November Chores

Here in Western New York we have been blessed with a few days of unseasonably warm weather so I have been busy spending time outdoors doing those many last minute chores that seem to never go away.

I haven’t mentioned before that I am a frugal gardener and rarely purchase anything unless it is at a drastic reduction. This is usually the time that I go perennial shopping and looking for bargains.

Two weeks ago I was at a local mega-home store that had just put all of their perennials on sale at 80% off. So I purchased 2 Autumn Joy sedum, 4 Russian Sage, 3 Piilu Clematis, 1 very large Azalea, 2 large Spiraea ‘Goldflame’, 3 Hens and Chicks, 2 Heuchera Coral Bells. 17 perennials in all for less than $30 total. They are now planted and look like they will thrive well.

I don’t usually plant many spring bulbs but I have always planted crocus near my front door. In the early springtime, even when snow is still on the ground, the little crocus is always faithful and peeps through the snow. It never fails to make me happy and puts a song in my heart at a time when I am feeling that winter will never end.

This weekend I planted three Allium Grandiflora Lily bulbs and a bed of croci. I purchased the Allium at our local community co-op, Urban Roots. Now that they are in the ground I look forward to seeing the blooms next year, so in anticipation, I have posted a photo of this flower above. J Isn't it beautiful?

There are probably only a few more days of gardening time in this area but here are some things to check for:

1. Edge your perennial beds and continue gathering seeds that are now dried and have turned dark brown or black.

2. Remove any perennial weeds that have invaded the garden.

3. It is amazing that I still have some Dandelions blooming in November. Make sure that you remove any annual weeds that are going to seed. Throw these in the garbage, not in the compost pile or next year there will be ten times as many.

4. Take pictures, make notes, and if you haven’t done this already - start a scrapbook or do anything at all that allows you to remember the past season with its successes and failures in detail.

5. Scope out to see if you have any plants that should be moved to another area. You can even just mark the plants for moving next spring by using that brightly colored surveyor's flagging tape.

However, moving or dividing perennials in the autumn is a great way to reduce your work next spring. The cool, moist weather is an ideal time for perennial roots to become well established, even in cold-winter regions. Peonies are best moved or divided in the fall only.

Well, it is 62 degrees today so I am off into the garden to see what else I can do. I am already becoming wistful at the idea of only working indoors for the next few months. No I don’t mean housework – I am planning to do more writing J

Jimson Weed - Part II

The Sacred Datura blossom has long captivated artists and poets The Jimson Weed (Datura Stramonium) appears in paintings by the famed Modernist artist Georgia O’Keeffe. (1887 – 1986) - Known for the flower paintings, which encompass a quarter of her work, she was originally inspired by nature during her childhood in rural Wisconsin.

Jimson Weed (Datura Stramonium)

The following is a legend about this beautiful flower.

When the early settlers arrived on Jamestown Island in Virginia in 1607, the location was considered perfect. They were able to look outwards, along the coastline, for Spanish conquerors and the deep channel allowed the navigation of their ships.

They thought it curious that there were no Indians on the island and it wasn’t too long before they realized why.

The island’s drinking water was polluted and there was very little wild game or any other food sources available.

Some of the settlers made a formidable error by experimenting with eating the plant life that was available. They were especially attracted to this seductively beautiful flower, however, they soon realized that the side affects of ingestion of the Datura were delusions, convulsions, and respiratory failure, which brought about their eventual deaths.

The survivors of those who died always remembered the consequences of eating the beautiful flowers. When, seventy years later, the British soldiers arrived to arrest an uprising of the colony, the settlers slipped Datura leaves into the soldier’s food. The British soldiers did not die, but they did go crazy for eleven days, temporarily giving the colonists the upper hand. As the story is told the plant became known as Jamestown weed, and over the centuries that was condensed to Jimson weed.

There are several well-documented stories of people who have experimented with smoking, brewing, or cooking with Jimson weed that led to coma and eventual death.

