Dig Deep with O&E

They're heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer

2008-07-17T10:12:00.004-05:00

Speaking of Japanese beetles (see the comments on 'Container catastrophe', below). Yes, they have arrived.

A University of Illinois Extension press release that was sent out this morning explains where they came from, why we all hate them and what to do about it:

Only a few years ago, Japanese beetles were something talked about as a potential problem in the future. Now, they are present in northern Illinois in field crops and on landscape plants. "Japanese beetles are one of the exotic insects that have made their way into the United States and wreak havoc due to the lack of a natural predator," says David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator." And unlike most insects, both the adult and larval stages can cause major injury."

Adult Japanese beetles are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch long. They're easily identified because of their metallic green body with coppery wings. On either side of the wings are five tufts of white hairs. The larval stage is one of the three major grubs that feed on turfgrass, though not yet in the numbers as the annual white grub from the June beetle or masked chafer. Beetles mate in June, and the female lays eggs in early July. Eggs hatch out in August, and grubs continue to feed and grow until they pupate in April or May. Most Japanese beetles start emerging from the ground in late May. There is only one generation per year, but the adult stage can be present until early fall.

Adult Japanese beetles are voracious feeders, especially on sunny days, and seemingly indiscriminate. Like most insects, they have their favorite food but will feed on anything present. It was initially thought that beetles would feed for only a month or so, following a similar life cycle as June bugs. However, reports indicate Japanese beetles feeding into September, though numbers were drastically reduced.

"Roses, grape vines and linden trees seem to be the favorites in Illinois," says Robson. "The Japanese beetles do not discriminate-all types of roses and lindens are fair game, even the supposedly insect- and disease-proof shrub roses. You can find the insects on viburnums, climbing hydrangeas, Shasta daisies, daylilies, porcelain vine and some fruit trees."

Generally, the beetle feeds on the tender upper leaf tissue between the veins, creating a skeletonized look to the leaf. In many cases, what's left turns brown, giving the plants a scorched appearance. Robson says large holes can be munched out of flowers, and occasionally you will find damage to fruits and vegetables, though vegetables tend to be one of the last things the beetles will eat. Most summer Illinois fruits, such as apples, peaches and pears, have a skin that is harder for beetles to digest.

Control is difficult. Beetles may fly miles from where they emerge. Complicating matters is the fact that in early July the creatures will take flight when disturbed; as they mature, they become easier to pick off or knock off the plants.

Adults can be controlled by knocking into containers of hot, soapy water. These efforts will probably need to be repeated daily for several weeks. Start as soon as possible. Netting can be used to cover some prized plants, but make sure there are no beetles under the net when you apply it. Japanese beetle traps have shown effectiveness, though reports indicate that they actually attract more beetles into the yard that may not be caught by the traps. The current recommendation is to not use traps at all, or to place them at least a city block or more from your yard.

There are several insecticides that can be used as knockdown sprays. The insecticide carbaryl, often sold as Sevin, provides some of the best control. More than likely, you will have to repeat applications every five to seven days. Other products include acephate (Orthene) and cyfluthrin (Tempo). Imidacloprid (Merit) is often sold as Japanese beetle control, but it is a systemic, which means it must be applied early in the season, usually early May, to allow the plant to absorb it. Be sure to read and follow directions, locating "Japanese Beetle" control on the label. Grubs can be controlled with imidacloprid (Merit) or Milky Spore disease, a bacterial toxin that will only have an effect on the Japanese beetle grub.

Above all, maintain the health of the plant. Plants damaged during the summer are more likely to suffer from reduced leaf surface that reduces sugar production. Plants may grow less and have a more difficult time recovering from stress conditions such as drought, early frosts, diseases and other insect attacks. Plants will often recover and appear fine next year, living on stored food reserves. But, repeated defoliation in early summer will weaken many trees, shrubs and vines. Keep plants watered and properly fertilized.

You heard it here first

2008-07-16T10:03:00.004-05:00

I just received an email from Park Seed. They will be introducing more than 50 new plants this fall. Below is a foretaste. You'll have to sort through the hype yourself. This is straight from the press release.

