 Gardeners, I think, dream bigger dreams than emperors. – Mary Cantwell
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The Herb Spiral
When visitors come up our driveway, one of the first things they see is our herb spiral, which is prominently situated just inside our "Zone 1" environment. They always ask us for details: What is this? and, Why is this bed in the shape of a spiral? It's always fun for me to explain the thinking behind this innovative garden design, and I'm glad to share the concept with you today. |
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Romancing the Roses
I've been an avid gardener for decades, but whenever the subject was roses, I always had more questions than answers. I needed a guide to lead me through the maze of varieties and classes. When I began talking with rosarians around the country, one name kept coming up: Bev Dobson. |
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Planning for Fall
The summer harvest is in full swing. Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, corn, squash, and melons are ripening, giving us the fresh fixings for many a delicious summer meal. But the days are getting shorter and fall is on the way. It's time to think about planting to continue the harvest as the seasons change. |
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Plants to Extend Your Blooming Garden into Fall
As the heat of the summer starts to give way to cooler days and nights it's time to think about getting the most out of the fall season that lies ahead. There are a number of plants that thrive in the fall, and depending on where you live, the time is here or fast approaching when you should start planning for extending the growing season. There are plants for show, edible plants, and some that do double duty that just might fit your design and taste. Here are a few that I like. |
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Drying Flowers
What you dry is just as important as how you dry it. The drying techniques that I describe work for all flowers- come join the fun! |
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Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Final Touch')
Hybridizer: Apps
Year of Registration or Introduction: 1991
Plant Traits: Bud Builder, Diurnal
Bloom Traits: Bicolor or Reverse Bicolor
Bloom Form: Single
Color description: pink and lavender bicolor with green throat
AHS Awards: Honorable Mention
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant
Propagation: Seeds: Will not come true from seed
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Ploidy: Diploid
Parentage: sdlg x Love's Blush
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Dwarf Mussaenda (Mussaenda luteola)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: 2 to 3 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Inconspicuous, Other
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Year Round
Wildlife Attractant: Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger, Needs excellent drainage in pots
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Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
Plant Habit: Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial or Dappled Shade, Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Preferences: Wet, Wet Mesic, Mesic
Plant Height: To 60 feet in its native habitat.
Leaves: Evergreen, Broadleaf
Fruit: Edible to birds, Other
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant, Other
Flower Color: Other
Bloom Size: 3"-4"
Flower Time: Year Round
Underground structures: Taproot
Suitable Locations: Street Tree, Houseplant
Uses: Shade Tree, Flowering Tree
Edible Parts: Fruit, Flowers, Leaves
Eating Methods: Raw, Cooked
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger, Needs excellent drainage in pots
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Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle')
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic, Mesic
Plant Height: 26-30 inches
Plant Spread: 18-20 inches
Flowers: Showy
Bloom Size: 2"-3"
Flower Time: Summer, Late summer or early fall, Late fall or early winter, Fall
Underground structures: Rhizome
Uses: Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Birds
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Pollinators: Various insects, Bees, Moths and Butterflies, Hoverflies
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 Photo by RachaelHunter
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 Photo by dirtdorphins
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 Photo by janwax
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 Photo by RachaelHunter
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 Photo by RachaelHunter
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 Photo by Totally_Amazing
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 Photo by SuperHappyCamper
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 Photo by BlueOddish
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 Photo by Baja_Costero
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 Photo by Totally_Amazing
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Active threads from our forums:
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The numbers from this week:
303 members joined.
4,031 posts written in our forums.
1,817 photos posted to the plant database.
1,253 plants added to personal inventory lists.
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 A good garden may have some weeds.
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