New growing zones, warmer weather, deep freezes, groundhogs and alligators (Texas) predicting an early spring, plants greening up… what are we in the old Zone 5b to do. 😳 I guess I’ll just cautiously saunter into spring – keeping a watchful eye on the weather app and the forsythia bushes. Around here there are always surprises!
Baby LarkspurBaby Larkspur
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS
I am not sauntering in the potting shed. It is full steam ahead! Seed starting and winter sowing have been keeping me busy.
WINTER SOWING
I am doing more winter sowing than seed starting as we are traveling a bit and I think the seeds have a better chance outside! I want tons of different flowers and herbs but don’t need large quantities, so many of the jugs are divided up with multiple types of seeds inside.
So far I have planted…
Hollyhocks
Statice
Rudbeckia
Stock
Celosia
Gomphrena
Coneflowers
Bachelor Buttons
Scabiosa
Yarrow
Foxgloves
Larkspur
Snapdragons
Orlaya
Sweet Alyssum
Ageratum
Strawflower
Lady’s Mantel
Mignonette
Sea Holly
Ammobian
As I type this list I am reminded of how many of these I planted last year but they were eaten or destroyed. 😫 Praying for fewer critter issues this year!!!!!
Later I will plant tomatoes, zinnias and cosmos when the weather truly and consistently warms up! I was amazed last year at how wonderfully these warm weather varieties did last year with the winter sowing method!
If you want to know more about how I do the winter sowing method, here is a post I did last year with details.WINTER SOWING LINK
Some of last year’s results…
FLORET FLOWERS
Are you familiar with Erin Benzakein and Floret Flowers? If not, check them out at the link below.
Erin and her team have done amazing work as flower farmers in the cut flower industry – adding so much beauty as well as education!
Her latest work is exclusive seed varieties. These exclusive seeds went on sale this week. So many were waiting by computers and phones to place our order. Same as roses, I rarely see a packet of seeds that don’t interest me – especially when paired with the word “exclusive.” I love zinnias and from the pictures Floret has done amazing things with them. My order was small but I am very excited to try two of the new Zinnia varieties.
Zinnia Dawn Creek HoneyZinnia Dawn Creek Peach
Rose friends, Erin has an amazing rose story as well. She was the last person to interview Anne Belovich – just 7 months before her death at 97! Anne gave her permission to take cuttings of her roses and take she did. Her team came in and beat down the brambles to find the gems. Anne’s roses are in great hands with Erin! You can read about this adventure here.
So many wonderful rosy friends are coming to chat this season. Each one is unique and amazing. I can’t wait!
Sunday, Feb 11 and Sun, Feb 25 the first two podcasts will be released. Both are fantastic!
Gaye packed so much fascinating information from her research on this one. We go back to the pre-historic days!
Randy gives us so much great information on using beneficial insects. Covering all the basic questions and so much more!
Here is a link to find the new ones or listen to any of the previous ones anytime! LINK
SAUNTERING OR FULL STEAM AHEAD?
Are you sauntering into spring too or is it time to be full steam ahead in your garden. I just checked and more daffodils and snowdrops are popping up but it will be awhile before bloom. That’s okay. I’ll enjoy the posts of my southern friends for a bit longer. Seeing the babies come back is one of my greatest garden pleasures. I am happy to saunter and take it all in.
Until next time, here’s a bit of spring beauty from last year…
First up… Happy New Year! Don’t you just love a fresh start! A clean slate to fill up! Time to start planning our next garden season in earnest!
PICTURE TIME! I am so glad we have pictures! Especially in winter! While I pour over the pictures of last year, the memories of the varmints gets fainter and fainter. But not so faint that I didn’t ask Santa for a super duper sprayer. I plan to be excessively spraying of all those smelly things that make the varmints feel less at home!
The pictures prove it! We have so many good days. #grateful
JUST PEACHY!
Have you seen Pantone color of the year for 2024? It’s a beauty! Peach Fuzz…
From Pantone…
PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.
I am in love with this color – especially in the garden! One of the reasons I love Mother of Pearl roses so much is that she goes peachy. Many call her pink/salmon but she’s definitely more peach than pink in my garden.
Here is Mother of Pearl with my very favorite peach rose — Petite Peach 🍑…
REMINDER
Petite Peach 🍑 and so many other beauties will be available again at High Country Roses starting January 10! Don’t delay! HighCountryRoses.com
CREAMINESS
It seems that I’m also falling in love with all the creamy colored roses this year. If the pictures don’t get you, the names just might. Here’s my creamy list…
A beautifully romantic rose with old fashioned quartered blooms in delicate shades of apricot. Flowers are lightly perfumed on a disease resistant, compact shrub. Performs well in hot climates. This variety is ideal for use in patio containers or can be used in landscapes where a low growing compact plant is desired.
The large, old-fashioned blooms of this special rose harken back to an old cottage garden. Flowers are extremely fragrant with notes of anise and earthy pear. Its abundant petals are creamy white with an occasional light blush. It exhibits excellent disease resistance and is a wonderful rose for cut floral arrangements.
