Must Have Plants: East Indian Holly Fern

East Indian Holly Fern

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata', East Indian Holly Fern, Indian Holly Fern, Simplicior Fern, Shield Fern

Flower Color: None

Bloom Time: N/A

Foliage: Glossy evergreen foliage, creamy variegation down the center.

Height/Spread: 12 inches to 24 inches x 12 inches to 24 inches.

Climate Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10

Sun Exposure: Partial shade

Soil Condition: Well-drained, consistently moist, pH 6.5 to 7.5

Features: Deer resistant, attractive foliage, slow-growing, good for small areas.

Uses: Massed planting, naturalizing, woodland gardens, houseplant in cool climates.

Return to Ferns at goGardenNow.com.

What should I use to mulch my creeping phlox?

Creeping Phlox

Q. I received my order of creeping phlox and am very pleased.  Never having planted something I wanted to spread quickly I have no idea what type mulch to use.  John, the bed borders the driveway, slopes downhill and also drops a little toward the drive. I appreciate your time and look forward to your suggestions.

A. Mulches are applied to inhibit weeds, moderate soil temperature, preserve soil moisture, prevent erosion, and make the bed more attractive.

There are two issues for you to consider: the growth habit of the plant and the slope of the bed.

As Phlox subulata spreads, the stems root where they touch the ground. Coarse mulches and inorganic mulches such as recycled rubber might prevent the stems from rooting.

Rainfall on a sloping bed can wash some mulches away. If the bed slopes to the degree that that might happen, you should use a mulch that will allow rain to percolate rapidly through it. In that case, I recommend pine straw mulch. However, a thick application of pine straw might inhibit the stems from rooting as they should. The solution would be for you to pull the pine straw mulch away from the phlox as the plants spread so the stems can contact the soil and take root. The pine straw will eventually decompose.

If the slope of the bed is minimal, and there's no danger of mulch washing away, I recommend pulverized pine bark, wood chips or finished compost.

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Must-Have Plants: Narcissus Tete a' Tete

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Narcissus Tete a' Tete.

Division: 12 - Miscellaneous

Flower Color: Yellow.

Bloom Time: Mid-season.

Foliage: Herbaceous, green, smooth.

Height/Spread: 6 inches to 12 inches x 6 inches to 12 inches.

Climate Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Condition: Well-drained, average, pH 6.1 to 7.8.

Planting Depth: 2-1/2 times the height of the bulb.*

Features: Deer resistant, fragrant.

Uses: Massed planting, cutting gardens, container gardens, bulb gardens, naturalizing, borders.

Comments: Narcissus Tete a' Tete was raised in 1949 by A. Gray, and is an heirloom variety.

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Must-Have Plants: Flowering Onion

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Allium aflatunense, Allium hollandicum, Flowering Onion.

Flower Color: Purple.

Bloom Time: Late spring.

Foliage: Herbaceous, blue-green, smooth, fragrant.

Height/Spread: 36 inches x 12 inches.

Climate Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Condition: Well-drained, average, pH 6.6 to 7.8.

Planting Depth: 8 inches.

Features: Deer resistant, fragrant.

Uses: Massed planting, cutting gardens, container gardens, bulb gardens, butterfly gardens, herb gardens, borders.

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Must-Have Plants: Japanese Painted Fern

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum', Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, Japanese Painted Fern

Flower Color: None

Bloom Time: None

Foliage: Herbaceous, metallic gray, reddish/bluish blush

Height/Spread: 12 inches to 18 inches x 12 inches to 18 inches.

Climate Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade.

Soil Condition: Moist to well-drained, loamy, pH 6.1 to 7.5

Features: Colorful foliage, deer resistant, insect resistant, disease resistant.

Uses: Massed planting, naturalizing, fern collections, woodland gardens, shade gardens and borders.

Return to Ferns @ goGardenNow.com.

Must-Have Plants: Variegated Japanese Sweet Flag

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus', Japanese Sweet Flag, Japanese Rush, Grassy-leaved Sweet Flag, Variegated Sweet Flag

Flower Color: Yellow, not showy

Bloom Time: May to June

Foliage: Herbaceous, variegated.

Height/Spread: 8 inches to 12 inches x 6 inches to 18 inches.

Climate Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9

Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade.

Soil Condition: Moist to wet, pH 6.1 to 7.8

Features: Grassy, variegated, fragrant foliage.

Uses: Bog gardens, water gardens, fragrance gardens, and as a ground cover in wet soils.

Return to Acorus @ goGardenNow.com.

The State Botanical Garden Of Georgia

Bordering the Middle Oconee River, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia provides a unique facility for education, recreation, entertainment and quiet reflection. This "living laboratory" is operated by the University of Georgia, located in nearby Athens, Georgia. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, founded in 1968, now includes over 300 acres of developed gardens and woodland, all connected by easily accessible walkways and trails. Hikers won't find a better place for hiking near Athens, GA. For students and public, it's a place to gain knowledge and enjoy garden beauty.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located only 3 miles from the UGA campus, and about 5 driving miles from the center of Downtown Athens' Historic District. But inside the Garden one has a sense of solitude. Unpaved woodland trails can be accessed at several points throughout the property. Hikers who desire a more natural experience can do so.

It had been several years since we'd visited, so we wanted to see how the gardens have developed. We entered the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center and Conservatory. The lovely facility was made possible by the Callaway Foundation of LaGrange, GA. Alice Hand Callaway (1912-1998) was a civic leader and philanthropist who loved gardening, so the Visitor Center and Conservatory is a fitting tribute.

The Conservatory houses a small but delightful collection of tropical plant species including a display of significant food sources. On a hot summer day, you might be tempted to stay beside the brook rather than venture outdoors.

Outdoor plant collections are organized according to themes. The Heritage Garden highlights plants of historic socio-economic interest, especially to Georgians. The Herb and Physic Garden features plants of culinary and medicinal interest, such as thyme and lavender. The International Garden displays species of nearly all continents.

It's worthwhile noting that Georgia and other southeastern colonies were of great interest to plant explorers from Britain and Europe. Though sometimes it feels like nothing special to us, the southeastern United States is a botanical treasure. Seventeenth-century botanists must have been as excited at discovering plants here like Aesculus parviflora and Rhododendron prunifolia as others were when finding species like Lagerstroemia faurei in Japan. With that in mind, you should visit The Native Flora Garden and Native Azalea Garden with greater appreciation.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is growing. New vistas have opened for visitors to enjoy. Pleasant water features and garden art enhance the experience.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a member of the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). The AHS RAP allows members of participating botanical gardens to enjoy benefits such as free admission or discounts at other member gardens. Admission to The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is already free, but the RAP allows discounts in the gift shop.

