Meet my OTHER Favorite Sister, Cassie

For someone who just knocked on the door and asked if she could live with us - Cassie has come a long way in establishing a home for herself.

She has even become one of my favorite sisters! She doesn't argue with me - she doesn't judge me - she doesn't care how dirty I get - she just loves me!

Each morning when she hears me come downstairs, she parks at the back door and waits for me to let her in and tell her good morning . . .then we chat for a few minutes before eating her breakfast.

When I'm outside gardening, she's right there beside me. When I'm resting, she waits at my feet. Sometimes, like my other favorite sisters, we're not always on the same page . .but I love her anyway!

Plant Names Pronunciation and Plant Descriptions

We all are shy at time about pronouncing the name of a particular plant. Sometimes, even intimidated!

Taunton Press has solved this problem for us - not only do they break the word down for us, they give us an audible pronunciation.

http://www.finegardening.com/pguide/pronunciation-guide-to-botanical-latin.aspx

When I visit this site for a particular pronunciation, I verbalize the word several times while I'm there and try to work it into conversation during the next few hours (even if I have to talk to myself).

Another problem we have sometimes is visualizing expectations as we read a plant's description on the label!! All those words are descriptive of how the plant performs . .but if you don't know what the words mean - how can you 'visualize'?? Problem solved!

http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/botanicalterms.html

Asparagus Fern

I'm not really big on houseplants, but I do have a few. My Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri') being one. While the Asparagus is not truly a fern, it does have some of fern's attributes.

The fern is naturally a drooping fern and makes a great hanging basket; however, I have mine in a pot and allow it to grow on a trellis.

It's hardy from Zones 9 through 11. Any area outside these zones, it makes a gorgeous houseplant. It grows from 2 to 6 feet tall. Mine is probably about 4 feet.  I have no special attachment to this plant except that I like it. It's blooming right now and by Christmas it will be loaded with red berries. A great addition to holiday decorating!

While it loves a lot of water it also likes to dry out between waterings.

 

Fall Photos

 Yesterday I took a little stroll around the property with my camera. Below are some of my favorite shots.

Guess this is probably the "Last Rose of Summer"". This is the Knockout Rose. It's never been one of my favorites, but one of my readers had some questions for me and that got me interested. And as with so many other curiousities, I've gone over board with the Knockout - including graduating to the yellow Knockout.
 

Boy I wish I had the equipment and supplies to decorate this baby for Christmas!

 This tree holds a lot of memories for me - and hopefully my two youngest chldren! We planted this Dogwood about 25 years ago. They were about 8 and 10 years old. It was February, cold, rainy, etc. I removed it from the woods while they were in school. When they came home we got it planted. They weren't really enthused, but it was a great 'memory maker'.

This Hickory shades the camping trailer of a friend who is also a dedicated deer hunter.

On my stroll, I saw this neat little Magnolia sapling. One of my favorite sisters is gonna take it to North Carolina next year and give it a permanent home.

Ahem - this is the prettiest site I saw on my stroll.

Same site - ddifferent angle.

 Just shooting the trees!

Tips to Ease/Streamline Your Gardening Chores

Used Coffee Grounds

Don't throw those coffee grounds into the trash or compost pile!

Use them inside instead! Ever watered your houseplants and seen little buggies flying from your plants? Get rid of these bugs by placing a layer of used (but cooled) coffee grounds on top of the soil . ..the grounds will eliminate these little creatures. Not only that as the grounds deteriorate (no smell) they provide good nutrients for the soil.

Also, you can let them cool - place them in an open container and set it inside your refrigerator! Those grounds will absorb any odor that might be lingering in your fridge - much, much better than baking soda or charcoal. I change the grounds in my fridge about every other day to ensure there's always an effective odor-eater in my fridge! The 'used' grounds go to the compost pile.

Epsom Salts

Adding Epsom Salts to your plants - whether indoors or out - is one of the best things you can do for them. The magnesium in the salts provides much needed nutrients to the soil. Simply add two tablespoons of Epsom Salts per gallon of water. Water plants as usual. This treatment is especially good for plants that are refusing to bloom and it's good for regenerating soils.

