Nikko Hydrangea aka Margo

Most all plants in my gardens have a story and are given a 'pet' name, if I can find an appropriate name for them.. and this one is named for Ron's (husband to baby sister, Patsy) mother, Margaret (known to family/friends as Margo).

The story of this particular hydrangea is a bittersweet episode. Ron's mother was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2000 and went to live with Ron and Patsy for the short time she had to remain on this earth. Margo was not an active gardener but she did have one or two plants of which she was extremely fond. One being her hydrangea. As summer rolled around, Margo commented that she sure did miss looking out her kitchen window and seeing that big old hydrangea bush in bloom out in the back yard. Knowing that it was now impossible for Margo to go to the bush, Patsy and Ron decided to bring the bush to her (well at least the blooms!). Ron and/or Patsy would drive to Atlanta every one or two weeks to gather blooms from the bush and bring them back for Margo to enjoy. Patsy said they always came away with armloads of blooms, enough to have bouquets in Margo's bedroom, in the living room, in the dining room, and sometimes even on the kitchen table. That was the last summer that Margo was able to enjoy her beloved hydrangea.

While visiting in the area, I went with Patsy to check on the property early one spring morning. Patsy pointed out this bush and told me how Margo had so enjoyed those beautiful blue blooms. She asked me to look at the bush and see if it could be cut down and transplanted to her yard! It was gorgeous - and huge. I have no idea how long it had been there, but it had definitely been a long time. I told Patsy that I did not think the bush would survive the cutting back and the transplanting (it's roots had grown into a bed of rock). Not one to take no for an answer and knowing that I often propagate plants, Patsy asked me to take some cuttings and root a new bush for her.

Now I knew that it was the inappropriate time of year to take cuttings - but also knowing that Patsy does not understand the meaning of the word 'no' or 'can't', I took a few cuttings - never thinking for a moment they would 'take'. I  wrapped a damp paper towel around the cuttings and tossed them in the back of Patsy's SUV. At  some point I placed the cuttings in water and brought them on home with me the next day.

I reluctantly went through the rooting process so that I could at least tell Patsy, "I tried." Well, lo and behold, I checked them a few weeks later and found that some had actually rooted. I put two beside my backdoor - and gave one to Patsy. I've since rooted many more and have them in various areas around my yard 'babysitting' them until Patsy's two grown children are in a position to want one and be able to care for it. I've also sent several to my internet gardening friends throughout the U.S. But the happiest recipient of a bush is a first-cousin of Margo's residing in Orlando, Florida. I'm not positive it will survive there . . but then again, I didn't think those initial cutting would root either!

Margo is actually a Nikko Blue Hydrangea. As most gardeners are aware, the color of the blooms depends on the acidity/alkalinity of the soil. Evidently my soil was somewhat alkaline to get those gorgeous pink blooms . .but I'm in the process of increasing the acidity so I can get those Azure blue blooms.She's a mophead hydrangea and gets approx 5' high and wide - with blooms completely covering the plant.

Margo is a great bloom for drying as well. Simply cut the blooms as early as possible in the morning, but after dew has dried. Hang it upside down in a cool, dark, dry area and in a few weeks it will be ready to display in your home. It makes a great winter decoration.

Fire Ant Beds

Gardeners and homeowners have been fighting fire ant beds since fire ants were introduced to North America. We all know of someone who has stepped into an anthill and got serious bites.These ants can cause serious pain if disturbed.  It is especially painful when you see a child step into an anthill. These ants have even been known to kill livestock and pets.

Laugh if you'd like - many people people before you have laughed at me - but I use grits on my anthills. The trick is to get them early in the season when the ants are just beginning to build their mound. I just walk around the yard with a five-pound bag of grits (any brand - quick-cooking or regular) and sprinkle a small amount on the hill. These 'treated' hills NEVER mature into dangerous mounds.

Big, established mounds require more than a sprinkling. When I first started using the grits and had mounds, I put about a hand full of grits on them. Within a week the mounds were vacated. Personally, I don't think the grits kill the ants and their queen, just makes them uncomfortable enough to move. I really don't care where they move to - I just don't want them in my yards and gardens. But the 'old-timers' say that the worker ants eat the grits - the grits swell and the workers die and are no longer there to support the queen - who then dies due to lack of support.

Plus, you don't have to be concerned about endangering the environment with dangerous, pricey chemicals and don't have to worry about your children/grandchildren getting into a mound of these nasty, painful insects.

On a local gardening show a few years back, I heard a professional landscaper make the comment, "it doesn't matter what you put on an anthill - the ants KNOW what they used to build their mound and will begin to move when they find something foreign."

I get the last laugh when my friends/acquaintances spend mega bucks on Amdro and other dangerous products and I take my mega bucks and spend them on plants . . .(smiley face).

Hosta

Love your Hosta and your squirrels? But your squirrels love eating your Hosta?

You can have both! Simply sprinkle ground Cayenne pepper on the soil around your Hosta. Squirrels hate the pepper and it will not hurt your plants.Your pets will stay out of your Hosta bed as well.

The only drawback is that you have to re-sprinkle after irrigating or a rain.

I purchase Tone's Cayenne Pepper in the 16 ounce container from Sam's and keep it in my gardening wagon.

This works well for potted plants that you want to keep your pets out of as well. Believe me it won't hurt the pets - they won't ingest it - but will begin to back up when they smell it - and they'll soon learn to stay away.

Rosemoor Clematis

The Rosemoor Clematis was purchased for my mother's memorial garden. In honor of red being her favorite color, only red flowers are allowed there. But as you can see, it isn't red in my garden. I have found that different plants produce different colored flowers based on where they're located, soil, light conditions, etc.

JackMani Clematis

Another plant that is easy to grow and is great for ANY garden is the JackMani Clematis. It takes very little care and is very reliable.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is my Oakleaf Hydrangea. It also is a very easy plant to grow. Very little maintenance is required, except to keep it within its bounds. I usually cut this back almost to the ground when it's finished blooming. And since it takes root wherever a limb might encounter the soil, you have to dig some out to help keep it within its bounds. But these are once a year chores and shouldn't deter you if you like the shrub.

It's blooms are a spherical shape and it puts on a gorgeous show for at least a month. The aroma of the plant is not particularly pleasing to me; therefore, I don't bring any inside.

The plant at the bottom was labeled as a "Rosemary" when I purchased it. However, as it's matured, it looks nothing like a Rosemary. Some say it's Lavender, but with the yellow bloom that comes on about July, I kind of doubt that it's Lavender. Whatever it is, I love it. It's evergreen and requires no maintenance.

Did you know that, according to folklore, the plant 'Rosemary' got its name when Mary tossed her shawl over a plant at the Crucifixion of Christ? It supposedly lives for 32 years; then dies.

Geranium, Ivy Leaf

Well, today I had to run into town. I saw this beautiful geranium and just HAD to bring her home!