Here's a map to The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. If you're going to be in the area, check out the garden's schedule of events which may include entertainment and classes of special interest. Be sure to visit often.

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Must-Have Plants: Achillea 'Oertel's Rose'

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Achillea x 'Oertel's Rose'', Yarrow, Milfoil, Staunchweed, Sanguinary, Thousandleaf, Soldier's Woundwort

Flower Color: Pink

Bloom Time: June to September

Foliage: Herbaceous, gray-green, fragrant.

Height/Spread: 12 inches to 24 inches x 15 inches.

Climate Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Condition: Well-drained to dry, average to poor, pH 5.1 to 6.5

Features: Drought tolerant, deer resistant, fragrant.

Uses: Xeriscaping, massed planting, naturalizing, cutting gardens, butterfly gardens, herb gardens, perennial borders.

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The Allure Of Catnip

Nepeta 'Walker's Low'

The Allure Of Catnip

Animals of many sorts have found their pleasures among common weeds. Wandering cats apparently found theirs around Nepi (Nepete), Italy. The town became for them a little Etruscan resort on a hill. The plant was a kind of mint, a member of the Lamiaceae family. So closely associated was it with the town that it was eventually called Nepeta (pronounced NEP-eh,tuh), aka Catnip, Catmint. Nepeta is native to most of Europe.



As cats set off to discover the New World, they carried dried leaves and and seeds with them. Dried herbs for the long trip. Seeds for colonization when they arrived. Large quantities, sometimes of inferior quality, were transported and sold in unmarked burlap sacks, un chat en poche.

There are about 250 species worldwide. Only 4 species of Nepeta are widely distributed in North America.

Catnip is often enjoyed by humans, but not in the same way as their feline owners. Catnip tea is said to promote relaxation, so is used as a sleep aid. It can also reduce sinus congestion.

Catnip plants are wonderful for the herb garden. The alluring flowers and aroma are pleasing. In addition to cats, they attract honey bees and butterflies.

Many gardeners grow catnip for the sole purpose of serving their cats and laughing at their drunken antics. Kind of like watching Foster Brooks on Youtube.

All cats are not so influenced by catnip. Ours shows no interest. Not a bit. Nevertheless, my wife and daughter drop sprigs on the floor because cats are supposed to adore it.  Perhaps our cat is simply too proud to have it served on a rug.

Lavender flower spikes, held above aromatic silver-green foliage, bloom from late spring until frost. Nepeta foliage is evergreen in warmer climates to semi-evergreen in cooler zones.

Catnip prefers full sun to partial shade in USDA climate zones 4 to 8. Plant in average garden soil that is slightly moist with pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. Take a sample to your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office for analysis. The fee is nominal.

If soil is compacted, prepare the planting bed by cultivating at least 8 inches deep, removing all traces of weeds.  If the soil is high in organic matter and friable, it may not require cultivation.  Compost may be incorporated into the soil, if necessary.  Incorporate 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of no more 2 lbs. per 100 square feet into the top 4 inches to 6 inches of soil. Avoid synthetic fertilizers contacting any part of your plants.

Space the plants between 12 inches to 24 inches apart. Dig planting holes into the cultivated soil a little less deep than the depth of the growing container. Place the plants into the holes and back-fill, watering as you go. Press soil around the root balls. Do not cover entirely the root balls with soil. The tops should be slightly exposed. Add a top-dressing of mulch around the plants, not on top of them, about 1 inch deep.

In addition to herb gardens, catnip is great for butterfly gardens, medicinal gardens, and perennial borders. Cat fanciers with limited growing space can grow catnip in containers. If you live in an area where dry spells are frequent, you'll be relieved to know that catnip is drought-tolerant once established. If you're besieged by deer, catnip is deer resistant.

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Must-Have Plants: Achillea 'Moonshine'

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Name(s): Achillea x 'Moonshine', Achillea taygetia, Greek Yarrow.

Flower Color: Yellow

Bloom Time: June to September

Foliage: Herbaceous, gray-green, fragrant.

Height/Spread: 12 inches to 24 inches x 10 inches to 12 inches.

Climate Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Condition: Well-drained to dry, average to poor, pH 5.6 to 7.5

Features: Drought tolerant, deer resistant, fragrant.

Uses: Xeriscaping, massed planting, naturalizing, cutting gardens, butterfly gardens, herb gardens, perennial borders.

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Must-Have Plants: Achillea 'Coronation Gold'

Must-have plants are among the best plants for appropriate garden situations. When you need great garden plants for ground cover, naturalizing, wildflower gardens, perennial borders, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, herb gardens, heritage gardens, cutting gardens, woodland gardens, shade gardens, bulb gardens, container gardens, bog gardens, water gardens, rain gardens or xeriscaping, look for the best among our must-have plants.

Achillea filipendulina 'Coronation Gold', known as Fern Leaf Yarrow, is excellent for herb and butterfly gardens. Because it is drought tolerant and deer resistant, it is an ideal choice for the low-maintenance landscape.

Name(s): Achillea filipendulina 'Coronation Gold', Fern Leaf Yarrow.

Flower Color: Golden yellow

Bloom Time: June to September

Foliage: Herbaceous, gray-green, fragrant.

Height/Spread: 30 inches to 36 inches x 18 inches to 24 inches.

Climate Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Condition: Well-drained to dry, average to poor, pH 6.1 to 7.8

Features: Drought tolerant, deer resistant, fragrant.

Uses: Xeriscaping, massed planting, naturalizing, cutting gardens, butterfly gardens, herb gardens, borders.

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The Norfolk Botanical Garden - Freedom, Imagination, Dreams and Flights Of Fancy

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Mermaid

Just beyond a rise at the edge of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, planes begin and end their flights at the Norfolk International Airport. The jets and noise may seem like intrusions on garden tranquility. They are sometimes, sadly. But both are symbols of freedom, imagination, dreams, flights of fancy.  

An improbable idea for a civic garden came from Frederic Heutte, a young plantsman. Heutte loved azaleas, and he observed that tidewater Virginia was almost as clement as the South Carolina lowcountry. Perfect for azaleas. This was during the Great Depression. Though I don't know for sure, I think Frederic perceived success if an azalea garden could be promoted as a tourist attraction. Charleston, SC drew thousands of tourists every year, even when money was short. He told his dream to Thomas P. Thompson, Norfolk City Manager. Thompson agreed. They applied to the city of Norfolk. The city complied, giving them about 150 acres to work with.

The project needed money and labor. The "good-ole-boy" network got things started. (I don't mean that in a perjorative sense.) Summer of 1938, U.S. Congressman Norman R. Hamilton announced a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant of $76, 278 for the garden project. The WPA in Virginia employed lots of people, unskilled and skilled, at taxpayer expense for all kinds of projects. It worked wonders for awhile.