CHANTILLY CREAM
Hybrid Tea (Christian Bédard, United States, 2021)
A classic hybrid tea featuring large (4″-5″), very full blooms and a strong citrus aroma. Light yellow blended flowers are delicate yet stand up to the heat of summer without missing a beat. Very strong resistance to such diseases as rose rush, downy mildew and powdery mildew.
Not quite white and not quite yellow, Reminiscent® Crema shrub rose combines the best of all worlds with blooms the hue of fresh buttermilk. Each big, full bloom boasts a very high petal count and a delightful fragrance. The perfect choice for adding classic beauty to the landscape or flower garden! Clean, vigorous growth and foliage, with no deadheading required for continuous bloom. Disease Resistant / Long Blooming / Heat Tolerant / Size: 2.5 X 2
Aren’t these just amazing!! Are you growing any of these? I’d love to hear how they are doing for you.
ROSE CHAT
The 2024 Rose Chat Season starts in February. We have some wonderfully rosy friends joining in!
First up will be the amazing Gaye Hammond chatting about The History of Roses: America’s True Native Plant. Of course, Gaye will teach us but she will also entertain us! I can’t wait! Read more about Gaye here.
Winter is a good time to catch on chats you might have missed during the busy season! Here are four great chats! But there are so many more!!
GARDEN DESIGN TIPS & TRICKS: Michael Marriott and Paul Zimmerman These two are the best in the business and generously gave us so many tips! Perfect for garden planning season! (LISTEN HERE)
GRACE ROSE FARM: Gracie Poulson Learn about the beautiful work of this farm and hear about oh so many beautiful roses! (LISTEN HERE.)
MY TRIP TO ENGLAND Kimberley Dean (The Rose Geek) Kimberley shares how this trip changed her and her garden! (LISTEN HERE)
GARDENS OF THE NORTHEAST: Stephen Scanniello Stephen uses his razor sharp wit and his incredible rose knowledge to tell the “story” behind the story and this podcast is full of them!! (LISTEN HERE)
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS
This week I potted up my White Geraniums (Maverick). My garden journal tells me that I planted the tiny seeds on December 13 and they germinated in three days!! Now 3 weeks later they are showing off those lovely leaves! Three of them grew so large in the broadcast seed tray that I potted them up to 4″ pots. They have a long away to go! I sure hope they do well!
I bought my seeds at Park Seed. I received 10 seeds and I have 10 plants!
Resting under the lights!
FROM PARK…
Maverick is an annual geranium, which is to say not a true geranium at all, but a pelargonium.
They are a southern gardener’s salvation, thriving even in the sopping-wet humidity and searing heat of our summers. Other container plants look wilted even the same day you water them, but never Maverick. It’s compact, well-branched, large-flowered, and thoroughly agreeable to weather extremes. We wouldn’t want anything less for our terracotta pots and white window boxes.
Maverick is a very compact plant, reaching just 14 to 16 inches high (in full bloom) and nearly as wide. The foliage is large, softly lobed and creased, and bright green. It forms bushy rosettes beneath the flowering stems, which hold their giant spheres of blooms several inches above the rest of the plant.
I absolutely love, love, love annual geraniums (pelargoniums) and I think Thyme Out (my outdoor potting area) is just the place to have several white Mavericks!
One more thing…
Ever wonder about the origins of the geranium/pelargonium debate? Through the years I have heard many things. So, I asked the internet this week why pelargoniums are called geraniums and here’s what I found…
The name Pelargonium was first proposed by Johann Jacob Dillenius, a German botanist, in 1732 who described and illustrated seven species of geraniums from South Africa that are now classified as Pelargonium. Although it was Johannes Burman, who formally introduced the name pelargonium in 1738.
It was a simple mistake. Linnaeus thought the plants were close enough relatives to put both types in the genus Geranium. But Charles L’Héritier saw things differently and separated them into two genera in 1789. The change was widely accepted even back then and still holds today.
⭐️ And… we are still talking about it today. Right or wrong, some things just stick! Regardless of what we call them… they give us quintessential cottage garden beauty.
UP NEXT
The next fun winter projects around here will be planting Lisianthus and Winter Sowing. The extended forecast looks like we are going to have a bit of winter after all. What are you up to?
Until next time…
To make a great garden, one must have a great idea or a great opportunity.
Sir George Sitwell Essay on the Making of Gardens (1909)
I absolutely love the planning stage of gardening! Time to look back at pictures I took from seasons past, re-read the notes I took in my garden journal and random pieces of paper 🙄, and start dreaming of what’s next.
I am very grateful for the “save” flag on Instagram. So, when I see something that is similar to my style I “save” for an easy look back. I also print! Yes print real pictures of things I like from my garden and others. I find that having real pictures to look at makes a huge difference. The assistants in the WalMart electronics section know me. It is so easy on my iPhone to send photos to Walmart via the PhotoPrints+ app.
THE THINKING STAGE
These days we are traveling more and more which we love. So with that comes the need for thinking through plant care while we are away.
