Mexican Sycamore

https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Mexican-Sycamore_vq3172.htm

Interesting recommendation for a fast growing tree.

Madame Lemonnier

http://www.waysidegardens.com/helleborous-madame-lemonnier/p/38425/

Would love to add this to our hellebore collection.

Fox in the Garden

A fox ran through the garden today.

Glad to see that one is still on patrol.

Growing Japanese maples from seed

http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/10/how-to-grow-japanese-red-maple-trees-from-seed/

Sounds like a fun project.

Hellebores

http://yougrowgirl.com/hellebore-huh-lessons-from-the-hellebore-whisperer/

Fascinating interview about one of my favorite plants.

I wanted to call our garden Hellebore Haven, but it turned into Aster Disaster.

Native Asters

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/smart_gardener/native_asters_shine_garden

I love the native asters, some of which are reliably hardy here and are great pollinator plants.

They can be aggressive spreaders, which I consider to be a positive attribute.

Little Henry

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/37506-product.html

Rudbeckia 'Little Henry'

I would love to try this.  We have 'Henry Eilers' and it gets floppy.

Bti

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/gdwqrevision/RevisedFourthEditionBacillusthuringiensis_Bti_July272009_2.pdf

Interesting review of Bti.

I continue to use it in the garden pool, not sure how beneficial it is because there are so many other factors to consider.

For example, the bats I see darting overhead at dusk might have a significant effect on mosquito populations.

Woolly Bear

https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Woolly-Bear-Caterpillar_vq883.htm

We always have a few in the garden in the fall.

Pineberry

http://www.waysidegardens.com/pineberry-strawberry/p/36351/

Would be fun to grow these as ornamental edibles mixed into the perennial beds.

Lime Rickey

http://www.waysidegardens.com/lime-rickey-smooth-hydrangea/p/36985/

We saw some spectacular hydrangeas in the parking lot at Metcalfe's today, and they looked very much like this cultivar.

Roman Chamomile

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b144

We currently have none in the garden, so maybe I should try again.

Ruby Sorrel

https://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/seed-index/herbs/sorrel/sorrel-red-viened.html

We have a couple in the garden, but maybe I should plant a few seeds to augment the population.

White Pine

Hoppe Tree Service was at the Tosa Farmers Market this morning, generously giving away White Pine seedlings.

So, of course, I had to take one.

I thought it had a lot of top compared to the root ball, but Mr. Hoppe assured me that the proportions were perfect.

Maybe will plant it in the Maple Garden.

Corpse Flower

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/our-garden/notable-plant-collections/titan-arum.aspx

Wish I was there to experience the gut-wrenching stench.

Short Term Wish List

Creepy Thyme

Little Lime

Empress Wu

Karl Foerster

Still hope to plant these this year.

Creepy Thyme

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a294

Thymus serpyllum

I want to try this between stepping stones.

Phalaris

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/variegated-ribbongrass/

Transplanted one from the west side of the garden to the northeast corner of the garden.

Have to water it every day until it is established.

Honeymoon Series

http://www.waltersgardens.com/plants/view/?plant=2548

Helleborus 'Honeymoon'

Planted one in the shade garden in the northwest corner of the yard.

Going to be interesting to see the flower color next spring, because the Honeymoon series ranges from white to black.

Edit: Corrected northeast to northwest.

Anemone

http://plantsnouveau.com/plant/anemone-fantasy-red-riding-hood/

Stunner, would love to have one.

Assassin Bugs

http://www.arbico-organics.com/product/assassin-bug-zelus-renardii/beneficial-insects-predators-parasites

Never underestimate the value of a good assassin.

Pruner

https://www.amazon.com/Corona-BP-3160-Classic-Forged/dp/B00004R9YS

One of my gardening buddies recommends this one.

Tillys

http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/IL/enews_stories/up_in_the_air

We saw some air plants at the Tosa Farmers Market.  Very interesting, but I am not quite ready to try growing one.

Huron Wild Mint

https://oikostreecrops.com/products/herbs-and-tea-plants/huron-wild-mint/

Would love to try some.