Jimsonweed which grows to a height of 2 to almost 6 ½ feet has large, white or violet, trumpet-shaped flowers, and produces a large, spiny fruit to which the common name thorn apple is sometimes applied.

This plant promises a fairyland of delicate beauty, moths, butterflies, long-tongued bees, hummingbirds and magical moonlit nights. It gives rise to some of the plant’s other names, for instance, Angel’s Trumpet, Moon Lily, Moon Flower or Belladonna (beautiful lady).

Scientists regard the plant as a perennial deciduous herb. Which means that it lives for at least three years. It is also extremely poisonous, with the concentration of toxic levels varying from plant to plant. It loses its leaves in the winter.

Members of the nightshade family, all Daturas are poisonous. The dramatic purple Moonflower, Datura inoxia flourishes throughout the South Western area of the United States.

*****

I have no doubt that this persistent plant will reappear in the Peace Garden in the springtime but this English women has learned the lesson of her forefathers and will leave it alone. :-)

Jimson Weed

Jimson Weed in full bloom

The plant produces a large, spiny fruit to which the common name thorn

apple is sometimes applied.

When the pod seed is dry it then pops open and scatters hundreds of seeds to the four winds.

*****

Two years ago I was having lunch at a local outdoor restaurant in my community. While sitting next to their flower garden one plant drew my attention -it had a strong green vine with dozens of large white ‘trumpet’ shaped flowers.

I was curious and later I looked it up in my gardening books. There it was – an amazing flower with many names. Jimson Weed is also known as Datura, angel trumpet, and thorn apple.

Last year I saw it again in a garden center. It was late in the season and the plant was on sale in a 6” pot. I purchased it, brought it home but for some reason I never got around to choosing a place in the Peace Garden for this flower. It remained in the pot, went to seed and winter came.

I didn’t give it much thought until this spring, when I noticed many little plants showing up around the garden. I recognized it as the Jimson Weed and pulled most of them up but let two get established. One of them produced just two or three flowers but the other grew to about 3 1/2 feet high and was at least 5 ‘ in circumference. There were over forty blooms on this plant. It was glorious, amazing and a beautiful sight to behold.

It was still blooming strongly until this week when I decided to pull it up and throw it in the rubbish bin. This was an emotional moment for me, as I just don’t have it in me to destroy a flower, especially when it is in full bloom. So why did I do that?

Well, over the summer months I had been reading more about the Jimson Weed and I learned that this seductively beautiful flower has another, more sinister side. If the plant is ingested one can be led to a dark and fearsome netherworld of poison and potential emotional collapse, physical sickness and even death. The onset of symptoms can hit in a half hour according to the Massachusetts Poison Control System. If the seeds or other parts of the plant are ingested, the symptoms kick in within one to four hours.

The chemicals in Datura will block receptors in the brain. The plant contains some of the same chemicals used in antihistamines and drugs used to control psychosis.

These parts of the plant have given rise to alternative names such as Devil’s Trumpet, Deadly Nightshade, Thorn Apple, Mad Apple, Hairy Jimson-weed, Stink Weed, Green Dragon and Locoweed.

After researching the history of this plant I felt torn. I wanted to keep it in my garden but I became concerned. It was then that I discovered that I have something in common with a famous person in history.

In a letter to a friend, who had sent him a sample of the Sacred Datura (Jimson Weed) for the Monticello gardens, Thomas Jefferson said, “…I have so many grandchildren and others who might be endangered by the poison plant, that I think the risk overbalances the curiosity of trying it.

So, there you have it. The reason that I pulled up and discarded this glorious and mystical flower is that I have a one year old grandson who will be playing in the Peace Garden next summer. I cannot expose him to the dangers of the Jimson Weed, which even if one does not ingest the flower it can cause severe rashes on the skin when touched.

Sometime Mother Nature can have her contradictions as she provides us with her visual delights with treacherous consequences. This flower definitely comes under the heading of ‘you can look but don’t touch.’

Dangerous!