CONTAINERS…
Next year I will “mostly” plant things in containers that need very little care – especially very little water. This year I started this approach to containers by testing a few. I planted Autumn Joy sedum in two planters and it was gorgeous and needed relatively no care and minimal water. My main front porch planter which has always been filled with very thirsty annuals of some sort was planted with a group of succulents. While my daughter was in California, I fell in love succulents and loved how they were used in plantings. This container was by far my very favorite ever!
WINTER SOWING…
I will be doing more Winter Sowing and less seed starting under lights. The big exception to that is Lisianthus. I will still be planting those under lights in the Potting Shed! It’s risky but worth the risk.
Winter Sowing is so easy and brings much more success than failure for little money and time. Here is a link to a post where I talk more about that process. LINK
Now as you may remember many of these plants made it through winter but didn’t survive the spring varmint invasion. The “plant plan” was solid. 🤣 Obviously, the “varmint plan” needs a bit more work. 😳
Water…
We are starting to investigate irrigation systems. Nothing too sophisticated but a way to automatically get water to many of the roses as needed. If you have suggestions or ideas about this I’d love to hear them!
GETTING TO KNOW YOU WALL
Years ago we covered the largest wall in the Potting Shed with cattle panel type fencing. I’ve always used it to display things that make me happy. Last year I was very focused on what went on the “cattle panel” wall. The main things I wanted there were pictures and details about the new plants that I was adding to the garden so I could get used to their look and habit through the winter as I drew up my plans; I also added some seed packets that I was planning to use that I was somewhat unfamiliar with; as plans were drawn up, they too went on the “wall”. I can’t tell you how helpful it was. By the time I was to the planting stage, I was old friends with many of my new plants and plans!
Now everything has been taken down and I’m ready to start again.
NEW GARLIC BED!
My garlic bed got a upgrade! Mr. G rebuilt all three of my raised beds! Aren’t they fantastic!!
Planting garlic is so rewarding for me. Since I don’t grow many of my own veggies, it is so nice to have one of our main flavorings from our garden. And, it is such a nice gift to share! The garlic I’ve planted the last three years is Chesnok Red – a hardneck variety that is good for northern gardens. It’s yummy and pretty! But, there are so many varieties. Most seed companies sell garlic and I’ve also bought from THE GARLIC STORE in Colorado (link).
🧄 If you are new to growing garlic and would like to give it a try, here are my growing/curing notes (link).
BLOOM THYME: WINTER WINDOW BOX
Each year the window box on the Potting Shed is filled with foraged finds from the garden. Just going around the garden collecting items for the window box is pure pleasure. Once it is complete, we get to enjoy it all winter long from the kitchen window. Mr. G says of all the gardeny decor things I do … this is one of his favorites!
“A NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE”
Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a “A National Day of Thanksgiving and Praise” on October 3, 1863. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who wrote “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” was a contributing factor to Lincoln’s making the decision. She had actually starting “campaigning” for Thanksgiving in 1846, so she was serious about it. Before 1863, the holiday was mostly only celebrated in the Northeast where she was from. And when it comes to our traditional feast … well she had a say in that too…
Her first novel, Northwood: A Tale of New England, described a Thanksgiving feast circa 1827, replete with a large family table topped with roasted turkey, gravy, and vegetables. She subsequently lobbied the President to bestow official status upon Thanksgiving, and is often referred to as “the Godmother of Thanksgiving.” -Real Simple Magazine website Well done Sarah. I love turkey and gravy!
I do love the Thanksgiving season and the focus on what we have to be grateful for. We have so much! If Thanksgiving as a holiday could take hold in the middle of the Civil War, we can celebrate with wild abandon for all that we have!
Friends, thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving season!
Well it’s been a minute since I posted. We’ve had a wonderful time visiting family and and came home and hit the ground running with fall projects.
If you google “first frost date” in my area you’ll find October 10 – 16 but this year like last year, those dates came without anything close to a killing frost. Yay! We still have flowers blooming but looks like that is coming to an end next week!
I feel like I’ve survived the heat of August, made it through September where I made peace with the end of the gardening year and have moved onto October where I can more enjoy the seasonal transition.
October has been just about perfect. We’ve had beautiful days to enjoy the garden and to get things in order before winter.
EXTRA TIME: EXTRA PROJECTS
Mr G surprised me with a truck full of wood and plans for some wonderful projects… updating two of my raised beds and a new gate for the herb garden.
Isn’t he just the best!!!
In the first picture you see that the current gate has been lovingly and beautifully hugged by Petite Pink this year to the point it could not open but the more open design of this gate allowed bunnies their free will so we allowed Petite Pink her space. But now she has been pruned back a bit and Mr. G’s newest gate will give the bunnies a harder time getting in. Hope it discourages the raccoons and ground hogs too.🤞🏻
EXTRA TIME: JUST BE
The extra time has also given me more time to “just be” in the garden and watch the changes happen slowly.
Walking down this path is so relaxing with the fall hues. At this stage there is a “hush” to the garden and for now “hush” is good.
