Planting This & That

Over the last week, I finally got around to actually purchasing and plantings some plants.

The missus wanted some mint, so I got three varieties: Doublemint (Mentha 'Doublemint'), Kentucky Colonel (Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel') and Red Stem Applemint (Mentha x gracilis ‘Madalene Hill’).

I finally found Salvia coccinea 'Summer Jewel Red' (I had been looking for it since early last year) and will likely return to get more.
Correction: On revisit to nursery, discovered that they were the more commonly available 'Lady in Red' variety (so it looks like I'll be going with that!)

I also decided to try Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) in three places with different soil types and shade levels.  It'll be interesting to see to which it adapts to best.

I got the Yucca 'Color Guard' (Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard') to replace the Twin-flowered Agave that failed to survive the winter.

Some annuals finally made an appearance with Coleus 'Red Red Wine' getting a pot of it's own.

Shady Happenings: Late February

I have been slowly removing and trimming back remnants of this winter's damage.   Cast Iron Plants (Aspidistra elatior) are tough, but there is always some damage even during milder winters.  But our unusually extreme cold snap seems to have hit the Milky Way Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra lurida 'Milky Way') even harder.  I had to trim away almost all its leaves, though it should grow back just fine.

One of the aspects that I enjoy about the Red Dragon Knotweed (Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon') is the coloration of its new growth when it emerges in spring.  The two-toned deep burgundy color is very attractive.

I overwintered two Gold Dust Plants (Aucuba japonica 'Variegata') in nursery pots as I have not yet determined exactly where I want them in the garden.  Both ended up doing something I had never seen before: they're blooming!  They have clusters of tiny green and reddish-brown flowers.

Another plant that I rarely see bloom, but is currently doing so, is the Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina).  Kept in the pop-up greenhouse over the winter, its little lavender flowers make its relationship to the yard's  spiderworts quite obvious.

Have also been doing some planting of recent purchases.  Though likely it will want more sunshine than I can provide, I couldn't pass up the amazing foliage of the 'Mrs. Pollock' Geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum 'Mrs. Pollock').  Even if the plant, due to insufficient light, never produces any blooms, I'll be pleased if it just produces leaves!

Another new plant added to the garden is Red Billbergia (Billbergia sp. 'Red').  In the past, I have enjoyed my Friendship Plants (Billbergia nutans) though this past hard winter certainly caused them some serious damage.  But if this Billbergia, with its attractive reddish foliage, can do as well - then I'll be quite happy.

Planted in the Ground

• Rosemary 'Lockwood de Forest' (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Lockwood de Forest'): Planted in the utility side of the garden where a fallen tree opened the canopy; though wasn't enough sunshine for a Rose to make it there.  Here's hoping a Rosemary can.
• Seeds of Dill, Parsley & Thyme

Foliage Follow-up: January 2011

Foliage Follow-up is sponsored by the Digging garden blog on the sixteenth of every month, where we get to celebrate the leafy aspects of our gardens.  On this dreary, drippy day, I decided to concentrate on the few plants I have that tend to disappear in our summer's heat but make a return in the coolness of winter.

Though only starting to peak out from the leaf litter, the Sweet Kate Spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Sweet Kate') has begun to produce some green amongst the brown.  It will primarily shine during the spring, but will fade once things get hot and dry.

Considered by many to be invasive, I threw caution to the wind this past spring and added White Shamrock (Oxalis crassipes 'Alba') to my garden.  It completely disappeared in the summer, but has been coming back strong this winter.

Back in mid-September, from the bare ground, up shot my first Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) bloom.  I'm hoping for plenty more blossoms next fall as the bulbs are producing good foliage this winter.

After almost completely disappearing over the summer, Bear's Breech (Acanthus 'Summer Beauty') always comes on strong once the temperatures start dropping.  Its huge leaves make an impressive show (though recent low temperatures have wilted the plant a little).

Another plant that is completely lacking vegetation in the summer, the Oxblood Lily (Rhodophiala bifida) is once again making its presence known.  Planted only last March, I have yet to get any blooms but hope some will make an appearance this fall.

Wasn't sure if my spring-planted Heartleaf Skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) had made it through the summer heat.  Winter and early spring should be its time to shine, but I'm not completely confident with it yet.

Though present year-round, the Burgundy Glow Ajuga (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow') does add quite a bit to the winter color.  The burgundy coloration intensifies and spreads during the colder temperatures and makes it quite eye-catching. 

Be sure to visit Digging to see the foliage that other gardeners are sharing from their winter gardens.

Wandering Jew Tribulations

I mentioned that there was a story behind the Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) that I planted in a hanging basket ("Planted in Pots" section on my Excavated Plant posting).  As I recently moved the plant to my hanging basket pole, I thought I'd tell the tale.