Yellow Trumpet Vine

The Yellow Trumpet Vine

This is the time of year when most gardeners roam around their gardens and start to evaluate what was successful this past summer and what did not do well.

Last year I purchased a Yellow Trumpet Vine from a local Family Garden Center. I chose this particular plant because I had seen one while touring the local Garden Walk some time ago. I had erected a new garden fence and wanted to have a quick cover of flowers on the back fence wall.

Well it was planted as directed and here we are 18 months later and nothing has happened. Not a flower in sight.

The photos shown above are of a thriving Yellow Trumpet Vine. I thought that I would show the photos to remind me what it was that I was expecting to see.

After some research I discovered that this is a common problem with this plant.

On a conversational website I read complaints from several readers who stated that the vine sometimes takes 3 years to flower. Some even stated that they had their plant for 10 years with no flowering. So, I am declaring this vine as not doing well this year and I guess that I will wait another year (or two, or three) to see if it blooms.

I also read that the vine is so invasive that it can actually destroy the foundations of houses or garages. I am safe at the moment as the vine that I planted is about 80 feet from the house. another hint I received was to purchase a product called Vine-X that will actually kill a Trumpet Vine. (www.vine-x.com)

No, I am not planning to murder it at this time - I am in a 'wait and see' mode with the vine but thought that this information might be useful to those who have just given up on it. :-)

The redeeming hope for me is the actual beauty of the Yellow Trumpet Vine. As you can see in the photos above it is a plant to admire even though it seems to have some hidden problems not apparent to the eye.

*****

If you have any suggestions for me please comment - it will be appreciated.

The Cycle of the Blue False Indigo Plant

The Blue False Indigo Plant

This is to document the growth of this plant. The photo above shows how it appears early in June.

The blue false indigo, Baptisia australis, has been one of the most reliable and beautiful herbaceous perennials of them all. The leaves are unique and handsome, the flowers are purplish blue with a touch of gray.

This photo shows the early blooms starting on the branches. This flower is one of my favorites in the garden.

I first saw it in the garden of a woman in a village in Massachusetts. She was showing us around her English style cottage garden when I spied the Blue Indigo plant. She was offering some of her plants for sale and I asked her if I could have this one. She refused, saying that she loved it so.

The woman finally agreed to let me have the plant. This was at least 15 years ago and I have been taking it with me whenever I move. So it is now in the center of my front garden in Western New York and has weathered the harsh winter very well.

Here it is in full bloom

The plants attract bumblebees. The Baptisia is deep rooted, long lived, slow growing, and will never invade the garden. The foliage is remarkably pest free and disease resistant.

Now we are blooming in the month of July and the plant is still doing very well.

Plant it all by itself in the garden so its special appeal can best be appreciated. Isn't it beautiful?

I have this one planted in the center of the lawn in the front garden. Passersby often stop to admire it and ask me what is it's name.

In early August the seed pods are starting to turn into these wonderful light green velvety pods.

A native of the south central and eastern United States, this plant will grow in zones 3 – 9 However, it prefers full sun and moist, rich soil.

The blue false indigo plant features indigo colored flowers that in form resemble the lupine and annual sweet pea, but are not fragrant.

At maturity the seed pods become jet black and can be used in flower arrangements.

The seeds will feed the birds in winter and the seeds can also be planted for new blooms.

So there you have the cycle of life of the Blue Indigo. They are beautiful at each cycle of growth.

Now it is the month of September and the season's cycle is coming to an end.

How wonderful it has been to watch Nature's gift to us.

The Japanese Garden, Buffalo, New York

The Japanese Garden in Buffalo, New York is located

near the lake in Delaware Park

This area is peaceful and serene

Each area of the garden is carefully planned

Tranquil pathway leads to upper garden

I thought you might enjoy this glimpse of a tranquil garden which has

many perennials best suited for shade gardens

Herbs, Tomatoes and August Garden Chores

This year I did not grow vegetables -

but I do have some parsley on hand.