For more information: http://www.saltworks.us/gardening-with-epsom-salt.asp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content={QueryString&utm_campaign=Epsom%2BSalt#houseplants

Roundup:

Got a tight place with desirable plants and you need to Roundup some undesirables that have managed to get intermingled? To solve this problem, I put the Roundup in a basting tube (the kind you use to baste fowl) then had hubby cut me a 'shield' - about 3' x 3' from thin plywood,  even though solid cardboard would work - anything will work as long as it's easy to handle and stable.

I place the shield to protect the desirables then hit the undesirables with a vengeance! A piece of paper towel is always in my pocket to dry off the tip of the basting tube before lifting it away. I'm careful to ensure Roundup doesn't get on the shield, but check it for possible contamination prior to lifting it.

Love hanging baskets but hate the mess they create? I only know of a few 'tricks'.

Following is a list of ways to conquer the problem . .I have them listed in order of my LEAST favorite method!

• Take them outside . . drench them and wait for them to drip before bringing them back inside.
• Set a drip pan under your basket for the water to drip into . .
• Slip a shower cap under the base of the basket and position as far up as possible. The rubber In the shower cap will hold it snug . .and when the soil has 'dripped' out, carefully remove the cap to avoid spills on your floor/carpet. If I've added water-soluble fertilizer to the water I'm using, I pour the drippings back into the watering can for later use.
• Or use icecubes. The cubes melt slowly - allowing time for absorption and NO drips! Just remember to keep the ice away from the plant stems.I like this method best because I can regulate the amount of water they get (10 of my icemakers cubes equals 1 cup water). I use a slow release fertilizer at the appropriate time . .and follow manufacturers instructions. Then as the plant begins to dry out, just place more ice cubes on the soil.

If you know of more tricks for eliminating this mess, please share.

Wildlife

Totally Amazing!

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/12/amazing-rescued-baby-hummingbird.aspx

Helleborus

The Christmas Rose, aka Lenten Rose, (Hellebore) is a wonderful addition to your shade garden. She gets her common names because she starts blooming around Christmas time and continues through Lent. She makes a good companion for ferns, lobelia, Heuchera, and just about any shade, moisture loving plant. While the Christmas Rose loves to stay moist, she doesn't like to stand in water.

She grows only 1.5 to 2' tall; and is evergreen, she is good for the border of your shade garden. Because of her unique shape and color she's always an eye-catcher in the garden.

The only thing I don't like about the Christmas Rose is that the blooms hang downward. You really can't appreciate the beauty of them without physically upturning their heads. Don't let the catalogs fool you - they all show the Christmas Rose without telling you this.

To get the full impact of this bloom, it needs to be planted in an elevated area; such as on top of a retaining wall or a hanging basket. Or maybe a window box  - providing the sun doesn't get to it.

Below are photos of one I recently divided,  placed in a hanging  basket and hung it right outside my kitchen  window. This way, during the cold, dark days of January and February I can brighten my day by enjoying these  beautiful flowers first thing in the morning!




See the little  pink tips emerging from the soil? That's the blooms.

 

And when those blooms open, I'll be able
to see them while I make coffee



If you want more information, go to http://www.hellebores.org/hellebores.html

Lantana and Mondo Grass

Lantana (Verbenaceae) and Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) are other easy care, no fuss plants that makes fantastic showings all summer - and the Mondo Grass is fabulous during the winter - it's evergreen and never loses its beauty!

I have totally forgotten what the variety of this lavender Lantana is . . .I've  had it several years and at the time it was given to me, I wasn't keeping a data base of my plants . . .waaawaaa.

This particular variety doesn't get very tall, but it spreads far and wide! Some of these plants are 5' wide. Of course, each spring as it emerges I have to dig some out and toss into the woods . .or share with gardening friends. The deer also hate this plant and according to experts ALL parts of it are poisonous if ingested. Personally, I haven't seen any ill effects with my dogs or cats   .. but then I haven't seen them trying to ingest it either. One of the cats crawls up under it during the heat of summer but doesn't try to eat it.