EXTRA TIME: BLOOM THYME
Many flowers are still putting out beautiful blooms. Especially the dahlias. The soft peachy tones have turned brighter but blooms are plentiful.
Fire Light TidbitPacific Ocean Milena Fleur – usually more peach!LabryinthZinnia Zydeco 💚CalendulaAll the RageCaryopterisSweet DriftThe Fawn (Faun)Mother of PearlBokay featuring Flamenco RositaSweet Drifts line the pathwayThe last Cafe au LaitThe last Bliss ParfumaThe last rose bokay
EXTRA TIME: GARDEN VISITORS
The bees, moths and butterflies are still seen occasionally!
Our little friend enjoying the strawflower.
PLANTING DAFFODILS
I only bought one type of daffodil this year and the recommendation for this one came from wonderful garden friend Christie Purifoy from her book Garden Maker – she said it was her favorite and it was fragrant so I had to go take a look! Yep, one look and I ordered them – actually so long ago that I forgot I did! Nice surprise! Thanks Christie!
Meet ‘Bridal Crown”…
Bridal Crown was introduced in the mid 1940s and is an award-winning, multiple stem daffodil – having 3 to 6 white and saffron flowers per stem. This beauty is heavenly fragrant, one of the earliest of the doubles to bloom; is a great forcer and is one of the best looking grown in pots. (I think I am going to plant some of mine in pots.)
(12″-14″ tall / Blooms early-mid spring / Hardy in Zones 4-9) I bought mine at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs. I checked and they still have some available… LINK
I have several types of daffodils and love them but my more recent daffodil love has been aimed at the more “rosette” looking double blooms and the ones with multiple blooms per stem. Other favorites at the moment: Thalia, White Lion, Cheerfulness, and Minnow. Planting daffodils in the fall sure give us so much to look forward to! #thinkspring
SPEAKING OF CHRISTIE PURIFOY…
If you are like me and are a big fan of her books Garden Maker and A Home in Bloom, you’ll be be pleased to know that another book is coming in March Seedtime and Harvest – you can preorder now. Seedtime and Harvest is a series of lyrical essays exploring the myriad ways that gardening deepens our understanding of the natural world and grows our capacity for care and connection. If you don’t have these wonderful books – perhaps you should mention them to Santa! 🎅 🎁 Links are above if he needs them.
STICKERS ANYONE?
I love stickers! I love to put them on envelopes, seed packets for gathered seeds, in my garden journal and such!
These are some of the prettiest stickers I’ve found. They are supposed to look like dried flowers and they certainly do. So, if you’re interested, here’s the link!
LATEST ROSE CHAT PODCAST
GRACE ROSE FARM with Gracie Poulson, Owner
Friends, I know you will LOVE this chat! The delightful Gracie takes us back to the beginning where she fell in love with roses as a very young child and brings us up-to-the-minute on her vision and what’s coming from Grace Rose Farm. Hint: It’s all beautiful!
Much of the news we hear is breaking our hearts and making us anxious on so many levels. I am so grateful that God has told us that we can “cast our anxiety on him because he cares for us.” 1 Peter. 5:7
And, how fortunate that he has given gardeners a place of retreat that gives us joy and peace – whether you have loads of land, a windowsill or a patio where you plant, putter and get your hands in the soil.
“Gardening has been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. It’s very gratifying to plant, tend, harvest and share your own food. Routines provide structure to our day and are linked to improved mental health. Gardening routines, like watering and weeding, can create a soothing rhythm to ease stress.
-Mayo Clinic
Science has discovered that working with soil is beneficial to your health and happiness. The reason is the soil bacterium, mycobacterium vaccae. These microscopic bacteria enter into your body when you touch the soil. The bacteria triggers serotonin and dopamine production, both chemicals that produce a feeling of happiness. By the way, they are chemicals normally present in antidepressant medication.
-Manager Up, June 2023
Until next time Friends, I wish you joy, peace and time in your garden.
One of my favorite things about Autumn is that as I tweak the garden, dividing plants, and removing undesirables etc., I get so excited for how the “new” garden will look in the Spring. She may be tired now and in need of a good layer of mulch but in the spring she will be glorious! #dreamstage
I have already found 3 prime spaces and will be on the lookout for 3 beautiful, power-blooming, fragrant roses. #reachforthestars 🌟 Do you have a rose recommendation for me?
And then there’s seed excitement. 🎉 Few things are more exciting to me in the garden than seeds! I am gathering seeds, looking for new varieties and ordering seeds!!! SO MUCH FUN. Every time I see my little brown bags of seeds I’ve gathered I get all gushy about spring! Am I alone???
NEW HYDRANGEAS
Proven Winners sent out 4 amazing new hydrangeas that I get to try in my garden. They are planted, watered, mulched and ready to experience an Indiana fall and winter. Look at these beauties…
TUFF STUFF | Reblooming Mountain Hydrangea
SIZE: 2-3′ Tall and Wide ZONES: 4 – 9 SUN/SHADE: 4 – 6 hours of sun preferred
This beauty is said to be cold hardy and heat tolerant. Two attributes that mean a great deal to me! Just look at those beautiful lacecap fowers.
