is full of seedlings not planted. A new garden section isn't dug, and the beds are not all nicely weeded and mulched (even though I promised myself that <i>this</i> year would be the year.)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWMc9gwcVDg/XRtPrsbvi_I/AAAAAAAAIpY/gLaLOtcPOtkG3X2LPaxhU-eYqDBS-rxxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWMc9gwcVDg/XRtPrsbvi_I/AAAAAAAAIpY/gLaLOtcPOtkG3X2LPaxhU-eYqDBS-rxxgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3963.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thankfully it is also easy to overlook all those faults. This time of year the garden is usually bursting with blooms that far overshadow the weeds, and this summer is no exception.<br />
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<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/-o5_ZypwIuUE/XRtOZLpplsI/AAAAAAAAIpI/nuZQVEmOPsMJQpq_N0SuLvmvWMp8R480QCLcBGAs/s1600/June%2Bgarden%2Bcollage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5_ZypwIuUE/XRtOZLpplsI/AAAAAAAAIpI/nuZQVEmOPsMJQpq_N0SuLvmvWMp8R480QCLcBGAs/s640/June%2Bgarden%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clockwise from top left:</i> hellstrip and front garden, <i>Delphinium elatum</i> 'Million Dollar Blue', Clematis 'Niobe', driveway garden, 'The Wedgwood' Climbing Rose</td></tr>
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And there are some accomplishments this year to celebrate. The overabundance of bulbs ordered in winter might have been planted on the late side of spring, but some are already in bloom, such as this Aztec Lily.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dq1pYGqL6SA/XRtYjfm8HiI/AAAAAAAAIpw/zSRE4CZpKFUf8J7Eo8xZVeOLxq8fJ7lzgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dq1pYGqL6SA/XRtYjfm8HiI/AAAAAAAAIpw/zSRE4CZpKFUf8J7Eo8xZVeOLxq8fJ7lzgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3937.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sprekelia formosissima</i>, aka Aztec Lily</td></tr>
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And, thanks to my new <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2018/06/fortress-of-plantitude.html" target="_blank">gazebo garden</a> that keeps out the deer, I am finally able to grow lilies.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eIYuiZ0SXU/XRtbUlLQA2I/AAAAAAAAIqI/wWIoRQHMrfADDebD9zCvnCkWa0R-88hygCLcBGAs/s1600/lily%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eIYuiZ0SXU/XRtbUlLQA2I/AAAAAAAAIqI/wWIoRQHMrfADDebD9zCvnCkWa0R-88hygCLcBGAs/s400/lily%2Bcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from left: <i>Lilium martagon</i> 'Pink Morning',<i> Lilium pumilum</i>, <i>Lilium canadense</i></td></tr>
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The gazebo garden is also full of poppies grown from seed this spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8TIn73SwHo/XRtju73vXUI/AAAAAAAAIq8/FQdd0FG4VW4kPoRFXg-DI5j8ii-tnxPxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3951-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8TIn73SwHo/XRtju73vXUI/AAAAAAAAIq8/FQdd0FG4VW4kPoRFXg-DI5j8ii-tnxPxgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3951-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bridal Silk' Shirley Poppy</td></tr>
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(Though when I say 'full' of poppies, I mean it, as not a whole lot of thinning happened....)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tC1rL9AvfKE/XRt7JOyhSlI/AAAAAAAAIrI/UYD8WCh-9L0jkH4pSaaRwh-vrZvr5tzIgCLcBGAs/s1600/gazebo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tC1rL9AvfKE/XRt7JOyhSlI/AAAAAAAAIrI/UYD8WCh-9L0jkH4pSaaRwh-vrZvr5tzIgCLcBGAs/s400/gazebo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a rather full gazebo garden</td></tr>
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I am am so excited to see my <a href="https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/clematis-princess-kate-zoprika-pbr/classid.2000017699/" target="_blank">'Princess Kate' Clematis</a> in bloom for the first time this year. I planted it two years ago, but transferred it to the gazebo garden last fall after it kept getting nibbled by rabbits. When I bought it, there were conflicting reports about whether or not it would be hardy in my zone 6 garden. Thankfully, if it made it through last winter with its lack of snow cover, it is most definitely hardy. I love clematises, and this one is such a beauty.</div>
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<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/-lhUaZ8opX9Q/XRtd-3AHjWI/AAAAAAAAIqg/TDIbCm_3DcIWWGCOfVC6uzIF8matALFfACLcBGAs/s1600/June%2Bgarden%2Bcollage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhUaZ8opX9Q/XRtd-3AHjWI/AAAAAAAAIqg/TDIbCm_3DcIWWGCOfVC6uzIF8matALFfACLcBGAs/s640/June%2Bgarden%2Bcollage2.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clockwise from top left:</i> Clematis 'Roguchi', C. 'Lemon Bells, C. 'Princess Kate', C. 'Bees Jubilee' (I think)</td></tr>
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There were a few plants lost from the winter, but more than enough in the garden have thrived and grown to make up for them.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GaRG50UHxpY/XRtgHahuwzI/AAAAAAAAIqw/IeqFBZF1vbEENNowqx_alWYP5LrK9sqBgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GaRG50UHxpY/XRtgHahuwzI/AAAAAAAAIqw/IeqFBZF1vbEENNowqx_alWYP5LrK9sqBgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3956.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Maybe I won't fire the gardener after all.</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-58739672126116796422019-06-05T16:22:00.001-04:002019-06-05T16:27:58.848-04:00A Month of Epimediums<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a cool, rainy spring here in New England. Finally in May temperatures started to slowly rise, and everything turned green.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1MGCR3gNFg/XPO05yoEgCI/AAAAAAAAImY/EnP87PBABMEfyV-n0OzWut0f69OQVdDNgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1MGCR3gNFg/XPO05yoEgCI/AAAAAAAAImY/EnP87PBABMEfyV-n0OzWut0f69OQVdDNgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This year I declared May 'the month of Epimediums'. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimedium" target="_blank">Epimedium</a> (aka fairy wings, barrenwort, bishop's hat, or horny goat weed, as you might call it) started blooming in my garden at the beginning of May. They bloomed throughout the month, with the latest one finally dropping its flowers on the last day of the month.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Epimedium</i> × <i>warleyense</i></td></tr>
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Epimediums are common in Japan and China, but they were largely unknown to western gardens until a few decades ago. It is thanks to a few dedicated lovers of this genus that they are now much more widely known and mentioned here when gardeners talk about plants for that dreaded 'dry shade'. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white-flowering epimedium</td></tr>
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One such epimedium enthusiast is the hybridizer <a href="https://www.epimediums.com/about-garden-vision/" target="_blank">Darrell Probst</a> of Massachusetts. He hunted and collected seedlings on expeditions in Asia along with his interpreter, Joanna Zhang, and networked with other enthusiasts such as the late Harold Epstein.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Epimedium</i> × <i>rubrum</i></td></tr>
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In 1997 Darrell Probst and Karen Perkins opened <a href="https://www.epimediums.com/" target="_blank">Garden Visions Epimediums</a>, a small retail mail-order nursery in central Massachusetts dedicated to these plants. Darrell has largely moved on to hybridizing coreopsis (anyone else have a Big Bang series coreopsis in their garden?), but Karen still owns and operates the epimedium nursery.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Visions</td></tr>
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Garden Visions is open for just a couple weeks a year in May to visit and shop in person. May is always a busy time of year, and I have been trying to find time to drive out there every year since I moved up here. This year I finally succeeded.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5zTUPhzxpw/XPOwLlnCb5I/AAAAAAAAImE/RKbqPK_UjkYyBRCH5rGPUYlPNlwa9_k_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5zTUPhzxpw/XPOwLlnCb5I/AAAAAAAAImE/RKbqPK_UjkYyBRCH5rGPUYlPNlwa9_k_ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2926.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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It is a small nursery, but it contained an astonishing number of varieties of epimediums.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3aBBecqPsw/XPOwmQ9pfMI/AAAAAAAAImM/o8l8wJufxQ4M6kWl8WS6KYzaTQmJMgqwQCLcBGAs/s1600/Epimediums1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3aBBecqPsw/XPOwmQ9pfMI/AAAAAAAAImM/o8l8wJufxQ4M6kWl8WS6KYzaTQmJMgqwQCLcBGAs/s640/Epimediums1.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: <i>E. lishihchenii</i>, <i>E. wushanense</i>, <i>E. sempervirens</i> 'Cherry Hearts', <i>E</i>. × 'Pink Champagne', <i>E. grandiflorum </i>var. <i>violaceum </i>'Bronze Maiden'</td></tr>
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I visited on a chilly, rainy day during the first week in May. There wasn't much in bloom yet when I went, but many epimediums are also known for their stunning foliage, especially as they first emerge.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from left:<i> E.</i> 'Mottled Madness', <i>E.</i> × <i>versicolor</i> 'Cupreum', <i>E. sempervirens</i> 'Variegated #1'</td></tr>
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I loved seeing the growing beds behind the plants for sale. New epimediums in the making!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2w5xKigcto/XPO2WyDLviI/AAAAAAAAIm0/D6BiQOPA4m4ZGtRQl7i4m1ZbrJmlHAEDgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2w5xKigcto/XPO2WyDLviI/AAAAAAAAIm0/D6BiQOPA4m4ZGtRQl7i4m1ZbrJmlHAEDgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Garden Visions also sells a few unusual companion plants, such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanguinaria" target="_blank">bloodroot</a>, one of my favorite spring ephemerals.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">growing beds of bloodroot (<i>Sanguinaria canadensis</i>)</td></tr>
