Falling Into Place
Foreground; Acer palmatum Tamukeyama
It’s been a rainy day– so much so that Halloween activities were rescheduled to Nov. 1 due to the predicted downpours and wind gusts. As I stepped outdoors on Halloween morning, it was already wet and windy, but autumn’s brilliance still shown through the dark skies.
Two years in, the new tree additions in the back yard are beginning to make their presence known. No more is this true than in autumn. Shades of gold, red, purple, and orange are just what this otherwise barren landscape needed. Don’t get me wrong. I love all the green shades that spring and summer provide, but when autumn arrives, I crave fall color.
Some of the new additions are still staked, while others grow within low cages designed to keep out bark-nibbling critters. There’s plenty of room for more, but it’s hard to choose what should be planted next. So for now, I’ll just enjoy the burst of color and admire how it’s all falling into place.
Rediscovering My Garden
There has not been much time for the garden since I began working at Sundown Gardens just over a year ago. My enthusiasm is no match for my exhaustion. I liken it to being a chef or housekeeper. Most likely, they do not delight in cooking dinner or cleaning house after a long day at work. Yet the distance between myself and my garden has brought on something of interest– a new perspective. I see it through new eyes now. On a recent journey into the backyard, this is what I saw.
The delicate yellow blooms of Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten.’ Tiny, but quite cheery. Low to the ground– as in groundcover. Delicate red mottling in spring.
Pretty shades of mauve on the candles of Pinus parviflora v. ‘Glauca’ or Blue Japanese White Pine.
The short bottlebrush blooms on Fothergilla x gardenii ‘Blue Shadow’ (Blue Shadow Fothergilla) are a delight. I love white blooms and I’m inspired to create a White Garden out of annuals for the patio this year.
As the various Hostas emerge, I am struck by how intense the coloration is on the yellow plants. They seem to emit light from within, especially in the morning and early evening. Hosta ‘Paradise Island.’
The wavy edge on a Hosta leaf is referred to as a ‘piecrust edge’, and who doesn’t love pie? Hosta ‘Dancing Queen.’
This Acer palmatum ‘Kiyohime’ is a tree I regularly visit and stop to ponder. Far wider than it will be tall, the new growth stretches and pushes out farther and farther every year. I always feel as though it’s trying to tell me something.
The flowering of Aesculus hippocastanum or Horse Chestnut Tree is always a noteworthy event. The showy white flowers are quite elaborate with just a touch of pink.
The Horse Chestnut’s foliage is large and reminds me of tropical plants.
Not my favorite tree, but I was impressed with how many samaras (helicopters) were hanging from the branches of Acer negundo or Boxelder Tree. The tree can handle higher moisture levels and perhaps that is why it seeded itself near the banks of the creek.
Two things strike me about Acer palmatum ‘Emperor 1’: First, how lateral the older branching has become and the extreme horizontal position the leaves hold on the branches. This is my one and only red tree.
I feel exuberant when I see Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’. The whimsical coloration and form of the bracts always lift my spirits.
It’s not spring in my book without Dicentra spectabilis (Old-fashioned Bleedingheart) and Peonies. Both hold special places in my heart and memory. There is something so sumptuous about a Peony bud breaking open.
There is a threat of frost this evening and I’m not too concerned about it. Just as the individual plants have grown, so too has the garden in my mind’s eye. I hold the images of lovely springs past and present there. Come what may. Nothing lasts forever.
Business in the front and party in the back
This is NOT ME! Just an example of the mullet hairstyle.
Yes, I did just make a reference to the mullet hairstyle. That’s probably the best way to describe my landscape. I’m a gardener who keeps it conservative in the front yard and more ‘expressive’ in the back. I call it Mullet-style landscaping. Since I usually focus on the backyard so much, I thought I’d share a bit more of the front with you for this post. I added so many new plants last season, there’s actually more than usual going on in the front this year. I’ll admit that I lack a bit of confidence and still worry that my latest additions will not come back the following season. I’m pleased to report that most have decided to return.