PINKY WINKY PRIME | Panicle Hydrangea
SIZE: 6 – 9′ Tall and Wide ZONES: 3 – 8 SUN/SHADE: 4 – 6 hours of sun
I have 7 of the original Pinky Winkys and love them but am so excited to try the PRIME version as it is said to have bigger and fuller flowers! Big win!
LET’S DANCE LOVABLE | Reblooming Big Leaf Hydrangea
SIZE: 3-4′ Tall and Wide ZONES: 5-9 SUN/SHADE: 4-6″ hours of sun
This lovely has vivid bloom color and glossy foliage with the “super-charged” ability to rebloom! Foliage turns burgundy in the fall.
SIZE: 2-3′ Tall and 2-4′ Wide ZONES: 4-9 SUN/SHADE: 4 – 6 hours of sun
We are constantly hearing that we need more blue in the garden and PW says these are easy to get to turn blue by adding aluminum sulfate if you don’t have acid soil.
ONE MORE HYDRANGEA
I love my Fire Light Tidbit so much I had to add another one. Luckily when I made this big decision to add another, a local garden center had several beauties!! My two will flank a walkway through a section of the garden.
This is how she looks in my garden this week… A beauty indeed! I just can’t wait until spring and to see both of them in their prime!
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
UPDATES, PLANS & PROJECTS Diane Sommers, American Rose Society President
On today’s episode, Diane Sommers, President of the American Rose Society is here to bring us up to date on some exciting projects including their recently launched digital initiative. And, we’ll take a peek into plans for the future.
It was so fun to chat with Diane about our wonderful organization! LISTEN HERE.
BLOOM THYME
This week I tried to make the most of every bloom and share bokays with friends.
Mother of Pearl going strongState of GraceCafe au Lait decorating the Potting ShedGarden “office” viewParfuma BlissParfuma Bliss budScentuous
One of the most relaxing things to do is watch butterflies in the garden… don’t you think?
Friends, thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to let me know if you have rose recommendations for me!
Recently we spent time in one of the most historical areas of our country. We saw so many beautiful historical sites, homes, and enjoyed many generational traditions.
While there I was able to experience rose garden history as well with a visit to the rose garden at Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT — home of the oldest public rose garden in the US. There are over 15,000 rose bushes and 800 varieties of old and new roses. Yes, she is steeped in history. This garden became the first official test garden in 1912 for the American Rose Society founded in 1892, with the idea to test and to provide accurate information about roses for the public.
The Curator of the rose garden is a great garden friend that many of you know, Stephen Scanneillo. We had hoped to meet up but he was away at that time on vacation. He plans to join me in a couple of weeks on the podcast and I’m sure he’ll have plenty of Elizabeth Park garden stories! And no one tells a garden story quiet like Stephen.
When I first became aware of this garden, like so many others, I was captivated by the beauty of the the row of rose covered arches I saw in pictures. What I didn’t see from those pictures was just how many rows of arches there are. There are 75 arches covering pathways that direct you through section after section of this amazing garden. The structures themselves were so impressive. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be there when the arches are draping in blooms from the ramblers and climbing roses. I’m told that roses on the arbors are… Dorothy Perkins, Romeo, Repeat blooming Hiawatha, Peggy Martin, Party Hardy, White Dorothy, Dr. Van Fleet, Chevy Chase, Perfumed Breeze, Dortmund, Crimson Rambler, and Exclesa.
August in drought conditions is certainly not the kindest month to visit a rose garden, especially on a day that will literally bake you in moments. It’s kind of like having a photoshoot when you’re having a bad hair day! But, it was the day I had. So, we found Mr. G a shady spot in the garden and I set off to take a closer look. The garden did not disappoint!
MY DAY IN THE GARDEN…
THRIVE / SPROULTHRIVE
THE GARDEN IN JUNE…
Stephen sent me these pictures he took when the roses are at peak bloom. 😱🌟
Mixes RamblersMixed Ramblers and Caldwell PinkMixed RamblersI love fog!
DID YOU KNOW?
At Elizabeth Park they winter-protect the roses on the arches by using branches that are pruned from the evergreen in the garden!! What a fabulous idea!! 🌟
THE HERITAGE ROSE GARDEN
The heritage roses have their own special place in the Elizabeth Park garden … nestled in a more secluded area surround by beautiful stone walls. Just perfect! Although I only saw a few blooms as most of these roses have their bloom in early June, they do leave behind some very lovely rose hips which was a treat. And, I so enjoyed seeing the name tags telling me who lived there!
Yes, I have to go back!
ONE MORE THING!! PEGGY MARTIN…
The Peggy Martin Rose would certainly be a sight to see in June as she has covered the rose garden office wall so beautifully.
CHATTING ABOUT ROSES…
Here are the latest podcasts!
INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDEN Rachel Burlington, Botanic Specialist III-Rose Garden / Curator
Rachel is a very impressive young woman and wears many hats in the world of horticulture. In addition to her work at the Test Garden, she is co-founder of the non-profit, Women in Horticulture and serves on the Pacific Northwest’s Great Plant Picks committee. So much to chat about! LISTEN HERE.