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Most people know of epimediums as groundcover plants for dry shade, but the genus is diverse. Some are clumping, some are spreading. Some are evergreen, some deciduous. And while some of the spreading types do <i>tolerate</i> dry soil, they usually<i> prefer</i> moisture. Most of the epimediums in my garden are pass-a-longs from a generous friend who has a moist, shady garden where they spread happily.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAVAwStB8WI/XPgaDQjxAHI/AAAAAAAAIn0/2iJthOK1r8YaSbDGEe00dk0LTrGj-IYeACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAVAwStB8WI/XPgaDQjxAHI/AAAAAAAAIn0/2iJthOK1r8YaSbDGEe00dk0LTrGj-IYeACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Epimediums are hardy from zone 5 to zones 7, though there are varieties that can be grown in colder or warmer zones. They bloom in spring and are best divided in fall. They are widely known in Asia as a medicinal plant - thus the nickname 'horny goat weed'. (Legend has it that a Chinese goat herder noticed his flock grazing on a patch of epimedium and then were afterwards much more 'active'.) Thankfully, while goats might eat this plant, the deer and bunnies won't. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Epimedium</i> 'Pink Champagne'</td></tr>
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It was amazing to see so many different epimediums in one place at Garden Visions. Of course, the hardest part was figuring out which ones to take home with me...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVyyStBlDso/XPgdc7mGObI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/slIICoSpSLQ5_SoT6xBuKyS-bx8nhiUkACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVyyStBlDso/XPgdc7mGObI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/slIICoSpSLQ5_SoT6xBuKyS-bx8nhiUkACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-72499665710744309352019-04-27T09:17:00.000-04:002019-04-27T09:31:48.390-04:00HoneymoonI previously posted about the beautiful <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2019/04/location-location-location.html" target="_blank">Bluebird pair</a> who moved into the bluebird house and started building a nest immediately after I hung it in the front yard. They industriously built their nest, which was enjoyable to watch, but then.... nothing. There was no activity for several days, and the house seemed to be abandoned. Did they move out, or were they quietly sitting on eggs in there? I took a quick look inside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a surprisingly empty nest</td></tr>
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Confused, I asked someone who knew more about birds what had possibly happened. Did they find a better place to nest? I had seen a cowbird checking the nest out. Did it scare them away?</div>
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I was relieved when the woman I talked to said to not lose hope yet. Apparently bluebirds will sometimes make a nest and then go on a 'honeymoon' before laying eggs, waiting for there to be a better food supply outside. Sure enough, a couple weeks later after the weather had gotten warmer and bugs started to fly around, the bluebirds were back! A quick peek inside confirmed it.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ9pwv3hAxw/XMIjXuKWN-I/AAAAAAAAIko/jb2ArdM_u7wnjPOR1g-QcxI3WGXfWTVagCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ9pwv3hAxw/XMIjXuKWN-I/AAAAAAAAIko/jb2ArdM_u7wnjPOR1g-QcxI3WGXfWTVagCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2849.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Five little blue eggs! I look forward to seeing babies before too long.</div>
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Happy spring!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-71138972079789559832019-04-01T15:38:00.003-04:002019-04-01T15:38:36.123-04:00Location, Location, Location<div style="text-align: center;">
For the past two years, my bluebird house hung in the backyard in what was really a bad location, hole facing into the wind. A couple of other less picky birds gave it a try, but no bluebirds.</div>
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I finally took it down and moved it to a post in my <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2018/06/fortress-of-plantitude.html" target="_blank">gazebo garden</a> in the front yard.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0UzJXK9nlo/XKJbfVhX4-I/AAAAAAAAIjs/nksEofdkEWoftDP6LFYV7XangNr2Pcw6wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0UzJXK9nlo/XKJbfVhX4-I/AAAAAAAAIjs/nksEofdkEWoftDP6LFYV7XangNr2Pcw6wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A mere four hours later, the house was sold!</div>
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Real estate here really is all about location.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXn9sUhJ5Ss/XKJdmFnrGFI/AAAAAAAAIkM/BO-UA0eqTe0wjDiZlNdAAHtyiWTNntb7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXn9sUhJ5Ss/XKJdmFnrGFI/AAAAAAAAIkM/BO-UA0eqTe0wjDiZlNdAAHtyiWTNntb7gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1692.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy spring!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-19906124184143296922019-03-23T23:40:00.001-04:002019-03-23T23:52:00.854-04:00Visit of a Plant-starved Gardener to Logee'sIt's been a tough winter for the plants, with little snow cover and a constant cycle of rain and hard freezes. Small bulbs and plants were heaved out of the ground and had to be reburied. On a positive note, my Giant Snowdrops were up and blooming early in January.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Galanthus elwesii</i>, aka Giant Snowdrop</td></tr>
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February continued with lots of cold but not much snow. March rallied with a couple good snowstorms before winter finally started to loosen its grip. Last week it actually (dare I say it?) started feeling a bit like spring. (I remain a cynic, though, as it has been known to snow in April.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-_PVRSTy2E/XIwkuefIy2I/AAAAAAAAIg4/8jAJNe-8EXIhbGOBdL_XW2bbjgkSEm-AwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-_PVRSTy2E/XIwkuefIy2I/AAAAAAAAIg4/8jAJNe-8EXIhbGOBdL_XW2bbjgkSEm-AwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2173.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">common snowdrops in the garden</td></tr>
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So how do we northern gardeners survive during the long winter? Let's see... we spend the first couple of months giving our neglected and abused houseplants some much needed love. After we put all of our houseplants into shock, we obsessively peruse seed catalogs. We then try to convince ourselves that this year we really are going to plant all those seeds we order...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyJkdaMjrmM/XJb9_1XhorI/AAAAAAAAIjQ/aYpA4R5td5oz9dPN4ddm7Hb_ZHcE2Dh1ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyJkdaMjrmM/XJb9_1XhorI/AAAAAAAAIjQ/aYpA4R5td5oz9dPN4ddm7Hb_ZHcE2Dh1ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8397.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another winter project - propagation of Christmas cactus</td></tr>
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At some point, however, it is time for a desperate gardener to visit a nursery to get a plant fix! We are lucky to have a couple nurseries with greenhouses in the surrounding area, but last month we took a day trip to visit the real jackpot -<a href="https://www.logees.com/" target="_blank"> Logee's Greenhouses</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGl9xD9Dqmo/XIzzr8QwxYI/AAAAAAAAIhg/sHUbgZKLsjwZBwkI_KxLZDCDo-hAwd5GQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGl9xD9Dqmo/XIzzr8QwxYI/AAAAAAAAIhg/sHUbgZKLsjwZBwkI_KxLZDCDo-hAwd5GQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Mr. Red House took me to Logee's as a late Valentine's Day excursion. He really knows the way to a gardener's heart! </span>Logee's has not just one but SIX greenhouses filled to the brim with botanical treasures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFer1qz7zQA/XIz1NI-mJLI/AAAAAAAAIhw/wlvWMCJKe48Okuxdze-HsJDnl5VV5qSNACLcBGAs/s1600/logees%2Bcollage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFer1qz7zQA/XIz1NI-mJLI/AAAAAAAAIhw/wlvWMCJKe48Okuxdze-HsJDnl5VV5qSNACLcBGAs/s640/logees%2Bcollage1.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Clockwise from top left:</b> narrow aisles run through the packed greenhouses, unlabelled camellia, rows of <i><a href="https://www.logees.com/baseball-plant-euphorbia-obesa.html" target="_blank">Euphorbia obesa</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.logees.com/suzanna-s-euphorbia-euphorbia-suzannae.html" target="_blank">Euphorbia suzannae</a></i> for sale, <i><a href="https://www.logees.com/powder-puff-calliandra-surinamensis.html" target="_blank">Callandra surinamiensis</a></i> aka Powder Puff plant</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.logees.com/" target="_blank">Logee's</a> is a mail order and retail shop in Danielson, Connecticut, that specializes in container-grown tropical plants, and it has an interesting history. It was started in 1892 by William Logee. One of its most famous plants is the <a href="https://www.logees.com/ponderosalemon" target="_blank">Ponderosa Lemon Tree</a> that was brought to Logees from Philadelphia in 1900 via train then horse and buggy. It was planted in the ground in Logee's original greenhouse and is still there, alive and thriving, and thousands of cuttings have been taken from it for new plants. It is also called the American Wonder Lemon, as its lemons can get as large as 5 pounds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRbfbnFqp2M/XIz6PLZQrJI/AAAAAAAAIh8/l3HLiesqudcoNVf67SO7wEhWuez4f081wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRbfbnFqp2M/XIz6PLZQrJI/AAAAAAAAIh8/l3HLiesqudcoNVf67SO7wEhWuez4f081wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lemon from the Ponderosa Lemon Tree</td></tr>
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William Logee's children became involved in running the nursery. His son Ernest hybridized begonias for the nursery and was one of the founders of the American Begonia Society. Sadly he passed away at a young age from a fall out of a tree while pruning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVbGXvhbVlo/XJOnBKtqWMI/AAAAAAAAIiM/p17OWtQlVioVIZQhU3Kb_gnKyIWcodXeQCLcBGAs/s1600/logees%2Bcollage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVbGXvhbVlo/XJOnBKtqWMI/AAAAAAAAIiM/p17OWtQlVioVIZQhU3Kb_gnKyIWcodXeQCLcBGAs/s640/logees%2Bcollage3.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top:</b> <a href="https://www.logees.com/rattlesnake-plant-calathea-lancifolia.html" target="_blank"><i>Calathea lancifolia </i>'Rattlesnake'</a> <b>Center:</b> <a href="https://www.logees.com/many-flowers-pavonia-multiflora.html" target="_blank"><i>Pavonia multiflora</i></a>, unlabeled Hibiscus flower, <i><a href="https://www.logees.com/shingle-plant-rhaphidophora-cryptantha.html" target="_blank">Rhaphidophora cryptantha</a></i> (aka Shingle Plant) <b>Bottom:</b> <i><a href="https://www.logees.com/thechenilleplant" target="_blank">Acalypha hispida</a></i> (aka Chenille Plant), <i><a href="https://www.logees.com/begonia-wightii-begonia-maculata-variegata-931.html" target="_blank">Begonia maculata variegata</a></i></td></tr>