Winter has held a stubborn grip on spring this year. Plants are slow to emerge from beneath the soil, but they are determined and push out a bit more with each passing day.
I planted 26 Astilbe Rhythm and Blues (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Rhythm and Blues’) last summer and every single one has come back. Every plant looks healthy and a bit larger. Astilbe was a new test for me. I knew only of it’s unquenchable thirst and worried that I may not satiate it during last year’s drought. Of all my additions, I’m most pleased to see this one coming on so strong.
My little mass planting of 33 Heuchera “Plum Pudding” is also doing well. Only one plant did not survive– one that I foolishly tried to relocate mid season. Lesson learned. No major moves until very early spring.
This little row of Green Gem Boxwood came through beautifully. My big concern here was that the plants were a bit stressed having been in the grower’s pots all last summer during the drought. I purchased them at Sundown Gardens during a sale and planted them “by the book” hoping for positive results. This short row had been a missing piece of the landscape puzzle for a few years. Guests who walk up the front walkway will be greeted by the verdant green shrubs and subtle but direct command to “turn left here.”
Heuchera “Circus” was a total impulse buy last year. This introduction by French breeder Thierry Delabroye (breeder of the every popular “Caramel”) caught my eye from day one. I had to have it. My work cohort and I bought the whole lot between us. This is first time I’ve seen it in springtime and I’m happy all three came back nice and strong. This is one of those plants whose appearance will change throughout the season. Blooms will be in Pink shades. Can’t wait!
Elsewhere in the front beds, the Hostas are coming through. The Peonies are full of buds and the Variegated Liriope’s winter growth has been mowed down to make way for a flush of new growth.
Finally, the Limelight Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’) are coming back with vigor. I give them a hard prune right before Thanksgiving every year. You can see where the old cuts are and how the new growth emerges from the old stems. All blooming happens on new growth.
It may seem as though the party is in the front, but it is laid out very nice and tidy. In the back? Well, that’s another story. Thankfully the plants came back in high style and the mullet has not. Please share how your spring is going in the comments section.
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - April 2013
What a difference a year makes! This time last year I had Peonies and Dicentra blooming. We are nowhere near that this year. Spring has sprung, and only the true spring bloomers have come out to play.
Hellebore Ivory Prince. The last blooms are slowly turning to green and will soon become indiscernible from the plant’s foliage.
An interior detail shot of the Hellebore Ivory Prince flower.
Hellebore White Spotted Lady presents a dynamic color contrast. Hellebores are great in the shade garden.
The maples are also begining to bloom. This is the early bloom stage of O isami Japanese Maple. Maple tree blossoms are fleeting.
I love the color combination of the Star Magnolia Tree buds. The softest shades of pink and light grey green are so sophisticated.
Before the bloom turns snow white, diffused pink shades appear on the petals.
This flamboyant bloom is Bloom-A-Thon® Lavender Reblooming Azalea. I was given two plants so I could observe their bloom cycles and test their hardiness. This azalea’s flowers should last for 4-6 weeks in spring, and then another 12-16 weeks in summer and fall.
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Gardens. Gardeners post images of what’s blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. All are welcome to participate.
Behind-the-scenes at a Nursery and Garden Shop
Garden centers all over the US are starting to burst into a frenzy of activity and Sundown Gardens (where I work) is no exception. Shipments of merchandise for the The Garden Shop have trickled in over winter, but now the plant material begins to arrive. The first balled & burlapped trees arrived on March 20th and it’s been non-stop ever since. To put it in perspective, we’ve already gone through 500 Liriope and just last week we ordered 1000 more. The kickoff of the growing season is very physical, very intense, and always exciting!
Here’s an inside peak at the ‘goings on’ at Sundown Gardens in very early spring.
Why Boxwood Bronze in Winter
It used to bother me that my boxwood would change color from green to bronze in winter. Over time, I’ve come to enjoy the change somewhat. Some years, the change is very dramatic. Here’s why.