The administrators hired over 200 African-Americans, mostly women, to prepare the site. They "carried the equivalent of 150 truck loads of dirt by hand to build a levee for the lake. The laborers were paid twenty-five cents an hour for their hard work," equivalent of about $3.00 per hour now. Probably more than I make most days as a small-business owner.

By spring of 1939, "four thousand azaleas, two thousand rhododendrons, several thousand miscellaneous shrubs and trees and one hundred bushels of daffodils had been planted."

Success breeds success. "In August of 1939, Representative Colgate W. Darden Jr. secured an additional $138, 553 for the Azalea Garden, and the founding of the Old Dominion Horticultural Society provided volunteer labor to assist the Garden. By 1941 the Garden displayed nearly five thousand azaleas, and seventy-five landscaped acres that were encompassed by five miles of walking trails."

The city got behind it in a bigger way and renamed the Azalea Garden the Norfolk Municipal Gardens. For political and economic reasons, the city promoted the gardens as the site for the International Azalea Festival.

The Norfolk Municipal Gardens was renamed Norfolk Botanical Garden after the Old Dominion Horticultural Society took over its maintenance. The stated mission was to "promote for the people of Tidewater, Virginia, a Garden that will always remain an inspiration, and lead the home gardener to greater enjoyment and accomplishment in his own yard", and more.

Other improvements have been made. Waterways, which always appeal to me, have been constructed. Boats ply them to provide visitors placid viewing experiences.

There are theme gardens: Japanese, American Colonial, Rose, Statuary, Butterfly, Native Plant, the WOW garden for children. Professional and amateur gardeners should make a point of visiting the All-America Selections Garden, where new plants with exciting potential are on display.

Visitors can tour the Norfolk Botanical Garden by foot, boat or tram. In March, we toured on foot with a garden map in hand. We like walking because we have freedom to roam, can stop when we want, look at different angles, inspect plants closely, take pictures, sit and wait, scratch and sniff.

Gardens and art are essentially the same. I think gardens are the epitome, for they are sculptures we can enter to involve all our senses. The flying mermaid sculpture and an exhibit of paintings were the perfect segue to what we found behind the garden wall.

At the end of an ample plaza we found a pergola flanked by Edgworthia chrysantha and draped with Gelsemium sempervirens. It was our first chance to enjoy a fragrant view overlooking the boat basin to the Sarah Lee Baker Perennial Garden beyond.

Japanese gardens quietly invite visitors to enter, so we did. Stone, water, thoughtfully trimmed plants and a Japanese garden bell enhanced the tranquility of the moment and subdued any disturbance from the airport beyond.

The Sarah Lee Baker Perennial Garden features a dramatic limestone fountain and terraced canals. Over 200 varieties of perennials and bulbs paint the landscape with seasonal splashes of color. The backdrop of Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea' and Magnolia x soulangeana was spectacular. This perennial garden is a fitting tribute to one of Norfolk's most important patrons. Mrs. Baker's influence is palpable. Sarah Lee Baker (1910-2002) was the wife of prominent businessman Isaac Mitchell Baker of Norfolk.

As we strolled to the Renaissance Court, we noticed photographers with some serious equipment trained on nearby pines. They said bald eagles were nesting in the garden. Our approach to the Court was cordoned off to protect the raptors from intrusion.

In 2003, a pair of bald eagles decided the high pines soaring above would be a fine place to begin a family. Since then the eagles have become quite an attraction. An "Eagle Cam" provided visitors around the world views of the eyrie via the internet. Views are also possible from the NATO Tower and the Renaissance Court.

The female eagle was killed, tragically, in 2011 when she collided with an airplane while hunting food for her three fledglings. The young were removed to a wildlife center until they could be released to the wild that summer. An impressive sculpture of an eagle in flight and a plaque commemorates her life.

Apparently her mate began a new romance for the nest was home to eaglets once again in spring 2012. The nesting season lasts from December through July.

Near the Renaissance Court along the Camellia Allee, we came upon a delightful bronze sculpture of graceful dancers by Mario Korbel. They seemed to float above a marble base inscribed with a flight of fancy by Arther Morris of Norfolk.

There Are

So Many Gods

So Many Creeds

So Many Paths

That Wind And Wind

When

Just The Art Of Being Kind

Is All This Sad World Needs

Arther Morris was the father of noted sculptor Virginia Morris Pollak.

Korbel's sculpture was removed from the garden for awhile for restoration, which is complete. Since the camellias were in bloom, someone thoughtfully dressed them with a few blossoms. A smaller version of the sculpture may be seen at the Cooper Gallery, Lewisburg, WV.

Behind the Renaissance Court, a statuary garden leads to a view of Lake Whitehurst. Stony attendants include Phidias, Rubens, Canova, Durer, Thomas Crawford, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Murillo, Raphael and Rembrandt.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden was rich with pleasant spring scenes and blazing floral displays. I was particularly impressed by an imaginative espaliered cordon.

Gardeners who anticipate new plant releases will appreciate that the Norfolk Botanical Garden is an official All-America Selections Display Garden. The mission of All-America Selections is "to promote new garden varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America." The AAS tests plants at gardens nationwide. Superior selections are named AAS Winners. At AAS Display Gardens, visitors can see plant selections up close and visualize how they might use them in their home landscapes.

It seems that every botanical garden nowadays has a children's garden. If not, they should. Children's gardens are fun and educational, introducing young ones to nature, science, art, freedom to explore and the joy of growing. Norfolk's World Of Wonders is especially well-conceived. The sculpted caterpillar arbor was fun. A passing grown-up jogger couldn't resist going through it back and forth.

There is more to enjoy than one can take in on a single day, or even in a single season. You really need to visit often. The best way to do that is to become a Garden Member. For a reasonable fee you get free admission, which makes it easy to drop in on a whim, and lots of other perks such as discounts, a subscription to Norfolk's garden magazine, and borrowing privileges at the Huette Horticultural Library.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a member of the American Horticulture Society Reciprocal Admissions Program. So with your membership at Norfolk, you get free or discounted admission to over 230 other member gardens in the U.S. for as long as your membership is current. You can't beat that.

Become a member of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, visit often, learn, enjoy, imagine, dream, let your spirit soar. Maybe I'll see you there.

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Norfolk Botanical Garden canal in spring.

How can I prevent lily pollen stains?

Q. How can I prevent lily pollen stains? I cut some lilies to bring inside. They're really beautiful, but they've dropped yellow pollen on my tablecloth. Can I spray the flowers with something to keep them from doing that?

A. To keep pollen from dropping on your furniture surfaces, cut off the stamens from the insides of the lilies with small scissors or snips before you bring them indoors. The accompanying photograph shows a tiger lily with its 6 distinct stamens.