I grew two patio containers of tomatoes and have had a wonderful

crop so far - there is nothing like tasting a tomato picked fresh from the vine.

I have several varieties of mint which has a pleasant odor and helps to repel mosquitoes. Also, cats do not care for the smell of mint.

Caution: mint can be very invasive

so be careful where you plant it. One method is to plant it into a plastic plant container and place into the soil. The container will contain the roots as they try to spread around.

August garden chores

WEEDING: The main chore this month is weeding: Every weed pulled now is a hundred or more that you don’t have to deal with later. Don’t let them go to seed.

Take a look at each flower bed weekly, since weeds are not just unsightly but steal moisture, nutrients and light from desired plants.

DEADHEAD: faded flower stalks and blossoms of annuals and perennials unless they have showy seed heads, or you want to collect the seeds later (non-hybrids only).This will stimulate regrowth of new stems and bloom.

DIVIDE: spring-blooming perennials like gaillardia, violets, Louisiana iris, bearded iris, Shasta daisies, etc. Replant into a bed to which you have added compost, humus or manure, and water well to help them re-establish.

DAYLILIES: can be dug and divided as they complete their bloom cycle, right into fall, if needed.

A walk around the Peace Garden at the end of July

Buffalo  in Bloom

Side Garden

Front Garden

Rear Garden

You will notice that the primary colors that I choose in the Peace Garden are pastels. 

Pink, lavender, blues, yellow, white. 

The only splash of brighter colors are the Day Lily with bright orange or deep red colors. 

This is how the garden looks on this, the last day of July. 

Tansy, Buddleia, Russian Sage, Echinacea Purpura, Goldenrod and Cosmos - July Blooms - 2009

Tanacetum Vulgare - Tansy

The old herb garden Tansy, native to Europe and Asia, is widely naturalized across

North America. It loves the sun and grows freely. This perennial  has aromatic foliage on 3 foot high stems and pleasant heads of golden, button-like flowers. 

This plant is invasive and survives most trauma so when planting find a location

that you feel comfortable with  it taking over and you will enjoy it's beauty.

Buddleia - Butterfly Bush

This perennial shrub originated in China and was introduced into Europe by French missionaries in 1864. Grows 12 to 15 feet high and has fragrant lilac to purple flowers. 

As it's name indicates, butterflies are attracted to this bush and it brings many

unusual butterflies into your garden. Grows well in full sun and is very hardy in colder climates.

Echinacea Purpura - Purple Coneflower

This perennial plant is native to the grasslands of the east-central United States. It has stiff stems about 4 feet in height. In the summer, spherical black buds open and long purple-pink 

petals unfold and hang. The great central disk is cone-shaped and orange-brown in color. 

They love the sun and are hardy under snow to Zone 4.

Goldenrod - Solidago

This has been considered a weed but most gardeners love the golden blooms. They

have often been mistakenly blamed for causing hay fever but this is not true.

They usually just show up among the flowers and in the spring I weed out many

but always leave some in certain parts of the garden for a wonderful show of color.

They can be invasive but are easily weeded. They thrive in the sunshine and 

are hardy to Zone 3.

 

Monarda and Queen Anne's Lace

 Cosmos bipinnatus

 Commonly called the garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a medium sized flowering herbaceous plant sometimes grown in gardens. It can be found in the wild in much of North America where it is a garden escapee, sometimes becoming weedy.

This species is considered a half-hardy annual, although plants may re-appear via self-sowing for several years. The plant height varies from two to four feet. The cultivated varieties appear in shades of pink and purple as well as white.

Flowering is best in full sun, although partial shade is tolerated

The plant is tolerant to drought after germination, and is seldom subject to insect or disease damage. The flowers of Cosmos attract birds and butterflies, including the Monarch butterfly

 This annual is easily planted by seed in early spring. Germination takes between 7 and 10 days at the optimal temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 °C); flowering begins between 60 and 90 days after germination.

They provide a wonderful splash of color in the garden and are easy to care for.