I was shopping at a nearby big box nursery when I spotted a large clump of Wandering Jew that had broken off and fallen to the concrete.  There it lay, its bright purple leaves slowly getting cooked on the hot pavement.  Standing over the abandoned plant portion, I pondered.  "It's just gonna get swept up in the trash at the end of the day.  No one is gonna buy it potless."

But I walked on by and kept moving up and down the aisles.  But my steps soon returned; by now the forlorn plant had been stepped on and kicked over to the side.  Snap decision made, I stooped down and grabbed the straggly branch and stuffed it into the lower pocket of my cargo shorts.  Then I was back to browsing.

But this nursery was not to be my only stop.  Soon I was driving to other chores, and the hours drifted away.  Morning passed into afternoon.  Returning home, I unloaded the truck and immediately dove into several different tasks: some outside in the heat, others sitting at my computer.  And afternoon crept into evening.

Meals came and went.  Tasks and chores and relaxing occurred.  Night arrived as did the time for sleeping.  Dirty clothes went to the hamper and I went under the sheets.  As my conscious mind began to fade towards that sweet oblivion of dream-land, it suddenly (and finally) made a connection.  "Hey dummy - that poor abused plant is still in your pocket."

Oops.  I crawled out of bed and burrowed into the dirty clothes.  Identifying the pocket, I withdrew the bruised and battered foliage.  Bleary-eyed, I sloppily filled a small glass with water and stuck the wilted branch into the liquid.  Lights out and back to my pillow.

Days passed as the plant sat ignored in the utility room, a dim bulb its only companion.  Spotting it as I passed through towards the garage, I noticed it was bravely sending out roots.  Topping off the water, I decided it deserved better (and that if I didn't do something immediately, there was a good chance I'd forget the little bugger again).

Soon, I had the little plant potted into its very own hanging basket.  The growth spurt it put on over the next few weeks was impressive.  It still has a ways to go before it fills the basket, but it is well on its way.

That is one tough little plant.

Planted in Pots:

•  Variegated Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii 'Aurea Variegata'): Transplanted from ground to better control amount of water its getting (it was drying out).
• Aloe nobilis 'Variegata': Was on my Gotta Get list! Variegated Aloes are not very common - gotta grab 'em when I see 'em.
• Dyckia choristaminea 'Frazzle Dazzle': Was definitely an impulse purchase driven primarily by that name!  A name like that has got to make you smile.

 Experiments:

• Growing Zephyr Rain Lily (Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosea') from gathered seeds

Excavated Plant

This was an unpleasant discovery: one of my recently planted Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis plicata) was no longer..well...planted.  During the evening, some critter had decided that there was likely good eats down there in the wet root zone.  Possibly an armadillo (though I searched the fence line and deck borders and haven't found an entry point) or even a raccoon (believe they will also do some minor digging and they certainly visit my yard).  Grumble.

Stuck it back in the ground and gave it another dose of water.  Hope that doesn't invite even more excavation!

I have been rather remiss in the "diary" aspects of my blog.  So I came up with some categories to include, when appropriate, with each post (really more as notes to myself than anything):

• Planted in Ground - recent yard plantings
• Planted in Pots - recent pot plantings
• Experiments - things I'm trying
• Gotta Get - additions to my list of desired plants

So to catch up on the past couple of month's happenings (I'll do better; promise):

Planted in Ground:

• Four Ground Orchids (one of them twice - grumble, grumble)
• Manfreda 'Chocolate Chips' (Manfreda undulata 'Chocolate Chips')
• Dyckia platyphylla

Planted in Pots:

• Ground Orchid (so I can make sure to keep at least one alive over the winter)
• Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) into hanging pot; interesting story goes with plant (perhaps on a later blog)
• Small-leafed version of English Ivy (variety of Hedera helix) into hanging pot (actually part of a three plant gift "bucket" received by my wife) - anyone have any hints regarding variety based on that minuscule description?
• Unknown variety of Coleus - a pass-along from Robin at Getting Grounded; thanks!
• Ric Rac Orchid Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus) - gift from green-thumbed mother-in-law; thanks MommaSam!
• Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Alice' (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice') - hope to eventually place into ground, but figured I'd better wait until fall
• Root Beer Plant (Piper auritum) - pass-along plant from Philip at East Side Patch; thanks! (Still a little fearful to let it loose directly into the ground, plus I can water it more when potted)
• Two Gold Dust Aucuba (Aucuba japonica 'Variegata') - hope to eventually place into ground; waiting for fall
• Red-leafed Dyckia (Dyckia 'Red Devil') into the Bitter Tree Aloe (Aloe ferox) pot; it was looking lonely

Experiments:

• Growing Bronze Dyckia (Dyckia fosteriana) from gathered seeds
• Attempting to root Oak-Leaf Hydrangea cuttings
• Attempting to root Abutilon 'Marilyn's Choice' cuttings
• Growing Gulf Coast Penstemon (Penstemon tenuis) from seeds (pass-along seeds from Robin at Getting Grounded; thanks yet again

Gotta Get:

• Mahonia 'Soft Caress' (Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress') - discovered them at Red Barn but the price was a bit more than I wanted to spend
• Vriesea malzinei -  when I saw the words "shady" and "dappled sunlight" in GrowerJim's description on the Garden Adventures blog, it was going on my list (the pictures certainly helped too!).  A little worried about temperature; perhaps in a pot.

