Society Blooms Continued

The late spring walk through the American Horticultural Society was most intriguing at the meadow. It was wild and natural, yet at the same time tidy and cultured. I felt like walking inside an impressionist painting. The meadow was also an attraction for wildlife - fox dens were found, birdhouses had no vacancies, and butterflies used it as a stopover hub.

Native golden coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) were found blooming. What I thought to be another coreopsis was actually the Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), sparse but calling attention to itself with its vibrant red color among the green and with its unusual shape. The Coreopsis grandiflora, red version, also stood out.

Coreopsis grandiflora		Coreopsis tinctoria
Ratibida columnifera

Perfuming the air around the grounds were the old giant magnolia tree and the lilies. The lilies were not labeled.

Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: pink cosmos, mexican zinnia, petunia, red cosmos, nicotiana,     calendula, phlox, cleome, coneflower, salvia   • Harvested: 3 cucumbers, 1 tomato (season's first)

Horticultural Society

Last month, in the attempt to keep up the momentum of my local weekend stay-cations, I ventured down the road to the American Horticultural Society for the first time. It's one of those places in my backyard that I have never visited, although living here for 25 years. Located along the Potomac River, a few steps north of Mount Vernon, the AHS headquarters is housed in an old estate house on River Farm, one of George Washington's land holdings. The grounds are free for visitors to wander about through the gardens and meadow.

Several large centuries-old trees with wrinkled skin screen out the sun for the shade garden. They create a refuge from the southern heat and along with the house, lend a sense of quiet permanence to the property. Tourists were sparse on the day I visited.

Located among the hostas was a small structure, maybe a well cover, with a 'green' roof overflowing with plants. The same roof was found on a garden shed near the annuals garden. These appear to be nothing more than a 6-inch (20 cm) deep pan on top of a standard asphalt shingle roof - a container on the roof. I was intrigued by what type of maintenance these require, specifically the water needs. It is a shallow root zone on a hot roof after all. The photos seem to indicate the full-sun roof is not as lush as the shade roof. Maybe these roofs were tests, or maybe they were demonstrations.

More sustainable demonstrations were on display. Bamboo was used to support the top-heavy blooming oriental lilies. Notice the push mower in the shed? And the natural meadow, planted in 2008, has become the new "sustainable alternative to the traditional American lawn ... and a popular attraction for visitors." The next post will include plants in the spring gardens and meadow that I found interesting.

Interesting? Two months before, the meadow did not exist - it was purposely burned to the ground to maintain it. "Without some type of management–either mowing or burning–any meadow eventually reverts to woodland. Burning aids in controlling woody and herbaceous invasive species and can also invigorate older meadows by helping to recycle nutrients and reduce matted vegetation to allow better air circulation." If a meadow were to replace my front lawn, do I need to burn it every other year? :-)

Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: pink cosmos, mexican zinnia, petunia, red cosmos, nicotiana,     calendula, phlox, cleome, coneflower, salvia   • Harvested: 2 cucumbers, dill

July 2010 Bloom Day

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day
What's blooming in the garden on the 15th of the month.

The perennials are in full swing, with some beginning to fade as the annuals take over. Oh, and the vegetable garden is beginning to produce.

I resisted the temptation to flood this post with photos of the same beauties that bloom every year and are already posted. Only a few new rookie notables are included this month like the millet - winning my affection as the best new plant of the year in my garden.

As usual, you can find other garden bloggers' July bloom days at the blog May Dreams Gardens.

Cosmos 'Sonata Pink' (Cosmos bipinnatus )		Ornamental Millet 'Jester' (Pennisetum glaucum )
Mexican Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)		Zinnia 'Violet Queen' (Zinnia elegans )
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima )		Hosta 'Gold Standard'

Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: pink cosmos, mexican zinnia, petunia, red cosmos, nicotiana, calendula, phlox, cleome, coneflower, salvia   • Harvested: 5 cucumbers

Da Lime In De Coconut

In the past decade, a bunch of new unique echinacea varieties popped up every year. I searched the internet, but never found a definitive answer to the question, "Why now?" They are perennial, easy to grow requiring little care, look great, a North American native with few pests or disease, and attract butterflies and birds. Echinacea are suddenly cool.