The dye in pollen can be troublesome to remove. Trying to remove it by rubbing makes matters worse. Use some masking tape to gently lift freshly fallen pollen. If the dye is already in the fabric and the cloth is washable, soak the spot in cold water with hydrogen peroxide. You may have to repeat the process two or three times.

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Kniphofia - Out Of Africa A Red Hot Torch Lily

Kniphofia uvaria. Photo by Toby Hudson.

 Out Of Africa A Red Hot Torch Lily

From Africa comes a bold spear of blazing hot color to a garden near you. It's called Kniphofia (pronounced nip-HOFF-ee-ah), the Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily. Kniphofia species are native from Ethiopia to Sudan, Madagascar and South Africa, with most found in the later.

Depending on the species, long, sword-like leaves may grow to 3 feet long. Upright spikes of bright, tubular flowers may extend to 6 feet (K. multiflora). Most popular garden species grow to less than half that size. Flower color ranges from red orange to light yellow. The flower spikes inspired the names Torch Lily and Red Hot Poker.

Kniphofia is a member of the Asphodeloideae subfamily, along with Aloe. Aloe is another African native. So closely does it resemble Aloe, in fact, that it was originally given that name by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). Aloe (pronounced AL-oh) is derived from an Arabic word, Alloeh, meaning "bitter."

In Linnaeus day, taxonomy was not so standardized. There were almost as many systems as there were botanists. They'd name, correspond, argue, reorder and rename. Sometimes they'd name plants to honor other botanists. Red Hot Poker, for example, was later renamed to honor Johannes Kniphof (1704-1763). Kniphof was a botanist and Professor of Medicine at Erfurt University. German naturalist, Lorenze Oken (1779-1851) reorganized Linnaeus' Aloe (aka Kniphofia). Sometime along the way, Kniphofia was also named Tritoma because of its flower form, but the name didn't stick.

Undoubtedly the fiery flower spikes of Red Hot Poker first attracted the attention of plant explorers. But they weren't only interested in ornamental value. They were drawn by medical potential, too. Very many early botanists were also physicians. It's possible explorers also observed that Red Hot Poker was used by native Africans for treating stomach cramps, and for eradicating intestinal parasites in cattle. More recently, some species have shown potential for treating malaria.

Kniphofias thrive in full sun in USDA climate zones 5 through 10 in average, well-drained soil with pH from 6.6 to 7.5. All species are drought and heat-tolerant. Kniphofia attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer will not eat it!

If soil is compacted, prepare the planting bed by cultivating at least 8 inches deep, removing all traces of weeds.  If the soil is high in organic matter and friable, it may not require cultivation.  Compost may be incorporated into the soil, if necessary.  Incorporate 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of no more 2 lbs. per 100 square feet into the top 4 inches to 6 inches of soil. Avoid synthetic fertilizers contacting any part of your plants. 

Space the plants 12 inches to 18 inches apart. Dig planting holes into the cultivated soil a little less deep than the depth of the growing container. Place the plants into the holes and back-fill, watering as you go. Press soil around the root balls. Do not cover entirely the root balls with soil. The tops should be slightly exposed. Add a top-dressing of mulch around the plants, not on top of them, about 1 inch deep.

Kniphofia requires very little maintenance. In some areas Kniphofia has made itself too much at home - parts of Australia and California, for example,

Red Hot Poker is a superb plant that lends height, texture and bold color to a sunny garden. Plant it to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It's also fine addition to African plant collections and medicinal gardens.

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Aquilegia (Columbine) - The Eagle And The Dove

Aquilegia canadensis by Jennifer Anderson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Aquilegia (Columbine) - The Eagle And The Dove

The name Aquilegia (a-kwi-LEE-jee-a) is derived from the Latin aquila, referring to the talon-like structures or "spurs" on its flowers. The name "columbine", derived from the Latin word for "dove" (columba), was given because someone observed that, viewed from below, the petals resemble a cluster of doves. So, in one plant genus we have a vision of two very different birds.

Some of my dearest childhood memories are of hiking in the mountains with my elders, brother and cousins. Actually, we didn't hike; we strolled. For us children, strolling and stopping was a source of frustration. We were always in a hurry wanting to reach the summit. But we were usually accompanied by at least one real old elder who slowed us down a lot. Typically, the oldest was also the most knowledgeable about plants, or who felt like stopping to talk about them more. "Boys, now boys," grandfather would say, "this is...", and he'd probe it with his walking staff and proceed to tell us what ailment it was good for. After he died, my dad and uncles would do the same.

So I was leisurely, thoughtfully introduced to Aquilegia. In the Rocky Mountains it was Aquilegia coerulea growing beside a brook. It was Aquilegia canadensis along the Blue Ridge.

Actually, there was one thing that could temporarily distract me from reaching the summit. If the teaching elder would say, "Indians used this to...", I was ready to stop and learn. I learned that columbine was used to treat stomach cramps; reduce fever, pain and swelling; kill parasites; stop bleeding and make you pee. I also learned that little water droplets sometimes collected in the tops of the flowers below the spurs, which was kind of a neat thing to discover. I sometimes wondered if I could take something to kill pinworms, why it wouldn't kill me, too. I never asked. But, I suppose it's because Aquilegia is somewhat toxic, though not dangerous if taken as directed by a knowledgeable doctor.

From those woodland strolls, I also learned a principle by my elders' examples which means much more to me now that I'm the elder often inclined to mosey and pause at flowers.

"All that is needed for calm happiness
Hast thou not here?
Hast thou not pleasure in the golden bough
That shields thee from the day's fierce glow?
Canst thou not raise thy breast to catch,
On the soft moss beside the brook,
The sun's last rays at even?
Here thou mayst wander through the flowers' fresh dew,
Pluck from the overflow
The forest-trees provide,
Thy choicest food,--mayst quench
Thy light thirst at the silvery spring.
Oh friend, true happiness
Lies in contentedness,
And that contentedness
Finds everywhere enough."
"Oh, wise one!" said the eagle, while he sank
In deep and ever deep'ning thought--
"Oh Wisdom! like a dove thou speakest!"
The Eagle And The Dove - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If you'd like to grow columbine, you probably can. Of the 60 or so Aquilegia species, 22 are native to North America. One Aquilegia vulgaris, native to Europe, thrives here, too. You'll find columbines in practically every state and province. Among the various species and hybrids, there are columbines cold hardy or heat-tolerant enough to thrive from USDA climate zones 3 to 10.

Choose a site in full sun to full shade. In hotter climates, partial shade is preferred. Before planting, you'll need to know the pH level of your soil. Aquilegias generally prefer slightly moist, well-drained soil with pH ranging from 6.6 to 7.5. Take a sample to your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office for analysis. The fee is nominal.