Brugmansia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia

I drove by a yard in Madison where the garden featured the most excellent Brugmansias.

Most excellent.

Mint

http://www.campaignforrealfarming.org/2012/05/herb-of-the-month-%E2%80%93-mint/

Interesting essay on mint.

I am particularly interested in the Black Mitcham.

Tithonia

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b763

Tithonia rotundifolia

One of the neighbors grows these, impressive accent plants, 6 foot tall with orange flowers.

Karl Foerster

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b810

Would like to add one (the grass, not the dead guy) to our garden.

Maybe more than one.

Hydrangeas

On Wednesday, August 10, 2016, we attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was Hydrangeas, and the guide was Ben the Horticulturist (Ben Habanek).

Toured the impressive Hydrangea collection, and saw many fine specimens.

I really like the Limelight,  but it is a bigger plant.

Little Lime is a more compact version, so if I could only plant one in my garden, I would go with Little Lime.

I learned a lot because Ben the Horticulturist is very knowledgeable, and I previously knew very little about Hydrangeas.

Counts as 1.5 MGV education hours.

Gold Bar

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=264485&isprofile=0&

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gold Bar'

Planted one next to 'Morning Light' but they look so different that you would not think they were the same genus, let alone the same species.

Morning Light

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a660

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

I planted one out by Parkview Lane today, have high hopes for it.

Listed as an invasive in places like Maryland.  Go figure.

Phalaris

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285212&isprofile=0&

In our garden, it is a slow spreader.

Transplants do not do well unless watered every day until established.

Blue Ice

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b167

Amsonia 'Blue Ice'

Planted one today, love all the Amsonias.

Lord Baltimore

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a359

Planted a hardy hibiscus today, did not have a tag but I am pretty sure that it is Lord Baltimore.

Has that rich red flower.

Chicago Apache

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2422/chicago-apache-daylily/

On my daylily wish list.

Sun Dried Tomatoes

http://www.perennialresource.com/encyclopedia/view/?plant=2480

Daylily 'Sun Dried Tomatoes'

Planted one out by Parkview Lane, going to be interesting to see if it is as tough as the ditch lilies.

Variegatus

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e270

I planted one out by Parkview Lane.

Not interested in staking floppy grasses, so it will be interesting to see how it performs.

David

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/36036-product.html

Phlox 'David'

I love white flowers.

Orange Perfection

https://www.bluestoneperennials.com/PHOP.html

Phlox 'Orange Perfection'

I did not plant it in afternoon shade, so it will be interesting to see if it affects the color.

Plum Fantasy

http://www.perennialresource.com/encyclopedia/view/?plant=2352

We saw several very nice hardy hibiscus at Boerner, and Plum Fantasy was one of them.

I have had poor results with hardy hibiscus, but seeing such nice specimens locally makes me want to try again.

Pale Indian Plantain

https://www.prairiemoon.com/seeds/wildflowers-forbs/cacalia-atriplicifolia-pale-indian-plantain.html

They have an impressive specimen in the perennial mall at Boerner Botanical Garden, makes me want to have one in our garden.

Monet Moment

http://www.terranovanurseries.com/gardeners/lobeliamonetmoment-p-178.html

We saw a very nice clump at Boerner, which is Zone 5.

The old-fashioned red tends to be short-lived here, and will not tolerate drought.

I might have to try Monet Moment as an alternative.

Guacamole

http://www.finegardening.com/hosta-hosta-guacamole

I planted one in the hosta garden today, have high hopes for it.

Cow Parsnip

http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/her_lan.html

Heracleum lanatum

Interesting native plant, but the chance for photo-toxic reactions is not a desirable feature.

Late Summer Blooms

On Wednesday, August 3, 2016, we attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was Late Summer Blooms, and the guide was Matt Singer, Plant Expert.

The guide does have an encyclopedic knowledge of plants.

We saw many fine examples of late summer blooms, including Phlox, Ligularia, Hardy Hisbiscus, Cardinal Flower, Astilbe, Zinnias, Buddleia, Orange Butterfly Weed, and others too numerous to list.