One friend who lives in CO has had tremendous problems with deer,  so she took some of the Lantana and has had no problem (with deer) since. Of course, being in CO I have to send her some each year.

It's hardy from Zones 8 through 11, but, like the Pineapple Sage we talked about yesterday, it  will thrive in Zone 7 provided it's in a protected area. It takes the heat and drought without missing a beat. It is deciduous - which means it will die back after the first frost. I just use my hedge trimmers - cut it to the ground - and wait for next spring!

'Experts' recommend very little feeding for the Lantana; I find that mine do much better with a good helping of fertilizer when they emerge and another small dosage when they begin to bloom. As a general fertilizer, I use 13-13-13 on most plants . ..

Someone I know and love will appreciate this photo!


 The Mondo Grass you see on the left in the photo below was a gift from one of my special sisters, Patsy. She was moving from her home in Clayton County and gave me enough for a start. It has multiplied rapidly . .and I use it around the stepping stones in my Memory Garden. A friend from N. Ga added to my supply . .I now have enough to cover the earth! I have it in another garden and I'll share photos of it in a later post. Mondo Grass is another 'no care - no nonsense' plant. It LOVES abuse and is a 'walk on me' plant, but you'd be shocked at the people, even after I tell them how it loves abuse, that will walk around it!!! Oh, well - I appreciate their concern anyway!

It has little, bright blue berries . . almost insignificant unless you're looking for them, in the late winter and spring. The only thing I don't like about the Mondo Grass is that it propagates by underground runners and you have to keep on top of it during the growing season. But,  I loooove looking out my upstairs windows and seeing this beautiful show during the cold, drab, days of winter.

Below are native, Old-fashion Lantana.- the kind you see growing on banks and at the edge of the woods. But it's one of my favorites. Even though 'they' say it's poisonous, butterflies and bees flock to it endlessly! These particular Lantanas were given to me by a gardening friend from Alabama and it gets about 5' tall! Covered in blooms from early summer until frost! It also develops a seed that birds love . .again, I question the poisonousness (good word??) of this plant. The pink one growing beside it is also easy care and prolific!

This photo was taken a few years back and both plantes were over 5'  tall by the end of summer!



This is a closeup of the 'pink' one on the left. As you can see, the outer petals are yellow - but take a backkseat to the pink as the plant matures.



Pineapple Sage - Salvia elegans

Don't bother asking me why this is called "Pineapple Sage" because I have no idea. It smells nothing like pineapple to me - even though other people says it does! Maybe it's in the olfactory glands of the 'smellee'???!!

The Pineapple Sage is hardy from Zone 8 through 11. It can be grown in Zone 7 provided it's planted in a protected area and mulched over winter. And if you live in a colder zone, it also makes a great container plant, if you have a place to keep it from freezing over the winter.

I bought one plant about eight years and have shared with all my gardening friends that want it. I've placed it all over my gardens and it doesn't appear to be particular as to it's environment. It's happy in rich soil; sandy soil; rain; drought; full sun; part sun, you name it and this plants just thrives.  I divide it in the fall about every two years  to keep it in its designated area and to get new plants. I now have enough plants to make about a 30' 'hedge'. The hedge will be one of my spring projects.

It gets about 4.5 to 5 feet tall and is covered with these small, red blooms continuously from spring to frost. It's also evergreen therefore makes a showing all year.

Humming birds, bees, and butterflies literally love and flock to this plant. Whatever time of the day you go out, one or the other is feasting on these flowers - and the best part is that deer hate it.

It has no propensity to disease and insects do not bother it at all. The only care it takes is to plant and enjoy (don't you just LOVE it)! While it's very prolific, it's not invasive. It only multiplies through division. You can, however, make stem cuttings. But why bother since it multiplies so easily on its own?

It also has quite a few culinary uses. I've never tried any of them so I make no recommendations or guarantees. Just looking at it serves me well!

