tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84941447259275513252023-12-12T05:42:58.975-08:00Finding My GardenBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-59304881238678150112013-05-06T10:28:00.001-07:002013-05-06T10:48:56.448-07:00Maybe?Am I at a point where I can blog on a regular basis? I'm not really sure, but I couldn't resist sharing this picture I took in the backyard yesterday...<br />
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-36629749840467400112012-03-21T11:34:00.001-07:002012-03-22T07:50:19.990-07:00Anenomes(Well, my initial "blog from your phone" experiment was hosed up by gigantic pictures. I've changed my settings...let's see if this is any better.)<br />
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I've been enjoying the spring bulbs this year. Our weather has been really mild and everything seems to be popping up early. I remembered seeing a single anemone under the Kousa dogwood last spring (before I was obsessively taking pictures in the garden daily). This year, I was lucky enough to find three. I love Spring!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHTvsvrGcRY/T2ofT6ODBKI/AAAAAAAAA2E/nCw9oo8VBmA/s640/blogger-image--579462968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHTvsvrGcRY/T2ofT6ODBKI/AAAAAAAAA2E/nCw9oo8VBmA/s200/blogger-image--579462968.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xr1Vu5WXeU8/T2ofTNlRd3I/AAAAAAAAA10/TrnVDl7asBE/s640/blogger-image-1676870539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xr1Vu5WXeU8/T2ofTNlRd3I/AAAAAAAAA10/TrnVDl7asBE/s200/blogger-image-1676870539.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-28030533246567628052012-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:002012-03-21T11:24:49.736-07:00Daffodils!I'm trying something new: blogging from my phone. We'll see how it turns out...anyway, here are some of the daffodil varieties in bloom now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZmCPnaNzpo/T2ocZjmr7zI/AAAAAAAAA1E/DrwTMrsHSRs/s640/blogger-image--512864689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZmCPnaNzpo/T2ocZjmr7zI/AAAAAAAAA1E/DrwTMrsHSRs/s200/blogger-image--512864689.jpg" width="187" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMyAoOMB2FA/T2ocaJBO2DI/AAAAAAAAA1I/oueDxJNzXLk/s640/blogger-image--2088554915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMyAoOMB2FA/T2ocaJBO2DI/AAAAAAAAA1I/oueDxJNzXLk/s200/blogger-image--2088554915.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSqmLiun4iY/T2ocaz3me-I/AAAAAAAAA1U/3ajDMmtHIGM/s640/blogger-image-104998625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSqmLiun4iY/T2ocaz3me-I/AAAAAAAAA1U/3ajDMmtHIGM/s320/blogger-image-104998625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu8hLcvq674/T2ocbmU_gZI/AAAAAAAAA1c/pnkLbyOrw-k/s640/blogger-image-389452662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu8hLcvq674/T2ocbmU_gZI/AAAAAAAAA1c/pnkLbyOrw-k/s200/blogger-image-389452662.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgxL1VQR_Is/T2occA26wSI/AAAAAAAAA1k/k0KJkQAxNoo/s640/blogger-image--1724213059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgxL1VQR_Is/T2occA26wSI/AAAAAAAAA1k/k0KJkQAxNoo/s200/blogger-image--1724213059.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TtYWp0dD8/T2ocdC-vK0I/AAAAAAAAA1s/igQOyzUx54w/s640/blogger-image--575420306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TtYWp0dD8/T2ocdC-vK0I/AAAAAAAAA1s/igQOyzUx54w/s320/blogger-image--575420306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-67335025231616266122011-11-10T11:47:00.000-08:002011-11-10T11:47:45.772-08:00Houseplant - Crassula ovata (jade plant)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As winter approaches, I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to post about. I can always talk about garden planning and plants I fancy, and there will be seasonal topics such as evergreens and weather to discuss. As I was compiling a list of such topics, it hit me:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Houseplant Thursdays </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess it doesn't quite roll off the tongue like Wordless Wednesdays. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These days, I have quite a few houseplants and I would like to learn more about them and share what I've learned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First things first - is it house plant or houseplant? Wikipedia seems to like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houseplant">houseplant</a>, so that is what I'll use. Next, should I use scientific names or common names? For some reason, I only refer to houseplants by their common names. I'll be looking up the scientific names and including them in each post title, but I doubt I will ever think of a jade plant as crassula ovata (or even just crassula).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of which - our first houseplant is the jade plant (or crassula ovata, or sometimes even crassula argentea).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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One of my earliest "gardening" memories is picking leaves off my mother's jade plant and putting them in the dirt to make new plants. It seems like we always had a jade plant when I was a kid. They're a really easy to care for, low maintenance plant.<br />
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Mine does well in a sunny window with minimal watering and well-drained "cactus" soil.<br />