Counts as 1.0 MGV continuing education hour.

Boerner Volunteer

On Wednesday, August 3, 2016, I did some more weeding at Boerner Botanical Garden, mostly a very tenacious Oxalis.

Counts as 3 MGV volunteer hours.

Boerner Volunteer

Today, I weeded in the rose bed in the trial garden at the Boerner Botanical Garden.

Lots of purslane, dandelion, and thistle.

Counts as 4 MGV volunteer hours.

Edit: Correction to change education to volunteer hours.

Phlox 'Shortwood'

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=u460

The only Phlox to get five stars in the Chicago Botanic Garden trial.

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no35_phloxpaniculata.pdf

Daylily 'Barbara Mitchell'

http://www.daylilies.org/DaylilyDB/detail.php?id=13826&name=Barbara%20Mitchell

Another addition to our collection.

Daylily 'Joan Senior'

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=246621&isprofile=0&

We saw this at Boerner and really liked it, so we bought one and planted it out front with the outhouse lilies.

Voodoo Lily

http://www.confessionsofaplantgeek.com/2013/02/amorphophallus-konjac-corpse-flower.html

We noticed that a couple of our neighbors are growing these in the ground.

Very much looking forward to seeing how they perform.

Daylily 'Bittersweet Destiny'

http://bluegrassdaylilygardens.com/cultivars/a-b/bittersweet_destiny.htm

I won this daylily as a door prize at the Boerner Garden walk a couple weeks ago.

There were three divisions in the pot.  I planted two out front with the outhouse lilies.

The third division was so tiny that I planted it in a pot, try to get some roots under it so it can be planted in the ground before it freezes.

Sarastro

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no31_bellflower.pdf

'Sarastro' was the only bellflower to get a five star rating in the trial.

We bought two today at Shady Acres, hoping to turn around our bad run of luck on bellflowers.

Isaac House

http://plantlust.com/plants/scabiosa-isaac-house-hybrid/

Bought four today at Shady Acres.

We have never grown Scabiosa before, very much looking forward to seeing how they perform.

Shady Acres

http://www.shadyacresnursery.com/

Today was closing day, so we had to go and buy a few treasures to tuck into odd corners of the garden.

We got Lamb's Ear, Bellflower, Scabiosa, Daylily, Salvia 'Lady in Red,' Phlox, Hosta, and some grasses.

Scabiosa

http://lindabeutler.merytonpress.com/a-flower-that-inspires/

We have never grown Scabiosa, but we should.

American Daffodil Society

http://daffodilusa.org/

Cities like St. Louis have a local daffodil society, but Milwaukee does not.

Go figure.

Little Gem

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=259099&isprofile=0&

Daffodil 'Little Gem'

We have a lot of daffodils, but not many of the early miniatures.

Have to plant some.

Daffodils for Naturalizing

http://landscapeofmeaning.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-best-daffodil-plant-list-ever.html

Interesting list.

In the past, I have mostly planted unnamed naturalizing mixes.

Maybe I should focus on some named varieties as a change of pace.

Naturalizing Daffodils

http://daffodilusa.org/growing-daffodils/naturalizing-daffodils/

I am in favor of it.

A note of the use of a drill:  a powerful drill can feel like it is going to break your wrist when it hits a solid obstruction like a large stone or root.

Orach

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a666

I tried some fresh out of the garden at The Gus this past week, it had a very mild flavor.

I had never heard of it.

Garlic

We harvested ten heads of garlic from the garden today.

Most were good sized, but a couple were small.

Fumewort

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=s700

Great plants, we should plant more Corydalis.

Compost

http://www.sonomacompost.com/Documents/%20Organic%20Recycling%20Soil%20Health.pdf

A good overview of compost.

The Gus

On Thursday, July 28, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I did a lot of weeding, mostly crabgrass.

It had rained an inch the night before, so not much watering was required.
Again, I picked gooseberries, and they tasted delicious.

We harvested some garlic, very nice looking heads.

Counts as 3.5 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Toad in the garden

Saw a large toad in the garden, the largest I have ever seen here, almost the size of my fist.