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William Logee's daughter Joy met her husband at Ernest's funeral, as he was a fellow horticulturalist and Begonia Society member. They became owners of the nursery after William's death in 1952. Joy focused on scented geraniums and herbs, while also continuing her brother's legacy of growing begonias.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvJMpJhFb14/XJOsoIhwnLI/AAAAAAAAIig/fwqAGygTfXEH7sl_Mtbct1SFwep9v434QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvJMpJhFb14/XJOsoIhwnLI/AAAAAAAAIig/fwqAGygTfXEH7sl_Mtbct1SFwep9v434QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4916.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Joy and her husband had two sons. One, Geoffrey, became a physicist and professor. His first wife was now well-known garden author <a href="http://www.tovahmartin.com/" target="_blank">Tovah Martin</a>. Their other son Byron stayed with Logee's, and he and his first wife now run the still family-owned and operated greenhouses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nmj1Vod36ZI/XJOtWjI3ARI/AAAAAAAAIis/QVKrw1SKptcb0kU57ZzLWJ2syMZjCCLMQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nmj1Vod36ZI/XJOtWjI3ARI/AAAAAAAAIis/QVKrw1SKptcb0kU57ZzLWJ2syMZjCCLMQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1717.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">profusion of blooms from an enormous <a href="https://www.logees.com/australian-sarsparilla-hardenbergia-violacea.html" target="_blank">Australian Sarsparilla</a> vine</td></tr>
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The nursery was a delightful place to visit after some long winter months.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MiOl4AqCnA0/XJb2L1XNQCI/AAAAAAAAIjE/TfH7yb4Fz3IRr5WGCCxN5gyqNVEm3oqGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MiOl4AqCnA0/XJb2L1XNQCI/AAAAAAAAIjE/TfH7yb4Fz3IRr5WGCCxN5gyqNVEm3oqGACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So is it possible for a plant-starved gardener to visit such a greenhouse and not come home with a plant or two (...or seven or eight)?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJzenYMxN5Q/XJOvRmICBmI/AAAAAAAAIi4/q0M-i9FkN8QE7YITGMrAGkLA46O4ZtRTgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJzenYMxN5Q/XJOvRmICBmI/AAAAAAAAIi4/q0M-i9FkN8QE7YITGMrAGkLA46O4ZtRTgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my new <a href="https://www.logees.com/begonia-sophie-cecile-begonia-fibrous-hybrid.html" target="_blank">Begonia 'Sophie Cecile'</a></td></tr>
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I think not.</div>
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Happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-5971873709934777492019-02-17T22:25:00.000-05:002019-02-17T22:29:55.268-05:00For the Love of BeansEvery year I like to grow new types of vegetables in my garden. While it's fun to try out new varieties, I get very excited when a variety tastes so good that it makes the prized list of <b>'Veggies I Will Grow Every Year'</b>. Already on the list were <a href="https://www.rareseeds.com/purple-podded-pole-bean/" target="_blank">Purple Podded Pole Beans</a>, <a href="https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/turnips/hakurei-f1-turnip-seed-706.html" target="_blank">Hakurei Turnips</a>, <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2014/10/have-you-ever-eaten-ground-cherry.html" target="_blank">Ground Cherries</a>, <a href="https://www.rareseeds.com/black-krim-tomato/" target="_blank">Black Krim Tomatoes</a>, and salad green <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2018/05/salad-success.html" target="_blank">Claytonia</a>. This winter, after finally shelling the bean pods I harvested in fall, I am pleased to announce a new addition: <a href="https://www.seedsavers.org/good-mother-stallard-bean" target="_blank">Good Mother Stallard Beans</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH3WRj606iY/XGVvJviUJSI/AAAAAAAAIc4/p7NCAHa7dUI_7yDQK_51fegKqYlRIBuigCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH3WRj606iY/XGVvJviUJSI/AAAAAAAAIc4/p7NCAHa7dUI_7yDQK_51fegKqYlRIBuigCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Mother Stallard Bean pod</td></tr>
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The maroon and white beans are beautiful, but they taste even better. They are a nice meaty bean, and they make an amazing bean broth that adds incredible flavor to soup. </div>
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I started these heirloom pole beans rather late in the season, planting them after I harvested my garlic, and I only planted a couple rows. Despite this, I ended up with a decent amount of beans, almost a quart. From now on they will be getting more time and real estate in the garden!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdkbhPKEWlA/XGbAMxOwlnI/AAAAAAAAIeE/BJ5S6lg8JLknG0_MYmycT9RDaJnzNrLEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdkbhPKEWlA/XGbAMxOwlnI/AAAAAAAAIeE/BJ5S6lg8JLknG0_MYmycT9RDaJnzNrLEwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This summer I also planted <a href="https://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark-item/jacob-s-cattle-bean" target="_blank">Jacob's Cattle Bean</a>, an heirloom bush bean that is thought to have been grown by the Passamaquoddy Indians in Maine. Legend has it that they gifted this bean to Joseph Clark, the first white child born in Lubec, Maine. Sadly my crop was a failure. I also planted these beans later in the season, and I think they were shaded too much by neighboring plants. I ended up with only a few dry beans before frost hit. These beans were also very tasty, though I preferred the creamier texture and shape of the Good Mother Stallards.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GezWuhexljw/XGa3R9-nsXI/AAAAAAAAIdo/eVXstRJmR5IkdPSAz00HixCP62OyE_SGgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GezWuhexljw/XGa3R9-nsXI/AAAAAAAAIdo/eVXstRJmR5IkdPSAz00HixCP62OyE_SGgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob's Cattle Beans</td></tr>
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It is very likely that we owe the preservation and distribution of both of these heirloom beans to bean collector <a href="https://www.seedsavers.org/withee-exhibit-bean-man" target="_blank">John Withee</a>. Born in Maine in 1910, John Earl Withee, Jr. was one of six children, and beans were a staple for the family, as times were tough. Every Friday afternoon John would be in charge of cleaning out and starting a fire in the <a href="http://blog.seedsavers.org/blog/john-withees-bean-hole" target="_blank">bean hole</a>, a hole in the ground lined with bricks that worked as an oven. A Dutch oven full of beans - often Jacob's Cattle Beans - would be lowered onto the hot coals and then covered with dirt. The beans would bake for an entire day, ready for Saturday night's supper. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooked Jacob's Cattle Beans</td></tr>
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After marrying and working as a medical photographer in New Hampshire, John Withee eventually took a job as the head of the Photographic Laboratory at what is now Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston in 1960. He and his wife finally bought land of their own, settling in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. John built a garden and wanted to build a bean hole to revive the fondly-remembered tradition of his childhood. However, when he went looking for Jacob's Cattle Beans or any of the other varieties he remembered, he couldn't find them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob's Cattle Bean flower</td></tr>
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He began writing to friends and family looking for the beans he grew up with. He found those and more. After hearing stories of nearly losing some of these unique bean varieties, he realized that collecting them could be an important project. He started visiting food stores throughout New England and putting notices in publications, looking for different beans. By 1975, John had collected over 200 varieties of beans. After retirement, he founded a non-profit named Wanigan Associates, made up of members that could grow and share these varieties and keep them alive. By 1981, he had collected <b>1,186</b> varieties of heirloom beans.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQOqCLnbk-M/XGnbCJlCIgI/AAAAAAAAIfI/D6BH2xf9ZHI4cdwzWJ5ue6mXFs7Wt86AgCLcBGAs/s1600/beans3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQOqCLnbk-M/XGnbCJlCIgI/AAAAAAAAIfI/D6BH2xf9ZHI4cdwzWJ5ue6mXFs7Wt86AgCLcBGAs/s320/beans3.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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As John got older, he started looking for someone to look after this living collection of seeds. He found a promising seed saving group named <a href="https://www.seedsavers.org/" target="_blank">Seed Savers Exchange</a>, founded by Kent and Diane Whealy in 1975. He asked them to take over his organization and bean collection. Due to this, Seed Savers started growing as a central repository to preserve heirloom seeds, eventually becoming the largest seed bank in the United States outside of the government.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lk5OvjnrcQ/XGnjrQJRXEI/AAAAAAAAIfw/D8Ds61uXXS0Bze6TFKz3ujaMk0XIcZ0-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lk5OvjnrcQ/XGnjrQJRXEI/AAAAAAAAIfw/D8Ds61uXXS0Bze6TFKz3ujaMk0XIcZ0-ACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_3055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good Mother Stallard was one of the 1,186 bean varieties that John Withee donated to Seed Savers, given to him by Carrie Belle Stallard in Virginia. I am very glad that this tasty heirloom was not lost to us. John Withee passed away in 1993, but his legacy lives on.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Growing-cooking-beans-John-Withee/dp/091165805X" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
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Happy gardening,</div>
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and happy cooking!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-85393851257541915822019-02-09T13:39:00.003-05:002020-06-13T15:28:17.593-04:00A Hill of Very Long BeansMy new <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2018/06/fortress-of-plantitude.html" target="_blank">gazebo garden</a> gave me more fenced-in space this summer, so I just had to try growing a few new veggies, one of which was the <a href="https://www.rareseeds.com/chinese-red-noodle-bean/" target="_blank">Chinese Red Noodle Bean</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Red Noodle Bean (banana for scale)</td></tr>
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This impressively-sized bean is also commonly known as the Yard Long Bean, Chinese Long Bean, Snake Bean, Asparagus Bean, and Pea Bean. The botanical name is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus_bean" target="_blank"><i>Vigna unguiculata</i> subsp. <i>sesquipedalis</i></a>, and this legume is not actually a bean at all. It is a variety of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowpea" target="_blank">cowpea </a>and in the same family as black-eyed peas.</div>