Echinacea Meringue (Echinacea purpurea 'Meringue') Each of these charming white-and-primrose blooms begins as a flat daisy, then grows upward, creating a giant gumdrop of a flower. One of the renowned Cone-fections series from Holland, Meringue is a compact plant with short, strong stems and an abundance of blooms. Perfect in front of taller Echinacea, or on its own in containers, it is upright and tidy. Z 3-9; midsummer/early fall; sun; H: 15-18", W: 15-18"

Candy Lipstick Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Candy Lipstick') Gorgeous shades of rose, pink, and lilac combine on these unusual blooms to make this Daylily really glow. The upper petals are a rich rosy-purple with a creamy stripe down the center, while the lower petals are a contrasting pink. They appear on long, slender stems of reddish-purple on semi-evergreen plants that flower very heavily. It is unbeatable for dramatic color in the border, container, or mass planting. Z 3-9; midsummer; sun/part shade; H: 24", W: 20"

Peony Singing in the Rain (Paeonia x 'Singing in the Rain') Each flowering stem on this marvelous Itoh Hybrid bears several side-shoots laden with blooms, making it the heaviest-flowering Peony we've ever grown. The flowers are semi-double, 6 inches wide, and a splendid combination of soft creamy yellow and salmon peach, with a faint, sweet scent. Best of all, heavy rain won't faze this Peony, which simply covers itself in pink buds before bursting into multi-colored pastel bloom. A showpiece in any setting, it is certain to be your favorite cut flower as well as a timeless garden performer. Z 4-8; late spring/early summer; sun/part shade; H: 36-40"; W: 36"

Japanese Iris Lace Ruff (Iris ensata 'Lace Ruff') Punctuate the Iris garden with this nearly white beauty, its soft lavender styles and violet veins accentuating the snowy petals. Very elegantly held, with abundant ruffles and a beautiful form, Lace Ruff is a splendid addition to the multicolored border. Very easy to grow. Z 4-9; early-/midsummer; sun/part shade; H: 24", W: 18'

Green Wave Tulip (Tulipa 'Green Wave') This exciting new Parrot looks quite ordinary at first. The green buds open to unsurprisingly green blooms, their petals twisted and frizzy. But then, after a few days, the tips of the petals begin to show traces of pink. In no time, the entire flower is a mass of bright pink and soft cream, the green remaining only in the central stripe. Measuring at least 6 inches wide, these are stunning cut flowers, appearing late in Tulip season and ending your spring bulb display with a flourish. Z 3-8; mid-/late spring; sun/part shade; H 20-24"; W: 12"

Grand Perfection Tulip (Tulipa 'Grand Perfection') Very full and beautifully sculptured, these Single Early combine clear yellow to pure white with bright red feathering on 14- to 16-inch stems. Z 3-8; early/mid-spring; sun/part shade; H: 14-16", W: 8-10"

Coral Bells 'Mahogany' PPAF (Heuchera 'Mahogany') Here's a nice change of pace - the red tones actually get brighter as the weather warms up. In spring, rich mahogany-purple leaves unfurl, ruffled and very dense on nicely mounding plants. By summer, they have turned a brighter shade of red, and they keep this color through winter in wild and warm climates. Very easy, even in hot, humid areas. Z 4-9; sun/part shade; H: 8", W: 16"

Hibiscus Boule de Feu (Hibiscus syriacus 'Boule de Feu') A splendid heirloom variety with giant double blooms of raspberry-purple tinged with maroon in the center. Upright, very well-branched plants are highly tolerant of heat and humidity. These flowers look like enormous carnations, and a fully-blooming plant is an unforgettably beautiful sight. Z 5-9; midsummer/autumn; sun; H: 8-12', W: 10'

Heucherella Alabama Sunrise (H. villosa 'Alabama Sunrise') Lovely from spring 'til frost, this vigorous, mounding plant begins the year with bright gold foliage veined in red. In mid- to late summer, the gold deepens to green, but the rich markings remain. And in autumn, the leaves blaze orange and pink. Very easy to grow, it is topped by small white blooms on 20-inch stems and stands up beautifully to heat and humidity. A carefree joy for any shady spot. Z 4-9; late spring; part/full shade; H: 12", W: 20"

Blanket Flower Frenzy (Gaillardia 'Commotion' TM Frenzy) Here it is - the new star of your sunny border, best containers, and even those hard-to-plant dry, poor soil areas of the landscape. Frenzy is the most exciting new Blanket Flower to come along in many a year, with a petal count so high it looks double-flowered. Fluted petals are burgundy at the base, shading into rich red and then blazing yellow at the merry tips. Later in the very long bloom season, the flowers are more orange-toned than red, creating a lovely multi-colored look in the garden or vase. Cut them back as they pass and the blooms will just keep coming. Asking nothing beyond an annual spring trim, this nearly mounded plant will wow everyone who sees it. Very highly recommended. Z 5-10; late spring/mid fall; sun; H: 18-24", W: 24"

Penstemon 'Pink Dawn' (Penstemon digitalis 'Pink Dawn') A dwarf version of the beloved native Foxglove Beardtongue, this charming mini has all the appeal of its larger cousins. Butterflies and hummingbirds love its tubular white-tipped pink blooms, which are excellent for cutting. Insects and other pests leave the plant alone, so that it thrives in any moist, well-drained soil. Enjoy it up close in containers as well as in the border and accent plantings. Z 3-8; spring/early summer; sun; H: 18-24", W: 15-18"