COMING SUNDAY!
My next chat is with Diane Sommers, President of the American Rose Society. We will be chatting about what’s going on today and take a peek into plans for the future. This one will be “live” this Sunday, September 10th.
VARMINT UPDATE…
All the varmints are feeling the drought too. They are back and tearing through any part of the garden that I have watered. 😱 #catch22 If you’ve never been visited by these kind of critters (groundhogs, raccoons, possoms), let me tell you they are gifted diggers. When they visit it looks like small rototillers have gone through the garden leaving many plant roots exposed and damaged. To be honest we have not kept up with spreading the deterrents mostly because we were traveling and it was so hot. I guess not using the deterrents is the same thing as hanging a welcome sign. …. sigh 😔
I’ve been seeing pictures on social media and hearing horror stories of armadillo damage. Talk about diggers!!! To those of you who deal with armadillos – 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 !
SURPRISE DAHLIA…
While in Tennessee this spring to speak to a extremely wonderful group of Master Gardeners, I bought a dahlia. Not one I had ever heard of but the name got to me because I had family in CA.
Meet Pacific Ocean … my first “waterlily” dahlia
Waterlily Dahlias. These blossoms have rounded petals that spiral around tight, slightly flattened centers. Their flawless form makes them popular cut flowers. The plants are typically just 2’ to 3’ tall, yet they produce large blossoms that measure up to 5” across. Waterlily dahlias perform well in large containers and are also good for perennial gardens. -Longfield Gardens For more on the different types of Dahlias, read the full article HERE.
I didn’t give Pacific Ocean much attention until now as she has been “in captivity” in the dahlia bed that was fenced in from the critters. The fence made it hard to get to her — for the varmints and for me. 🙄 Well, now she has been sprung and is bringing much joy!
Behind the curtainShe’s been sprung!Her debut in a bokay!
BLOOM THYME…
ZaideMilena FleurQuietnessLisianthusPomponellaCafe au LaitState of Grace🐝Caryopteris 🐝
WHY WE GRoW ZINNIAS…
Zinnias are among the easiest annuals to grow, they produce tons of blooms, come in a wide array of colors, sizes and varieties, and they last forever in a vase. But the very best reason to grow them … they are a feast for the pollinators. Party time! 🐝🥳🐝
YOUR GARDEN…
Gardens are ever changing – especially now. I’m curious, as you walk in your garden, what plants / flowers are bringing you the most joy in this season?
Thanks for stopping by! Until next time, have fun in your garden!
These are certainly the Dog Days of Summer … hot! hot! hot! 🥵 But, there’s more than just heat going on in August.
August is universally the time for vacations and holidays especially in Europe. We joined that group this year and have just returned from a lovely vacation in New England. There is nothing quite like the north eastern seacoast. We were with beautiful people and went to so many beautiful places! Oh and the food! I love seafood and it was out of this world. 🦀🦞🦐
One of the places we visited was the Elizabeth Park/ Helen S Kaman Rose Garden. It was amazing. I thought I knew what it would be like from pictures I’ve seen through the years, but, oh no – it so exceeded my expectations. I’ll tell you more about my time there soon.
We came home relaxed, refreshed and recharged. We can’t wait to go back!
August celebrates sandwiches. in August of 1762 the Earl of Sandwich requested two pieces of bread with meat inside. We’re all about celebrating sandwiches in August too — we had the first BLT with a homegrown tomato. Nothing like it! 🎉🍅
August… the gateway to all things Autumn. I’m sure enjoying autumn more than I used to, partly because I became more focused on plants that have their heyday this time of year … Dahlias, Zinnias, alliums and power blooming roses that can take the heat!
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Well, I don’t know that they truly LIKE IT but many roses in my garden are acting like it is a normal summer day… not a day when the heat index is 105 and has been in the 90s for way too long.
Are there roses in your garden that do better in the heat than others?
My “some like it hot” observations…
Mother of Pearl isn’t phased – keeps going strong.
For Petite Pink and Petite Peach the heat is no big deal.
Sweet Drift says “bring it.”
Music Box isn’t phased much.
Flamenco Rosita has so many blooms even if they are a bit smaller.
Reminiscent Pink is doing very well.
Others are blooming but sparingly and many of the blooms melt so quickly. The roses are pretty much on their own during these extremes. Minimal watering, no fertilizing and no big expectations. I do think we are going to start cooling down next week and more of the roses will have a chance to shine!
Unlike many of you we have had some rain. Not tons but enough to keep things going without too much supplemental watering. We don’t have irrigation so we are extremely grateful for the rain. I am praying that those of you dealing with drought will have rain very soon. Drought is so cruel.
August is also a time when many schools start. Maybe it’s seeing all the back to school items but August has me itching to get new pens and paper and make lists. Mr. G would tell you that every season is a season of lists for me. The garden lists I am currently working on:
What did well…
What needs to go…
What I need more of / less of…
What was outstanding…
Seeds to buy…
Dahlias…
Bulbs…
Roses:
Who was outstanding…
Who struggled…
Where will I put more roses.. (I’ve found a few spots!)