Impressive, most impressive.

Spotty Dotty

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=262195&isprofile=0&

Would love to grow this, but we are zone 5.  Maybe with a little more global warming, it will grow here.

Who was Zephirine Drouhin?

http://southerngarden.weebly.com/zephirine-drouhin.html

One of the most famous roses in history is named for her, and yet almost no information is available about who she was.  Odd.

Frogs and Hummingbirds

There were four frogs in the garden pool yesterday.

And a hummingbird working the Bee Balm today.

Cherokee bean

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERHE4

I would be interesting to grow this as an annual here in Wisconsin.

The Gus

On Thursday, July 21, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I did some weeding with my Roy Diblik hoe.

I picked gooseberries, and of course, I had to sample some, delicious.

Counts as 3.0 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Roses

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016, we attended the weekly Garden Walk at Boerner Botanical Gardens.

The topic was Roses, and the guide was Bruce Barr of the local rose society.

The guide was knowledgeable and passionate about roses.

Entertaining, educational, and well worth attending.

We saw many fine examples, including old roses, more recent introductions, and even Dr. Huey (commonly used as rootstock for grafted roses).

One of the most interesting things we saw was some dog vomit fungus in one of the rose beds.

Counts as 1.5 MGV education hours.

Giant Hog Fennel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peucedanum_verticillare

As seen at Northwind Perennial Farm.

WHPS at Northwind

Today (Tuesday July 19, 2016), I attended the meeting of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society held at Northwind Perennial Farm.

There was a presentation by Roy Diblik.  The topic was his Know Maintenance gardening system via a wide range of topics, and included a tour of the gardens.

One of the most interesting plants was Giant Hog Fennel, like a more refined and less aggressive Angelica.

Entertaining, educational, and well worth attending as always.

Counts as 1.5 MGV education hours.

Corpse Flower

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/our-garden/notable-plant-collections/titan-arum.aspx

I am still waiting for a chance to experience that foul odor.

In my imagination, it is an acrid odor so vile that it would make my teeth feel soft in their sockets.

Ruth Bancroft

http://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/

If I am ever in Walnut Creek, I plan to make a stop at this destination garden.

Daylily Garden Walk at Boerner

On Wednesday, July 13, we attended the Garden Walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was Daylily, the guides were Ted Haasch and Judy Schmitt of the local daylily society.

We saw dozens of beautiful daylily plants.

Three of my favorites were Joan Senior, Prophet, and Black Friar.

Entertaining, educational, and well worth attending.

Counts as 1.5 hours MGV education credit.

The Gus

On Thursday, July 14, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I mostly did watering, it has been hot and dry recently.

The gooseberry set a lot of fruit, so of course I had to sample some, delicious..

The clematis Avant Garde was spectacular, dense with blossoms.

Counts as 4.0 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Horseweed

http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/pastpest/articles/200307l.html

I have seen this weed in our garden over the past several years, very few stems, maybe it cannot compete with Joe Pye, Goldenrod, and Asters.

White Wall Tire

http://www.plantdelights.com/Hosta-White-Wall-Tire-for-sale/Buy-Hosta/

Interesting hosta, emerges white, then turns green.

We saw one at Boerner.

Phlomis tuberosa

http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/PHTU.html

Jerusalem Sage.

This looks like an interesting plant, I would like to try it.

Monches Farm sent me an e-mail that it is in bloom at their nursery this week.

Kiss me over the garden gate

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate/

We bought one today at Heritage Flower Farm.

We have grown them in the past, they do well in one season but self-seed erratically.

New Baptisias in the garden

We have planted four new Baptisias in the garden:

'Purple Smoke'
'Solar Flare'
'Cherries Jubilee' x 2

We love Baptisias.

Five Oreganos

We currently have five oreganos in the garden:

old-fashioned oregano
Cuban oregano
oregano 'Herrenhausen'
oregano 'Cleopatra'
oregano 'Kent Beauty'

We love growing oreganos as ornamentals.