The leaves are used as a garnish in teas and punches. The flowers are used in jellies, fruit salads, and desserts.
They say that lining your pound cake pan with fresh Pineapple Sage leaves really enhances the flavor of the cake. I might give this a try during the holidays  . . If I do, I'll post the results.

To dry the leaves, cut the stems early in the morning, but after the dew dries.  Tie them together with old pantyhose strips - or whatever you have available. Then hang them upside down in a cool, dry, ventilated area. When dry, strip the leaves off the stems and store them an airtight container in a cool, dark location.

Read more: How to Cook With Pineapple Sage
eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2386138_cook-pineapple-sage.html#ixzz14WjpJAJw

Apology

I began this blog not entirely sure that I wanted to do it. But, after much consideration this summer and fall I've decided that I truly want to maintain this blog.

While I am not opening it to the public, I am going to open it to friends and friends of friends. So if you know of anyone you feel might be interested, please feel free to invite them.

Thank you for your patience whle I tried to decide definitely if I want to do this!

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!

Knock-out Roses

The Knock-Out Rose is not one of my favorite roses; therefore I haven't done a lot of research on it. But it does make a pretty shrub - just not good for cutting. I do have some Knockouts and I take the spent bloom off immediately.

The purpose of deadheading is to re-direct energy used to ripen the current bloom to making new blooms instead. Therefore, if I want something to bloom continuously, I never allow spent blooms to stay on the plant. I get them off as soon as they start downhill.

As far as pruning - I'm 'assuming' that's a personal choice. I've seen them cut back almost to the ground then recover quickly in the spring, but I've also seen the left unpruned and put on a gorgeous show in spring.

Deadheading is one of my first tasks in the mornings. I get a pair of scissors or pruners, wrap a plastic bag over my left hand, grab my coffee and go 'strolling' in the gardens, cutting off every deadhead I see. I toss the bag in the garbage can or empty it over my compost pile - depending on which is closest.

Poppy

Second followup:
This is another followup on the oriental poppies. After experiencing so much disappointment with them, I did a little research. Normally, I do this research prior to even purchasing a plant, but I 'assumed' that the Oriental Poppy required about the same care as the California Poppies that I've had such good luck with. Not so!

The orientals require a 'sweeter' soil (ph) and they don't like mulch up close to their stems. Needless to say, I pulled the mulch back from the stems; checked the ph (which was indeed low) then added some hydrated lime to the soil and watered it in good.

I think these poor cultivation practices along with the wet, cold winter we had all attributed to the bloom rot. I have new pods coming on now - and just pray that these are better than the last ones.

First follup:
In an earlier post I stated that this is my first year with Oriental Poppies.And I am quite disappointed at this point. ALL blooms, with the exception of the first one, have rotted prior to opening. The plants look fantastic, but a rotted bloom just ain't pretty.

I'll find out what causes this - meanwhile, if you know why this is happening, please share it with me.

Peony

You know, the instructions always tell you to plant peonies two inches deep - but I could never find out what you planted two inches deep - the bottom of the root? the crown of the plant?? What goes under two inches. So I've just always tried to do the best I could and 'guess'.

But his past weekend I learned that in order for them to get the proper cooling in the winter - which prepares it for blooming in the spring, the 'eyes' must be planted at ground level. According to Walter Reeves, The Georgia Gardener and my favorite male gardener, the eye is where the bloom is created and this is what needs the cooling.

I'm so happy to find this out - I have two that have NEVER bloomed. Now I suspect I know why. I'll reset these in the fall.

A really good day

Last week I got two very nice surprises in the mail. One from an internet gardening friend (IGF) and one from Baby Sister (BS). I just LOVE surprises like this - makes me feel 'special'.

Anyway, the little vases you see flanking the window are from my IGF and Monday I bought this neat plant for them. It's botanical name is Grassula Marginalis Rubra ' Variegata', but it's common name is Calico Kitten. It's a succulent that will eventually drape over the sides of the container.