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The biggest thing to watch out for with jade plants is overwatering. In the past, I have killed jade plants by overwatering them, mistaking their crinkled leaves as a symptom of a thirsty plant. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_plant"> According to wikipedia</a>, you should water them every 10-20 days in the summer and only every 30 days in winter. I probably water mine every two weeks. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful red-tinged, succulent foliage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is my first attempt at keeping a jade plant since I had to surrender our last one to my mother-in-law for safe-keeping. I purchased it from Home Depot in the Fall of 2010 and so far, it's done really well. It spent the summer on the back deck and seemed to flourish. We'll see how it survives another winter indoors.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-62975368525932647402011-11-09T06:36:00.000-08:002011-11-10T10:32:58.477-08:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qalh3VMb6O0/TeQe4JBSMjI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Dq4H4IdphQ4/s1600/05302011+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" ida="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qalh3VMb6O0/TeQe4JBSMjI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Dq4H4IdphQ4/s400/05302011+044.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-41052203298222328962011-11-05T13:59:00.000-07:002011-11-05T14:15:37.907-07:00Fall Foliage - Weeks 3 & 4Between home and work, life has been a little crazy lately. The good part is I feel like I'm finally starting to catch up with things (projects, social obligations, laundry). The downside is, I'm not spending as much time online, so I'm not posting as much.<br />
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I took these photos last Sunday, so this should really be week 3.5.<br />
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The oakleaf hydrangea (above) is starting to turn a really deep, rich, red. Right next to it, the viburnum (below) is a deep, brownish red.<br />
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The tree I mentioned two weeks ago, with delicate yellow leaves, turned out to be a beech (above, left). Between the yellow buckeye, the tulip poplars, and the three beech trees I found in the woods, we have yellow covered. <br />
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The really big oak tree out front (above) still has a bunch of leaves, but they're starting to turn. Our Japanese Maple (below, left) is starting to turn bright red and the kousa dogwood (below, right) is mostly green, but some leaves are turning almost purple.<br />
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I'll try to post more over the next few weeks as we finish up our garden prep for winter. I'm especially looking forward to Friday -- I get the day off, my daughter is going to daycare, and I have about 250 bulbs to plant. It will be fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-86645213644424980172011-11-02T16:05:00.000-07:002011-11-02T16:05:56.967-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvJEyO65MTs/TrHLsflUl4I/AAAAAAAAAv0/1s6zgTzYkYQ/s1600/11022011b+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvJEyO65MTs/TrHLsflUl4I/AAAAAAAAAv0/1s6zgTzYkYQ/s400/11022011b+004.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-52845431437245093422011-10-27T14:16:00.000-07:002011-10-27T14:16:22.828-07:00A plant I fancy: Lobelia cardinalisAs it gets colder and rainier, I seem to be kicking into planning mode. The plant this week is related to the two previous plants I coveted (toad lily and chelone). All three of these, along with astilbe, some bulbs, and maybe a couple of shrubs, are the makings of my rain garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRiMW3j-XXE/TqnC9cdeUwI/AAAAAAAAAvc/ExCM17HIv4A/s1600/lobelia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRiMW3j-XXE/TqnC9cdeUwI/AAAAAAAAAvc/ExCM17HIv4A/s320/lobelia1.jpg" width="201px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d940/lobelia-cardinalis.aspx"><em>Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden Plantfinder</em></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Conveniently, chelone, toad lily and lobelia (or cardinal flower) are all late summer/fall-flowering. They will add some interest to my backyard, where there is absolutely nothing going on right now. They all prefer slightly moist soil and cardinal flower is even recommended for stream banks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d940/lobelia-cardinalis.aspx"><em>Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden Plantfinder</em></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Scientific name: Lobelia cardinalis</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Common name(s): cardinal flower<br />
Height x Width: 2'-4' x 1'-2'</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Growth rate: Medium - can be divided and may self-seed.<br />
Hardiness: Zones 3-9<br />
Soil: Rich, medium to wet soil</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Light: Full sun to partial shade<br />
Bloom Time - July - September</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Reasons I like it:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul><li>grows well in shade </li>
<li>provides late summer/early fall blooms </li>
<li>is native to the south east</li>
<li>it's supposedly deer resistant*</li>
</ul></div>Where would I put it?<br />
