If I Could Have but One Rose

The rose is probably my favorite flower. And the Mr. Lincoln (shown here) is my favorite rose. Mr. Lincoln is a beautiful hybrid tea rose with deep red, velvetly roses born on long stems. The long stems, not to mention the color, makes them absolutely perfect for arrangements. If I could have but one rose, it would be Mr. Lincoln.

However, flower arrangement is not my forte! A good friend, who is a professional floral designer, has tried several times to teach me how to arrange, but we always end with, "Norma, stick to growing - you just don't have the eye for arranging."  Oh well, a girl can't have it all!

Displayed in the bouquet are some Mr. Lincolns I cut from my garden this morning! Actually, since we had a heavy rain last night - which eliminated any mowing, spraying, transplanting, etc. today, I decided to clean house! Well that lasted until about 7 AM.

While begrudgingly cleaning the inside of the windows at the kitchen sink but enjoying the hummers dancing at the feeders outside the windows, my eye was caught on these beautiful red blooms.

My pruning shears were right there on the counter . .the roses were only a few feet away. I can just get the roses and get back to my windows in a few minutes. (You know that early morning is the time cut flowers for arrangements, right? The sugars are at the top of the plant - which helps the blooms last longer. As the day progresses the sugars sink lower in the plant and your blooms won't last as long in an arrangement.)

Gardenia

I grabbed the shears, put some water in a bucket (you know to take a bucket of water in which to submerge the freshly cut flowers, don't you) and headed for the roses! Well, along the way I saw that my Gardenias were blooming!



Red Daylily*

 Then I saw some lilies . .then some daisies . ..man, I was flitting around my gardens like the hummers were flitting around my windows!!!

Oooops . .speaking of windows, I'm supposed to be cleaning them. .but the harvest in the yard ended my housecleaning chores! Heck, I didn't really want to clean windows anyway! It's now early afternoon . .and only half the kitchen windows are clean - hubby's had his lunch . .and I'm on the computer!

And while I'm here, there are a couple more roses in my yard I'd like to share.

Below is the Garden Party. It's also a hybrid tea. The Peace Rose is one of her parents. She's intriguing in that you never know exactly what colors will shine through.

Sometimes pink is dominant - sometimes yellow is dominant - but always a blend of the two. The color depends on the intensity of the heat, amounts of waterand fertilizer and pH of the soil. She also is a great cut flower!


This orange flower is a shrub-type rose. I have no idea what her name is. Much like the Knockout Rose, she's more of a landscape rose than a cut flower. When in bloom, she makes a great show, but that's about the only virtue I've found in her.

If you want more information on how to grow perfectly formed, disease/insect-free, colorful roses, let me know and I'll cover growing roses more thoroughly.

*The red daylily above was a 'complimentary' plant included with an online order. The tag stated that it was red but I'm very careful with descriptions on tags. Sometimes tags get misappropriated . .sometimes the your soil type and pH will make a difference in color. I have a bed named "Beatrice" for my deceased mother. Since red was her favorite color, only red flowers are allowed in this bed. Now that I'm confident it IS red, it's about to be transplanted to the Beatrice Bed.  

Glory Lily - Gloriosa rothschildiana



Bloom of the Glory Lily


This is one of my favorite vines! The foliage is attractive, long, narrow leaves with tendrils at the end of each leaf. These tendrils grab onto and hold anything they can get to. Each stem grows to about six feet. In June it puts on a myriad of exotic- looking, colorful flowers. The first time I saw one, I could only think of an upsidedown lily. The petals are two-tone; orangy-red in the center with yellow tips.

Mine are planted on three lattice panels installed horizonally at the back of my 'outdoor' living room. The lattice panels were installed simply because I wanted something to block the view of  the woods and an old shed behind the 'room'.

Even though the lattice panels served their purpose, the look was boring and lonely; therefore, I had to come up with something to cheer things up. Everything from hanging baskets to English ivy were considered; and as bad as I hate to admit it, even silks were considered. I didn't feel comfortable that I could keep the hanging baskets watered regularly so that was out ..and the English ivy can sometimes be difficult to control so that was out, and I've never been able to commit to silks in the gardens ..so I just looked at my white lattise . .for a while.

