I have grown Solomon's Seal in three of the four homes that I have owned. In one of my homes, I had a woodland garden, really a woodland because behind my house had once run a creek that over 100 years ago people came from the city of Chicago to their summer homes. My house was never a summer home (built after the turn of the century) but my neighbor's home was. People came by horseback, buggy and the early automobile. So, you can see why my backyard was a small area of shade grass, farm lilacs, woodland plants on the side and all across the back.
I grew up in Chicago, so I had no idea what I was looking at. I met the neighbor who lived in a summer home property (not a cottage but quite large) who would come over and rattle off every Latin name of all the plants in my yard. I immediately went out and bought a wild plant identification book. I found out several years later that this plant savvy neighbor of mine had a PhD. in Botany - didn't want to intimidate me!
I had a homemade woodland in the previous home to one I am in now. With a large property I was able to plant a sprawling shade garden but never a "real" woodland like what I had. Now, I am really limited,to that small long strip along the north side of my house, but I still have my one last woodland plant Polyonatum Variegatum (variegated Solomon's Seal). The woodland Solomon's Seal was not variegated but plain green'
Solomon's Seal is a medicinal herb with diverse healing properties. It can be used as a herbal tincture, salve, tea or supplement. It is a beautiful arching plant with small white to pale yellowish green flowers, blooming April to midsummer. It will take partial shade to sun if there is sufficient moisture. It looks great with hosta, ferns and astilbe.
Childrens Book Review: is there a monster over there?
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/2271/1/Is-there-a-monster-over-there-Reviewed-By-Eileen-Hanley-of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The West Suburban Chicago Flower and Garden Show
We have all heard of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, but I am sure not too many of you have heard of Wannamakers Flower and Garden Show! I think it began about ten years ago and each year has become better and better. It is not elegant or overplanned but is a composite of what we are all about, small planting areas, barbqueing, seating areas, water features. Best of all, it is free!
Not everyone in suburbia lives on an acre of land. In fact where I live and many of the surrounding areas we have city type lots that will not accomodate a swimming pool or an expansive patio or deck.
I attended yesterday and I looked like a roving reporter with my small digital camera snapping pictures of the displays. I had to make a choice between my big digital camera and the pocket version. I went for the pocket version because I didn't want to make a spectacle of myself. It is a very personal show, speaking to the owners of growing nurseries, people who make food for hydrangeas that give you pink or blue hydrangeas, your choice!
There were flowers for sale, in fact just about everything was for sale at a discount for the show days. I was so busy taking pictures and talking that I really was not a focused shopper. There was this new tomato cage which I bought as an experiment because I have never found a cage that really worked and believe me I have had them all. Right now I am using an expensive one from Gardeners Supply which still doesn't keep the tomatoes within bounds. I purchased just one of these new cages because she said Burpee was their biggest customer. We'll see if it can keep my Beefmaster within bounds!
Maybe these local flower shows are where it's at, servicing and inspiring the locals. I bought the tomato cage as an experiment and six lilies.
Not everyone in suburbia lives on an acre of land. In fact where I live and many of the surrounding areas we have city type lots that will not accomodate a swimming pool or an expansive patio or deck.
I attended yesterday and I looked like a roving reporter with my small digital camera snapping pictures of the displays. I had to make a choice between my big digital camera and the pocket version. I went for the pocket version because I didn't want to make a spectacle of myself. It is a very personal show, speaking to the owners of growing nurseries, people who make food for hydrangeas that give you pink or blue hydrangeas, your choice!
There were flowers for sale, in fact just about everything was for sale at a discount for the show days. I was so busy taking pictures and talking that I really was not a focused shopper. There was this new tomato cage which I bought as an experiment because I have never found a cage that really worked and believe me I have had them all. Right now I am using an expensive one from Gardeners Supply which still doesn't keep the tomatoes within bounds. I purchased just one of these new cages because she said Burpee was their biggest customer. We'll see if it can keep my Beefmaster within bounds!
