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.