<ul><li>In the backyard, in a damp spot that will become a rain garden or anywhere between the understory and the lawn (I'm starting to sound like a broken record!)</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_kxinCb8QQ/TqnGcnaDtGI/AAAAAAAAAvs/4Ur6dBc5-IQ/s1600/lobelia_monet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_kxinCb8QQ/TqnGcnaDtGI/AAAAAAAAAvs/4Ur6dBc5-IQ/s1600/lobelia_monet.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.perennials.com/seeplant.html?item=1.328.360"><em>Lobelia 'Monet Moment' - Courtesy Perennials.com</em></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* As with the toad lily, I did actually purchase a lobelia last year. I got Lobelia 'Monet Moment' from Bluestone Perennials. It's planted in the general area of my future rain garden amidst the pachysandra. A deer, or something, has really enjoyed chewing on it. I'm hoping it will come back next year, when I'll be much more diligent about spraying tasty plants. I'm not really a pink person (although <a href="http://findingmygarden.blogspot.com/2011/10/bloom-day-october-2011.html">my most recent bloom day</a> would lead you to believe otherwise), but I think this shade would match toad lily, chelone, and astilbe (if there's any overlap) better than red would. If it doesn't come back, I might also consider <a href="http://www.perennialresource.com/plants/general-perennial/606_lobelia-fulgens-queen-victoria.aspx">Lobelia fulgens 'Queen Victoria'</a> -- I love that dark red foliage!</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-36763977665579762232011-10-26T09:48:00.000-07:002011-10-26T09:48:40.446-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgqT8Q-q22k/TpONCqdUk5I/AAAAAAAAAuU/8bUbjBMKbpc/s1600/10082011+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgqT8Q-q22k/TpONCqdUk5I/AAAAAAAAAuU/8bUbjBMKbpc/s400/10082011+084.jpg" width="397px" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-48722314520159667232011-10-21T10:45:00.000-07:002011-10-21T10:45:18.034-07:00Fall Foliage - Week 2The days are getting shorter and it's usually dark by the time I get home from work. I didn't think I'd be able to get foliage pictures this week, but I was able to snap a few pictures from my deck this morning. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe_m4pr5TIQ/TqFuB4qhM2I/AAAAAAAAAvE/1lS47L7nB30/s1600/10212011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe_m4pr5TIQ/TqFuB4qhM2I/AAAAAAAAAvE/1lS47L7nB30/s200/10212011+002.jpg" width="199px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lobHwcRXqEg/TqFuBuDLK9I/AAAAAAAAAvA/I7cqWfQH95I/s1600/10212011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lobHwcRXqEg/TqFuBuDLK9I/AAAAAAAAAvA/I7cqWfQH95I/s200/10212011+001.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
On the left, you can see a yellow buckeye just starting to turn yellow. On the right, the native dogwoods are still the highlight of my fall garden. They seem to get even more red every day.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjdDDuMmSfc/TqFuC7NpP-I/AAAAAAAAAvU/3s_MuldGd9Q/s1600/10212011+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjdDDuMmSfc/TqFuC7NpP-I/AAAAAAAAAvU/3s_MuldGd9Q/s200/10212011+006.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsmJg-iZsjg/TqFuDM70CKI/AAAAAAAAAvY/ZH4sfea-FzE/s1600/10212011+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsmJg-iZsjg/TqFuDM70CKI/AAAAAAAAAvY/ZH4sfea-FzE/s200/10212011+007.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Most of the "filler" trees in the backyard are tulip poplar. On the left, you can see they're starting to turn yellow. The white pines are also losing a lot of their needles.</div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yVHLVSpqNU/TqFuCpRhyPI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/IA77nHwlvhE/s1600/10212011+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yVHLVSpqNU/TqFuCpRhyPI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/IA77nHwlvhE/s200/10212011+005.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zHOih8YDxY/TqFuCS3_HLI/AAAAAAAAAvM/lpDj2uylrFM/s1600/10212011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zHOih8YDxY/TqFuCS3_HLI/AAAAAAAAAvM/lpDj2uylrFM/s200/10212011+004.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was snapping a close-up of the dogwoods, I noticed a smallish tree with delicate yellow leaves (see left). It would have been hidden behind the juniper bushes in the spring...I'm planning on going out this weekend to try and identify it. On the right, you can see the oaks in the backyard are still fairly green, but do have some clusters of leaves that changed.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I will try to get better pictures next week. I think the next few weeks will be really colorful.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-7703686559477544942011-10-20T14:20:00.000-07:002011-10-20T14:20:49.585-07:00A plant I fancy: TricyrtisI recovered, completely, from my funk last week. I was a little under the weather on Sunday so I spent the whole day in bed with gardening books and looking at all of the Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day posts. As a result, it's quite easy to come up with a list of plants I would like for my garden...in fact, the difficulty is deciding on just one to talk about.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMFVnU7e1rw/TqCNgqFnUaI/AAAAAAAAAuo/wVX2Pjq8kuw/s1600/tricyrtishirta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMFVnU7e1rw/TqCNgqFnUaI/AAAAAAAAAuo/wVX2Pjq8kuw/s320/tricyrtishirta.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plantkey.asp?key=Tricyrtis"><em>Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder</em></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Scientific name: Tricyrtis<br />
<div class="widget Blog" id="Blog1"><div class="blog-posts hfeed"><div class="date-outer"><div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6238017124430476848"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Common name(s): Toad Lily</div>Height x Width: 1'-3' x 1'-2'<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Growth rate: Clumps gradually increase in size, may also self-seed</div>Hardiness: Zones 4-9<br />
Soil: Prefers rich, moist soil<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Light: Prefers partial shade</div>Bloom Time - Late summer through fall </div></div></div></div></div></div></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqvRl15xIsw/TqCNiOdNS_I/AAAAAAAAAuw/eg2IInllwDg/s1600/tricyrtishirta2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqvRl15xIsw/TqCNiOdNS_I/AAAAAAAAAuw/eg2IInllwDg/s320/tricyrtishirta2.jpg" width="239px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plantkey.asp?key=Tricyrtis"><em>Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder</em></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Reasons I like it: <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>grows well in shade </li>