Invasive Orchids

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/homeowners_battling_a_weedy_orchid_invading_lawns_and_flowerbeds

There was a local sighting, but none in our garden yet.

Peppermint Ice

http://www.mzbulb.com/dp.asp?pID=f12169

I love Hellebores in general, and this one is a particular stunner.

Kudos Gold

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Agastache-p/aga-gld.htm

Spectacular zone 5 Agastache.

Balmy Purple

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/5861/balmy-purple-bee-balm/

The old fashioned red flowered bee balm does very well in our garden.

I would like to try this compact alternative.

The Gus

On Thursday, June 2, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I did some watering, also did some weeding, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

The gooseberry is setting a lot of fruit, starting to look very yummy.

The clematis features some very nice blossoms on a compact plant.

Counts as 3.5 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Boerner Garden Walk

On Wednesday, June 1, 2016, we attended the Garden Walk at Boerner Botanical Gardens.

The guide was Nick Ternes of botanophilia.com.

The topic was flowering trees and shrubs.

It was a beautiful evening, and we saw lots of beautiful trees, shrubs, vines, and other plants.

We have seen Nick before, and he does a good job, very knowledgeable.

Well worth attending.

Counts as 1.5 MGV education hours.

Garnet Stem Chicory

http://ccgrow.com/phytotheca/chicory-garnet-stem-catalogna/

Would be a welcome addition to the garden.

Scorzonera

http://growingtaste.com/vegetables/scorzonera.shtml

Yet another perennial vegetable that I never heard of.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn.

Cleopatra

http://all-americaselections.org/winners/details.cfm?WinID=613

Oregano does well in our garden, so we have high hopes for Cleopatra.

Blonde de Lyon

http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/Sorrel_Blonde_de_Lyon_p/her-sor01.htm

We grow Ruby Sorrel (AKA Bloody Sorrel, Bloody Dock) as an ornamental.

Blonde de Lyon is the gourmet culinary version of Ruby Sorrel.  We probably should try growing some, since Ruby Sorrel does so well in the garden.

Artichokes

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/4796/how-to-grow-artichokes

I would love to grow one as an ornamental, the flower is spectacular.

Garden Thugs

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/aug/30/invasive-plants-can-take-over-gardens-in-a-flash/

Features some of my favorite garden plants like Sweet Woodruff, etc.

Anemone nemorosa

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286193&isprofile=0&

Would love to naturalize these all through the garden.

Anemone coronaria

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286104&isprofile=0&

Probably best grown as annuals here.

The Gus

On Thursday, May 19, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I did some watering, also did some weeding, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

Counts as 3.0 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Invicta Gooseberry

https://www.jungseed.com/P/30184/Invicta+Gooseberry

I would love to add an Invicta to our very modest gooseberry collection.

Perry Pear Trees

http://www.orangepippintrees.com/trees/perry-pear-trees

I am amazed bordering on stupification that this is the first I have heard of this.

I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable on gardening, but there are some odd gaps in that knowledge.

Brown Russians

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/seed-index/fruits-and-vegetables/cucumbers/exotic-novelty-cucumbers/cucumber-brown-russian.html

Since 1879.

Angelonia

https://www.jungseed.com/P/09213/Purple+Archangel+Angelonia

We love Angelonia.

The Gus

Today, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I dug holes for three hills of squash plants, and dug one of several holes for the pole beans.

I also did some weeding, picked some stones, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

Counts as 3.5 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Deer in the garden

A lone whitetail ran through the front yard about 7pm tonight.

Three days in a row I have seen a lone whitetail.

Deer near the garden

A lone whitetail crossed Parkview Lane in front of me last evening while walking the dog.

Softened Water on Plants

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=691#section-2

Complicated issues.

In areas where significant rain falls, the sodium gets flushed.

Fussy house plants that never see rain might be a problem.

The actual amount of sodium in softened water is low but depends on the hardness of the water (see Mayo Clinic link below).

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/water-softeners-sodium/faq-20058469

The Gus

Today, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I dug out the Edelweiss grape so that it can eventually be replaced by a Concord.

I planted that Edelweiss several years ago, but I never recorded the date on this blog.

