http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/our-garden/notable-plant-collections/titan-arum.aspx
Wish I was there to sample the intense, foul odor.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Echibeckia Summertina
http://www.gpnmag.com/spring-trials-sneak-peek-%E2%80%94-part-2
A very interesting cross between two of my favorite genera.
A very interesting cross between two of my favorite genera.
The Gus
On Thursday, June 26, 2014, I attended the MGV workday at the former Gus Green Thumb Garden (now called something like Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden).
I weeded (including bindweed in bloom) and picked up windblown trash.
The big project was planting a Monrovia 'Improved Green Globe' artichoke at the site of the winter killed Radler rose. It is going to be an interesting experiment since the artichoke is rated as hardy to Zone 6 (we are Zone 5).
Counts as 4.0 hours MGV volunteer time (included drive time).
I weeded (including bindweed in bloom) and picked up windblown trash.
The big project was planting a Monrovia 'Improved Green Globe' artichoke at the site of the winter killed Radler rose. It is going to be an interesting experiment since the artichoke is rated as hardy to Zone 6 (we are Zone 5).
Counts as 4.0 hours MGV volunteer time (included drive time).
Herbs
On Wednesday, June 25, 2014, we attended the Garden Walk at Boerner Botanic Gardens.
The topic was Herb Garden Walk (what smells so good?).
The guide was Milwaukee County Horticulturist Peggy Gibbs-Zautke, who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about herbs.
As per the title, we toured the herb garden, and the emphasis was on herbs with fragrance.
We saw (and smelled) many fine examples, including some of my favorites such as Valerian, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Pineapple Sage, various mints, and scented geraniums (pelargoniums).
It was fun and educational, well worth attending.
Counts as 1.0 hour MGV continuing education credit.
The topic was Herb Garden Walk (what smells so good?).
The guide was Milwaukee County Horticulturist Peggy Gibbs-Zautke, who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about herbs.
As per the title, we toured the herb garden, and the emphasis was on herbs with fragrance.
We saw (and smelled) many fine examples, including some of my favorites such as Valerian, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Pineapple Sage, various mints, and scented geraniums (pelargoniums).
It was fun and educational, well worth attending.
Counts as 1.0 hour MGV continuing education credit.
Mardi Gras
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c869
I love all the sneezeweeds, and I am interested in seeing the tie-died flowers of this one in person.
I love all the sneezeweeds, and I am interested in seeing the tie-died flowers of this one in person.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
St. John's Day 2014
June 24th was St. John's Day.
As usual, I burned St. John's Wort to ensure good luck for the coming year.
As usual, I burned St. John's Wort to ensure good luck for the coming year.
Plant Health Update
On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, I attended the MGV Plant Health Update session at the UW-Extension offices on Watertown Plank Road.
Chairing the session was Milwaukee County Horticulture Agent Sharon Morrisey.
We learned that we are slightly ahead of last year in growing degree days but well behind the 30-year average,
Recent pest sightings include spittle bugs and leaf hoppers.
There was an interesting report on the susceptibility of Radler roses to viruses.
The mystery plant to be identified was clustered bellflower.
We learned about crazy worms, a new invasive earthworm pest.
We learned about proposed changes to the NR40 Regulation, which prohibits certain plants from being possessed or transported. Some of my favorites like Valerian, Bishop's Weed, and Chocolate Vine are proposed additions.
Counts as 1.5 hours MGV continuing education credit.
Chairing the session was Milwaukee County Horticulture Agent Sharon Morrisey.
We learned that we are slightly ahead of last year in growing degree days but well behind the 30-year average,
Recent pest sightings include spittle bugs and leaf hoppers.
There was an interesting report on the susceptibility of Radler roses to viruses.
The mystery plant to be identified was clustered bellflower.
We learned about crazy worms, a new invasive earthworm pest.
We learned about proposed changes to the NR40 Regulation, which prohibits certain plants from being possessed or transported. Some of my favorites like Valerian, Bishop's Weed, and Chocolate Vine are proposed additions.
Counts as 1.5 hours MGV continuing education credit.
Hostas
On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, we attended the Garden Walk at Boerner Botanical Gardens.
The topic was Hostas - All Varieties.
The guide was Marcia Wensing of the local Hosta Society.
We toured the extensive Hosta collection, saw many fine varieties and their companions.
The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Hostas.
Counts as 1.5 hours of MGV continuing education credit.
The topic was Hostas - All Varieties.
The guide was Marcia Wensing of the local Hosta Society.
We toured the extensive Hosta collection, saw many fine varieties and their companions.
The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Hostas.
Counts as 1.5 hours of MGV continuing education credit.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Aztec Cave Beans
http://www.azuredandelion.com/heirloom-aztec-cave-bean-seed-new-mexico-cave-bean-399.html
Interesting story about their origins.