Bugbane 'Chocoholic' PPAF (Cimicifuga 'Chocoholic') Have you discovered this fascinating shade perennial yet? This is a very compact, dark-leaved version of Bugbane, just right for today's smaller gardens. The large, attractive foliage is deep burgundy-purple, held well below the fragrant, graceful bottlebrush blooms. These flowers - irresistible to butterflies - open an intense shade of mauve, lightening as they mature. Z 4-8; midsummer/early fall; part shade; H: 24-36", W: 18-24"

Coral Bells 'Southern Comfort' PPAF (Heuchera 'Southern Comfort') Watching these giant leaves subtly shift from spiced peach in spring to coppery in summer and amber in autumn is half the fun of growing this lovely new Coral Bell. Topped with creamy-white blooms on 22-inch stems for several weeks, it never fails to surprise and delight with its intense colors and lushly mounded habit Z 4-9; late spring; sun/part shade; H: 14". W: 24"

Peony 'First Arrival' (Paeonia 'First Arrival') Every garden deserves one Itoh Peony - the incredible cross of garden and tree peonies that produce huge blooms on vigorous, very long-lived plants. This is one of the finest of all, with massive 6- to 8-inch semi-double to fully double blooms, very fragrant, boasting lavender-pink shades on 2-foot stems. A treasure for cutting or garden enjoyment, it blooms for decades and is so easy to care for. Z 4-8. late spring/early summer; full sun/part shade; H: 10", W:12"

Container catastrophe

2008-07-16T08:57:00.002-05:00

I came out the door on my way to work this morning, five minutes late, only to discover that someone or something had totally decimated the container planting next to the front door. Plants lay all over the porch and those that had managed to hang on by their roots were covered in soil from the huge holes dug throughout the urn.

Needless to say, I was not a happy camper.

I tucked everything back into place and watered it in well, but really, I'm not holding out much hope. One plant in particular, a sweet potato vine, literally had every speck of soil removed from its roots.

Now 20 minutes late for work, I was ready to shoot any critter that crossed my path on the way to the car - guilty or not. Fortunately, I saw none. (OK, I don't really carry a gun in my girdle, but I might start.)

I've never had this problem before, so I'm flabbergasted. What would do this? The planter's about two feet tall. Would it be a squirrel?

I did see a ground squirrel recently. That's a new addition to the garden. I had one about 15 years ago that dug up several in-ground plantings, but my husband and I eventually managed to transported him out of the area under a witness protection plan. (ie: He was witness to some pretty bizarre behavior on the part of my husband and me. Let's just say it involved a downspout, a paper bag and a wild car ride to freedom.)

Hosta Virus X

2008-07-08T10:52:00.003-05:00

I haven't heard much about Hosta Virus X this year, so it's been on the back burner of my mind. At least it WAS until I discovered that a 'Sum and Substance' in the far border is infected. (I understand that 'Sum and Substance' is one of the most commonly affected varieties. Others include 'Gold Standard' and 'Striptease.')

The plant is three years old and there was no indication of a problem until the telltale mottling appeared just recently. That surprised me. I'm careful to buy hostas from reputable nurseries and know what signs to look for. But I didn't realize that I could buy an apparently healthy plant only to have the virus materialize so much later. Now I know...

I understand that the American Hosta Society is currently working on a Hosta Virus X research project with the University of Minnesota. They hope "to clarify methods of transmission and understand the dynamics of the Hosta Virus X spread..."

Sounds like a plan.

But for now, here are some things that we gardeners can do to protect our existing hostas -- and those of our fellow gardeners -- courtesy of davesgarden.com:

Clean your tools - Good plant hygiene goes a long way in keeping Hosta Virus X (HVX) out of your garden. Leave your hosta leaves on the plant and don't cut the scapes. If you must cut or divide a plant, sanitize your tools after use. In her Fine Gardening article, Bonnie Blanchette suggests using a 10 percent bleach solution on tools after working on each plant.

Throw out infected plants - Remove any infected plants, let them dry out and die, and then put them straight in the garbage. Disinfect your tools and hands before working with any other hosta. Wait a few weeks until any leftover roots in the soil have dried up and died before you replant a hosta in the same location.

Buy from reputable sources - If possible, only buy from specialty hosta growers or at least a high-end nursery. Don't be afraid to ask them about their knowledge of HVX. Are they knowledgeable and aware of the virus or are their answers vague and uncertain? Buy from big-box retailers at your own risk! While discount prices might be attractive, think of how much money you might spend replacing your entire collection.