The color change of the foliage is really quite common and nothing to be alarmed about. The bronzing occurs mostly in plants that have eastern or southern exposure. Plants with this exposure will typically receive full morning or afternoon sun on bright winter days. When combined with prevailing winds and fluctuating high and low temps, rapid changes in the leaf tissue cause the leaf to change color.
Boxwood in protected environments may remain green except on top where there is more exposure. The profile image (above) provides some evidence that the bronzing occurs as a result of the environmental effects of the sun and wind. Note that the right side of the plant, which faces north and the front porch, remains green. The left side and top is completely exposed all winter and has changed color.
If you prefer your boxwood to remain evergreen, ask your local nursery what varieties hold their green color best. Otherwise, embrace the change and extra winter interest as your plants transform from green to bronzy-orange during the winter months. The green foliage returns once temps warm and stabilize.
Binge Gardening
For me, working in a garden center and nursery is like being an alcoholic who works in a liquor store. The sauce is all around me and I can’t get enough!
Last summer, one of the enablers - ahem - associates that I work with set some scraggly looking hydrangeas near the area I work in. Right away I noticed them and inquired why they were placed there and not among all the other shrubs. “Well, we’re trying to move them. They’re on sale.” he said. Ahhh the “S” word, music to my ears… wait, doesn’t this guy know I have a problem? It was too late. Into a euphoric state I slipped and like a giddy coy teenager asked, “uh, how much?” He paused for a moment. “Twenty bucks, you can have them all for…” I don’t think he’d finished his answer before I was pulling up one of those little heavy duty garden carts, you know, the metal ones with the fat little tires. I got them all onto one cart and off we went. “Put ‘em on my house account!” I shouted as I wheeled them away, high on my latest fix.
Well, that’s only half the story. The damage was done. How could I keep this a secret? You can’t exactly hide eight hydrangeas or slip them into the garden without ‘anyone’ noticing. I would endure the wrath, again. I had no idea where they were going to go. In fact, I knew nothing going into this. Endless Summer? I’ve seen the ads but have never tried them. I know Michael Dirr and I know he has something to do with this line of plants. Couldn’t be all that bad right? I began to second guess my purchase while justifing that a $20 gamble wouldn’t be such a big loss. See a pattern here??
Into the backyard they went. Resigned to the fact that no matter how many trees I planted on the East side, it was going to be decades before there was any constant shade for my shade gardening passion. That side of the yard is plagued with nomadic shade. Maybe I needed to plant sun loving beds and borders until the canopies mature. That might hold me over. Yes, a dual addiction. That’s what I need. And so, into the sunny side they went.
Time will tell whether the $20 wager of this developing plantoholic will pay off or not. To hinge my bet, the plants were cut back hard so they could focus on root development, not endless blooming as they proclaim to do. I like to think that I hit rock bottom with these hydrangeas. The ill-considered transaction left me feeling uneasy. I’m working on restraining my compulsive plant purchasing behavior and limiting myself to specific plants for specific places. The good news is this; for now, I will forego the twelve-step program.
About these plants. Pink Annabelle Hydrangea, Bella Anna®
Garden Mishaps (and Parables)
It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t include my garden failures on this blog. Hard as I try, from time to time things just don’t work out as planned. Take for instance the photo above. This was Buxus microphylla var. japonica ‘Morris Dwarf’, common name: Morris Dwarf Boxwood. Known for its compact form and sun tolerance, I thought it would be the perfect solution for this spot beside the port cochere.
I acquired the plants in the spring of 2011. By late spring the following year, they were showing signs of stress. And one by one, starting from left to right, they declined. One slow painful death followed by another, then another, and so on. As I witnessed their demise, I couldn’t help wonder if it was something I had done. Well planted? Check. Well watered? Check. I cross-examined myself to the point of aggravation. Was I overzealous in my amendment of the soil? Possibly. Perhaps too much organic material.