If soil is compacted, prepare the planting bed by cultivating at least 8 inches deep, removing all traces of weeds.  If the soil is high in organic matter and friable, it may not require cultivation.  Compost may be incorporated into the soil, if necessary.  Incorporate 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of no more 2 lbs. per 100 square feet into the top 4 inches to 6 inches of soil. Avoid synthetic fertilizers contacting any part of your plants.

Space the plants between 12 inches to 24 inches apart. Dig planting holes into the cultivated soil a little less deep than the depth of the growing container. Place the plants into the holes and back-fill, watering as you go. Press soil around the root balls. Do not cover entirely the root balls with soil. The tops should be slightly exposed. Add a top-dressing of mulch around the plants, not on top of them, about 1 inch deep.

Columbines are suitable for mixed perennial borders, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, medicinal plant and native plant collections.

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You Will Know It's Euphorbia By Its Glands

Euphorbia characis 'Glacier Blue' PP19027

Euphorbia is one of the world's largest genera with over 2000 known species. They're so diverse in appearance you'd hardly know they are all related. Compare the popular poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) to Euphorbia canariensis to Euphorbia milii to Euphorbia serrata.

See what I mean? You might even have some growing in your yard like the Euphorbia cyathopora under my grape vines or Euphorbia maculata among the squash. Regardless of their differences, they all share characteristics with one called Euphorbia antiquorum, the type species. If you don't have one handy to compare, you'll know you've got Euphorbia by its glands. You might need a magnifying glass.

Carl Linneaus (1707-1778) devised the system of sorting and organizing plants according to their sexual apparatus. A better method was never contrived, nor shall be.

Euphorbia flowers are surrounded by modified leaves called bracts. The Christmas poinsettia is a good example. Those big floppy red things are not flowers, but bracts. In other words, they're false flowers. If you peer between the bracts, you'll find the true flowers. They're tiny. Each euphorbia flower is uni-sexual, either male or female. Sometimes both sexes occur on the same plant; sometimes on different plants. Anyway, euphorbia flowers have glands. The horn-shaped glands of E. amygdaloides are good examples. All euphorbia glands are not horn-shaped, but you get the idea.

Euphorbias also share another trait: sticky, milky sap. Depending on the species, the sap (latex) can be very caustic and even poisonous. Contact with skin, to say nothing of the eyes and sensitive tissue, may be very irritating. Ingesting it can make one throw up, or worse. For this reason, euphorbias are often called "spurge." Rhymes with "purge."

Ironically, the name Euphorbia is derived from two Greek words combined meaning "good pasture." But the genus wasn't named because of its edibility. It was named to honor Euphorbus (Dr. Goodpasture), the personal physician of King Juba II of Numidia. Juba (c. 50BC - 23AD) married the daughter of Anthony and Cleopatra. Numidia was in North Africa.

Juba was a scholar and best-selling author of books on history, natural history, geography, travel, language and the arts. It was natural that he named a plant known to be a powerful laxative for his doctor. Over 1700 years later, Linneaus could do no better, so he gave the name to the entire genus.

Euphorbia is distributed world-wide. Over 60 species thrive in North America. Whether native or introduced, euphorbias grow in virtually every state and province in the U.S. and  Canada.

Euphorbia enthusiasts may choose their favorites for many reasons: their floral beauty, foliage, large size, small size, drought-tolerance, low maintenance, or because some look just plain weird. There's a euphorbia for everyone.

One might wonder whether euphorbias are suitable plants for the home and garden considering the troubling sap. Certainly any gardener should learn about plants and their possible hazards before growing them. But one thing I've observed about Euphorbia is the more formidable ones sport menacing spines that say, "Don't mess with me without gloves!" With that in mind, take care and have fun.

With so many different species, it would be difficult to summarize planting details and growing conditions. But as time goes by, I'll detail a few of them in future articles.

Until then, you can learn more about them at The International Euphorbia Society.

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How To Grow Garden Chrysanthemums In Your Yard

Think "fall color" and chrysanthemums come to mind. Their reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and whites are the shades we enjoy so in autumn. Not surprisingly, they are among the favorites in fall gardens.

Chrysanthemum (pronounced kris-AN-the-mum) comes from the Greek words chrysos and anthemon, meaning "gold flower." Chrysanthemums, often called "mums", were originally cultivated in China almost 4000 years ago as a medicinal herb thought to have the power of life. The leaves were eaten and boiled for tea. In China, the chrysanthemum is the flower of honor. So highly esteemed was it, that chrysanthemum even had a city named for it, Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan City is known as Chrysanthemum City. Chrysanthemums are celebrated in China during the Chongyang Festival or Double Ninth Festival known as Chrysanthemum Day.

Centuries later, chrysanthemums were imported to Japan, where they also became very popular. A chrysanthemum was incorporated into the official seal of the Emperor. The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum is the highest honor of chivalry. Japan even has a National Chrysanthemum Day, known as the Festival of Happiness or Kiku Matsuri, which is celebrated in botanical gardens all over the world.

Though most often associated with Asia, some species are native to northeastern Europe. One, Chrysanthemum arcticum, is even native to North America, specifically to Alaska, Canada and some Great Lakes states.

The name, Chrysanthemum, was given by Carolus Linnaeus sometime in the 17th century. As with many plants, taxonomists seem always to be trying to sort out matters. So the genus has been split into two or more, and species have been added and shifted between genera. Some of those genera include Arctanthemum, Argyranthemum, Dendanthrema, Glebionis, Leucanthemopsis, Leucanthemum, Rhodanthemum, and Tanacetum.

There are hundreds of chrysanthemum flower types, sizes, colors and habits. Some, like the show quality types, can be tender and difficult to grow. Others are quite hardy and simple. Most gardeners stick to the hardy types. Hardy mums thrive in USDA climate zones 5 to 9.

Hardy chrysanthemums require at least 5 hours of full sun per day, particularly during the morning, because humidity and lingering moisture can encourage mildew. For the same reason, good air circulation and soil drainage are essential.

Choose a site with average, well-drained garden soil with pH ranging from 5.6 to 7.5. Take a soil sample to your nearest Cooperative Extension Office for analysis. You will be charged a nominal fee. Follow the recommendations you'll receive.

It's best to plant chrysanthemums in spring or fall about 6 weeks before hot or freezing weather commences. If soil is compacted, prepare the planting bed by cultivating at least 8 inches deep, removing all traces of weeds.  If the soil is high in organic matter and friable, it may not require cultivation.  Compost may be incorporated into the soil, if necessary.  Incorporate 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of no more 2 lbs. per 100 square feet into the top 4 inches to 6 inches of soil. Avoid synthetic fertilizers contacting any part of your plants.