Avoid trades - You might consider halting hosta trading until a later date. If you know your "tradee," discuss the HVX threat before you proceed. Talk over details such as how long you or they have had the plant, what kind of plant hygiene you practice, etc.

Monitor your plants - Keep an eye on your hosta plants even if you have had them for a few years. Monitoring them in this fashion will help you look for other symptoms of disease such as foliar nematodes. Tony Avent from Plant Delights Nursery reminds us, "Foliar nematodes on hosta are a far worse problem than [the] virus will ever be." One reason to fear foliar nematodes is that the parasites can spread to other hosta within a six-foot range of an infected plant.

Spread the word and stay informed - If you see infected plants at any nursery - big-box or high-end - notify the manager and inform your gardening friends. Ignorance and apathy enable the spread of the virus.

There has been some chatter on the Internet about "immune plants," but Hosta Library lists this as a myth. Early studies showed some hosta were more difficult to infect than others were. Since that time, some of the "immune" varieties have become infected.

Expectations

2008-07-02T13:15:00.003-05:00

Did you know that there are actually people in this world who don't care one whit about gardening?

Yes, I know... It's difficult to believe, but it is true. I experienced it last weekend.

We had house guests and, except for one perfunctory 'That's pretty,' no one expressed any interest in my garden what so ever. Not a single, 'Oh, that's gorgeous. What is it?" or "My, what a beautiful color!" Not even the usual, 'Looks like a lot of work to me...'

I'm speechless as I write this (Is that possible?), just rehashing the thing in my mind.

Personally, I can't pass a window without taking notice of what's growing outside it. I might miss the face of a friend who passed me on the street, but I can tell you exactly what's growing in the planter outside the bank (Cordyline australis 'Pink Stripe,'' 'Rose' wave petunias and tricolor sweet potato vine). I've even been known to miss a turn-off on the Interstate because I'm looking at the wildflowers growing next to the pavement.

I know that everyone is different and has different likes and dislikes. I just can't imagine seeing a flower and not SEEING it -- or not feeling it with your emotions instead of just your fingers.

Maybe I'm overreacting.

Or maybe my feelings, or my ego, just got bruised.

I am letting it all go now.

1...2...3......gone.

Favorite Flower of the Week Award

2008-06-23T14:32:00.003-05:00

I grow my fair share of new varieties. Some of these plants really do live up to all their press, and others, well, they don't. But as I was sipping lemonade this weekend and surveying my domain from under the shade of a decrepit maple tree, it was not a new variety that caught, and held, my attention.

It was the hollyhocks.

I don't think it was the appearance of the flowers that captivated me so much as the way those flowers made me feel when I looked at them. In that moment, those simple pink and red and white discs captured the essence of why I garden: In them I felt, rather than saw, beauty and warmth and hope and home.

But I have no idea why.

I don't remember anyone in particular growing them in my youth, though I'm sure I must have come across them somewhere in my little hometown. (My grandfather, the resident gardener, was more into the practicalities of vegetables -- although he did tend a rose bush or two.) Maybe it was the neighbor lady who grew them; the one who always gave our family Long Johns at Christmastime (so fresh, the brown paper bag felt warm when she placed it in my hand). It could have been the proprietor of the tiny neighborhood grocery where my older brother and I would go for Pushups and Dreamsicles and bottles of soda dragged through a maze of icy water. Or maybe there were hollyhocks lining the outskirts of the parking lot where the village showed outdoor movies on the wall of the town's only bank building during dry, dusty summer evenings.

I don't really recall.

I do know that in a few weeks the hollyhocks, or at least the foliage, will succumb to rust, leaf spot and/or anthracnose. Spider mites and Japanese beetle will have their way with them. Perhaps then my bubble will burst.

But for now, I like where I am when I look at these plants. And for that, there should be a garden award.

Buddleia or buddleja?

2008-06-20T10:43:00.002-05:00

So, is it buddleia or buddleja?

Looks like it's another case of you say "tomAto" and I say "tomaato."

According to Wikipedia, "the botanic name has been the source of some confusion. By the usual practice of botanical Latin, the spelling of a genus name made from "Buddle" (The plant was named after the Reverend Adam Buddle who was a botanist and a rector in Essex, England.) would be "Buddleia." However, Linnaeus (the Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of Binomial nomenclature) wrote it down as "Buddleja," and never changed it. So, by the rule of naming priority, "Buddleja" should be preferred, though the i/j interchange could be modernized as an orthographical variant (different spellings of one and the same name, which has a single date of publication).

Got that?

Personally, I think I'll stick with buddleia. Reverend Buddle should get his due and we ought to forgive -- and forget -- old Linnaeus' mistake.

Slug bugs (of the rose variety)

2008-06-18T15:14:00.002-05:00

Once again I'm reminded that 'low maintenance' does not mean 'no maintenance.'