Well, what’s done is done. No sense in fretting about it. A new season awaits and with it new challenges and plants to try. I’m really enjoying the winter downtime, but there is a little part of me that is excited by the few minutes of daylight that are added to every passing day. Mishaps or triumphs- bring it on!
And speaking of bringing it on, head on over to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Man’s blog this Wednesday for an exclusive interview with one of gardening’s greats- Margaret Roach. Her new book The Backyard Parables has just been released and she will be stopping by Kevin’s on her blog tour to talk about this and that, and gardening of course.
O Christmas Tree!
If you’re planning to purchase a live Christmas Tree to plant in your yard later, do yourself a huge favor and dig the hole now. You’ll be glad you did, especially if the weather turns and freezes the ground solid. Keep the loose soil in a garage, barn, or protected from the elements so it will remain loose and dry.
You’re welcome!
Addendum
It’s probably best to only have that potted tree indoors for 3-4 days. Much longer would have it break dormancy and begin to bud. Too many new tender buds on that little tree could lead to disaster when moved outdoors and the temperature falls below freezing.
When you’re ready to plant your tree. Gradually acclimate it to the outdoors. Again, you want to avoid shocking it! One of the biggest shocks to plants going outdoors is light intensity. The second is wind. Plants that have been indoors are not used to wind which can cause them to dry up very quickly. Last is temperature. To avoid temperature shock, introduce your plant to the outdoors a few hours a day, then gradually increasing the time outside. After a week or two, your plants should be fully acclimated to the outdoors.
Last, if you can’t plant it right away, try to place the potted tree in a protected area. Potted plants don’t do well when left above ground in freezing temps.
Autumn's Closing Door
As winter knocks on the garden door, I sieze every moment to survey the back lawn and take in the lingering autumn view. No fall is ever the same, and this year we are surprised to see several leaves still clinging on to the Chestnut Tree (upper left). Not so long ago, the heat was unbearable and droughty conditions threatened to wreak havoc. But now, the morning air is biting and often accompanied by frost crystals. The few hours of sunlight draw elongated shadows upon the terrain. The deciduous trees are but mere skeletons of their former voluminous selves. The time has come to wrap things up, and each day presents itself with all sorts of necessary tasks to be accomplished before the snow begins to fly.
Mid November and we are still planting. A practice that I am more comfortable with having worked at the nursery this year. As long as the earth is tillable, I’m game for planting trees, shrubs, even a few select perennials like Peonies.
These Peonies were given to me by a customer of Sundown Gardens, the garden center and nursery where I work. She indicated they had been purchased several years ago at Sundown when it was a peony farm. That was decades ago. I found it enchanting that they had come full circle- back to Sundown and now on to a new gardener’s home. This particular plant is Paeonia lactiflora ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’.
Other areas of the garden are getting cleaned up for the winter months. Leaves are raked out, branches and brambles pruned. Every year, I cut back my Limelight Hydrangeas and take out any branches that are growing into the plant. Limelights bloom on new growth, so there is no risk of cutting off next year’s blooms. I also take time to loosen and rake the mulch which has formed a hard crust over the top. I want to be sure that any moisture from rain or melting snow penetrates the mulch instead of running off.
Terra Cotta pots have been emptied and scrubbed to remove salt buildup from fertilizer and hard water deposits. They are ready for a dip in a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) which will rid them of any lingering diseases and chemical residue that may have set in during the growing season.
While some plants are taking up residence in the garden, others will have to wait until next season. My Acer palmatum ‘Beni hime’ or ‘Beni hime’ Japanese Maple is one that shall remain homeless this winter. I simply can’t decide whether to plant him in the ground, or in a container.
I purchased the very small maple from Dannaher Landscaping & Nursery. They specialize in rare and unusual plants, especially conifers. This little Japanese maple was grafted by David Dannaher several years ago. It’s a dwarf grower whose annual growth rarely exceeds 1-2 inches per year. Because they are difficult to propagate, there aren’t many available for purchase. I just love the tiny leaves which are about the size of a penny.