Interesting story about their origins.
Kale
http://www.seedlibrary.org/blog/plant-personality-kale-for-the-fall-garden/
Features some interesting Kale selections.
Features some interesting Kale selections.
Friday, June 13, 2014
White Trout lily
http://www.prairiemoon.com/plants/bare-root/wildflowers-forbs/erythronium-albidum-white-trout-lily.html
The first thing I think of is a neighbor's war against the chipmunks after they ate his prized trout lily.
The first thing I think of is a neighbor's war against the chipmunks after they ate his prized trout lily.
Bees in the Garden
http://www.crownbees.com/
I have a special fondness for the native pollinators.
Hence my fondness for the native asters.
I have a special fondness for the native pollinators.
Hence my fondness for the native asters.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Mighty Iris
On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, we attended the Garden Walk at Boerner Botanical Gardens.
The topic was Mighty Iris.
The guides were Wisconsin Iris Society members Karl Becker and Bonnie Sonntag.
It was raining, but it started off very well when Nancy won the door prize book:
The Iris Family: Natural History and Classification (2008)
by Peter Goldblatt & John C. Manning
Timber Press, $79.95
The guides talked about the various aspects of growing Irises inside before we headed out into the rain to visit the bedraggled Iris collection. Most of the Iris collection had already finished blooming, but many examples of tall bearded Iris were in the peak of bloom. Too many of those had been beaten down by the wind and the rain.
I always enjoy it when the guides are enthusiastic evangelists of the plants, and these two guides were definitely that. They both have an encyclopedic knowledge of Irises.
Educational and informative, well worth attending.
Counts as 1.0 hour MGV continuing education credit.
The topic was Mighty Iris.
The guides were Wisconsin Iris Society members Karl Becker and Bonnie Sonntag.
It was raining, but it started off very well when Nancy won the door prize book:
The Iris Family: Natural History and Classification (2008)
by Peter Goldblatt & John C. Manning
Timber Press, $79.95
The guides talked about the various aspects of growing Irises inside before we headed out into the rain to visit the bedraggled Iris collection. Most of the Iris collection had already finished blooming, but many examples of tall bearded Iris were in the peak of bloom. Too many of those had been beaten down by the wind and the rain.
I always enjoy it when the guides are enthusiastic evangelists of the plants, and these two guides were definitely that. They both have an encyclopedic knowledge of Irises.
Educational and informative, well worth attending.
Counts as 1.0 hour MGV continuing education credit.
Vines and Groundcovers
On Wednesday, May 28, 2014, we attended the Garden Walk at Boerner Botanical Gardens.
The topic was Vines and Groundcovers.
The guide was Milwaukee County Consumer Horticulture Agent Sharon Morrisey.
It was a educational and entertaining walk. Ms. Morrisey has an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and pointed out and explained many examples of vines and groundcovers.
Boerner's use of masses of Epimediums as a groundcover was spectacular.
The dutchman's pipe was in bloom, and it was fun to see so many blossoms.
The clematis collection at Boerner is in such poor condition that we did not visit it, which was a major disappointment for me.
Well worth attending.
Counts as 1.5 hours MGV continuing education credit.
The topic was Vines and Groundcovers.
The guide was Milwaukee County Consumer Horticulture Agent Sharon Morrisey.
It was a educational and entertaining walk. Ms. Morrisey has an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and pointed out and explained many examples of vines and groundcovers.
Boerner's use of masses of Epimediums as a groundcover was spectacular.
The dutchman's pipe was in bloom, and it was fun to see so many blossoms.
The clematis collection at Boerner is in such poor condition that we did not visit it, which was a major disappointment for me.
Well worth attending.
Counts as 1.5 hours MGV continuing education credit.
Dogwood Red
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=86431-1449-NURSERY&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3631702&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Purchased from Lowe's and planted 4-28-12, still alive as of today
Cornus florida var. rubra
Item # 86431
3.25 G dogwood red
A little odd that they sell them here in Milwaukee (Zone 5) but list them as hardy to Zone 6.
Purchased from Lowe's and planted 4-28-12, still alive as of today
Cornus florida var. rubra
Item # 86431
3.25 G dogwood red
A little odd that they sell them here in Milwaukee (Zone 5) but list them as hardy to Zone 6.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Miss Molly
http://www.romencegardens.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/3932/index.htm
This would make a good replacement for the several Buddleia we lost over the winter.
I like the compact form and the flower color.
This would make a good replacement for the several Buddleia we lost over the winter.
I like the compact form and the flower color.
Ancestral Plants
http://www.arthurhaines.com/ancestral_plants.html
Looks like an interesting book on wild plants of the Northeast.
Looks like an interesting book on wild plants of the Northeast.
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