My Knock Out roses -- "the most maintenance-free rose in the world' -- have been attacked by rose slug worms (the larval stage of a sawfly). The skeletonized leaves tend to detract from the otherwise stunning floral display, so I did a search online to try to discover how to deal with the buggers.

Here's what I learned (courtesy of www.weidners.com):
The rose slug larvae turn into pupae and overwinter in the soil. It emerges in spring as a sawfly (a member of the wasp family) to lay eggs on your rose leaves. The eggs hatch out into these little green larvae that look a bit like a caterpillar. They cling to the undersides of your rose leaves, eat like crazy, and then disappear. Most varieties only have one cycle but they can do lots of damage in a short period of time. After the leaves are skeletonized and brown, it does no good to spray. That's like locking the barn door after the horse is gone! All the Bayer Rose products with cyfluethrin work really well. You can choose not to use an insecticide and hand pick and spray off the little slug worms with a strong spray of water. Horticultural oil used when they are first attacking will work and is a very safe alternative. Trichograma beneficial wasps won't help and BT will not work. Both of these are specific to caterpillars and this is a larvae not a caterpillar.

Well, I'll not be 'squishing' them by hand and they stick like glue to the undersides of those leaves, so I don't really think spraying them with water is going to be very effective. And, since my infestation is pretty advanced, horticultural oil doesn't sound like it's going to be an option either.

Am I really going to have to resort to chemicals on the "the most maintenance-free rose in the world?'

Mastering mountain laurel

2008-06-16T12:40:00.003-05:00

I was marveling at the beauty of the 'Tinkerbell' Kalmias as I left for work the other day and wondering why I never hear anyone talking about these shrubs. But then I glanced over at my other kalmia, a 'Sarah,' and answered my own question.

While both of my 'Tinkerbells' are covered with those unique pink buds and gorgeous blooms, 'Sarah' is a sight of a different kind. A gift from my daughter -- who made a four-hour trip with the shrub sitting next to her on the passenger seat of her Honda Civic -- I planted 'Sarah' about five years ago. She was already budding when I got her, and that first year she bloomed well and put on modest new growth. The second year, 'Sarah' bloomed but not as abundantly and had very little new growth. The third year, she dropped about half of her leaves and never put forth any new ones. The fourth year I moved her to a spot I thought she might enjoy more (more shade, more acidic soil) and 'Sarah' did bloom again, but it was hard to appreciate the flowers when she had so much 'leg' showing.

This year? Nothing. No new growth. No new buds.

I will probably end up pruning 'Sarah' pretty hard, just to see what happens. (She really can't look much worse at this point.) And besides, one of the 'Tinkerbells' survived a pretty drastic clipping (my husband inadvertently 'pruned' it with the snow shovel last winter) and, like I said, it's doing well. Maybe some tough love is in order.

Snippets

2008-06-05T12:09:00.002-05:00

The week that we get inundated with rain (most reports put it between 8 and 11 inches), my super-dooper electronic remote rain gauge decides to quit working. I just know that we've had 'a lot' because the perimeter of my yard is under water. (A - thankfully - rare occurrence.) What must the people whose gardens will be featured in the upcoming Kankakee and Champaign County garden walks be feeling right now?

---

I succumbed to the hype and planted a Double Knock Out Rose outside my kitchen window this spring. Now I'm not sure that I like it. I can only describe its vibrant red blossoms as 'electric.' Beautiful, yes, but almost too much, I think. They're like a big neon sign flashing 'Look at me! Look at me!' I'm thinking of putting The Fairy rose back in its spot. (It started out there four or five years ago, but has been moved every year since. - Yes, I know...I know...)

---

I have one very large blossom from a 'Cincinnati' peony sitting in a vase on my desk right now. It's huge, ruffled and lightly fragrant. (It's also lasted a week, which is a definite plus.) That bloom makes me happy every time I look at it. - Not just because it's beautiful, but because it reminds me of the people I love who live in Cincinnati. (That IS why I bought it, after all.)

'Cincinnati' has deep, vibrant pink blooms that are edged with silver. You'll like it even if you don't love anyone who lives there. (Check out Klehm's Song Sparrow at www.songsparrow.com.)

---

Talking about peonies, I was disappointed in my tree peony this spring. It was the first year that it bloomed and I got very excited when I say the enormous buds developing. The blooms - though large - weren't really anything special, though. Besides, they only lasted two or three days. Guess I'll stick with the herbaceous varieties.

Reality check

2008-05-28T13:02:00.003-05:00

I was able to spend a little time in the garden during each of the three days of the extended Memorial Day weekend. It was SO wonderful! I've decided that there is no need for me to travel anywhere (OK, except for regular trips to Cincinnati to see the twins - and their parents, of course) because I am happiest right in my own back yard. For me, nothing can compare with that 5 a.m. trip around the garden, coffee cup in hand, exploring here, poking there and picking that.