"Among ornamentals, Echinacea purpurea has consistently been among the top 10 herbaceous perennials grown and sold in the United States in recent years. This species is native to prairies and open woods in the central and southern United States and is cold hardy to USDA Zone 3. The sturdy flowers have petals in pink to purple shades with a prominent, spiky center cone. Echinacea purpurea are tough, drought-tolerant plants that can thrive in a variety of habitats. They are deer-resistant."

They were used as medicine by native Americans for infection, colds, sore throat, and stomach ailments. Maybe new interest in natural and herbal cures has lead to a new interest in the coneflower, too, as it appears to have an immume-enhancing ability, particularly with throat, urinary, lymph, and certain skin afflictions.

For home gardeners, breeders have introduced new cultivars with different color, petals, and cone shape. According to a university evaluation, some of these were found to be lacking in flower production and longevity. The native appears to be more consistent and long-lived.

I was intrigued by many of these newbies, attracted by the color and shape of an easily grown, cut flower. I purchased two to plant last fall: Coconut Lime and Big Sky Sundown. I could not resist the white-green color combo of Coconut Lime, and its puff ball shape was really interesting. This spring, it started blooming earlier than expected, and was shorter than the native, being about 15-inches tall (40 cm), (or was that because of its first year?)


My Coconut Lime is very happy nestled between the cleome and expanding cannas. Flowers start out with a flat central area of tiny compact petals and flat orange cone. As the bloom matures, the central area continues to bloom and puff up into a small pom-pom sphere. It becomes more green in color while the orange gradually disappears. The flowers last for about 3-4 weeks like the native. Time will tell if they bloom throughout the season (as they appear to be doing now) or poop out in mid-summer.

They are a swallowtail butterfly and bumblebee magnet, and goldfinches love to feast on the seed heads in early morning, balancing on top of the stalks.

For The Record:   • Medium well-drained soil   • Full sun, average water   • Organic fertilizer in the spring   • No major pests or diseases Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: pink cosmos, cosmos, phlox, mexican zinnia, nicotiana, rose,     coneflowers, salvia, late daylily, cleome, hostas, calendula   • Harvested 3 cucumbers

Kniphofia Phobia

This year the hopes and fears came true. The Tritoma, or I mean Torch Lily, or I mean Red Hot Poker, or I mean Kniphofia uvaria bloomed in grand style. The tiny seedlings were started indoors in spring 2008 as directed by the Ferry Morse seed packet. I had always admired these plants, although from afar, and relished the idea of growing them for myself. The seedlings sprouted, and promptly dampened off, leaving only three survivors.

The seedlings that resembled sprigs of grass saw their first outdoor sunlight in the front cottage garden. Expecting a spring bloom the following year, I used the summer to nurture and coddle my kniphofias into adulthood. By summer's end, the leaves began to rival the daylilies.

Winter turned into a Spring 2009 anticipation of a fruitful display after a year's work. But, the plant had other ideas. Leaves and more leaves, big leaves and then bigger-than-bearded-iris leaves arrived. The plant was on a bull market tear. It crowded out the purple salvia - completely. Had I not transplanted a salvia offshoot, I would have none.

Last winter, leaves were more or less evergreen, or more like everolivegreen. They resembled a deflated yucca, draped across the ground and browning around the edges. And this was the only plant visible in the front garden bed from the sidewalk. What would the neighbors think of their Master Gardener? My reputation was sinking.

Kniphofia care articles were consulted on the internet. Uh oh. This was normal. These things grow really big, especially after a gardener fertilizes them in an attempt to coax blooms. They get tangled, look crappy in the winter and most of summer when not blooming, and punish you with few blooms if you ever attempt to divide or move them. Fear set in.

This spring, the weird South African native named after Johannes Kniphof finally bloomed. Out of the three original plants now grown into one tangled mess, seven stalks emerged to redeem the neighborhood gardener. The straight spikes were like 5-foot tall (1.5 m) air traffic control towers, looming over the late spring bulbs, and taller than anything the front garden has ever seen. People noticed.

I think I must find a more appropriate place for these blue collar plants. A more well-behaved variety is needed in this location. Lots of photos of several varieties were found, but sellers of these plants need to be tracked down. And remember that these are admired from afar. I find them a bit ugly and unkempt close up.

For The Record:   • Rich well-drained soil   • Full sun, average water   • Organic fertilizer in the spring   • No pests   • Consider unattractive leaves in fall through winter   • Unusual height & flower gets ooo's & aah's Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: pink cosmos, cosmos, phlox, mexican zinnia, nicotiana, rose,     coneflowers, salvia, late daylily, cleome, asian lily, hostas   • Tomatoes and cucumbers set fruit

2010 Bloom Day

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day
What's blooming in the garden on the 15th of the month.