<li>provides late summer/early fall blooms </li>
<li>supposedly deer resistant</li>
</ul>Where would I put it?<br />
<ul><li>In the backyard, in a damp spot that will become a rain garden or anywhere between the understory and the lawn </li>
</ul> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I16GEqGIpok/TqCNkIRLjkI/AAAAAAAAAu4/Axy8riMCRBw/s1600/tricyrtishirta3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239px" rda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I16GEqGIpok/TqCNkIRLjkI/AAAAAAAAAu4/Axy8riMCRBw/s320/tricyrtishirta3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plantkey.asp?key=Tricyrtis"><em>Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder</em></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A lot of people have tricyrtis, or Toad Lily, blooming in their gardens right now. Technically, I should have one as well. I bought one at the William Paca House plant sale earlier in the year, but it seems like the deer ate it. Between the chelone I posted about last week and the toad lily this week, I've got quite a few things planned for my non-existent rain garden.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-31256513837289777642011-10-19T09:58:00.000-07:002011-10-19T09:58:00.462-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sP8HENpRB8/TpOMzwLL5dI/AAAAAAAAAt4/G_WLfc5Lhl4/s1600/Hawaii+and+new+garden+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sP8HENpRB8/TpOMzwLL5dI/AAAAAAAAAt4/G_WLfc5Lhl4/s400/Hawaii+and+new+garden+060.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-45329741760973610082011-10-18T05:59:00.000-07:002011-10-18T05:59:37.440-07:00ExfoliationExfoliation usually refers to the removal or loss of leaves from a plant, either as part of the plant's natural life cycle or due to some other cause (pests, disease, weather, etc.). Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting a lot about exfoliation!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVVRB7X2K1Q/TpOLfSmbjKI/AAAAAAAAAsM/dQm1TDAqGW8/s1600/10082011+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVVRB7X2K1Q/TpOLfSmbjKI/AAAAAAAAAsM/dQm1TDAqGW8/s320/10082011+051.jpg" width="319px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Peeling Bark</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some trees also have exfoliating bark. These photos show my crapemyrtle, but other trees with exfoliating bark include river birch, paperbark maple, and shagbark hickory. As these trees grow, the outer layer of their bark is split and eventually replaced with then new bark underneath. The difference in color and the texture of the bark adds interest, especially in winter. The process also helps the tree rid itself of scales, insects, bacteria, fungi, lichens, and mosses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix2kNrIs6Gg/TpOLnBLtTlI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/rjvF6pXu4mU/s1600/10082011+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix2kNrIs6Gg/TpOLnBLtTlI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/rjvF6pXu4mU/s320/10082011+049.jpg" width="319px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Bark Debris</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As far as the bark on my crapemyrtle goes, I don't find it nearly as appealing as the exfoliating bark on a river birch. It's, honestly, pretty messy. You're not supposed to peel the bark off to help the tree along, so a lot of times, the bark on my crapemyrtle just hangs there. When it comes down, it piles up in the joint of the trunks or makes a mess in the bed. However, the patterns that are left once it comes off are really beautiful and add a lot to the already attractive multi-trunk structure.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-23896007119765739442011-10-17T09:11:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:11:41.589-07:00Look what I found: Hydrangea quercifolia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The oakleaf hydrangea is probably my favorite shrub. My parents got me one while we lived at the old house and I was hooked. I put it in a dry, shady spot where nothing else would grow and it seemed to double in size every year. It also provided multi-season interest: lush greenery in spring, flowers all summer, colorful foliage in fall, and exfoliating bark in winter. I loved it so much that I got two more...and with a couple of hostas and a handful of bulbs, a problem area became an attractive and low-maintenance bed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rivczPZfxNc/Tlk8zPp45zI/AAAAAAAAAmU/nSyCF_H3_24/s1600/042811+020.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rivczPZfxNc/Tlk8zPp45zI/AAAAAAAAAmU/nSyCF_H3_24/s200/042811+020.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCsZBcnxppU/Tlk84O_f6OI/AAAAAAAAAmY/OdybsgEWDu8/s1600/05302011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCsZBcnxppU/Tlk84O_f6OI/AAAAAAAAAmY/OdybsgEWDu8/s200/05302011+014.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The oakleaf hydrangea at the new house looks more like a tree than a shrub. It's quite tall (at least eight feet) and has a single trunk for at least three or four feet. I'm not sure if it was pruned that way, purchased that way, or if grazing deer had some hand in the matter. It's in the backyard, in the forest understory, between two viburnums. The only thing growing under it right now is vinca minor and a couple of columbine plants.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCPWgwykafU/TpOMi7g4SOI/AAAAAAAAAtk/Ru52uDsHz3M/s1600/08292011+021.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCPWgwykafU/TpOMi7g4SOI/AAAAAAAAAtk/Ru52uDsHz3M/s200/08292011+021.