Space the plants between 18 inches to 24 inches apart. Dig planting holes into the cultivated soil a little less deep than the depth of the growing container. Place the plants into the holes and back-fill, watering as you go. Press soil around the root balls. Do not cover entirely the root balls with soil. The tops should be slightly exposed. Add a top-dressing of mulch around the plants, not on top of them, about 1 inch deep.

Even though chrysanthemums are known for fall bloom, they may actually put on buds as early as May. To delay flowering, pinch off the buds as soon as they appear. Don't be surprised if they appear again in June or July. If they do, pinch 'em again. Pruning like this will also encourage bushiness. A much better bloom set will occur in a little over 90 days.

After a few years, chrysanthemums should be divided. In spring, when danger of frost is past, dig the clumps and cut or pull them apart. Older, worn out parts should be cut off and discarded. Incorporate organic matter into the soil. Plant the renovated clumps at the same level they grew before. Water them in, and add mulch. A little renovation every 3 to 5 years will reward you with many seasons of pleasure.

A Chinese philosopher is supposed to have said, "If you would be happy for a lifetime, grow chrysanthemums." I'm sure it's true.

Learn more about chrysanthemums from the National Chrysanthemum Society.

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Bergenia - Grow Pig Squeak and Have A Little Fun

Bergenia cordifolia

When I was a child, my grandfather taught me practical uses for plants. One was how to make a cow call from a squash leaf. With his pocketknife, he cut a large leaf from a yellow squash or cushaw plant and trimmed the foliage from the long petiole. He sliced about 1 inch deep into the narrow end. After gently rubbing the little spines off, he put it into my mouth far enough so my lips wouldn't restrict the movement of the two parts. Then I blew. It sounded like a moo-cow. If the tone wasn't just right, he sliced the tip a bit deeper to improve the vibration. That provided me with about an hour of fun until the petiole wilted. Then with my own pocketknife I could make the entertaining toy whenever I wanted to, so long as I didn't ruin his squash patch. I passed this on to my own kids, but didn't give them pocketknives until they were too old to care about moo-cows any more. Sad.

Here's another fun plant toy to try, and much simpler to do. It's called Pig Squeak. All you have to do is take a fleshy leaf from Bergenia cordifolia and drag it between your thumb and forefinger with proper pressure. Or you can rub two leaves together. The emanating sound resembles a porcine squeal. Appropriately, the plant's common name is Heart-leaf Pig Squeak. "Cordifolia" (pronounced cor-di-FOL-ee-ah) means "heart-shaped leaf."

Bergenia (pronounced ber-GEN-ee-ah) was named by Konrad Moench in 1794 to honor Karl August von Bergen, a contemporary 18th century German physician and botanist. Von Bergen (1704-1759) was professor of anatomy and botany at Viadrina European University in Frankfurt an der Oder, and was later awarded the chair of those departments. He was also overseer of the university's botanical garden.

The genus is native to Asia, from Afghanistan to China and the Himalayas. There are 10 species of Bergenia. Bergenia cordifolia is most widely grown.

Heart-leaf Pig Squeak grows to 18 inches tall and spreads by underground rhizomes. The plump, fleshy leaves are glossy green in summer, often turning to scarlet shades in fall. Better fall color appears if plants are exposed to more sun or dry conditions. Flower clusters produced in spring to early summer range from dark pink to white. Because the evergreen foliage is so attractive, gardeners enjoy Pig Squeak as much for that as for the blooms.

If you've read some of my other blog articles, you've probably noticed that many of the scientists were both botanists and physicians. It made sense then, and it would make sense today if there was sense enough, for many plants have medicinal properties. In earlier days, actual plants were used in various preparations to treat diseases. Now the potent chemicals are more often isolated or even synthesized.

Bergenia, which contains bergenin and gallic acid, has medicinal properties. Anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory effects have been documented. Bergenia species have been used to treat kidney stones, urinary problems, gout, stomach disorders, oral diseases, skin eruptions, and maybe more. The lore is not to be dismissed, but don't try curing yourself with Pig Squeak at home. Leave it to professionals.

Though Bergenia will tolerate full sun in cooler climates, it thrives in partial shade to full shade in USDA climate zones 4 through 9 in slightly moist, well-drained, humusy soils with pH ranging from 6.1 to 9.0. Bergenia likes consistent moisture, but it's somewhat drought-tolerant when established.

Heart-leaf Pig Squeak tolerates a wide range of soil pH. But before sticking a plant in the ground it's always a good idea to know the pH level of your soil. Take a sample to your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office for analysis. The fee is nominal.

If soil is compacted, prepare the planting bed by cultivating at least 8 inches deep, removing all traces of weeds.  If the soil is high in organic matter and friable, it may not require cultivation.  Compost may be incorporated into the soil, if necessary.  Incorporate 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of no more 2 lbs. per 100 square feet into the top 4 inches to 6 inches of soil. Avoid synthetic fertilizers contacting any part of your plants.

Space the plants between 12 inches to 24 inches apart. Dig planting holes into the cultivated soil a little less deep than the depth of the growing container. Place the plants into the holes and back-fill, watering as you go. Press soil around the root balls. Do not cover entirely the root balls with soil. The tops should be slightly exposed. Add a top-dressing of mulch around the plants, not on top of them, about 1 inch deep.

Heart-leaf Pig Squeak is a superb plant for naturalizing in moist, shady corners in the garden. The flowers are good for cutting and preserving. It attracts butterflies, so would be fine in butterfly gardens. It would also be a fine addition to Asian gardens, bog gardens, shady rain gardens, medicinal plant collections and herb gardens. And, of course, it's fun to play with the leaves.

Ajuga makes a fine companion plant.  It also combines well with such natives as Chrysogonum, Meehania, violets (Viola spp.), and ferns.

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The Elizabethan Gardens - Like A Step Back In Time

Statue of Elizabeth I by Jon Hair, The Elizabethan Gardens

Entering the Great Gate of The Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo, NC, is like stepping back in time. The Elizabethan Gardens, on the north end of Roanoke Island, is very near the site of Fort Raleigh, known as "England's First Home in the New World."

In the late 16th century, Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618) tried to establish an English colony by charter of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) on Roanoke Island. Though he organized and financed the project, Sir Walter Raleigh never visited North America himself. After one failed effort, a group of 150 colonists under Governor John White (1540-1593) was dispatched to the Chesapeake Bay, but stopped at Roanoke Island to gather the remaining men. None were found. White, a friend of Raleigh's and an able artist, attempted to proceed to Chesapeake Bay, but the fleet's Portuguese commander and part-time pirate, Simon Fernandez (1538-1590), nicknamed "The Swine" by his men, inexplicably refused to allow the colonists to re-board ship, insisting they stay to establish the Roanoke colony. (Fernandez's despicable reputation is doubted by some.) White and colonists, including his daughter and son-in-law, had to make the best of it.