Maybe these local flower shows are where it's at, servicing and inspiring the locals. I bought the tomato cage as an experiment and six lilies.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Glorious Grasses
Panicum 'Northwind' is named after a grass found at the Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wisconsin. I have been to this business many times and it is a delightful place, filled with perennials, antiques, roosters and of course Panicum 'Northwind.' The reason I highly recommend this grass is it does not flop even if left standing for the winter. It is greenish-blue in color and tan in the fall and winter. I have it in several places around my home. It finally gives up the ghost about now when it is ready to be cut down.
Miscanthus 'Udine' is difficult to find but is different than other miscanthus in that it is not as spreading, does not flop easily and throws out a pink tinged flower starting much farther down on the stalk than other miscanthus. I did not cut it down this year in the fall, and actually it looked pretty good all winter. I think the heavy snow held it up because it certainly needs to be cut down now.
Pennisetum 'Hameln' lines my path as it goes from the front to the backyard. There are only about five plants, and the first year I wasn't sure this was the right plant for this area. I had tried Nepeta 'Walkers Low' in the area at first but it was covered with bees, needed consistent cutting back over the walk and just never looked right in this narrow area. I looked at Hamlin today, never cut down in the fall, and it still looks good with daffodils poking up through it. It is small and graceful and fluffy looking.
Carex 'Ice Fountains' is on the north side of my house bordered by my home and a cedar fence. I have these small connectable iron fences that I purchased several years ago placed in front of Ice Fountains all along the planting from front to back.. I just leave them in place all year and when the grass grows and arches slightly the fences are obscured and the grass stays in bounds on this very narrow pathway. It is not always easy to find a small grass that will grow in the shade and look great all season. This one fills the bill, but I have found it is important to cut this one down in the fall or you have lots of flat mush in the spring.
Miscanthus 'Udine' is difficult to find but is different than other miscanthus in that it is not as spreading, does not flop easily and throws out a pink tinged flower starting much farther down on the stalk than other miscanthus. I did not cut it down this year in the fall, and actually it looked pretty good all winter. I think the heavy snow held it up because it certainly needs to be cut down now.
Pennisetum 'Hameln' lines my path as it goes from the front to the backyard. There are only about five plants, and the first year I wasn't sure this was the right plant for this area. I had tried Nepeta 'Walkers Low' in the area at first but it was covered with bees, needed consistent cutting back over the walk and just never looked right in this narrow area. I looked at Hamlin today, never cut down in the fall, and it still looks good with daffodils poking up through it. It is small and graceful and fluffy looking.
Carex 'Ice Fountains' is on the north side of my house bordered by my home and a cedar fence. I have these small connectable iron fences that I purchased several years ago placed in front of Ice Fountains all along the planting from front to back.. I just leave them in place all year and when the grass grows and arches slightly the fences are obscured and the grass stays in bounds on this very narrow pathway. It is not always easy to find a small grass that will grow in the shade and look great all season. This one fills the bill, but I have found it is important to cut this one down in the fall or you have lots of flat mush in the spring.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Mary Rose
Mary Rose, it sounds like a name from a past century. I believe I purchased Mary Rose at Costco bundled with a Knockout rose. I had no idea what she was, but I planted her about four years ago. I started with three and am down to two. This seems to be what happens to me when I purchase in threes, I always lose one. She is a wonderful David Austin rose with a marvelous old rose fragrance. I have her in my border so as you can probably guess, she peeks out among other perennials.
Mary Rose grows about four feet tall and four feet wide and is one of the first roses to bloom in the spring. The pink color is delicious and when the petals fall it looks like a wedding has occurred in your garden. I do not have it planted in the most ideal conditions as it is not total sun and there is a lot of moisture in this border.
It is a repeat flowering rose and very hardy with hints of honey and almond. Just as a side note, it was named after Henry VIII's flagship which was recovered from the sea after more than 400 years. For this reason alone it is another rose worth growing!