Then an acquaintance showed me this flower and went on to describe its virtures . .aha!!! My lattice panels just found a friend and companion! This vine really does do the trick!!!! As you can see from the photo, it hasn't completely covered the lattice, but I'm sure it will by next season!
 

Bud of the Glory Lily


All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested so if that bothers you, read no further. As for me, there are many poisonous plants in my gardens but I've never seen an animal or child graze on anything in my gardens so I don't let that concern or deter me if I like a plant.

Oh, I take that back! I have seen hubby's Llewellin graze on the muscadines! He's so funny! He knows exactly when the muscadines are ready to eat and when let out of his pen, he beelines to them - eats his fill then goes on about his business! He only goes to this section of the gardens when the muscadines are ready!

It's hardy to zone 8, but it can be grown as an annual in colder climates.

All the information you need to know about growing the Glory Lily can be found at
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/glory-lily-45438.html

Jasmine - Confederate and Carolina

The different names for different types of jasmine has always confused me. After doing some research, I began to understand why I'm so confused.

There are over 200 varieties over the world - most originating in Latin America and Northern India. Needless to say, I won't cover all of them. But they fall into three categories: Hardy climbers, tender climbers, and shrubs.

It's hardy in the temperate climates, zones 6 through 10, of North America and can be used as an annual or a houseplant in the colder climates.

Confederate Jasmine Vine

As we all know, the Jasmine is known more for its heady aroma than anything else. Since I have only the Confederate Jasmine which is white and the Carolina Jasmine which is yellow these are the only two I'll discuss.

The Confederate Jasmine is an Asian Jasmine and it's also referred to as Star Jasmine. That's because the flowers are white and star-shaped. I have it planted on a trellis as you enter our driveway. 

Since I wanted a trellis about 12 feet wide and 4 feet tall, capable of standing up for decades, and wanted it curved shape, I had hubby build it. He used treated posts and lumber then I painted it with a dark green paint and stretched chicken wire over it. It

Confederate Jasmine Bloom

took three or four years for the Jasmine to cover the trellis . .but now it's completely covered. In the spring we're treated to one of the most magnificent aromas God has created. Notice the pink tinge in the flower and the white edges of the leaves . .absolutely beautiful!

One small bouquet of these babies will sweeten the air in your home for days! I use one bouquet downstairs and one upstairs. Usually, I'll get three cuttings before they start losing their marvelous aroma.

Pests and disease ignore this woody vine. The only care required is to water during droughts, fertilize periodically, and trim when it tries to get out of its bounds.

During my research on these vines I found a neat little nugget: It can also be used as a ground cover. Wherever a node touches the ground, a new plant roots. I've tried and tried to think of a place to use it as such. But just can't come up with an area to do this.

When I first got the Carolina Jasmine, I made the mistake of planting it under my dining room windows. Within two seasons it had completely taken over the area, choking my foundation plantings and covering my window screens.

Knowing I had to get it out from that area, I asked hubby to build me an arbor . .with a lot of moaning and groaning he built me one to my specifications. It had to be 8 feet wide, 8 feet high with a high arch, and 4 feet deep. Again he used treated lumber and posts and again I painted and planted.

To locate exactly where I wanted the arbor, I asked hubby to watch me, when I was unaware, for a week or so to determine where I mostly entered my garden.

When I transplanted the Carolina Jasmine, I pruned

it to about six inches
so of course it took three years to completely cover the arbor; meanwhile, I planted annual moon flowers while I waited for the Jasmine to do its thing.

I'm not as much in love with the Carolina as I am the Confederate. The Carolina is pretty and when it's in bloom, it's both eye-catching and breath-taking. Other than that, it's just a woody, green vine covering my arbor. But I love the evergreen feature.

It takes judicious pruning to keep it within it bounds and that's hard to do. A ladder is required to get to the top - and I don't like that AT ALL. Hubby only designs, builds, and digs holes . .other than that, I'm on my own and I don't like climbing ladders.

The Carolina is also free of pests and disease but birds love it. There are nests in there every spring and I love hearing the biddies chirp from the arbor - it sounds better than any windchime I've ever heard!

Amarnth - Globe Thistle

The Amaranth, commonly called Globe Thistle, is one of the finest, carefree, and colorful annual borders a gardener can use. Globe-shaped purple blooms atop long stems rising above a compact, 8-inch plant really pulls the eye to a particular area. They are also gorgeous in mass plantings to fill in or complete a perennial bed.