I also did some weeding, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

Counts as 3.5 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Fox in the garden

A fox ran through the garden just before dusk this evening.

Sure would be nice if it would do its part on the vole and rabbit problems.

History of Zephirine Drouhin Roses

http://www.1001-landscaping-ideas.com/zephirine-drouhin-roses.html

I am very interested in growing these thornless, shade tolerant, climbing roses.

Amorphophallus

https://brentandbeckysbulbs.com/Amorphophallus---konjac--SMALL-CORM-/Araceae/Amorphophallus/konjac

I would love to grow this, mainly for the scent, but we are going to need a lot more global warming before we reach zone 7.

Four Frogs

Four frogs in the garden pool today.

Something to smile about

http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek101101.html

The anecdotes about Smilax make me smile.

A Filthy Loathsome Stinking Wind

I ordered some sunchokes from Oikos Tree Crops.

Sunchokes AKA Jerusalem Artichokes, Fartichokes

I got 4 varieties:

Diversity (4)
Gigant (2)
Drago (2)
Blue Eye (2)

so 10 tubers total.

Like most edibles grown in our garden, we intend to grow them as ornamentals, thus avoiding the digestivity problems reported by many observers.

I do love that 1621 quote by John Goodyer that they cause "a filthy loathsome stinking wind."

Choosing a Climbing Rose

http://www.all-my-favourite-flower-names.com/climbing-rose.html

Good advice and interesting choices.

I particularly like the idea of a climbing Mr. Lincoln.

New Dawn

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a880

Another interesting choice that I would like to try.

Eve's Favorite Fragrant Roses

http://www.harlequinsgardens.com/plants/roses/eves-favorite-fragrant-roses/

Features some interesting choices.

Darlow's Enigma

http://www.finegardening.com/enigma-darlow-rose-you-should-know

This might be another good choice for a rose to grow on the black chain link fence.

Zephirine Drouhin

http://www.finegardening.com/thornless-rose-rosa-zephirine-drouhin

Still looking for a thornless shade tolerant climbing rose.

Zephirine Drouhin might be the one.

Gallery White

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=2704

Lupinus regalis 'Gallery White'

A Lupine with zone 4 hardiness.  Would love to try some.

Frogs in the garden pool

There were four frogs in the garden pool today.

Owl near the garden

Saw on owl fly overhead while walking the dog last night, only one block from the garden.

Maybe it will do its part on the vole problem.

Cosmos

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/seed-index/flowers/bouquet/cosmos/cosmos-early-sensation-mixture.html

I love Cosmos but they are not self-seeders in our garden.

Permaculture Playing Cards

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00GOIXT3M/rs12-20

A sneaky way to evangelize permaculture.

Two Frogs

There were two frogs in the garden pool today.

They are probably going to be a lot happier when we get some real spring weather.

Agastache

http://www.santarosagardens.com/Agastache-p/aga-ras.htm

I love all the Agastache.

Heritage Flower Farm

http://www.heritageflowerfarm.com/

Opening day is April 13, 2016.

Mark your calendar.

Siri, remind me....

Deer near the garden

A single whitetail crossed Parkview Lane tonight, heading toward the garden.

I was walking the dog and some instinct told me to look behind me.  As soon as I turned, the deer crossed behind me, very close.

The dog was smelling something beside the road and never knew the deer was there.

Frogs and a Turkey

There were two frogs in the garden pool today.

And last Friday, a hen turkey walked through the garden.

Deer near the garden

A lone whitetail crossed Parkview Lane in front of us on our walk tonight, around 830pm.

Close, less than 100 feet, and headed toward the garden.

Frog in the Garden Pool

There was a frog in the garden pool today.  This is the earliest I have ever seen a frog in the garden pool.

Winter Storm Selene coming in this week is going to be an unpleasant surprise for early frogs.

Sparkling Diamond

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=4219

Beautiful white Hellebore.

Dawn Redwood

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Dawn-Redwood_vq3603.htm

Deciduous conifer, up to 100 feet tall.  Zone 5.  Very cool.