What roses do I “need”… (That list is always in place.)
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT I’M LOVING:
If you are like me and love dried flowers, I have an Instagram account recommendation for you. LAYLA ROBINSON DESIGN / Creating happiness with everlasting flowers. She does such beautiful arrangements and crafts with dried flowers! LINK HERE.
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
Coming this Sunday (August 27) is a new podcast… don’t miss this one. You’re gonna love Rachel.
ROSE CHAT NOTE:
I am beginning to work on the 2024 line up for Rose Chat. If you have suggestions of who you’d suggest I have on the podcast or topics you would find interesting, let me know. Email your ideas to me HERE.
BLOOM THYME IN AUGUST
The day we returned from vacation the garden greeted us with a light rain falling. It was such a welcome site, I immediately got out my phone and took videos. I posted a video on YouTube for easy access if you would like to see it.
The misty rain was such a blessing!Earth AngelCut DahliasCafe au LaitMr. G’s tomatoes!Ghislaine de FeligondeReminiscent PinkFlamenco RositaPetite PeachDahlia bokayHoneymoonMusic BoxMilena FleurZinnia Love
Yes, August is here and so is Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Did you know PSLs have been around for 20 years! That’s a lot of spice! Mr. G and I enjoy having one to celebrate the season. But we may wait until the temps drop to at least the 80s! 😳🥵😉
There’s no going back on the seasons so let’s hit this season head on and enjoy every minute. Until next time …
Stay cool, stay safe and have fun in your garden …💐🌸🌱🌼🌹🌺🪷🌻😘☕️
As many of you know this summer the raccoons, ground hogs, bunnies and possums all came together in a perfect storm of destruction in parts of my garden. They used every God given “talent” they had to dig up, tunnel under, break down and nibble away so much beauty. In turn we stalked them on the critter cam, set traps, sprayed repellent, sprinkled cayenne pepper, built fences and planted more plants.
That is behind us for now… and we are seeing much beauty in those areas — from behind a fence of course.
THE CARNAGE…
Dahlias where shredded and knocked over, yarrow disappeared, orlaya and cosmos were devoured never to return, zucchini destroyed, and so much more.
DETERRENTS USED…
From AmazonRabbit Fence / LowesFrom Amazon
BEAUTY IN CAPTIVITY
Bitsy Milena Fleur – I plant 5 – 3 survived.Pacific OceanPacific OceanCornel BronzeFama Blue ScabiosaFama White ScabiosaLabryinth – I waited 3 years to get this one. Every time I tried to order it was sold out! It was wroth the wait. It is so much prettier in person!
COME BACK KIDS…
These two plants were eaten to the ground more than once but are now looking fantastic.
FENCING…
We did what we could quickly and while the fence has definitely worked; working around a fence is not ideal. I want to get up close and personal with all my plants! My goal next year is to not need the fence or at least have Mr. G design something that can easily go up and down. We’ll see what the varmints think of that. 😳
For more about the destruction stage, read on here… (LINK).
JAPANESE BEETLES
I am seeing so few Japanese Beetles this year compared to years past. How about you?
One of the award-winning leaders of our rose society (Indianapolis Rose Society) Mark Nolen has been keeping detailed notes for years on the Japanese Beetles in his beautiful garden of more than 200 roses. Mark recently wrote an article about what he is seeing this year and why he thinks things are different. READ HERE
Here is Mark, his wife Cathy, and some of their beautiful roses…
One of most delightful gardeners you’ll ever meet is Claudia Weekes. She joined me on Rose Chat to talk about her garden journey. Claudia has a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Wellness and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics which has allowed her to work as a registered dietitian, wellness coach, and nutrition consultant. Claudia says she is happiest when she is helping others AND digging in the dirt. She brings all that she is into the garden with her each day and gives her followers a perfect combination of wellness tips, practical advice, and great gardening.
Petite Peach is having a great summer! I love how she pairs with another favorite rose Mother of Pearl!
In this image below you see the difference in Petite Peach and her “mother” Petite Pink…
BLOOM THYME THIS WEEK…
The Faun (Fawn)Stokes AsterStrawflowerPhloxLisianthusCafe au LaitReminiscent PinkCasa BlancaSavannahSweet FragranceWater HyacinthPrairie Sunrise
Even with a few varmints to aggravate us and keep us on our toes, the garden – and the world – are filled with joy and beauty. Let’s have eyes and hearts that strive to see it.
God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. Ephesians 3:20-21
Many of the plants in my garden have stories attached to them. It’s what makes my garden so completely personal to me. As I walk around my garden I think of those stories and those people. And, when a visitor comes who wants to go on a slow garden walk and hear those stories, well that is the very best.
ANNABELLE HYDRANGEA HAS QUITE A STORY
I have a hedge of Annabelle Hydrangeas which started from one Hydrangea I planted many years ago. My first plant was a passalong gift from my good friend Colletta Kosiba.