Mary Rose grows about four feet tall and four feet wide and is one of the first roses to bloom in the spring. The pink color is delicious and when the petals fall it looks like a wedding has occurred in your garden. I do not have it planted in the most ideal conditions as it is not total sun and there is a lot of moisture in this border.
It is a repeat flowering rose and very hardy with hints of honey and almond. Just as a side note, it was named after Henry VIII's flagship which was recovered from the sea after more than 400 years. For this reason alone it is another rose worth growing!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Groundcovers
I am going to travel around my home and talk about the various groundcovers noting their pros and cons. In the back garden under my Regent Serviceberries I have Sweet Woodruff. It was off to a slow start the first year and was sparse for the first few years. Then, it really took off and it is beautiful, little white flowers on top of a field of green. It survives and thrives in full sun even though it will do well in dappled shade, but there is a lot of moisture where it is planted. It seems fragile, meaning if you pull on it to interplant it seems to be unraveling.
In the remainder of this back garden and in the front garden I have a pretty common groundcover with many names, periwinkle, myrtle, vinca. I have a newer variety called "Dart's Blue," which grows more from the center than previous varieties, therefore not as leggy. and more disease resistant. However, I do find that it requires some clipping in the spring just to make it neater and more dense.
On the north side of my home I have Pachysandra "Green Sheen." When I planted this six years ago, I could only find it online. It is very shiny and has a wet look, very little maintenance a trim once in awhile.
Towards the front on the north side is Euonymous Fortunei Coloratus Wintercreeper. It is a strong grower, roots in the ground and develops long vining arms that reach everywhere and also upwards if there is a structure on which to climb. It does require clipping to keep it contained and off pathways and walks. It turns a beautiful burgundy red in the fall and keeps its leaves most of the year. I am now battling a scale on this groundcover which I hope I can cure in the spring.
It is always interesting to have different groundcovers as you stroll through the garden. Also realize that some groundcovers make it difficult to insert plantings. I would say the myrtle is the most difficult to plant through although once done, the plants easily emerge.
Groundcovers save on the expense and labor of mulch, although it is comfort to the eye to have areas with both mulch and various groundcovers. Avoid groundcovers bordering a lawn which can eventually root into that lawn (Ajuga and Lirope). Aegopodium (Goutweed) is still sold in nurseries - do not buy this, it will take over your world!
Childrens Book Review The Up Down Day
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/2242/1/The-Up-Down-Day-Reviewed-by-Eileen-Hanley-of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html
In the remainder of this back garden and in the front garden I have a pretty common groundcover with many names, periwinkle, myrtle, vinca. I have a newer variety called "Dart's Blue," which grows more from the center than previous varieties, therefore not as leggy. and more disease resistant. However, I do find that it requires some clipping in the spring just to make it neater and more dense.
On the north side of my home I have Pachysandra "Green Sheen." When I planted this six years ago, I could only find it online. It is very shiny and has a wet look, very little maintenance a trim once in awhile.
Towards the front on the north side is Euonymous Fortunei Coloratus Wintercreeper. It is a strong grower, roots in the ground and develops long vining arms that reach everywhere and also upwards if there is a structure on which to climb. It does require clipping to keep it contained and off pathways and walks. It turns a beautiful burgundy red in the fall and keeps its leaves most of the year. I am now battling a scale on this groundcover which I hope I can cure in the spring.
It is always interesting to have different groundcovers as you stroll through the garden. Also realize that some groundcovers make it difficult to insert plantings. I would say the myrtle is the most difficult to plant through although once done, the plants easily emerge.
Groundcovers save on the expense and labor of mulch, although it is comfort to the eye to have areas with both mulch and various groundcovers. Avoid groundcovers bordering a lawn which can eventually root into that lawn (Ajuga and Lirope). Aegopodium (Goutweed) is still sold in nurseries - do not buy this, it will take over your world!
Childrens Book Review The Up Down Day
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/2242/1/The-Up-Down-Day-Reviewed-by-Eileen-Hanley-of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html
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