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKUGtWjiVB4/TpOMjWoclQI/AAAAAAAAAto/3z9BwDc72hM/s1600/10082011+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKUGtWjiVB4/TpOMjWoclQI/AAAAAAAAAto/3z9BwDc72hM/s200/10082011+068.jpg" width="198px" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've enjoyed watching the flowers change from cream, to red, to brown and I can't wait to see what the leaves look like as they turn.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Do you have a favorite shrub?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-35937222728548849912011-10-15T08:07:00.000-07:002011-10-15T08:07:50.797-07:00Bloom Day - October 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I finally got around to posting another entry for <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/search/label/garden%20bloggers%20bloom%20day">Bloom Day</a>. Let me tell you, it's looking pretty sad out there. If I sound like a broken record about fall blooming plants or multi-season interest, it's because these are the ONLY things blooming in my garden right now. I'm making a solemn vow that next fall, my garden will have a lot more going on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_655aFYE_IY/TpmdIsjIw6I/AAAAAAAAAuk/SPQxNnFdLDM/s1600/Bloom+Day+-+10_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_655aFYE_IY/TpmdIsjIw6I/AAAAAAAAAuk/SPQxNnFdLDM/s320/Bloom+Day+-+10_2011.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Clockwise from upper left: Potted chrysanthemum, </em><br />
<em>re-blooming azaleas, volunteer chrysanthemum, </em><br />
<em>potted coleus, and volunteer impatiens.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My thanks to Carol, at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>, for hosting the Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day each month.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-90870023317027714812011-10-14T07:29:00.000-07:002011-10-14T07:29:46.901-07:00Fall Foliage - Week 1Today marks the six month "anniversary" of this blog. I realize I essentially missed two of those months, but it is still pretty amazing that I have stuck with something for so long. Hopefully, I'll be able to come up with enough garden-related stuff to talk about over the next six months. When I started the blog, I didn't really consider what to talk about over winter!<br />
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Until winter gets here, and all of the deciduous leaves are gone, I'm going to try to document the fall foliage in my garden on a weekly basis. This should help future garden planning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPCU3z64Xkg/TpOK7aj6zQI/AAAAAAAAAro/AB5ISf_46f4/s1600/10082011+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPCU3z64Xkg/TpOK7aj6zQI/AAAAAAAAAro/AB5ISf_46f4/s200/10082011+080.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5JnOtkW_ww/TpOK7oB-DZI/AAAAAAAAArs/ls7owODMwZk/s1600/10082011+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5JnOtkW_ww/TpOK7oB-DZI/AAAAAAAAArs/ls7owODMwZk/s200/10082011+081.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The big oak tree out front was the first to start dropping leaves. It seems like the leaves turn and fall in giant clumps. The bright yellow clusters look nice on the tree, but not so nice on the lawn.</div></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5pTDurnBBs/TpOLCuUDELI/AAAAAAAAAr4/VugbaL7sa3U/s1600/10082011+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" oda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5pTDurnBBs/TpOLCuUDELI/AAAAAAAAAr4/VugbaL7sa3U/s200/10082011+073.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHC48U5FRd0/TpOLRL7CKLI/AAAAAAAAAsI/TkPeaCClOig/s1600/10082011+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" oda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHC48U5FRd0/TpOLRL7CKLI/AAAAAAAAAsI/TkPeaCClOig/s200/10082011+062.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The native dogwoods (left) and the Kousa dogwood (right) are both starting to change color, although the natives are a little farther along.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emr6bd7BGiU/TpOMJ3CRaGI/AAAAAAAAAs0/5lQRAgarTZk/s1600/10082011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" oda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emr6bd7BGiU/TpOMJ3CRaGI/AAAAAAAAAs0/5lQRAgarTZk/s200/10082011+066.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nRVH_ykitA/TpOMnhkW5hI/AAAAAAAAAts/U50sW0uG_QI/s1600/10082011+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199px" oda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nRVH_ykitA/TpOMnhkW5hI/AAAAAAAAAts/U50sW0uG_QI/s200/10082011+059.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The leaves on the viburnum (left) are changing to a rich, chocolaty brown. An azalea out front (right) has a handful of bright red leaves.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-82961305238059285442011-10-13T08:20:00.000-07:002011-10-13T08:20:59.910-07:00Bag Worm DamageAs I mentioned on Tuesday, over the weekend I finally got a chance to take care of a lot of little things that were bothering me in the garden. I <em>finally</em> picked off the bag worm cases from the evergreen shrub out front (which I think is a bird's nest spruce). There must have been 80 cases - I stopped counting at 50! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhQ77y3Qy-A/TpOLKI_C-RI/AAAAAAAAAsA/yi_sEP4nO2A/s1600/10082011+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" oda="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhQ77y3Qy-A/TpOLKI_C-RI/AAAAAAAAAsA/yi_sEP4nO2A/s400/10082011+092.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Just a few of the bag worm cases I picked off and put in a garbage bag.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