And why wouldn't it be so? I've created this little world myself. Though not perfect, it IS perfectly suited to me. It contains my favorite colors and my favorite scents and sometimes -- when I'm really being blessed -- my favorite people.

I've been to the Grand Canyon. I've hiked the rain forests of western Washington and camped along the shores of Canada's breathtaking Lake Louise. I've carried my pail and shovel across Carolina beaches and gotten my slicker wet from the spray at Niagara Falls.

But today, all of those places feel like temporary -- albeit beautiful -- illusions. My little plot of suburban ground, that seems real.

Plant trials

2008-05-22T13:15:00.004-05:00

I love getting mail. And I love getting new plants. I'm nearly beside myself when I'm getting new plants in the mail.

Today, I'm nearly beside myself.

One of the perks of this job is that I occasionally receive free plant samples. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I get excited. So, when I opened an email from Blooms of Bressingham earlier in the week telling me a shipment was on the way, I got excited.

They're sending several Achillea ('Saucy Seduction,' 'Strawberry Seduction,' 'Sunny Seduction' and two from the Tutti Frutti series, 'Pink Grapefruit' and 'Pomegranate'). I'm also getting Buddleja 'Butterfly Heaven,' Erysimum 'Jenny Brook,' Euphorbia 'Bonfire,' Helianthemum 'Hartswood Ruby' and Lithodora 'White Star.'

I've never grown Erysimum before (always thought my soil would be too heavy and not wild about the standard orange color), but 'Jenny Brook' blooms in soft pastel shades of pink, peach and lavender, which are more to my liking. They also say that she will bloom from spring to fall if deadheaded - a definite plus for any perennial.

The other plant that I have no experience with whatsoever is Lithodora. It's hardy just to Zone 6 and is also a plant that requires excellent drainage.

Luckily for me, I'll share these plants with O&E's designer, Kim Carpenter. She gardens in sandy soil and should have better success with them.

We'll keep you posted.

A crime of passion

2008-05-14T09:54:00.003-05:00

I confess: I killed her.

And it wasn't even a quick and decisive end. It was a slow, torturous two-year process.

But it was a crime of passion. Really...

The moment I saw her growing in a fellow gardener's yard, I knew I had to possess a 'Carol Mackie' Daphne for my own.

I'd heard that she could be fickle, so I amended the bed. And then I amended it again. I planted her high. But in my heart, I knew that it was never going to work out between us. Even the nursery worker who helped her into my van asked if I'd had a good relationship with a Daphne before. But would I listen? No.

I did my best to make her happy. But in the end, the critics were right. Now there's nothing left but a shell of what might have been. No creamy-edged leaves. And certainly none of the delicate pink flowers or the delightful signature scent for which Carol is pursued.

I am left alone to contemplate the error of my ways...

And to search for a new temptress who can make me forget I ever heard the name 'Carol Mackie.'

'Wedgewood Blue' lilac

2008-05-07T09:56:00.003-05:00

The Cincinnati Flower Show has been described as "The King of All Flower Shows." I've only attended the event once and have to say that it was pretty impressive. But of all the gorgeous designs, arrangements and plants that I saw while I was there, one really stood out to me: the 'Wedgewood Blue' lilac. I just couldn't forget the glorious color of those flowers and their tantalizing scent - not too strong, not too sweet. Just perfect!

I started scouring nurseries, trying to find one for my own garden. Nothing. Finally I resorted to an online search and found them offered at White Flower Farm (although I don't think they still carry this variety). I was disappointed that I was going to have to start with such a small shrub, but I bought the one-gallon pot nonetheless and waited.

Wedgewood started blooming after three years. And three years after that, it is glorious. Its scent fills my yard and my home as I bring in armloads for the kitchen table.

I highly recommend it!

('Wedgewood Blue' is a Father Fiala introduction and, in addition to its beautiful blue flowers, it has unique lilac-pink buds and is one of the mildew resistant varieties.)

Barren strawberries

2008-04-30T10:49:00.004-05:00

I took a couple of days off recently and actually spent some time in my garden. What a wonderful feeling! Nothing can compare with the freshness and surprises of a spring garden.

Not being one who keeps anything close to accurate records on my plants, I'm always poking around this time of year - scratching my head wondering what things are or doing the dance of joy when I recognize something I'd forgotten that I even had.