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The heat-loving vines did wonderfully in my sunny front yard. I planted the seeds in June, and two months later they started producing beautiful, fragrant flowers followed quickly by the beans.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-edz6c7LZMbM/XF8FuoIrN2I/AAAAAAAAIbc/Nc9UbMd1xhk7ruEVpSfXnZ8WM7WlvAuoQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-edz6c7LZMbM/XF8FuoIrN2I/AAAAAAAAIbc/Nc9UbMd1xhk7ruEVpSfXnZ8WM7WlvAuoQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3506.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The vines are vigorous and indeterminate (which means they keep growing and growing), ending up around 9 to 12 feet tall by the end of summer. Once they started producing, they didn't stop. I think I planted 8 seeds, and I ended up with crazy amounts of beans. I gave away piles of beans, as there were far more than we could eat along with the other veggies from our garden.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one harvest of Chinese Noodle Beans</td></tr>
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The beans were definitely better picked before they got too long and overly mature, before about a foot and a half. I enjoyed the mild flavor. Many think they taste more like asparagus, which is probably why a nickname is Asparagus Bean. This is a great bean for a stir-fry. It is highly nutritious, a good source of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folates, and other nutrients.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtwzSLqoFjc/XF8aqGFdvjI/AAAAAAAAIco/YttAb-9oT-owYAm9AMsvMjkwfHwfTYNCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtwzSLqoFjc/XF8aqGFdvjI/AAAAAAAAIco/YttAb-9oT-owYAm9AMsvMjkwfHwfTYNCgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_3508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So were these plants incredibly productive? Yes</div>
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Were the beans delicious? Yes</div>
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Would I grow these again? <b>NO</b>, because of...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cyo4adPhKNg/XF8IysoV4wI/AAAAAAAAIb8/9-iktcHaIrQXsBB2gm544SzCuxA9Ms-VwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3735.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cyo4adPhKNg/XF8IysoV4wI/AAAAAAAAIb8/9-iktcHaIrQXsBB2gm544SzCuxA9Ms-VwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE ANTS</b>.</span></div>
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Yard Long Beans have <a href="http://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Extrafloral_Nectaries" target="_blank">extrafloral nectaries </a>right below the flowers. These nectaries secrete a sweet, carbohydrate-rich food that attracts ants. In return, the ants protect the plant from predators that want to eat it. Like me. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">several ants on this one</td></tr>
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I don't know if it was just my ants or what, but they were very good at their job. Every time I tried to pick a bean, the ants went crazy, racing up and down the bean. Imagine me, a vertically challenged woman who has to harvest these beans while standing on a step stool, trying to pick beans in this jungle of vines while constantly swatting ants off of me. I only got bit once, but still. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my hard-fought pile of beans</td></tr>
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Online others have said that they would just shake the bean and the ants would run away or fall off, but that didn't work with mine. I must have the extra-special guard ants. It is too bad, as these were great, productive beans. If anyone has a solution to fight off the ants, let me know.</div>
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Until then I will be sticking to my more regular pole beans.</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-90577782162655314882019-02-02T09:31:00.000-05:002019-02-02T09:40:53.556-05:00Wendy's Wish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have long drooled over <a href="https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/184141/#b" target="_blank">'Wendy's Wish' Salvia</a> whenever I've seen it offered in catalogues. It's been on my list for awhile now due to the gorgeous fuchsia color of its blooms, but I never could bring myself to pay shipping costs for a plant that is an annual up here. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'</td></tr>
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So when I found them at a local nursery this summer for a bargain, I quickly snatched up three! They were perfect for my new <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2018/06/fortress-of-plantitude.html" target="_blank">gazebo garden</a> in the front yard. It was a great spot for this salvia - full sun, good drainage, good soil.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gazebo garden in early June</td></tr>
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I think they liked the spot.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gazebo garden in September</td></tr>
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It would help if I read the description of how big plants get before I plant them. These salvia grow to around 3' - 4' wide and high. I planted them about a foot and a half apart. They rebelled and spent the summer trying to escape the garden.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59QAH7jCVF8/XFWX44Pm8mI/AAAAAAAAIY0/4e9gjCt1_3o1ImGBxYWGZkcINADUAe8vwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59QAH7jCVF8/XFWX44Pm8mI/AAAAAAAAIY0/4e9gjCt1_3o1ImGBxYWGZkcINADUAe8vwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As beautiful and vigorous as these plants were, I think the best thing about them was how much the hummingbirds loved them.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vxkjBH24-I/XFWrxfWY8PI/AAAAAAAAIao/qCPaebVF-SE9dpwwjKO-bwSODsAU-AnzgCLcBGAs/s1600/salvia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vxkjBH24-I/XFWrxfWY8PI/AAAAAAAAIao/qCPaebVF-SE9dpwwjKO-bwSODsAU-AnzgCLcBGAs/s400/salvia3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One small female claimed this garden as hers and stood guard over it all summer, chasing away any other hummingbird that dared to sneak in.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zjhTMsnAjg/XFWbglQsxyI/AAAAAAAAIZI/R-5Lfmd-BasN1L6xs7ENKsMsPzcXO4YWwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1484" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zjhTMsnAjg/XFWbglQsxyI/AAAAAAAAIZI/R-5Lfmd-BasN1L6xs7ENKsMsPzcXO4YWwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Almost every time I looked, there was a hummingbird.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElV8c1QdxE4/XFWb-yCepbI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/Y1C1sXKRjgIPZ6tpssM3sVvnmUCI7VksACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElV8c1QdxE4/XFWb-yCepbI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/Y1C1sXKRjgIPZ6tpssM3sVvnmUCI7VksACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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'Wendy's Wish' Salvia has an interesting and inspiring story behind it. It was found as a chance seedling in 2005 by Wendy Smith, a salvia enthusiast, in her garden in Victoria, Australia. When patenting her plant, she stipulated that a portion of each sale be given to <a href="https://www.makeawish.org.au/" target="_blank">Make-a-Wish Australia</a>, a foundation that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bee <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2012/03/hey-youre-supposed-to-pay-for-that.html" target="_blank">robbing nectar</a> from a salvia flower</td></tr>
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This generous action has inspired others to do the same. <a href="http://southernlivingplants.com/annuals-and-perennials/plant/embers-wish-salvia" target="_blank">'Ember's Wish' </a>and <a href="http://southernlivingplants.com/the-collection/plant/love-and-wishes-salvia" target="_blank">'Love and Wishes'</a> are two salvias derived from 'Wendy's Wish' that also earmark a portion of their proceeds to Make-a-Wish Australia.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Ember's Wish' Salvia and 'Love and Wishes' Salvia<br />
photos from <a href="https://almostedenplants.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=24&page=1&Keyword=wish%20salvia&category=ALL&highprice=&lowprice=&allwords=wish%20salvia&exact=&atleast=&without=&cprice=&searchfields=" target="_blank">Almost Eden Plants</a></td></tr>
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These salvias are hardy to zone 9. They like full sun, but can take part shade in hot climates. They are deer resistant and drought tolerant. They do have a spreading habit, which might look untidy for some. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, though, this is your plant.</div>
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Until next summer...</div>
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happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-79645760298202487362019-01-11T09:13:00.000-05:002019-01-11T09:13:59.368-05:00Wishes for a Hopeful New YearI hope everyone has had a nice and restful holidays and a great start to the New Year. It's been a while since I've blogged. Life became busy as always, and then my mom fell sick.<br />
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What seemed like a strangely lingering terrible cold turned out to be something far, far worse. I flew down to help for several weeks as she dealt with surgery, hospitalizations, oncology appointments, and treatment options.<br />
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We were all able to spend Christmas down there, which was wonderful. As of now, she is holding steady, and we are praying that the treatments work.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a short-lived dusting of snow in November</td></tr>
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Here in Massachusetts it's been a strange winter, with bitter cold alternating with warmer temperatures and rain. What little snow we've gotten has melted off quickly, and a precocious snowdrop has even decided it's time to bloom! I don't dare predict a mild winter though - the last time we had such a January, we ended up with record amounts of snow in February.</div>
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I wish everyone a wonderful and hopeful 2019,</div>
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and as always, happy gardening.</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-40753922095769547352018-09-29T11:21:00.001-04:002018-09-29T11:21:30.560-04:00What do Hummingbirds do in a Downpour?We've had some cold and stormy weather lately with heavy rain throughout the day, and the bird feeder has been quite popular. But what do the tiny hummingbirds do in a downpour?<br />
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Researchers used slow-motion cameras to find that hummingbirds have <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-15620024" target="_blank">a method to cope</a> with even heavy rain. Much like a dog, they whip their heads back and forth in mid-flight to shake the water off of their feathers. Incredibly, hummingbirds do this with acceleration that reaches a g-force of 34 - five times faster than a Formula-1 race car!</div>