And so, another Thanksgiving comes and goes. This is a time of year that is typically melancholy. But instead of feeling sadness for autumn’s closing door, I’m actually looking forward to winter’s arrival. I have worked hard to turn my gardening obsession into a full time career and more than ever, I welcome a little downtime.
Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Yep. It’s that time again, and I got an extra early start. As many of you know, I began a stint as a garden center/nursery worker last spring. So what goes on in the off season? A lot actually.
At Sundown Gardens, we have a large Landscape division that stays very busy up until the ground freezes. Planting and hardscape continues until the soil cannot be worked anymore. The place is bustling by 6:30AM as crews warm up their trucks and load them with the day’s equipment and plants. Even the mowing crews are still working.
The Garden Center is gearing up for the holiday season too as we stock up with houseplants, ornaments and lots of giant red bows. All the containerized evergreen shrubs and small trees have been pulled next to the shop. Several will be lit and decorated with bows. They make great Holiday presents or decorations for entryways and porches, and can go directly into the ground come spring. The main greenhouse is being prepared for the first shipment of holiday greenery, including: Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Swags, and Garlands.
As for me, I’m on the Holiday decorating team. Sounds fun, right? Well, not really… unless your idea of fun is balancing on really tall ladders and extending your arms out for hours with heavy extenstion poles trying to artfully arrange strands of lights on all sorts of trees and shrubs. I’m not talking cute little trees, I’m talking really, really tall ones. We started Nov. 1st and will work furiously through the first week of Dec.
We began “cleaning” lights (removing all tags, labels, and twist ties) in Oct. Some clients prefer to use their own lights, so we clean them onsite in the back of our box van.
Here’s how it works. We start with running electrical from the power source to all the light points. We hang lights on trees, make sure it all works, then wind up and hide every cord so they are not visible. When the weather cools and the greenery is in, we will incorporate that into the scheme. You don’t want to hang it too soon or it will dry out. Greenery that is to be lit will also have lights added to it. This ranges from garlands and wreaths, to containers filled with decorative arrangements. When it’s showtime, we pull out the hidden cords, add timers, and plug in. Some clients prefer to stay dark till Dec. 1. Others like the switch flipped on Thanksgiving.
So there you have it. That’s how I’ve been spending my days at Sundown Gardens. It’s Nov. 12th, and we are exactly half way through all the jobs. It’s a great feeling to know that we are on schedule and an even better feeling to know that it’s almost over. I am not an early riser and working out in the cold is not my favorite thing either. Still, I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn about the many facets of this business. Dust off those holiday decorations. Thanksgiving is a little over a week away, then it’s full-on Christmas time!
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - October 2012
So, here we are. It’s officially fall and not much is blooming, at least not in my garden. I do have a couple of things to share though. We’ve had two frosts and temps in the lower 30s already, but despite these two occurrences, the Geraniums (annual and perennial) are still blooming. Above, the pink flower is an annual from the Caliente Geranium series (Geranium Pelargonium). What I love about this variety, aside from its blooming power, is the semi-trailing habit. It’s perfect for containers where you need a little ‘spill’ action over the sides. I’ve deconstructed my summer pots already, but could not bring myself to get rid of these beauties.
Pictured above, Rozanne Geranium was a plant I kept my eye on all season at the garden center. I was told that this particular plant was a prolific bloomer and would bloom till a hard killing frost. As the season went on, the plants in pots indeed kept blooming. We sold them by the hundreds and my curiosity got the best of me. In late September, I finally took the plunge and purchased five plants to try in my own garden. True to form, they have kept blooming. Wayside Gardens calls this plant “The Geranium of the Millennium!” The blooms are brilliant and seem to glow in the garden beds. I plan to line the sunny area below the Juniper (pictured below) if the plants survive our Zone 5 & 6 winter.
Even from a distance, the five small Rozanne Geranium have a presence. Imagine what they’ll look like when they mature. If all goes well, I will add up to six more plants to this area.
