The Beagle Wins!

Barking and baying up a storm, Uno lived up to his name Tuesday night by becoming the first beagle to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.

The only dog consistently listed among America's most popular breeds for nearly 100 years, a beagle had never won in the 100 times Westminster picked a winner.

- AP/ajc(link here)

I would like to have a beagle.

3 Generations

Three generations of tough guys.

This picture was taken just after Logan's win at Rage 47.

Plott hounds

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/plotthound.htm

This web site offers lots of info on Plott hounds and some good pictures, too.

Plott hounds in AKC

Four breeds will make their debut at Westminster this year, the most to be admitted at once since 1991. Along with the Tibetan mastiff, in the working group, the Beauceron and the Swedish vallhund were added to the herding group and the Plott was added to the hound group.

The Plott hound comes closest of the four new breeds to being a native American dog. Brought to the United States in the late 18th century and bred to sniff wild boar and bear, the midsize, brindle-haired dog is still primarily used for hunting. (The breed standard includes this note to judges: “The Plott may have an identification mark on the rump used to identify the dog when out hunting. Such a mark is not to be penalized when evaluating the dog.”)

Joe Burkett is one of only two breeders who have Plott hounds showing at Westminster. “They need to be hunting dogs before they go into the ring for a show,” he said. Of the four Plotts he entered, he said he expected only two — named Trigger and Jeff — would be able to handle the stress of the large, cramped show.

“It’s a tough show for a hunting dog from out in the country,” he said. “But it’s an honor to be invited.”

- NY Times (link here)

Many years ago I was the proud owner of a UKC registered Plott hound.

And now they have made the big time in the AKC.

Trillium

These flowers turn outward on bent stems, showing their faces proudly in the partly to fully shaded border. One of the most charming of native Trillium, T. flexipes offers very long-lasting blooms that continue from spring into summer, followed by showy red to purple berries. This plant is lovely in the shade border or in fine containers, returning for many years to show off its unusual beauty.

The flowers are pure white, 2 to 3 inches wide, and held out flat with recurved edges and nicely prominent veins. A small flush of creamy-chartreuse in the center of the bloom reveals the yellow anthers. But the most interesting aspect is that unlike other Trillium, they do not dangle among the foliage nor stare heavenward; their 1 1/2- to 5-inch stems are bent just before the base of the bloom, so that the flowers look outward!

Like many Trillium, these blooms are very long-lasting, beginning in mid-spring and persisting into summer. Their substantial thickness gives them good weather resistance, and they keep their fresh white color very well. When they finally do pass, they are followed by deep red to purple fruit that continues the show through summer.

T. flexipes reaches anywhere from 8 to 20 inches high and 12 to 15 inches wide. Native to the woodlands of the eastern coast and as far west as Arkansas and Missouri, it thrives in moist, well-enriched soil on the alkaline side, and prefers at least partial shade. This is a fine large planting for the shade border, an accent planting in small groups throughout the garden, or a subject for your very best containers.

- Wayside Gardens (link here)

I have never tried to grow Trillium, but it would be a welcome addition to the garden.

Purple Haze

So compact that it can be grown in containers, this lovely Anise Hyssop sports tall, elegant spikes of lavender with rosy-red calyces in late summer. Lasting for many weeks, the blooms attract butterflies by the dozen, and are ideal for cutting. Even when not in bloom, however, this carefree perennial is attractive, thanks to its richly aromatic blue-green foliage and neat size.

Purple Haze reaches just 18 inches high and a foot wide. Very floriferous, it is perfect for up-close enjoyment, where the slightest brush against its foliage releases the sweet scent of licorice. Bring it onto the patio, up the porch steps, and along the driveway, as well as in the border and as an accent planting. And if you like Purple Haze, be sure to consider another compact variety, Sonoran Sunrise. Zones 4-9.

- Park Seed (link here)

We have one Anise Hyssop plant in the garden, but I would definitely like to add some more.

Logan Petro

Logan delivers a back-handed spin move to his opponent at Rage 47.