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Of course, even with this capability, these tiny birds appreciate a sheltered place to dry off a little. This female hummingbird spent a rainy afternoon going between the flowers out in my garden to feed and a hanging plant under my front porch to rest. It was apparently a good place to dry off her wings and stretch a little...</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwzmSLwsjJNWqrAi5KzYiU1pPlp7gkjJMBqbG0RWdB3ayRxlWbv6GVXLLDKJM8Tv5FavP6phzjA48PyZaX59A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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... and catch a few little bugs.</div>
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She looked so cute fluffed up against the cold, wet day. I doubt I will see her or the other hummingbirds for very much longer, as it is about time to head south for the winter.</div>
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After this week's weather, she is probably eager to start her migration!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-39106502973558940912018-09-14T21:06:00.000-04:002018-09-14T21:10:54.193-04:00It's a Trap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Everywhere we turned last Sunday, there was a trap.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sarracenia</i> hybrids</td></tr>
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We were at what was probably the most dangerous plant show on the East Coast - the annual <a href="http://www.necps.org/NECPS_2018_show.html" target="_blank">Carnivorous Plant Show</a> put on by the <a href="http://www.necps.org/" target="_blank">New England Carnivorous Plant Society</a> at <a href="https://www.towerhillbg.org/" target="_blank">Tower Hill Botanical Garden</a>. And what an amazing collection of plants it was!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15th Annual Fall Carnivorous Plant Show at Tower Hill Botanical Garden</td></tr>
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The New England Carnivorous Plant Society prides itself on showing an incredibly diverse collection of carnivorous plants, and it shows. There was far more than your average Venus flytrap here! We were surrounded by plants from around the world that get their nutrition primarily from insects (or the even the occasional frog, lizard, or <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-14416809" target="_blank">bird</a>)! This lets them grow in places where many other plants cannot, such as in poor or very acidic soil. I'd hate to be a bug in this room...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The tropical pitcher plant<i> Nepenthes edwardsiana </i>ready and waiting...</td></tr>
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My personal favorites have always been the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarracenia" target="_blank"> <i>Sarracenias</i></a>, our native Trumpet pitchers, and there were many gorgeous varieties to be seen.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from left: <i>Sarracenia </i>'Diana's Delight'; collection of <i>Sarracenia</i>, including <i>S</i>. x 'Morell', <i>S</i>. <i>rubra</i>, and <i>S</i>. <i>leucophylla</i> 'Red'; <i>Sarracenia psittacine</i> var <i>okeefenokeensis</i> </td></tr>
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Most <i>Sarracenia</i> are native to bogs and marshes in the Southeastern US, but there is one that is native here in New England and rightly well represented at the show - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarracenia_purpurea" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Sarracenia purpurea</a>, aka the Purple pitcher plant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our native<i> Sarracenia purpurea</i></td></tr>
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Most pitchers have hoods that prevent too much rainwater from getting into the pitcher and diluting the digestive fluids in it, but the hood of the Purple pitcher plant is less covering, letting the tubes fill with water. A whole little microcommunity of bacteria and invertebrates live in this pitcher water and helps break down the prey to make the nutrients more usable to the pitchers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top: <i>S. purpurea</i> ssp <i>venosa, </i><i>S</i>. 'Green Latrine',<i> S. </i>x <i>purpurea</i> 'Alderman Lake Bog MI' x 'Brunswick Beauty</td></tr>
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Also native to North America is <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlingtonia_californica" target="_blank">Darlingtonia californica</a></i>, aka the Cobra Lily or the California pitcher plant. Native to bogs and streams in Northern California and Oregon that are fed with cold mountain water, these can be hard to grow in cultivation. The roots of this plant start to die back if they get warmer than 50°F (10°C). Members of the New England Carnivorous Society took it on as a challenge to grow these plants for this year's show, with somewhat varying success.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Darlingtonia californica</i></td></tr>
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In South America live the counterparts of our native pitchers, the Sun Pitchers, or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliamphora" target="_blank"><i>Heliamphora</i></a>. Instead of a hood or lid, these pitchers boast a 'nectar spoon' on their tops, which attracts prey. A slit in the side of the pitcher regulates the level of rainwater inside the pitchers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvRAQKsJyAI/W5puezF1ruI/AAAAAAAAITk/54G7W0X8JlsR4AWYNyMAfOVj74ToYq7NgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvRAQKsJyAI/W5puezF1ruI/AAAAAAAAITk/54G7W0X8JlsR4AWYNyMAfOVj74ToYq7NgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3834.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heliamphora heterodoxa</i></td></tr>
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Tropical pitcher plants <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthes" target="_blank">Nepenthes</a></i> look very different from Trumpet pitchers or Sun pitchers. Most are vines and can grow up to several meters long. The tips of the modified leaves produce tendrils, which form into pitchers. Some tropical pitcher plants produce huge pitchers that are capable of ensnaring small critters like mice or lizards. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjovtU7Czjg/W5pzCRemeFI/AAAAAAAAITw/e_yOOLGkdlMl_CZ74kYxvjNJhPIl95ZSQCLcBGAs/s1600/carnivorous%2Bcollage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjovtU7Czjg/W5pzCRemeFI/AAAAAAAAITw/e_yOOLGkdlMl_CZ74kYxvjNJhPIl95ZSQCLcBGAs/s640/carnivorous%2Bcollage3.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: <i>N. alata x ventrata</i>, <i>N. </i>'The Succubus', <i>N. ventricosa x truncata</i>, <i>N. bongso</i></td></tr>
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Sundews, or <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosera" target="_blank">Drosera</a></i>, have a completely way to catch insects. Their leaf surfaces are covered with many tiny tentacles, and each tentacle has a drop of sticky substance at the tip to lure and entrap prey. Anything that lands on it becomes stuck and subsequently digested. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dp1mF6JsCRQ/W5wnEJLuK2I/AAAAAAAAIVk/WHs68jwvPSszc458V-3H2uHgv_RNfkt0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dp1mF6JsCRQ/W5wnEJLuK2I/AAAAAAAAIVk/WHs68jwvPSszc458V-3H2uHgv_RNfkt0wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a closeup of a Thread-leaved Sundew</td></tr>
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At the show, the Sundews ranged in size from cute and petite...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gly4hrJ4wZ0/W5p1UQ9aF-I/AAAAAAAAIUM/P-LpV4_d1Fc5ALWU9SG6sRkHCXsfTqC8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gly4hrJ4wZ0/W5p1UQ9aF-I/AAAAAAAAIUM/P-LpV4_d1Fc5ALWU9SG6sRkHCXsfTqC8gCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_3835.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Drosera callistos</i>, aka Pygmy Sundew, which is native to Australia</td></tr>
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... to large and rather threatening to those who pass by. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8QD0SK6OuU/W5p2B_SX6RI/AAAAAAAAIUY/Fznbw645E3URzruJcIcZM1DdIbTFc5XOwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8QD0SK6OuU/W5p2B_SX6RI/AAAAAAAAIUY/Fznbw645E3URzruJcIcZM1DdIbTFc5XOwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this one ate its sign. It is likely <i>Drosera</i><i> tracyi,</i> which is native to the US<i>.</i></td></tr>
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Carnivorous plants do have blooms! Most hold their flowers on long stems far above the plant, so that they don't block possible prey from approaching the plant. Butterworts (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinguicula" target="_blank">Pinguicula</a></i>) are carnivorous plants that are usually grown for their pretty flowers. The leaves look much like succulent leaves but are sticky to catch small insects.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BISZi-JppwE/W5p6IFmPpZI/AAAAAAAAIUk/151rM9Yy9DseTZ4E3oY_GH_dBDX_UwbmwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BISZi-JppwE/W5p6IFmPpZI/AAAAAAAAIUk/151rM9Yy9DseTZ4E3oY_GH_dBDX_UwbmwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pinguicula</i> species mounted on waterrock from Japan</td></tr>
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The coolest plant on display was possibly a Corkscrew plant, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genlisea" target="_blank">Genlisea</a>.</i> Corkscrew plants look quite plain and harmless from above...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg7ZyLEGS6E/W5p70VhDzUI/AAAAAAAAIUw/JFcGvgZuyncKKCXSubKTjjVbY7n5B5_gACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg7ZyLEGS6E/W5p70VhDzUI/AAAAAAAAIUw/JFcGvgZuyncKKCXSubKTjjVbY7n5B5_gACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3863.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the tiny leaves of Corkscrew plant<i> Genlisea hispidula</i></td></tr>
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However, instead of roots, these plants have modified, corkscrew-type leaves that catch tiny insects under ground.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the corkscrew 'root' traps on display in a water tank under the plant</td></tr>
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The show even featured an aquatic carnivorous plant - the Waterwheel, or <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldrovanda_vesiculosa" target="_blank">Aldrovanda vesiculosa</a>. </i>Waterwheels float just under the surface of the water and catch prey in traps that look much like those of a Venus flytrap. They are native to lakes and ponds in the Western Hemisphere and spread by sticking the feet of passing birds.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VV4sFhCPHVE/W5rJ1oW5XVI/AAAAAAAAIVE/GrwSm1pujZ43VDokN-aJEbala3UDwSZEQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VV4sFhCPHVE/W5rJ1oW5XVI/AAAAAAAAIVE/GrwSm1pujZ43VDokN-aJEbala3UDwSZEQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3867.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course, no self-respecting Carnivorous Plant Show would be complete without a thoroughly lethal-looking fairy garden.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beware, traveling salesmen...</td></tr>