Waldsteinia ternata, or barren strawberry, was one of my pleasant surprises this season. I think I planted it two years ago. I know that I wasn't very impressed with its performance last year, but this year is a different story. (When will I ever stop being surprised by the whole "first year they sleep, second year they creep, and third year they leap' thing?) The bright yellow flowers are most welcome, and next to the tiny blue blossoms of their bedmate 'Brunnera,' they are knockouts. I actually much prefer them to the epimedium that I planted at the same time.

Waldsteinia grows just 6 inches high and will spread slowly by runners, but nothing like their edible cousins. I bought it especially because I was told that it would grow in dry shade and it seems to be living up to that reputation. In my experience, it is not evergreen here, though, like many of the catalogs say.

I was wrong...(Woohoo!)

2008-04-23T13:02:00.003-05:00

I was ragging to a coworker a few days ago about the pathetic performance of my 'Multiplex' sanguinaria. I'd paid $60 a couple of years ago for three tiny bits of root. One never sent up any shoots. The other two produced a couple of quarter-sized white blooms for a few days last spring.

This year was a bit better. At least there were a few more flowers. And, yes, the flowers are very pretty. But with them poking up through the winter mulch on spindly, leafless stems, the overall effect was not what I expected for my (considerable) investment.

Well, today I am apologizing to this plant.

She is gorgeous!

I had no idea that the leaves would gradually, magically unfold.

'Multiplex' is so amazing, in fact, that the Royal Horticultural Society (the folks who produce the Chelsea Flower Show each year) actually named it as one of the top plants of the last 200 years!

If you decide to join me in acting like a fool soon parted with his money, just realize that the show doesn't last long. The flowers will fade after only a few days (depending on the weather) and even the foliage will go dormant by summer as the soil dries out.

Multiplex grows about 6 inches high and spreads slowly to form a colony about 12 inches wide. She likes humusy shade. (And lots of praise.)

A solitary pastime?

2008-04-09T12:28:00.002-05:00

I was working on an upcoming project this morning, scanning pages of photo possibilities. I'd typed the word "gardeners" into the search engine and was routinely scanning the results in order to find those that I thought would best illustrate some text. After looking through several pages of pictures, I realized that even though I'd typed in the plural, all the photos that had popped up were of individuals engaged in some form of gardening.

That's when it dawned on me. I don't think that I've ever actually seen two people gardening together. Have you?

I know for me, solitude is one of the allures of the garden. But I never really stopped to consider if other gardeners felt the same way. At least not until now.

I know for a fact that gardeners can be a sociable lot. A quick web search for garden clubs can verify that. But what about when we actually garden?

If you, or someone you know, gardens with another person, I'd love to hear about it and how, or if, it changes the whole dynamic of the process.

Wintersowing follow up

2008-03-26T14:46:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's strong winds were a blessing in disguise. When I got home from the office, I noticed that the lid from one of the flats I'd wintersown had blown off and was lying across the yard. When I went to replace it, I discovered that I had babies! (Woohoo!!!)

Tiny little larkspur seedlings had popped up all over that flat. Nothing yet in the other three, but spring is definitely in the air.

In the garden itself, the bloodroot is showing and there are lilies and veronicas and, of course daffodils, popping up.

I feel like breathing deeply and shouting "I made it!" to no one in particular.

At loose ends

2008-03-24T11:35:00.002-05:00

I spent a little time out in the garden over the weekend. The ground is too wet to do much, but I kept to the paths and cut a few ornamental grasses down and put up some mesh supports for the clematis. (I have 9 or 10 of them, but I can never remember the plural form of 'clematis.' Should it be 'clematises?''Clemati?')

I usually wait until the vines have formed a single, ultra-tangled mass before I think to do that, so I'm feeling pretty proud of myself right now.

This is the first time in many years that I don't' have a major garden project planned for this spring. No new beds (my back yard is covered except for a little patch of green lawn that I've left for future croquet games with my granddaughters) and my neighbors have yet to embrace the concept of front yard gardens, so I try to keep that area a bit more refined.

But 'no plans' is an odd feeling: A little like being at loose ends; a little like betrayal. (Though I have no idea who I would be betraying other than several retail nurseries!) Even though I'll be adding a few plants here and there, something feels 'not right' or missing.

I don't think I like it.

New local gardening forum

2008-03-17T09:39:00.002-05:00

When we started the O&E website, I thought the most important component would be a local gardening forum -- a place where gardeners in the area could come together to discuss plants, offer each other advice, and just generally commiserate about the joys and frustrations of gardening.

That forum is now a reality. (www.ornamentals-edibles.com/forum)

There is no other place that I know about where Kankakee-area gardeners can gather any time of day to talk about our favorite subject. I hope you'll take advantage of it. Visit often. Encourage your friends to, as well. And don't be afraid to post topics or respond to others gardeners' questions. This is a learning process for us all.

And heaven knows, I'm getting pretty tired of talking to myself!