Bad relations with the Indians had begun a few years earlier over an alleged theft of a silver cup. In retaliation, the Indian village had been burned. The incident was not forgotten. August 8, 1587, a subsequent, mistaken attack upon friendly Indians worsened the situation.  "We were deceaved", wrote White in his journal, "the savages were our friendes".  The colonists' situation became desperate. White's granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was born August 18, 1587. The first English person born on North American soil, Virginia was baptised the following Sunday.

The colonists urged Governor White to return to England appealing for aid. His return to Roanoke was delayed for three years by unfortunate circumstances, not least of which was England's war with Spain. All worthy ships were enlisted to repel the Spanish Armada. When White, after a harrowing voyage, did make it back on Virginia's third birthday, he found the settlement long-deserted. The only traces were cryptic carvings, CROATOAN and CRO, on a post and tree. The colonists' fate remains a mystery.

The Elizabethan Gardens was conceived in 1950 by Mrs. Charles Cannon (1891-1965), wife of the North Carolina industrialist/philanthropist Charles A. Cannon (1892-1971); Inglis Fletcher (1879-1969), noted North Carolinian, historian and author; Sir John Evelyn Leslie Wrench (1882–1966), Founder of the English Speaking Union, and Lady Wrench, aka Hylda Henrietta Brooke (1879-1955), when they were visiting Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and The Lost Colony outdoor drama on Roanoke Island. The following year, the idea was presented to The Garden Club of North Carolina, which voted to build the garden on property leased from the Roanoke Island Historical Association.

As plans were being made, objects to furnish the gardens were being acquired. Mr. E. W. Reinecke, a North Carolina construction contractor, informed the Garden Club that he was removing some valuable statuary from the Greenwood Plantation of The Honorable John Hay "Jock" Whitney (1904-1892) in Thomasville, Georgia. The statuary seemed to be headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. He also suggested that Innocenti and Webel, the noted landscape architect firm headed by Umberto Innocenti (1895-1968) and; Richard Webel (1900-2000), be retained. The Garden Club took Reinecke's advice.

Construction began on June 2, 1953, the coronation date of Queen Elizabeth II, and formally opened August 18, 1960, the 373rd anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare.

The impressive iron gates at the entrance to The Elizabethan Gardens, a gift of The Honorable C. Douglas Dillon (1909-2003), Ambassador to France, Undersecretary of State and later United States Treasurer, once hung at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Dillon, who had a knack for acquiring things, was also a long-time trustee of The Metropolitan Museum, and later its President.

The Great Gate and Gatehouse certainly gave the feeling that we were entering 16th century England. A formal box garden and Shakespeare's Herb Garden contributed to the effect. A couple dozen of the herbs are documented in a booklet, Shakespeare’s Herbs in the Elizabethan Gardens. Written by Huntington Cairns, former secretary of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the booklet may be purchased in the gift shop.

If there's anything like being trapped in time at The Elizabethan Gardens, it's entering the gift shop. We found an intriguing display of lovely objects and interesting literature I never knew we wanted before. I don't like entrapment, so I tried to hurry us into the gardens as soon as we'd paid our admissions fee.

A solidified gravel walk led through the Rhododendron Walk, the Fragrance Walk, and into The Queen's Rose Garden. Since we were visiting in March, none offered the flowers or fragrances of other seasons. However, seasonal plantings of bulbs and spring annuals were enchanting.

Tulips and viola, The Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo, NC

Then we came face-to-face with the statue of Elizabeth I, Good Bess, the Virgin Queen. The sculpture, by Jon D. Hair, is monumental, yet meticulous in detail even to the lace of her gown.

From Good Bess, we strolled to The Mount and Well Head. The well head, carved of porphyry, is one of the items donated by Whitney. The elevation provided good views to the west of The Sunken Garden, and The Virginia Dare Statue to the east.

The Virginia Dare Statue was carved circa 1859 from Carrara marble in Rome, Italy by Maria Louisa Lander (1826-1923). But Virginia Dare, undoubtedly named for the virgin queen, apparently died before the age of three. So the voluptuous figure of a tempting, barely draped woman with really fine legs, said to be "the sculptor’s idealized version of what Virginia Dare would have looked like had she grown to womanhood", doesn't actually represent Virginia or any respectable American Englishwoman of purity and refinement. Perhaps Miss Lander dared to reveal more of herself.

North of the Well Head, I could glimpse Roanoke Sound. The views from The Water Gate and from The Gazebo were very pleasant. The Gazebo is constructed of hewn beams and roofed with thatch in traditional English style, giving somewhat the sense of a colonist's hovel.

Behind The Gazebo, a small terrace garden charmed, and The Overlook Terrace impressed us with views into the Sunken Garden. An ancient Italian Renaissance fountain framed by well-pollarded crapemyrtles and a nearby walk flanked by hornbeams perfected the scene.

As I mentioned earlier, we visited in March, so camellias and Magnolia x soulangiana were in full bloom. The woodland was carpeted with flowers.

Near an ancient Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) probably pre-dating the colonists' arrival, the marble Lion Couchant Bird Bath surrounded by benches provided a fine place to rest and enjoy scenes of The Great Lawn.

The Elizabethan Gardens is a member of the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program. The AHS RAP allows members of one participating botanical garden to enjoy special privileges at others. At the time, we were members of The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA. You'd think that membership in The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and The Elizabethan Gardens being part of the RAP program, The Elizabethan Gardens would allow free entrance. But that's not the case. For us and the admissions attendant, it was a matter of confusion and disappointment. The attendant's supervisor advised we were allowed free parking and 10% off any gift shop purchase. Parking was already free, and I was determined to avoid entrapment in the gift shop. We paid full admission and enjoyed the garden.

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Questions about English Ivy in south Florida

Q. I want to cover about 150' long concrete  wall about 10' high on the side of my property with English ivy. I live in West Palm Beach, Florida.Will it thrive in our climate? Will this cling to the concrete wall? If so how many plants do you suggest? Also is it evergreen? 

A. I think it will thrive in your area. English ivy is known to do well into USDA climate zone 9b. West Palm Beach used to be in 9b, but with the recent changes to the USDA climate zone map, your area is now in 10a. I saw this morning that someone reported it doing well in Haverhill, FL, to the west of you.

It will cling to the concrete wall.

English ivy is evergreen. Here is an article I wrote for my blog about English ivy.
http://gogardennow.blogspot.com/2008/07/wild-and-lovely-ivy.html

Here is an article about planting distance that I wrote for my blog. It was a question from a shopper about English ivy. I hope it helps.

http://gogardennow.blogspot.com/2011/06/faq-how-many-plants-will-i-need.html

You might also consider Ficus pumila (creeping fig) for your wall.

http://www.gogardennow.com/vines/ficus.html

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All America Selections Announces Its First Two Winners for 2013

The stated mission of All-America Selections is "To promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America."