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This was such a fun show, filled with so many different and amazing plants! Thankfully there was also an area with vendors selling some of them to add to my growing collection...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aX0v9UtNw_U/W5wpQ7FW5oI/AAAAAAAAIVw/5T6ep_GnsvoS4ZrulVZAVWJr6dRkUbC3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aX0v9UtNw_U/W5wpQ7FW5oI/AAAAAAAAIVw/5T6ep_GnsvoS4ZrulVZAVWJr6dRkUbC3wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my new <i>Drosera graomogolensis </i></td></tr>
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Happy gardening,</div>
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and happy hunting...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="271" src="https://giphy.com/embed/mPRUnmwYbVEm9DaaKv" width="480"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/thecoolidge-musical-steve-martin-mPRUnmwYbVEm9DaaKv">via GIPHY</a></div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-13166624487577751602018-08-30T20:44:00.001-04:002018-08-30T20:44:54.312-04:00My New Leaf Substitute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Z-oxpEgho/W4iPBcfY2_I/AAAAAAAAIR4/Lox-3RGREnMVVt6fOjAi1E7crnzpqXF7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Z-oxpEgho/W4iPBcfY2_I/AAAAAAAAIR4/Lox-3RGREnMVVt6fOjAi1E7crnzpqXF7gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-11078210516358997002018-08-21T12:21:00.000-04:002018-08-21T12:22:29.861-04:00Traits of the Most Obliging Plants<div style="text-align: center;">
The nicest plants in the garden are first and foremost, of course, free.</div>
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Preferably they have been given to you by a lovely and generous friend, so that every time you see your plants you can be reminded of them. Such is the case with my beautiful dahlias.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc8DmuzL2_4/W3wLWJASLbI/AAAAAAAAIPk/kEGslbGtWcQrytU2mujELrDe5ineQfjcACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc8DmuzL2_4/W3wLWJASLbI/AAAAAAAAIPk/kEGslbGtWcQrytU2mujELrDe5ineQfjcACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3514.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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Amiable plants also pop up in the garden even though you never bought them. Perhaps they came as a freebie with another plant you bought and you never really even noticed it until it surprised you with delicate yellow blooms one day, such as this <a href="https://hort.uwex.edu/articles/yellow-corydalis/" target="_blank">Yellow Corydalis</a> in the shade garden. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIip3frRieA/W3wMt5gACiI/AAAAAAAAIP0/nHa31zkN6n8OcyG_ZH4-ImaBc6sRNtJGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIip3frRieA/W3wMt5gACiI/AAAAAAAAIP0/nHa31zkN6n8OcyG_ZH4-ImaBc6sRNtJGACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3644.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nice and polite plants also faithfully bloom all summer even with complete neglect from the gardener. This <a href="http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=n870" target="_blank">Threadleaf Coreopsis</a> that grows next to the driveway has slowly expanded every year and seems to always be in bloom. I don't even remember ever cleaning up dead foliage after winter (though I'm sure I do?)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67mRFfKmg0k/W3wzP_Jr21I/AAAAAAAAIRQ/YMBEZunWoHcO6Q7Iz-Oh4s_ZtwWoMw2XACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67mRFfKmg0k/W3wzP_Jr21I/AAAAAAAAIRQ/YMBEZunWoHcO6Q7Iz-Oh4s_ZtwWoMw2XACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3677.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course the best plants come back every year after winter - even if they are not rated hardy for your zone. My <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiolus_%27Priscilla%27" target="_blank">'Priscilla' Gladiolas</a> shocked me with their return after a harsh winter. Looking online, it seems this variety is among the hardiest of the showy gladiolas. I hope it keeps coming back. That would be quite nice and obliging of it.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8NDsSDwe_k/W3wQEsGDjvI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/rkGlNNaHI0sGC5Tr-2mlY32T-8HiOKgQQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8NDsSDwe_k/W3wQEsGDjvI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/rkGlNNaHI0sGC5Tr-2mlY32T-8HiOKgQQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The most polite plants also keep popping up in the garden even after a gardener is sure that she has killed it. Good to see you again, <a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2012/11/love-at-first-sight.html" target="_blank">Viola walteri 'Silver Gem'</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcIfAc_G3-Y/W3wS4pXcPOI/AAAAAAAAIQs/gPhlD4U8HJ0Da5MxYLAEsh5_vw9ydOTUQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcIfAc_G3-Y/W3wS4pXcPOI/AAAAAAAAIQs/gPhlD4U8HJ0Da5MxYLAEsh5_vw9ydOTUQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A really obliging plant produces both food and beautiful flowers. Of course, if the plant was truly obliging, those flowers would be fragrant... Check, check, and check for the <a href="https://www.rareseeds.com/chinese-red-noodle-bean/" target="_blank">Chinese Red Noodle Bean</a>!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers of the Chinese Red Noodle Bean</td></tr>
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Other amiable plants put on such a show every year that visitors are in awe of the fact that the gardener managed to grow such large flowers. (Shhh, don't tell them that <a href="http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=f112" target="_blank">'Cranberry Crush' Hibiscus</a> naturally makes those giant flowers, no matter what I do to it...)</div>
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Not all plants have such showy flowers. A well-mannered plant works whatever blooms it has with gusto for the pollinators. This <i><a href="http://www.redhousegarden.com/2017/09/not-all-liatrises-are-created-equal.html" target="_blank">Liatris ligulistylis</a></i> might have blooms that are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, but it is completely irresistible to Monarch Butterflies.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ5QYzUnDt4/W3wWpv03TwI/AAAAAAAAIRE/sCa1ljejqBkRC6PoR4rnTTeedvF3Jw8hgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ5QYzUnDt4/W3wWpv03TwI/AAAAAAAAIRE/sCa1ljejqBkRC6PoR4rnTTeedvF3Jw8hgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1192.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The best plants of all realize that their gardener planted them in the wrong spot and MOVE THEMSELVES over a couple feet to a better one (and one where the gardener was struggling to grow other things). I swear I did not plant this <a href="http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=i460" target="_blank">Great Blue Lobelia</a> there.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rveZESvT5hA/W3w0Wf_LBPI/AAAAAAAAIRc/uErhdhW0A_kRV-R8mPfYR-t-4YKd_UJ-gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rveZESvT5hA/W3w0Wf_LBPI/AAAAAAAAIRc/uErhdhW0A_kRV-R8mPfYR-t-4YKd_UJ-gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_3568.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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So many lovely and obliging plants in my garden! Now if only one of my plants would be nice to enough catch and eat some of those pesky bugs outside...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QI4pg-Hofpk/W3w1sOU097I/AAAAAAAAIRo/YFiDZ7d1S9EMXk8chNj_MZexGZO-o-McwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1600" height="361" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QI4pg-Hofpk/W3w1sOU097I/AAAAAAAAIRo/YFiDZ7d1S9EMXk8chNj_MZexGZO-o-McwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3661.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ah, thank you dear <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarracenia" target="_blank">Pitcher Plant</a>! That's very considerate of you!</div>
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Do you have any particularly obliging plants in your garden?</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-51699216419367462972018-08-10T18:00:00.000-04:002018-08-19T07:19:54.389-04:00Biological Control of Purple LoosestrifeIt's the height of summer, and the Purple Loosestrife in my detention pond is in full bloom.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkl_N7u8ffQ/W23tAdcPirI/AAAAAAAAIMk/bMUOq1Y8V98VWpJQ7csVF_6I2QMigbeXwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkl_N7u8ffQ/W23tAdcPirI/AAAAAAAAIMk/bMUOq1Y8V98VWpJQ7csVF_6I2QMigbeXwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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However, when I say full bloom, I mean FULL bloom. For here in North America, Purple Loosestrife, aka <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lythrum_salicaria" target="_blank">Lythrum salicaria</a></i>, is a highly invasive plant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the Purple Loosestrife in my detention pond</td></tr>
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There's no denying that this particular invasive is a strikingly gorgeous plant. Hailing from Europe and Asia, this wetland plant has been prized throughout history as an ornamental in the garden in addition to its medicinal use for gastrointestinal ailments.</div>
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Overseas, there are a number of cultivars of Purple Loosestrife. <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/102703/i-Lythrum-salicaria-i-Blush/Details" target="_blank">'Blush'</a>, which has pale pink flowers and <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/116301/i-Lythrum-salicaria-i-Feuerkerze/Details" target="_blank">'Feuerkerzeze'</a>, which has sterile, vividly-colored double flowers, have both won the British Royal Horticultural Society's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Award_of_Garden_Merit" target="_blank">Award of Garden Merit</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Clearwing Moth on Purple Loosestrife</td></tr>