At least half of the shrub is defoliated, but there are new needles coming back.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKxfhZDVW-A/TpOKb42MV-I/AAAAAAAAArU/oR6QJyYPl_8/s1600/10082011+090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKxfhZDVW-A/TpOKb42MV-I/AAAAAAAAArU/oR6QJyYPl_8/s200/10082011+090.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQXGkGh96J0/TpOKcKptUFI/AAAAAAAAArY/KMKKy3PpTdg/s1600/10082011+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQXGkGh96J0/TpOKcKptUFI/AAAAAAAAArY/KMKKy3PpTdg/s200/10082011+091.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The pictures below show the difference between the affected area and the rest of the shrub.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDookQHBm70/TpOMFGvRjlI/AAAAAAAAAso/QxCChS0VDVM/s1600/10082011+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDookQHBm70/TpOMFGvRjlI/AAAAAAAAAso/QxCChS0VDVM/s200/10082011+097.jpg" width="199px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auPLa2TsmrQ/TpOMEcHYI5I/AAAAAAAAAsk/FWrPRQV3M1o/s1600/10082011+094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auPLa2TsmrQ/TpOMEcHYI5I/AAAAAAAAAsk/FWrPRQV3M1o/s200/10082011+094.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next year, I'm not going to waste any time in addressing any sort of insect problems. I think I left this too long, so I'll probably have to spray for bag worms next June.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-45296375791597766542011-10-12T09:13:00.000-07:002011-10-12T09:13:21.563-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JyqHXE0cMg/TpOMyxbXcxI/AAAAAAAAAtw/dJWemmeUYtA/s1600/10082011+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JyqHXE0cMg/TpOMyxbXcxI/AAAAAAAAAtw/dJWemmeUYtA/s400/10082011+039.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-23503056739692154162011-10-11T09:11:00.000-07:002011-10-12T09:13:34.035-07:00Pruning Azaleas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another busy weekend! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Saturday, as soon as I got home from gymnastics with my daughter, I handed her off to my husband and got out in the front yard. A few things were really irritating me:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. The re-blooming azaleas were getting really straggly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. The bag worms were still on the evergreen shrub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. There were quite a few volunteer trees poking up through the mugo pine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started by pruning the azaleas. I did this by holding the long branch and then looking down into the bush to see where the last branching place was, and cutting there. This takes a little more time than using a pruning chainsaw, but the effect is more natural. Overall, there are less cuts as well, so it makes for a healthier shrub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIQf8Hev2AU/TpONEB4bkeI/AAAAAAAAAug/KgW6I6ZSS5Q/s1600/10082011+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mIQf8Hev2AU/TpONEB4bkeI/AAAAAAAAAug/KgW6I6ZSS5Q/s200/10082011+087.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLdw6dRottA/TpONDhv9dZI/AAAAAAAAAuc/WlcnTP-OCsM/s1600/10082011+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLdw6dRottA/TpONDhv9dZI/AAAAAAAAAuc/WlcnTP-OCsM/s200/10082011+086.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_a73hF2VG4/TpONB843YUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/b6gJ4L1KLfg/s1600/10082011+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_a73hF2VG4/TpONB843YUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/b6gJ4L1KLfg/s200/10082011+099.jpg" width="200px" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0LkjpANLms/TpONBYAeraI/AAAAAAAAAuE/tWB17Owko7U/s1600/10082011+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0LkjpANLms/TpONBYAeraI/AAAAAAAAAuE/tWB17Owko7U/s200/10082011+098.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">After</span></em></div><br />
One day I will learn to take "Before" and "After" pictures from the same perspective, I promise.<br />
<br />
I'm really pleased with the results. I still can't believe these azaleas are still blooming. Between the wonderful weather, the blooms, and the bees, it felt like spring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u55i0QCf3HE/TpONCDebZBI/AAAAAAAAAuM/UZTV8Jn8YdI/s1600/10082011+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u55i0QCf3HE/TpONCDebZBI/AAAAAAAAAuM/UZTV8Jn8YdI/s320/10082011+103.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-62380171244304768482011-10-06T11:06:00.000-07:002011-10-06T11:06:36.158-07:00A plant I fancy: Chelone lyonii<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDemPk5FRBQ/To3iWAqof8I/AAAAAAAAArM/CsCsJv2MBvE/s1600/chelone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDemPk5FRBQ/To3iWAqof8I/AAAAAAAAArM/CsCsJv2MBvE/s320/chelone1.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=B990"><span style="color: #56a01d;">Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Scientific name: Chelone lyonii</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Common name(s): turtlehead<br />
Height x Width: 2'-4' x 1.5'-2.5'</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Growth rate: Spreads slowly by rhizomes, may also self-seed<br />
Hardiness: Zones 3-8<br />
Soil: Prefers rich, moist soil</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Light: Full sun to partial shade<br />
Bloom Time - July - September</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Reasons I like it:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul><li>grows well in shade </li>
<li>provides late summer/early fall blooms </li>
<li>is native to the south east</li>
</ul></div>Where would I put it?<br />
<ul><li>In the backyard, in a damp spot that will become a rain garden or anywhere between the understory and the lawn </li>