Earlier this spring I planted one Heptacodium miconioides– a large fountain-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub. The common name of this shrub is Seven-Son Flower. The blooms are actually white (in September), but more interesting than that are the small purplish-red fruits that follow. They are crowned by five showy, sepal-like pink calyces that elongate after the bloom. They last into late fall. In winter, this shrub’s tan bark will exfoliate and reveal an attractive brown inner bark. It was only recently that I learned this plant is native to China. Unknowingly, I somehow always gravitate to plants whose origins are Asian.
Ok, technically not a bloom, the foliage of Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow is so showy that I had to include it in this post. I have a couple of favorite plants this year, and this one ranks right up there. As the temperatures have cooled, the tips of the foliage have taken on reddish-pink tones. I’m making it a point to learn more about Euphorbia this winter.
Sedum Autumn Joy is always a fall favorite. The large mass by the creek bank is always beautiful this time of year. The blooms have started turning their tell tale color of deep bronzy-red.
Looking back at the house from the creek, it’s hard to believe that summer is finally over. The fall rains have created a verdant lawn which compliments the onset of autumnal tones in the trees.
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is a Meme created by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Gardeners post images of what’s blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. To see what’s blooming all over the world today, visit Carol’s blog.
September Reflection and Thanksgiving
But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head … The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on.
- Robert Finch
September has always been a favorite month of mine. The prelude to fall, my favorite garden season, I relish in the transition from searing summer to cool crisp days. The slower the better. My visual side obsesses with the hues of autumn. Cooking, in particular roasting, begins to peak my interest again, and the rush to get last minute perennials, trees, and shrubs into the ground before September’s end revives my gardener spirit no matter how long and hot the summer was.
I stayed home from work today with a nasty head cold. Being sick is no fun, but I am happy for a bit of time to sit and reflect as we anticipate another rainfall this afternoon. I miss the garden center when I’m not there. It’s an exciting time as we are receiving shipments almost as frequently as in spring. Though this time, it’s mums, corn shocks, bails of straw including bittie bails (so cute), asters, pumpkins, gourds, plus all sorts trees and shrubs. Yes, fall is just around the corner.
It seems like only yesterday the sun would beat me to chase as I would begin the 6AM ritual of endless watering in the muggy morning air. The changes of the season are certainly in the air, and the sight of my breath in the cool morning air does not bother me as much as the prospect of waking to a dark sky. Fall provides an opportunity to exhale and time to reflect on what was accomplished during the summer months. Many things were planted despite a scorching summer sans rain. I made a pact with the garden to remain focused and steadfast on plant material that I refused to lose. Today, I can look out among the lawns and smile proudly, not only at the fact that we made it, but that many are thriving. Although we have not balanced the rain deficit, we have had enough for things to break dormancy and come back with a vengeance. New growth abounds. Let’s hope for a late winter.
It’s a little early for Thanksgiving, but it’s always appropriate to be thankful. Today, I am thankful for all the wonderful gardeners and growers who have taken the time to teach me a thing or two. You know who you are, and your garden wisdom is paying off.
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - August 2012
Mid way through the eighth month of the year, I’m happy to report that there are a few things other than Knock Out Roses in bloom. No matter what the weather may bring, my Limelight Hydrangeas never disappoint. In my opinion, this underrated plant deserves to be in the ‘Sensational Shrubs’ category. It’s very low maintenance and the reliable bloom display comes on just as the rest of the garden seems to have petered out. The flower heads are large (6 to 12 inches) and emerge soft lime green, transitioning to cream in high summer. As Autumn arrives, the tiny individual blossoms fade to parchment-tan and pink. By November, dried panicles are perfect for cutting and ready for autumnal arrangments indoors. I’ve even seen a crafty gardener or two weave some panicles into holiday arrangments too!
Also blooming are the old fashioned Hosta plantaginea. These old standbys are a workhorse in the shade garden providing sturdy, upright scapes and shiny lush foliage. This well known Hosta is native to China and was first identified by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1789. Because of its many wonderful attributes, it is still used extensively in hybridization today. Hosta plantaginea is a common sight in many older shade gardens and is prized for its very fragrant pure white flowers.