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In the 1800's Purple Loosestrife was introduced into North America either accidentally as seeds floating in ship ballast water or intentionally as an ornamental. In the years that followed bee keepers spread it to other parts of North America, as its many flowers offered an abundance of nectar for the bees. It has since spread into most US states and up into Canada.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBTOFRgHAzI/W24IVKoZ4eI/AAAAAAAAIPU/O4KJnZnxHrE56wep0XkMJVkQdzGI6cr3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Purple%2BLoosestrife%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBTOFRgHAzI/W24IVKoZ4eI/AAAAAAAAIPU/O4KJnZnxHrE56wep0XkMJVkQdzGI6cr3gCLcBGAs/s400/Purple%2BLoosestrife%2Bcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While bees and other pollinators love the flowers, unfortunately there are not many animals or insects here that eat the plant to keep it in check. Purple Loosestrife invades wetlands, crowding out native plants. It forms dense, impenetrable stands that are unsuitable for native wildlife such as ducks, frogs and turtles, and these animals are often forced to relocate. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PI47zDhigQU/W24GljcYbHI/AAAAAAAAIO8/WDpv99mL0p8b35WAF5Dz8iZLq7rnNQVGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3452-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PI47zDhigQU/W24GljcYbHI/AAAAAAAAIO8/WDpv99mL0p8b35WAF5Dz8iZLq7rnNQVGACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3452-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once Purple Loosestrife is established in an area, it is nearly impossible to get rid of due to the immense number of seeds each plant produces. A mature plant can produce millions of seeds, and these seeds remain viable in the soil for years. It can also re-sprout from any pieces of roots left in the soil or water. Managing this invasive plant by manual removal, burning, cutting, herbicides, and water management have all been tried... and found to be either too difficult, too costly, or environmentally unsuitable. </div>
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So what to do about this plant? In the mid 1980's, biologists began to search for what is usually the last resort - a biological control. Biological controls are very tricky, as we have found out over the years. Deliberately introducing something new into the environment can go terribly wrong. Asian ladybugs that were released to fight aphids have now edged out many of our native ladybugs. Our largest native moth, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalophora_cecropia" target="_blank">Cecropia silk moth</a>, is now under attack from a parasitic fly that was meant to control gypsy moths. And most of us know what happened with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu_in_the_United_States" target="_blank">Kudzu</a>, aka 'the vine that ate the South'...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I03IrTmyThs/W231rN7ftGI/AAAAAAAAINs/endMSV-RKEMiIEwLAUhRLTx0-ILKiSY5QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I03IrTmyThs/W231rN7ftGI/AAAAAAAAINs/endMSV-RKEMiIEwLAUhRLTx0-ILKiSY5QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3385.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, testing for a biological agent is now much more rigorous. Scientists considered over 100 insects overseas that were known to feed on Purple Loosestrife. Several were thought to have possibility, and extensive testing began in Europe. The insects were exposed to many North American species of plants to make sure that they would not end also attacking our native plants if introduced here. In 1992, after six years of testing, the US Department of Agriculture approved four insects for release into the US for the control of Loosestrife: two leaf-eating beetles (<i>Galerucella calmariensis</i> and <i>Galerucella pusilla</i>), one flower-feeding weevil (<i>Nanophyes marmoratus</i>), and one root-boring weevil (<i>Hylobius transversovittatus</i>).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "stempelgaramond"; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: italic; text-align: left;">Hylobius transversovittatus </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "stempelgaramond"; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: left;">on Purple Loosestrife<br />(photo via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylobius_transversovittatus" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>)</span></td></tr>
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Would these biological controls work? In the mid 1990's the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began releasing the leaf-eating beetles in various suitable areas, including two National Wildlife Refuges here in Massachusetts. Between 2000 and 2008 the state government teamed up with various wetland conservations programs to release more beetles in Massachusetts through the <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/invasive-plants/purple-loosestrife/biocontrol-project" target="_blank">Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Project</a>. Beetles were released at 43 sites throughout the state, starting with Turner's Pond in Walpole, just a few towns away from me. Within four years, Turner's Pond saw an 80% drop in Loosestrife plants. This biological control worked!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtRfQjv6TXQ/W23yHxF6LjI/AAAAAAAAINY/Pj-rkBDCK0kNE2P2vSu8l8nROWZkBGELQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtRfQjv6TXQ/W23yHxF6LjI/AAAAAAAAINY/Pj-rkBDCK0kNE2P2vSu8l8nROWZkBGELQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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However, to be a true success, the release of the beetles should not cause any negative effects on the environment. Studies have found that the beetles do sometimes feed on two similar native plants; however they prefer Purple Loosestrife, and no serious problems have been reported. Monitoring will continue, but so far this is one biological control that is a success!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ4XWLc_dIY/W24GFVLoTUI/AAAAAAAAIOs/SupjP_ZkqicMs87HjLJk7NaPNEP9GDI3ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ4XWLc_dIY/W24GFVLoTUI/AAAAAAAAIOs/SupjP_ZkqicMs87HjLJk7NaPNEP9GDI3ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now I just need some of those beetles to fly over to my detention pond...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tyx3YSQRewg/W24GUBAcAWI/AAAAAAAAIOw/WPhkppDJwYUrdLG8Q5F-oq20MbnA31m4ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tyx3YSQRewg/W24GUBAcAWI/AAAAAAAAIOw/WPhkppDJwYUrdLG8Q5F-oq20MbnA31m4ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1137.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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With all this Purple Loosestrife, I have quite a good meal for them!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-27660342006282427262018-07-29T16:39:00.001-04:002018-07-29T16:39:59.344-04:00In the JungleI feel like I've hardly been in the garden the past few weeks between traveling, visitors, and the weather. June ended on a heat wave, with temperatures soaring up to 97°F (36°C) into early July.<br />
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While that might be normal temperatures down South, my body has now acclimated to the Northern winters and cooler temps. Thankfully the highs have since dropped back down into the 80's, which is more normal for summer here. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Daylily - possibly 'Frosted Vintage Ruffles'</td></tr>
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Hopefully now that it is cooled down and I am done with my travels, I can finally give my neglected garden some attention. It is turning into a overgrown jungle.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">the front jungle, ah, I mean garden</td></tr>
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My parents recently visited, and my dad joked that he should have brought a machete to help me get through my garden.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x08NW-M6zcA/W14UMUvy7gI/AAAAAAAAIK8/KJIISYFSHHUQ_wfJc9031nRtzEy8w5fTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x08NW-M6zcA/W14UMUvy7gI/AAAAAAAAIK8/KJIISYFSHHUQ_wfJc9031nRtzEy8w5fTgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_3288.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the overgrown greenhouse garden</td></tr>
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I have my work cut out for me! At least as I start the weeding and pruning, there are so many pretty blooms in the garden to enjoy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uGuWM4AJoQ/W14Ztkbq9UI/AAAAAAAAILM/y1U3-PGGp0gY0rG5fZ-BDUoV9_PBmGhBgCLcBGAs/s1600/collage-summer%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uGuWM4AJoQ/W14Ztkbq9UI/AAAAAAAAILM/y1U3-PGGp0gY0rG5fZ-BDUoV9_PBmGhBgCLcBGAs/s640/collage-summer%2B2018.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clockwise from top:</i> Gardenia 'Frostproof', coneflowers, Calendula 'Snow Princess', Daylily 'Stephanie Returns', <i>Lonicera sempervirens</i> 'Tangerine Princess', bee on Salvia </td></tr>
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The garden is also full of birds, butterflies, bees, and an unfortunate number of baby bunnies.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRqqpyAuVFc/W14hxU2EZRI/AAAAAAAAIL4/hooYnTz6DB8KsFbDqcVquKCiTSknlSY-gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1484" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRqqpyAuVFc/W14hxU2EZRI/AAAAAAAAIL4/hooYnTz6DB8KsFbDqcVquKCiTSknlSY-gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0743.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a perching Hummingbird - arguably cuter than the bunnies?</td></tr>
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I've started seeing Monarch butterflies almost every day here - a positive sign.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWvL2bOeYok/W14UR_5Kw8I/AAAAAAAAIK4/6URlsn05d28P-cNKvaGnJYkQR2RRx7hoQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWvL2bOeYok/W14UR_5Kw8I/AAAAAAAAIK4/6URlsn05d28P-cNKvaGnJYkQR2RRx7hoQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Monarch butterfly on milkweed</td></tr>
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Well, wish me luck! It's back to the weeding and pruning... and staking.</div>
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Happy gardening!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-68987668779189661392018-07-11T21:10:00.000-04:002018-07-11T21:10:21.695-04:00Wordless Wednesday - A Small Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-On_MNHI6i-A/W0aqSmGrG1I/AAAAAAAAIKU/FkSILgB_9C4ZskNMqOw7q9uFezszHSWvACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-On_MNHI6i-A/W0aqSmGrG1I/AAAAAAAAIKU/FkSILgB_9C4ZskNMqOw7q9uFezszHSWvACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0690.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-78479188029672982532018-06-30T15:02:00.000-04:002020-06-13T15:22:16.318-04:00Fortress of PlantitudeAnother spring, another project here at the Red House Garden! I was lamenting that our fenced-in gardens were in the backyard, while our sunnier front yard was open to the feasting of the critters. My husband was lamenting the patch of lawn in the front yard that was compacted and not doing well...<br />