</ul><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeMlPNVcwoM/To3ksEv-BDI/AAAAAAAAArQ/EozxGHoZ0B0/s1600/chelone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeMlPNVcwoM/To3ksEv-BDI/AAAAAAAAArQ/EozxGHoZ0B0/s320/chelone2.jpg" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=B990"><span style="color: #56a01d;">Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It has been a while since I posted about new plants. I just haven't been interested in buying new plants, making new beds, or (honestly) gardening in general, and I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm just over the normal "spring fever", maybe this blog is causing me to put unnecessary pressure on myself...or maybe I'm still just a little upset over my Mom's illness and passing. Today marks two months since my Mom passed away and I feel like it's only going to get harder over the next few holiday-filled months. I've decided to try and "fake it until I make it", so just bear with me in the meantime.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-40843373315982553942011-10-05T11:47:00.000-07:002011-10-05T11:47:00.765-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUTWO9Tszho/Tlwlcdlqf5I/AAAAAAAAApY/uK8CE2pP7aA/s1600/08292011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kca="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUTWO9Tszho/Tlwlcdlqf5I/AAAAAAAAApY/uK8CE2pP7aA/s400/08292011+004.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-9171335416655103862011-10-04T13:41:00.000-07:002011-10-04T13:41:59.697-07:00Look what I found: Chrysanthemums (?)These are still pictures from a couple of weeks ago. The mums are fully in bloom now, but I like the way the new buds looked.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8aPvEIc53s/TlwlnBpQYdI/AAAAAAAAAps/LVAJUUlk0tI/s1600/08292011+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8aPvEIc53s/TlwlnBpQYdI/AAAAAAAAAps/LVAJUUlk0tI/s320/08292011+075.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I put a question mark next to the name in the title because I'm not totally sure these are still called chrysanthemums. It looks like the botanical nomenclature for them may have changed to dendranthema...and possibly changed back again. I've always just called them mums and I had never even heard of 'dendranthema' until I started today's post.*</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJFPTOUHb5g/Tlwlne0JP1I/AAAAAAAAApw/mQLIDO77fUg/s1600/08292011+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJFPTOUHb5g/Tlwlne0JP1I/AAAAAAAAApw/mQLIDO77fUg/s320/08292011+080.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
I'm a huge fan of mums. I enjoy seeing them this time of year and something about them just screams "Fall is here" to me, even more than pansies, decorative cabbages, or even pumpkins. My wedding anniversary is on November 1st, so I've adopted white chrysanthemums as our official flower. It works out quite well - they're cheap, plentiful, and not carnations. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bnWYWETMNY/Tlwlnh2sRRI/AAAAAAAAAp0/MSQ0rQDXbQo/s1600/08292011+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bnWYWETMNY/Tlwlnh2sRRI/AAAAAAAAAp0/MSQ0rQDXbQo/s320/08292011+081.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
I'm not crazy about the colors of the mums we have...I would have chosen white, cream, or maroon. We have three total (all orange-yellow) and two of them are poking up in the weirdest places: under an evergreen shrub and halfway in-between a bed and a lawn. I'm not sure if they were quickly put in the ground one year or if the garden beds look drastically different from when they were originally planted. They'll probably end up being moved next spring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MIDkX7TKwg/TlwloLzs6JI/AAAAAAAAAp4/Ox-TRagdjUU/s1600/08292011+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MIDkX7TKwg/TlwloLzs6JI/AAAAAAAAAp4/Ox-TRagdjUU/s320/08292011+082.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lately, I've been reading about asters as a sort of mum-substitute. Like mums, they provide late-season blooms, but are hardier, are native plants, and don't require extra pruning. Have you ever grown asters? Do you prefer them to mums?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*I take it back - it looks like <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2006/09/more-on-name-changes.html">Carol at May Dreams Gardens</a> wrote about this, so I must have heard of dendranthema before. However, since her post is over 5(!) years ago, I guess it slipped my mind.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-89051209322533114302011-10-03T13:56:00.000-07:002011-10-03T13:56:08.299-07:00Look what I found: Acer palmatumWhat a weekend! We went camping and got rained out almost immediately. I was a little relieved -- since we came home early, maybe I would be able to get some work done in the yard, right? Of course not. The bag worms are still out front. I still have plants to divide/trim/bring inside. It looks like we need to rake already...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For the last few weeks, it has been ridiculously gray and rainy. Fall is here with a vengeance and it will only be a matter of time before the leaves start to fall. My native dogwood trees look like they're starting to change color. But I can't show you because I haven't taken pictures outside in at least two weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2-_F_JaecQ/Tlk9SzV3NuI/AAAAAAAAAmk/J2ysjcA30HA/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+06152011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2-_F_JaecQ/Tlk9SzV3NuI/AAAAAAAAAmk/J2ysjcA30HA/s320/Copy+%25282%2529+of+06152011+002.jpg" width="318px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table> So, here are some older pictures. This is a Japanese maple tree from our front yard. It is a really nice, mature, specimen tree. In the spring, the leaves are a deep maroon. Over the summer, they lighten until they are almost green. I'm excited to see what they do in the fall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35YF2cBYHOU/Tlk9FgFRENI/AAAAAAAAAmg/iZUWvW8Xya4/s1600/06152011+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35YF2cBYHOU/Tlk9FgFRENI/AAAAAAAAAmg/iZUWvW8Xya4/s320/06152011+015.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bark</td></tr>