All-America Selections has announced the first two winners for the 2013 growing season.

Canna 'South Pacific Scarlet'

The first is Canna 'South Pacific Scarlet', AAS Flower Award Winner. It can be started from seed. 'South Pacific Scarlet' grows up to 5 feet tall and sports showy 4 inch scarlet flowers that bloom all summer. Foliage is green. It's very robust, producing 6 to 7 stems per plant. Perfect for a mass specimen planting, or for use at the back of mixed flower borders.

Canna 'South Pacific Scarlet' tolerates wet soil, so it can be used beside water features such as ponds and streams, bog gardens and rain gardens. It also tolerates light frost, so you can enjoy the blooms longer.

Cannas are perennial in southern gardens (USDA climate zones 7 to 10), annual in northern gardens. But the rhizomes can be dug before frost and stored for replanting the next season.

Plant in full sun 18 inches to 24 inches apart. Flowers are produced 11 or 12 weeks after seeds are sown.

The second AAS Flower Award Winner is Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'. It's a hybrid that produces a blanket of vivid colors in purple, red, pink, orange, yellow and cream tones, and white. One great thing about perennial 'Cheyenne Spirit' is that it blooms the first year from mid-summer through fall.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

It's compact and sturdy, so won't fall over in wind and rain like taller coneflowers do. 'Cheyenne Spirit' is drought-tolerant and maintenance free. There's no need to deadhead spent flowers to provide beauty all summer long.

Dazzling flowers are 3 inches to 3-1/2 inches across. Plant height is 26 inches to 32 inches. Width is 25 inches to 30 inches.

Plant in full sun. Space plants 24 inches apart. Seeds sown in January will produce mature flowering plants in 23 to 24 weeks.

Look for seeds of Canna 'South Pacific Scarlet' and Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' in seed catalogs this fall, and as young plants in lawn and garden retail stores in spring 2013.

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Antennaria - Like Velvet Pussy-toes

Spring tiptoes in
    on grey, velvet pussy-toes

Allegro from Through the Window of My Car: A Poem in Four Seasons by Elle Fredine.

Pussy-toes are like that - discreet and unassuming. Have you ever heard of Pussy-toes? No? Well, according to the USDA PLANTS Database, they're present in every state and province of the United States and Canada. See what I mean? They're almost everywhere, but discreet and unassuming.

Pussy-toes belong to the genus, Antennaria (pronounced an-ten-AR-ee-uh). The word means something like, "lots of antennae", and it's thought that the name was bestowed because the anthers of some species resemble insect antennae. It's interesting, eh, that taxonomists imagined antennae rather than cats' toes.

There are about 40 to 45 species of Antennaria. Most occur in North America. Some also occur in Europe. One species, Antennaria chilensis, is native to South America. Sizes vary from 4 inches to 20 inches.

A few species and cultivars are available commercially, though they tend to be hard to find.

Antennaria carpatica is also known as Carpathian Cat's-foot or Pussy-toes. An Illustrated Flora of the northern United States, by Nathaniel Lord Britton and The Honorable Addison Brown, says it's native to the U.S., Canada and Europe. According to The International Plant Names Index, synonyms include Antennaria carpatica var. pulcherrima and Antennaria pulcherrima. According to Flora Europaea, synonyms include Antennaria lanata and Antennaria helvetica. Gray-green foliage is evergreen. Low tufts of fluffy-white flowers appear spring to mid-summer. It grows quickly and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Mature height is up to 2 inches, and spreads up to 12 inches. Carpathian Cat's-foot is drought tolerant, deer resistant and tolerates foot traffic. It thrives in USDA climate zones 2 or 3 to 9, preferring normal to sandy soil with pH ranging from 5.6 to 7.8.

Antennaria carpatica 'Rubrum'

Antennaria carpatica 'Rubrum' is also known as Pink Carpathian Cat's-foot or Pink Pussy-toes. Low tufts of pink and white flowers appear spring to mid-summer. Otherwise it's the same as the species in every respect.

Antennaria dioica is commonly named Pearly Everlasting. It grows to about 6 inches in height, and spreads to 12 inches. Antennaria dioica 'Rubra' produces pink pussy-toe flowers. Foliage is fuzzy, silvery-grey and evergreen. It's hardy in USDA climate zones 4 or 5 to 9. 

Antennaria plantaginifolia

Antennaria plantaginifolia is known as Plantain-leaf Pussy-Toes and Old Woman's Tobacco. It's native to the eastern United States from Maine to Florida, west to Minnesota and south to Louisiana. Compact white flowers appear from mid-spring to early summer. Semi-evergreen foliage is broad, fuzzy, silvery grey-green. Height is up to 6 inches. It makes a very attractive ground cover. Antennaria plantaginifolia is hardy in USDA climate 3 to 9. 

Antennaria rosea forms a dense, silvery mat. Foliage is evergreen. Pink pussy-toe flowers appear on short stems in spring. Mature size is 2 inches high x 15 inches across. It's native to the American Northwest.

Before planting, you'll need to know the pH level of your soil. Pussy-toes prefer normal to sandy soil with pH ranging from 5.6 to 7.8. Take a sample to your nearest Cooperative Extension Service office for analysis. The fee is nominal.

Pussy-toes are great for container gardens, rock gardens, edging, ground cover, green roof, lawn substitute, hanging baskets. Pussy-toes attract butterflies, so their perfect for butterfly gardens, too.

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Chrysogonum - Golden Stars - in Vail, CO

 Chrysogonum virginianum - Golden Stars

A friend of mine (Robert B.) in Vail, CO called today to report on the Golden Stars growing (Chrysogonum virginianum) at his feet. After two years, they are doing well.

He began experimenting with a couple dozen plants. He is in USDA climate zone 4b. During one cold winter season without the benefit of snow cover protection, he thought they'd die. They didn't. He bought a dozen more the next year. They're coming along very well. He bought a dozen more today.

The weather has been very hot recently. We'll ship them out when the weather cools.

I love learning. This is the information I want to hear. If something works for you, or doesn't, I want to know so we can pass it on to others. It's very easy to contact me at GoGardenNow.com.

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American Orchid Society Transitioning To The Fairchild Botanical Garden

Photo by Hiếu Hoàng from Pexels

The American Orchid Society (AOS) has transitioned to its new home at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida. Their agreement was announced in November, 2011. It's a perfect marriage.

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is unique in its beauty, diversity and emphasis. The AOS, with over 16,000 members world-wide, is THE resource for all things pertaining to orchids. Its incomparable collection of rare orchids will be on display at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, giving us yet another reason to visit.

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