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Time to tear up some lawn and build a critter-proof garden instead! But, being in our front yard, we wanted to build something extra pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf1QyuZIPEQ/WzfD1Ik8ORI/AAAAAAAAIHo/xhA_tJKazzQAOG_dwgC3qaAu1Ff8SgPKgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf1QyuZIPEQ/WzfD1Ik8ORI/AAAAAAAAIHo/xhA_tJKazzQAOG_dwgC3qaAu1Ff8SgPKgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_2708.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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Our idea was to build a garden that looked almost like a gazebo, but with an open roof. We hit the drawing board, and this was what we came up with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Vw5_Uez5g/WzfCylu-tMI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/QCbWVInWbush7MfD17WLQhp_jTqQPghswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Vw5_Uez5g/WzfCylu-tMI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/QCbWVInWbush7MfD17WLQhp_jTqQPghswCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2579.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">octagonal fenced-in garden</td></tr>
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We had thought to build this during spring break, not realizing just how ambitious a project this was. It ended up taking about a month to build the bulk of it.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxOsGOdY4NA/WzfFUFZkFHI/AAAAAAAAIH4/C8CfL0q1iHM_ThY7Yj3vBuZ7Odk9xHDrQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxOsGOdY4NA/WzfFUFZkFHI/AAAAAAAAIH4/C8CfL0q1iHM_ThY7Yj3vBuZ7Odk9xHDrQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We first built our octagonal base in the driveway.</div>
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Then came marking, digging, and filling with a paver base sand to stabilize our base. (A little child labor was very useful, too, as you can see.)</div>
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Then we built the middle base.</div>
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Lots of leveling.</div>
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We covered the bottom with wire hardware cloth to keep voles and groundhogs from digging underneath.</div>
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4x4 posts were attached at the corners with metal brackets.</div>
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Lots of pieces of wood were cut to form the sides.</div>
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At this point, our neighbors started coming around, wondering what in the world we were doing.</div>
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Time to build the roof!</div>
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Lifting the roof up was quite an adventure.</div>
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Much trigonometry was done to find all the angles and lengths to cut throughout this entire project. I wish I had written and kept all of the math in an organized fashion so someone could recreate it more easily if they wanted to.</div>
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Black landscaping fabric was stapled to the inside of the garden to make sure that soil did not seep out through any gaps.</div>
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The garden was filled with soil, and then black wire fencing was rolled out and stapled to the inside of the posts to deter the groundhogs and deer.</div>
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A little more paint, some bags of stone for the floor in the middle, a door, and viola!</div>
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Now we just need a good name for our new fenced-in octagonal garden.</div>
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The gazebo garden? The Octagon? Fortress of Plantitude?</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_605gTq1ps/WzfOqag4C6I/AAAAAAAAIKI/HK2jaw16VLoOm1dnt0GojKnv5VvcF4tZgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1600" height="323" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_605gTq1ps/WzfOqag4C6I/AAAAAAAAIKI/HK2jaw16VLoOm1dnt0GojKnv5VvcF4tZgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Any ideas?</div>
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Happy planting!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-26567933478769340032018-06-16T09:35:00.000-04:002018-06-16T09:53:59.200-04:00The Easy Care GladiolaShowy gladiolas elicit strong opinions from gardeners, as they are diva plants in the garden. Some love their dramatic, tall spikes of bold colors, while others (such as the well-known English gardener Alan Titchmarsh) hate them with a passion. I personally like gladiolas and enjoy their showiness - but on the other hand, I hate how much work they take. I have to stake each one in the summer so they don't fall over from their top-heavy blooms, and I have to dig them up for the winter, as they are not usually hardy in my zone.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I don't like gladiolas that much.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFls6_e7HaU/WyUDV_bbuII/AAAAAAAAIFs/3AetOyrMCEEuZPcGzqPwi8yzTRzlU1BCwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFls6_e7HaU/WyUDV_bbuII/AAAAAAAAIFs/3AetOyrMCEEuZPcGzqPwi8yzTRzlU1BCwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thankfully there are other, easier-going types of gladiolas. They may not be as showy as those dramatic divas, but neither do they act like it. They are the smaller, hardier glads, such as the species <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiolus_communis" target="_blank">Byzantine Gladiolus </a>(<i>Gladiolus communis ssp Byzanthinus</i>), which I have in my garden.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Byzantine Gladioli</td></tr>
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Native to the Mediterranean area, this gladiolus grows to 2 or 3 feet tall and doesn't need to be staked. It is also hardy up to zone 5, so I don't have to dig them up the fall. Even those gardeners that say they don't like glads appreciate the gracefulness of this one, which more closely resembles a wildflower than a showy diva.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOFQNZqXZPs/WyUIvyylQDI/AAAAAAAAIGY/9YeYoWDi5r89DdkeDM5H-IY3FaOrUoZAwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOFQNZqXZPs/WyUIvyylQDI/AAAAAAAAIGY/9YeYoWDi5r89DdkeDM5H-IY3FaOrUoZAwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0572.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes known as Sword Lily, Jacob's Ladder, or Turkish flag, Byzantine gladioli corms (similar to bulbs) are usually planted in fall and bloom their bright magenta flowers at the end of spring through early summer. They like full sun and well-drained soil, though they will tolerate part shade and even heavy clay if in a dryer area. Over time they multiply to form nice stands of flowers that I've seen the hummingbirds enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stands of Byzantine gladioli next to <i>Geranium sanguineum</i></td></tr>
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According to <a href="https://oldhousegardens.com/MoreAboutByzantineGlads" target="_blank">Old House Gardens</a>, less hardy imposters are sometimes sold under the name of Byzantine gladiolus, so you do have to buy them from a reputable source. (I've always bought mine from <a href="https://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/Gladiolus/communis-ssp--Byzantinus/Sword-Lily--Corn-Lily-or-Flags" target="_blank">Brent and Becky's Bulbs</a>.) I've grown this gladioli in both North Carolina and up here in Massachusetts and have had great success with it. I just plant the corms in fall and let them do their thing.</div>
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Beautiful gladiolas with little care from me?</div>
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That's a winner!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770960028868336157.post-29063841754405027392018-05-26T18:16:00.000-04:002018-05-26T18:16:24.388-04:00Salad Success<div style="text-align: left;">
Ever have a plant that just won't grow for you? Or even a whole group of plants? For me, it was greens. It didn't really matter what type - if it went in a salad, it probably wouldn't grow for me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinach 'Bloomsdale'</td></tr>
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Seeds wouldn't germinate. It would be too hot or too cold. Slugs ate the lettuce. Grubs ate the spinach. Whatever the reason, I never ended up with enough greens for a even a garnish, much less an actual salad.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn Salad 'Bistro'</td></tr>
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This year, however, I was determined that things were going to be different. It was going to be THE YEAR. I sowed early greens in well-prepared raised beds and under the protection of a row tunnel. I soaked and germinated my stubborn spinach seeds between damp paper towels in a baggie and then planted them in seedling trays indoors. Lettuce seeds were also started indoors before careful transplanting into the veggie bed.</div>
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Did it work? Did all my efforts pay off?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">claytonia, spinach, lettuce, and corn salad</td></tr>
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It was a resounding success.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">To my delight, this year all of my salad greens grew - almost </span><i style="text-align: left;">too</i><span style="text-align: left;"> well! I can probably now invite the entire neighborhood over for salad and garnish some pasta plates while I'm at it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of many harvests of Claytonia</td></tr>
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I grew four different types of greens this spring, and they all did well. My favorite was<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claytonia_perfoliata" target="_blank"> Claytonia</a>, also called miner's lettuce after being used by California Gold Rush miners to prevent scurvy. Native to western North America, it has mild-tasting, succulent type leaves and eventually little white edible flowers. It was both the easiest green to grow and the most productive. I couldn't eat it all and started giving bags of it away!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Lettuce 'Four Seasons'</td></tr>
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The 'Four Seasons' Lettuce was delicious, productive, and the prettiest of them all, with its beautiful red-tinged leaves. Corn Salad, aka <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerianella_locusta" target="_blank">Mâche</a>, did well and was the earliest of the greens to grow. Last on the list was spinach. I love spinach, but it was most notable for both taking the most work to grow and for bolting the earliest in the warm weather. I did still get quite enough for a salad or two, though.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I call that success!</div>
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Indiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.com24