After a bust of springtime, and a lull last month, things are a poppin' in the garden again this June! My Red Hot Poker bloomed for the first time, after planting from seed three years ago. Nice reward for three years of work. The Coconut Lime Echinacea just started, and is a new plant this year. As usual, click if you want to see them close up.

Hosta (True Blue)		Oak Leaf Hydrangea
Calendula		Purple Coneflower
Common Daylily		Green Coneflower (Lime Coconut)
Red Hot Poker Kniphofia		Unknown Red Daylily
Salvia (May Night)		Asiatic Lily (Lolipop)
Cleome		Nicotiana
Cosmos		Unknown Peach Daylily

Unlicensed Propagation Prohibited!

Unlicensed propagation prohibited! This is what PP#18184 means on the coreopsis purchased last spring - Plant Patent #18184. Coreopsis 'Autumn Blush' from Wayside Gardens came in the mail after it was selected as one of the new plants for the garden last spring. After reading about its care this spring, I find that it has a 'Plant Patent,' here as well as Canada. PPAF, in case we run across that one, stands for 'Plant Patent Applied For.'

When reviewing online nurseries selling this coreopsis, I see that all have some non-descript tag or asterisk that probably raises no red flag for most people (like me.) Only after some sleuthing does one learn what the nomenclature and anacronyms refer to. Can I be fined by the Plant Police (um. . . I mean the 'Plant Variety Protection Office') if I divide the plant? Will I be hauled off to the slammer if the plant decides to reproduce itself? Not to worry - the plant is sterile, probably bred that way to prevent unauthorized propagation.

So who holds the patent? I cannot find that information online at the Patent and Trademark Office. I did find PP#18183 (the number before #18184 coreopsis) is an Alstroemeria. I also found the following information about plant patents at the US -PTO Office:
The law provides for the granting of a patent to anyone who has invented or discovered and asexually reproduced any distinct and new variety of plant, including cultivated sports, mutants, hybrids, and newly found seedlings, other than a tuber-propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state.

Three or four blooms created only disappointment when it was planted last spring. After a summer pampering and a hearty winter, the plant peeked out in late spring, then bolted into the loose, lacy mound of foliage now exhibited. Blossoms are coming on strong and are incredibly interesting.

Two-color petals attract attention without the gaudiness they would on a larger plant. Don't believe the photos in the catalogs (as if you ever do.) Although the coreopsis has grown into a foot high mound (30 cm), it is anything but thick and dense. Descriptions also state "Attracts butterflies and bees." Attracting nothing here. "Forms a compact mound." Try sparse and floppy. "Blooms repeatedly." Maybe later this year.

If you want a piece of the action (er, a piece of Autumn Blush) at our next plant swap, meet me in the parking lot - I will be the one in the trench coat and sunglasses carrying the brown paper bag.

For The Record:   • Heavy clay soil with organic fertilizer in spring   • Full sun   • No pests Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: coneflower, hydrangea, salvia, phlox, nicotiana,     calendula, hostas, bletilla, spiderwort, alyssum

Phluffy White Phlox

The tall phlox is blooming for the first time. The flowers seem disproportionate to the plant size; like large white balls balanced atop a thin pole - way too big. Altogether, they are reminiscent of fluffy white clouds.

The phlox was purchased in the fall along with about a half dozen other perennials that were 40% off at the locally-owned nursery's end of year clearance. A tall plant was needed near the entrance to the side yard garden leading to the back yard and deck. A white color phlox and a 3-feet tall (90 cm) plant would be a great choice, providing a color that can be seen by guests as they walk along the side yard path to the deck at night, and enticing them with the fragrance. A supposedly tall red phlox 'Tenor' was planted about three years ago in the front garden, but it turned out to be a shocking fuchsia color, and shockingly short - growing only about 12-inches tall (30 cm) and hiding among the tall nicotiana foliage.

This spring, after researching my Carolina Phlox (Phlox maculate) 'Miss Lingard', I conclude that it is planted in just the right environment. It prefers soil that retains moisture but drains well, being at home in clay. It likes to be kept moist. It is attractive to butterflies and 'hummingbird moths' and offers possibilities of extended bloom times. The name comes from the Greek work for 'flame,' referring to many of its intense colors. A cautionary note pops up about mildew resistance.