The next special gift is the cup in the center from BS. You can't read the caption in this photo, but it says, "My favorite people call me Nana." 

Needless to say, when I opened the box, it brought tears to my eyes . .this is a story too long to tell here. Maybe I'll share it another day and another time, but believe me - it's special!

Then I thought I must put something up there from other special people. The hen and rooster are from another sister, Helen. She didn't actually 'give' them to me, but I was visiting and saw them and asked for them. Being the kind sister she is, (man was I ever blessed with kind sisters) she said, "OK".

And the Coke bottle with the hand around it - another sister, Joyce (the oldest and the meanest), was an accountant for Coke for umpteen years! So you know what kind of birthday/Christmas we always got from her! This is special simply because it's the only Coke memorabilia she gave me that I broke. It was originally a pencil holder. It sat stately on my desk at work holding my pens and pencils for many years; but as I was packing my personal items at retirement, I broke off the section that held pencils. WaaaaaaWaaaaaaaa!

Rain

Like most of the southeast, we got our share of rain today. I haven't checked yet to see how much we did get - but it was a plenty!

My prayers are with those suffering  floods and losses.

Another First for the Season

This 'visitor' is not welcome in my gardens. He's harmless (other than to make you hurt yourself)! In fact, he probably does more good than harm since rodents are his favorite dish.

Believe it or not, this is the FIRST I've actually seen in my gardens in my 20+ years of gardening. See him? He's just to the right of the clay pot - kinda looks like a crack in the concrete.

Speaking of Clay Pots . . .This one is "Italian" Clay which is touted as being the 'best' clay. Initially, I thought the sales clerk was only trying to empty out my purse. But I bit and bought it anyway. It's about 15 years old and has been in the elements continuously and has not one chip on it!

It cleans up easily as well. Right now I have some Pineapple Lilies in it that one of my favorite sisters gave me . .I'll post a photo of them when they open.
Three Days Later
Well, I was wrong about Pineapple lilies being in my Italian Clay pot! It's actually a Red Storm lily! But it's pretty anyway .. .hmmmmmmm Wonder where the Pineapple lilies are planted???

Peony

This is my first Peony of the season. Quite a beautiful plant and bloom. As most of you probably know, the Peony is extremely slow to get started; and once she establishes her home, she doesn't like to be moved. Planting depth is quite critical for her as well. She will not bloom if the 'eyes' of her clump are more than two inches under the soil.

Other than that, culltivation is quite easy. She's very disease resistant and a not many bugs bother her. If you see ants climbing up your stems to the flowesr, don't panic. The ants won't hurt them; in fact, some horticulturist say that the ants aid the Peony bloom in openinng.

The biggest complaint of Peony growers is droopy stems. In fact, some industrious entrrepreneur even developed a special stake for her (bet that person made good). The Peony, like a lot of us females, is a heavy feeder and she especially loves Potassium. She's by Potassium as we are by chocolate.

I cut up my banana peels for the Potassium loving plants. Then work them lightly into the soil, being careful not to damage the roots.

New Blooms as of Today

This is my first year with the Oriental Poppy and this is my first bloom. Many more are in the bud stage and I will post them as they open. This particular bloom is 6" in diameter. Sure hope the others are this brilliant and big!

Some of the things I like about it thus far is the size of the bloom, the brilliance of the color, it's evergreen, and low growing. The plant is about 6 or 8" high with the bloom towering up to about 12".



Disappointment

Well, I was disappointed with the life of the cut bloom. Two days and it was dropping petals. By the end of the second day, all petals had dropped.

The next bloom will be allowed to stay on the plant - hopefully it will last longer there than two days . . .

Faith Renewed
It really bothers me when I have a problem and can't figure it out ..so I did a google. This is what I found! It seems that you have to cut the poppy pod before it opens and let it open in the water, They say it will last for several days this way.

So I'm out  bright and early in the morning to cut a pod and put it in water . . . .

Guess I found out that I still have bunches to learn  ...but that's good! Keeps me young!