The blooms begin in spring and lasts throughout the growing season until Jack Frost finally gets it. It does take a little deadheading to keep it in contininous bloom. This plant is certainly worth a little effort. The blossoms are also good as fillers in arrangements. The cut flowers lasts a long time, but the stems do require a little wiring to hold them in position and taut.

It's been a few years since I've used the Globe Thistle. As reluctant as I am to admit it, I'm not a very good gardening records keeper, but I am very good at keeping photo albums. And as I was thumbing through some old albums and ran across these photos, and made a decision to ensure I have them in my 2014 garden.

Mandevilla

If you're like me and LOVE Mandevilla but cringe when you see the price of it knowing it will die come winter, you'll love http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/ProductCart/pc/Potted-Mandevilla-Plants-for-Sale-c759.htm

I've bought plants from this company in the past and their plants are SUPERB. I just bought three of the Mandevilla they currently have on sale. I don't recall how long this sale lasts, but check it out - you won't be sorry!

The Mandevilla is not difficult to grow at all and I've never had any pest or disease to attack it. I grow mine in a pot and just prior to our first frost of the season, I cut it back to about 6 or 8 inches and put the pot in the pit. (See post Overwintering Potted Annuals and Tender Perennials on Oct. 27, 2011). This pit has saved me more money than I can count.

During the growing season, I keep mine beside the rocking chair in my garden. It's sooooooooo nice to sit out there, sipping coffee, and wondering what I can do that particular day to make the yard prettier! It may entail pruning, trimming, relocating a particular plant or two . or it may entail just enjoying the area!

Oh, and the hummers love Mandevilla! Bees are swarming it almost constantly. Settle down, Settle down. Bees will NOT bother you unless you bother them! While you're enjoying the sunrise, birds chirping, and peace, the bees are only concerned with the nectar the flower provides! They don't want anymore to do with you than you with them!

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)

The Rose Campion is not a favorite of mine but was a staple in my grandmother's garden . . .I can remember seeing it as a child and wondering why she wanted this in her garden! On the other hand, there is a lot to like about this plant. It does have its own beauty and has its place in the sun as well as a place in history. Lychnis is the Greek word for 'lamp' and the leaves were once used for lamp wicks.


The beauty of the flower is lost
in the sun in this photo



I have a couple of old oil lamps from my dear mother-in-law, but I don't think I'll be picking the leaves of the Rose Campion for emergency lighting - think I'll stick to a flashlight!

The leaves are felt-like in texture and silvery-gray in color. They reach a height of 2 to 3 feet and the clumps spread to about 8 to 12 inches. The plant clumps close to the ground with brilliant red blooms all along the tall stalks. In mid-spring they put on a blaze of eye-catching color.

After these initial blooms deteriorate, take the time to cut the stalks back to the plant and you'll probably get another flush of color in the fall when the weather begins to cool.



But this photo gives you
an idea of the vibrant color



They are short-lived plants; normally living about three years. But they reseed readily. Each spring you'll find plants growing in surprising areas! You can let them grow where they're happy, transport them to an area where you'll be happy, or they can go to the compost pile.



Bloom of the Rose Campion



Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

The ice plant is a favorite in my gardens. According to USDA, it's hardy in zones 9 and 10 but I live in zone 8 and have one that's lived in my garden for at least eight years.



Closeup of the Ice Plant

 This low growing succulent grows to about 3- inches high and spreads up to 15 inches. The thick, glossy, needle-like leaves are evergreen and catch the eye even in the dead of winter! It begins blooming in early spring and continues until frost. It produces best during hot, dry conditions. Full sun is the main requirement of the ice plant. . and the best part is that NO deadheading is required.

Late in the afternoon, the flowers begin to close. By nightfall, they are completely closed, but open again in early morning.

It is used as an accent, border, or potted plant. And is an exceptional rock garden plant.



Mound of Ice Plant



When used as an accent it makes a beautiful mound of 1-inch purple blooms. When used as a border, it requires frequent thinning to keep it within bounds.

It is fabulous in a pot as the long, blooming stems cascade over the sides - it literally looks like a purple fountain when light reflects off the glossy leaves!

Even if you live in a colder climate, it's certainly worth the effort to grow it as an annual!