Week In The Garden

Earlier in the week, I realized that my presence was agitating a hummingbird in the tree above me.  After a few minutes of observation, I discovered that the little female was building a nest.  She'd zip in with a tiny piece of white fluff held in the tip of her bill, land on the nest, do some quick actions, then buzz away again.  The picture isn't sharp, but that's her sitting in the nest in the center of the photo.  This is the first hummingbird nest I've ever discovered in the yard.

Back to its original location from last year, I planted one of the cuttings I made from the Beefsteak Plant (Perilla  'Magilla') in one of the front yard beds.  It did quit nicely there previously, growing to almost four foot.  Here's hoping I get the same results this year (and I've still got more cuttings to try elsewhere).

Finally changed the status of my two Mexican Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus) from dormant to dead.  Same is also true of a few plants that were transplanted right before the big freezes hit: Coral Nymph Sage (Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'), Smooth-Leaf Sage (Salvia miniata) & Pink Dianthera (Dianthera candicans).  I guess the winter's 18 degrees was just too low or too soon.

So in to some of these vacant spots (plus some that were empty to begin with), I did some planting.  A Giant Spiderwort (Tradescantia gigantea), already looking wilted, went behind some Liriope.  Three Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and three Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) went into the backyard beds.  Have tried both with limited to no success in the past, but it appears the time has come for another attempt.

Been on the lookout for Husker's Red Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis 'Husker's Red'), and I finally captured this elusive quarry.  Really like the red coloration in the leaves, and I'm hopeful that it will bloom as well my other penstemons.

In a deeply shady section, where it can cascade over some railroad ties, I'm trying the Spreading Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata').  It is supposed to do well even in significant shade, so I'm interested to see how it does for me.  The picture was taken during the sunniest part of the day for this spot: it gets maybe 1-2 hours of dappled light and then no direct sun the remainder of the time.

To fill in the holes made by the deceased Mexican Turk's Caps, I'm trying two plants that are new to my shady garden: Goldmound Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound') & White Margin Snow Rose (Serissa foetida 'Improved').

The Goldmound Spirea is covered in chartreuse foliage which really stands out in the dappled shade.  It presently has several unopened buds destined to be clusters of tiny light pink flowers.  Wouldn't be surprised if this is the only year it blooms, but I'm mainly interested in those neon leaves anyway (though I certainly wouldn't turn away any returning blooms!).

I was completely unfamiliar with White Margin Snow Rose, so this was a nice discovery.  The small variegated leaves are joined by occasional tiny white blossoms.  But, again, its the foliage that steals the show.

Beautiful weekend to be in the garden...

Recently...

Have been somewhat amiss on keeping up with the small happenings in the garden.  So I decided to group some of the events that have occurred over the last ten days into this single posting.

About a week ago, another variety of mushrooms made a surprise appearance.  I especially liked the ribbed view from above.  As with almost all of these fungi, they disappeared back into the soil within a couple of days.

The Chickadee brood has been keeping the parents busy.  While working in the garden, I have gotten to watch the parents flying in & out, making sure the youngsters stay well fed.  But all appeared quiet today, and upon checking, it looks as if the nestlings have departed.

Me & the missus are delving into new territory by creating a small herb garden (parsley, basil, oregano & thyme).  Not sure if we have sufficient light, but I can at least move the plants around on the deck in an attempt to locate an optimum spot.

Recent rains seems to have brought out the critters - both beneficial and no so beneficial.

The Sweet Kate Spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Sweet Kate') has been sending its lime green shoots ever higher.  The bright coloration lasts until the summer heat sets, then slowly darkens.  No blooms yet.

But a couple of other plants are producing their first blooms of the year for my shady garden.

Jerusalem Sage

(Phlomis fruticosa)

Lenten Rose

(Helleborus orientalis)

I also finally got around to potting the Golden Tooth Aloe (Aloe perfoliata) that I got at the recent Cactus & Succulent Show.  Included in the pot is a low growing Sedum (variety unknown).

Then I decided to get experimental and created the first hanging basket of my garden using the Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense).  I was inspired to try this by a couple of  postings: Tough Decisions on Rock Rose and Hanging Succulent Gardens on Danger Garden (be sure to check them out!).  Looks a little empty now, but I have faith (for now).

Been a busy time.  It's good to get caught up with the recent happenings.