Corydalis 'Ex Dufu Temple'

2008-03-12T13:21:00.002-05:00

I tried growing Corydalis 'Blue Panda' once, but I think the plants only lasted a year or two. It wasn't until later that I learned that the blue-flowering varieties were notoriously fussy.

I just got word of a new introduction that is supposed to remedy that. This information is straight out of a press release, though, so take it with a grain of salt:

"This new variety from the Sichuan region of China is not only fast-growing and very floriferous from spring into fall, but it also tolerates any soil pH, thrives in sun or partial shade, and may even reseed. The tubular blooms begin in spring, appearing in shades of blue that can range from powder to violet, in clusters atop glaucous, finely-cut foliage that may remind you of Corydalis' cousin Dicentra. This plant is just a few inches high out of bloom, but when in flower can reach from 4 to 12 inches tall, and spreads about a foot wide. The blooms continue all summer and into early fall, keeping this low-grower very colorful. Superb for the border, as edging, in the woodland garden, or even in containers, 'Ex Dufu Temple' is a standout for color, vigor, and length of bloomtime. Give it well-drained soil of reasonably good fertility and let it go. It is cold-hardy and long-lived."

More about Buddleia 'Blue Chip'

2008-03-05T12:11:00.002-06:00

When I wrote about the dwarf 'Blue Chip' buddleia a couple of weeks ago I said that the plants wouldn't be available until Spring of '09. Yesterday, however, I received a catalog from Wayside Gardens in the mail and guess what was on the cover.

Bingo!

Apparently the company has exclusive rights to offer the plant this spring. They're charging $14.95 each.

Visit www.waysidegardens.com if you're interested.

Welcome black!

2008-02-27T15:26:00.004-06:00

I hadn't thought much about black squirrels since I saw my first one several years ago. Sightings have become pretty routine in the downtown Kankakee area. -- Not so routine though that I didn't get excited when I saw one in my own yard the other day. I don't know why a black squirrel seems so much better than a gray one, but it does. It's more like having my own personal mink than a bushy-tailed rat.

Black squirrels are really just variations of the Eastern gray squirrel. Their dark, almost silky fur is the result of a genetic variation called melanism, a condition caused by an abundance of black pigmentation -- melanin -- in their skin and hair. (It's the opposite of albinism, where a lack of melanin causes an all-white coat.) Biologists estimate that just one in 10,000 squirrels dons such a dusky coat, so I consider myself fortunate to have one taking up residence in my garden.

Now, if I could just get all the sparrows to turn into bluebirds...

A new buddleia

2008-02-19T12:36:00.003-06:00

I just received some pre-press about a new butterfly bush that won't be fully available until Spring of '09. The Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' dwarf buddliea (maturing at 2-3 feet) is being touted as having some very fine characteristics, including:

* Plenty of fragrant, continuous blooms
* An easy to grow, low maintenance culture
* A tidy, compact and attractive habit
* Adaptability to heat, cold, frost and drought
* Deer resistant
* Environmentally friendly (does not drop seed)

'Blue Chip' is the first introduction in the Lo & Behold series of dwarf buddleia. Additional colors are supposed to be added over time. As a Proven Winners ColorChoice introduction, look for it to be extensively promoted to both the trade and consumers.

I've never had much success with buddleias. I don't think that I really know how to prune them back in the spring. I've always cut mine to about a foot high, but then it either never filled out or it died completely. Perhaps in my over zealous rush to get into the spring garden, I've just been pruning too early and the new growth buds have been nipped by late frosts.

Whatever the reason for my disappointing results, this dwarf suggests new possibilities.

A keeper

2008-02-19T09:59:00.004-06:00

As I was looking out my kitchen window the other day, my eyes fell upon the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) growing outside the picket fence. As I was appreciating its shiny leaves -- they are a beautiful mahogany color this time of year -- I started wondering why it is that I hear so little about this particular shrub. True, it's not a focal point plant. It doesn't produce particularly showy flowers. But there is a kind of a quiet beauty about it. And, anything that's still looking good this time of year deserves consideration in my book.

This shrub is very easy care. (Actually, I can't remember ever doing anything to mine except pruning a couple of dead branches once.) It grows in most any lighting conditions from deep shade to full sun, though it definitely likes partial shade or dappled sunlight best. It tolerates clay soils and seasonal flooding, but has also done well in drought seasons with little, if any, supplemental watering. About the only place where I couldn't recommend it would be open, windy sites.

Growing 5-6 feet tall at maturity, the shrub produces yellow flowers in spring and blue edible fruits after that, which can be used to make jelly or left to the birds, who just love them. And, because it has spiny evergreen leaves similar to an English holly, it's also rarely bothered by deer.

So, what's not to love?