Yes, there are newer, less floppy varieties and I love those too and have many of them. But I still love the Annabelle. While I was in England I was surprised to find so many Annabelle’s there too. Here is Annabelle showing off behind a bench in the gardens of Highclere Castle of Downton Abby Fame.
Recently John Chapin of Tree Frog Nursery and Gardens (link) wrote an article about the history of this beautiful hydrangea. Now that I know her story, I love her even more.
ANNABELLE’S STORY…
The story of the wildly popular ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea, which blooms throughout Central Indiana in early summer, is one of a pass-along plant shared by generations of gardeners before it was “discovered” and made available to the gardening world at large. In 1910, Harriet Kirkpatrick was riding her horse through the woods outside of the southern Illinois town of Anna (link) when she noticed a beautiful native hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) with abnormally large, snowball-like blooms. Together with her sister-in-law, Amy Kirkpatrick, she went back to dig up the native shrub and transplanted it into her yard in town.
Over the years, neighbors and friends admired the showy plant and the Kirkpatrick family shared divisions of the easily transplantable shrub, spreading its progeny throughout the area. Given its wide popularity and easy culture, Mrs. Kirkpatrick contacted the Burpee Seed Company to see if they were interested in developing the new variety commercially. However, a different wild specimen of the native hydrangea had been found near Yellow Springs, Ohio with similar abnormally large, snowball-like flowers, but an earlier bloom time. It was named ‘Snowhill’ and released by Burpee in 1906, so they weren’t interested.
For the next 50 years, ‘Annabelle’ would be an unnamed but locally popular cultivar that was distributed by word of mouth throughout the southern Illinois region, finally reaching Urbana around 1935. J.C. McDaniel, a renowned plant breeder and professor of horticulture at the University of Illinois saw the plant in an Urbana garden in 1960 and somehow traced it back to the southern Illinois farming community of Anna where gardeners grew it all over town. He was able to collect cuttings for propagation, named the cultivar for the two belles from Anna, and released it for commercial production in 1962. In a paper submitted at a horticultural conference that same year, McDaniel recounts the story of ‘Annabelle’, noting it as “the best form of its species yet found.”
From this variety, many new cultivars have been developed, in an assortment of sizes and even with flowers in shades of pink, with stronger stems to avoid flopping. All are very hardy, reliably bloom on new growth, and easy to grow in mostly shade to mostly sun. There is a variety for every garden.
PRESERVING THE OLD…
Have you seen Season 2 of Growing Floret ? It is over the top for rose lovers and/or plant historians. The show is on the Magnolia Network. I have access to the Magnolia through a Discovery+ subscription. But there are other ways to find it too.
On the show Erin Benzakein, the owner of Floret, takes you on her journey to the world of old garden roses. Erin had the pleasure of getting to know one of our rose icons Anne Belovich whose story in itself is over the top fascinating. She also takes us on a tour with Gregg Lowery to see his massive collection and hear about his is passions for the old roses and the work he does with FRIENDS OF VINTAGE ROSES.
More about Gregg Lowery and the Friends of Vintage Roses (Link). Erin also released several articles about her rose experience on the Floret Flower blog (Link).
Leon Ginenthal and I chatted about Anne and Erin on Rose Chat when we did the podcast on ROSES THAT RAMBLE. Podcast.
PETITE PEACH IN THE NEWS…
Big smiles here — The American Rose Society had a beautiful article on the Award of Excellence that my Petite Peach won. I wrote a post all about the history of the award and the details of the rose a few weeks ago. Here’s that article…
If you are a member of the American Rose Society you know that the magazine is outstanding and comes in paper form as well digitally for members. If you are not a member, you can read all about the organization at Rose.org.
BLOOM THYME
Some of the flowers in the garden are beginning to take on a “ready for a break” time so this week I picked a few buckets of flowers before I let them take a rest!
The annuals that I planted to go strong during those lulls of course have been eaten by the varmint who found them very tasty. Luckily there are flowers they either don’t like or haven’t found! (Varmint post)
Time to gather flowers… (I made several bokays but forgot to take pictures.)
My fav snapdragon this year – Costa SilverLisianthus starting to bloomPhloxSomething new for the deckFound some nice Pentas on sale. Flamenco RositaJapanese Beetles are back. The bucket is back too.Garlic Harvest – Chesnok RedLarkspur seed collection time!
Maybe the tallest Monarda on record – at least here! Obviously I didn’t expect this size of plant for my small herb garden boxes. But the pollinators are over the top happy and I love it too. I do think I will find a more suitable place for it next year. Extra bonus: it works so well in a vase! 🐝 🦋
COMING SOON!
Fresh BLTs soon!!!
STAY STRONG!
Sometimes gardening isn’t for the faint of heart … especially late summer – with all the heat and varmints. I always say that few decide to be gardeners in the month of August and August is just around the corner.
BUT… so many amazing things are still to come. Today on my morning walk I went over the moon about the lisianthus and lilies that are coming on strong and tomatoes!! 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅
Until next time… What’s your favorite tomato? And, your favorite way to enjoy fresh tomatoes? For me it’s yummy BLTs!