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The tree has a really nice structure and bark. It's right next to the crapemyrtle and their multiple trunks kind of echo each other. This is also my daughter's favorite tree. She's able to swing on the lowest branch and has even been able to climb up it quite a bit. As a former tree-climber, that just warms my heart.<br />
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I hope to get out sometime this week to try and capture some of the changes fall is bringing as well as finish some of the "clean-up" that needs to be done. Are you starting to see signs of fall in your garden?Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-81838688007241477472011-09-28T08:33:00.000-07:002011-09-28T08:33:00.115-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViHWpg3R1xA/Tbc40dX0pfI/AAAAAAAAANk/d5LMTf3w6X8/s1600/Hawaii+and+new+garden+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kca="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViHWpg3R1xA/Tbc40dX0pfI/AAAAAAAAANk/d5LMTf3w6X8/s400/Hawaii+and+new+garden+075.jpg" width="398px" /></a></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494144725927551325.post-21714767940483012882011-09-27T12:27:00.000-07:002011-09-27T12:27:06.700-07:00Cuttings<div style="text-align: left;">Last week, I mentioned I will be taking measures to overwinter a variety of plants this year. About three weeks ago, I started taking cuttings and rooting plants. I also potted up some annuals, some for the second year. My family room is starting to get crowded. Not only are these plants in, but a lot of the houseplants that spent the summer on the back deck are back inside as well. And of course, I don't have pictures (yet). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought I would share a quick list of what I've brought in so far:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Overwintering</u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dracaena, large - second year (2)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dracaena, small - first year (2)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cordyline - second year (1)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Geranium - first year (2)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Cuttings</u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweet potato vine - 'Marguerite' (3)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweet potato vine - 'Tricolor' (3)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Geranium (2)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I also have a few things left on my to-do list:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Overwintering</u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dracaena, large - second year (1)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mandalay Begonia - first year (2)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Cuttings</u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mandalay Begonia 'Bonfire' (2)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweet potato vine - 'Blackie' (3)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Coleus (3 varieties, 2 cuttings each)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sedum (2 varieties, 2 cuttings each) </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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</div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQZ2clbUV9Q/Tdw6fWOd5QI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/EF-8tNQQSlw/s1600/05232011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQZ2clbUV9Q/Tdw6fWOd5QI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/EF-8tNQQSlw/s400/05232011+066.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Mandalay Begonia 'Bonfire'</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is my first year taking cuttings for potato vines -- they produced roots almost instantly! I also dug up quite a few tubers. From what I've read, these are pretty difficult to grow new potato vines from, since they have a tendancy to either rot or dry out. I left my tubers on the table out back, so they've been rained on quite a bit...I'm willing to bet they'll rot, but I'm going to bring them in anyway and try to sprout them in the spring.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is my second year overwintering the dracaena and the cordyline (usually sold as "spikes" at the big box stores). I use these in the middle of big pots and surround them with annuals and potato vine. This will probably be the last year I overwinter my three biggest dracaena. As they gotten bigger and as the lower leaves (?) have fallen off, they're looking less like spikes and more like exotic palm trees. The cordyline is 'Red Star' and I'm working towards shaping it as a specimen. This year it was in a pot by itself, but I might add annuals again next year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've overwintered geraniums before, but they got a little leggy, so I decided to try cuttings as well. After two weeks of sitting in water and not doing anything, the cuttings finally developed some roots. Since this is the first year I've had the Mandalay Begonias, I'm hedging my bets and taking cuttings AND <a href="http://awaytogarden.com/it-lives-my-overwintered-begonia-bonfire">overwintering</a> them. I really enjoyed them in the hanging baskets this year and they attracted quite a few hummingbirds to our deck.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What plants do you take cuttings from? Do you ever overwinter annuals?</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564763847573002335noreply@blogger.com0