Powdery mildew is a theme that runs through all literature on phlox, but some varieties are more resistant than others. So far my Miss Lingard is pest free. The three year old phuchsia phlox in the phront yard never gets mildew, although 'Tenor' was listed as a 'poorly resistat' variety in a North Carolina study.

Happy returns have made this purchase worthwhile. Several stalks shot up this spring and are now blooming, well ahead of summer bloom time. Miss Lingard held her own against a windy summer thunderstorm. And yes, the fragrance is there. Imagine the plant once it really starts to grow and fill in.

For The Record:   • Clay soil with gypsum & organic amendments   • Full sun   • Small amount of fertilizer   • Average water   • No pests Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: salvia, hydrangea, kniphofia, phlox, coreopsis, nicotiana, astilbe   • Planted: sunflowers

Of Spiders and Worts

It seems that there are suddenly a lot of garden blog posts about spiderworts these days. My addition to this collection was actually planned last week when photographs were taken. My Tradescantia virginiana were planted after last year's spring plant swap. A few blossoms were seen in the spring, and a few in the fall. They sat idle for much of the summer, although their vertical foliage was appealing.

Fast forward to this spring, when after the plants did some growin' over the winter, they emerged happy. About two dozen stems 18-inches high (50 cm) with lots of blossoms appeared. But what about the spiders, and what about the worts?

First, I am happy to report that spiderworts are native to this area, and mine appear to be close to the true native (many hybridized varieties exist). They are related to daylilies, iris, and grasses. The flowers appear from clusters of dozens of buds, opening for a day as daylilies do. They complete their show around mid-day until new ones emerge the following morning.

If a leaf tip is broken, the resulting silk thread is supposed to resemble a spider web. One midwest United States nickname for the plant is a 'cow-slobber.' When viewed from above, the plant is supposed to resemble a spider with tip leaves as long legs, and the three-petal flower the insect's body. The botanical name comes from John Tradescent, a gardener for King Charles I. He brought back seeds to England from Virginia in the 1600's, and their popularity increased. And 'wort' is the Saxon word for 'plant'.

For The Record:   • Well drained soil, somewhat clay   • Full sun   • No fertilizer   • No pests or disease Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: spiderworts, coreopsis, rose, tall phlox

Orchids of Hillwood Estate

As part of my resolve to visit local attractions this summer, a Sunday trip to Hillwood in Washington DC lead to both the mansion tour and the garden tour. The property was a home of the late Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress to the Post Cereal and eventually General Foods. The philanthropist left her estate as a museum for her art collections.




Her collections include French decorative arts of the last two centuries (porcelain, ceramics, tapestries, furnishings, paintings) and almost everything Russian. Her collection of aristocratic Russian art and artifacts is probably the finest outside Russia.





Being a garden blog, we must discuss the garden part of the trip. The garden tour wound through outdoor "rooms" designed in a variety of styles and design. There was a formal French parterre garden, rose garden, lawn (for parties) with a peek of the Washington Monument in the background, a putting green (she was a golfer), Japanese garden, and Friendship Walk garden. This later was a surprise gift that her close friends built for her in recognition of her lifetime of of giving. If only my friends. . .

I found the French parterre too formal and stuffy for my taste, with its limited greenery trimmed into unnatural geometric shapes. The fountain and stream water features were pleasant though. My favorite was the Japanese garden. It had a shady grotto feel to it - built into a hillside with winding paths, a waterfall and stream, lots of overstuffed hostas (and tourists), and statuary.
Also found on the grounds were a Russian dacha (country house), a pet cemetery for her cherished ones, an Adirondack lodge similar to her retreat in New York's mountains, and a cutting garden and greenhouse. The cutting garden supplies all the arrangements inside the house, except in winter. If only my garden. . .

The Hillwood greenhouse is stuffed with orchids (a favorite of the owner), and nurtures over 2500 plants. These photos represent some of the more intriguing ones found blooming in the greenhouse on my visit. I possess little knowledge of orchids (except how to kill them), and certainly do not know their names.

All told, the trip was a good inspiration for the work ahead in my yard. I could also make use of a greenhouse for 2500 plants.

Garden Calendar:   • Blooming: spiderwort, coreopsis, geranium, rose