These plants were donated to my hosta garden from a dear friend of my partner. She tells us that the original plants traveled from Germany in a steamer trunk of her great grandmother’s. That would put the journey back into the mid 1870s. While I can’t verify that story, I do know that many Hosta were imported into Europe long before they were in the West, so her timeline would hold true. Hmmm. In any case, generations of Hosta lovers know that few things are as lovely as the perfume of plantaginea in the summer evening air.
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is a Meme created by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Gardeners post images of what’s blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. To see what’s blooming all over the world today, visit Carol’s blog.
Missing Pleasure in The Garden
Gardening has become torturous, and I’ve been mulling over a question in my mind lately. Where is the pleasure in gardening when forces continually work against you? I realize that gardening is not an exact enterprise, and we all have to deal with setbacks here and there. I’m talking about constant interference– the kind that rattles you to the core. It’s been a tough year at Sutherland and I really do hope I don’t sound whiny, but damn, I could use a break here.
It was a dry winter, and we never got back into balance because the spring rains were stingy. Spring was really warm and everything broke dormancy at once. It was really exciting until the frost came. More than once I covered my young Japanese Maples to prevent the tender leaves from damaging frosts. For the most part I succeeded, but some damage could not be completely avoided.
As the beds and borders came to life, it seemed that we were off to a great start. Still could use a little more rain, but that would surely come. Then while strolling through the garden one evening, I noticed some light colored markings on the base of my Kiyohime Japanese Maple. The damage was considerable as large sections of the cambium layer were exposed. The cambium layer is the ‘growing’ part of the tree which produces new wood and bark. Extensive damage to this layer is fatal for the tree. I inspected all the other young trees and to varying degrees, found similar damage on every one of them. We’ve had beaver damage in the past, but this had to be something else. A beaver could/should have taken down the thin trees entirely. In the end, we lost only one very young Black Gum tree. Was it the work of the new groundhog family? Squirrels? Still not sure, but to prevent further damage, we wrapped the little trunks with a vermin proof jacket.
I was on high alert to catch the culprits and witnessed a squirrel doing a strange little jig around one the trees once. Still, I couldn’t be sure that was what had caused the damage. Then one morning as I made my way to the back yard to begin my watering ritual, I spied one of the container trees lying on its side. As I approached to stand it up, I noticed something that really shocked me. This new tree had been vandalized. Only an eighth of the original tree remained. It was particularly disconcerting as human tresspassing is a rarity. The layout of the property does not lend itself to easy access. Trying to make sense of it, I obsessed over this random act of vandalism for many days. I wanted to believe that it was the work of a beaver, but the cut was too clean. And why that tree out of dozens of trees on several acres. It still mystifies me.
If that weren’t enough, the dry spell slowly gave itself over to a full fledged drought. It’s not news to anyone living in the US. I know we’ve all been dealing with extreme weather situations, but this drought was like a slap in the face. As stated in the previous post, a gardener makes tough choices when battling a drought. In this case, the drought has prevailed. July was a particularly awful month in central Indiana and August shows no signs of improvement. No rain and several repeated days above 100°F were no match for the already parched land. I’ve seen terrible things happening in the garden this year that I’ve never seen.
Rather than enjoying my garden’s beauty, I’ve spent all spring and summer trying salvage the dreary looking plants. That means dragging around several hundred feet of hose across the lawn for hours– daily. To make matters worse, a watering ban was put into place early July. It stated that one could only water ‘by hand’–no sprinklers or irrigation were allowed. Mind you, we have two acres of beds, borders, and several new trees which were planted last year. There is literally no way we could stand and water those areas ‘by hand’ unless we were willing to stand there 24/7. So, that has led to covert watering operations and very strategic planning on what to water when. Tough choices were indeed made and we had to prioritze what and when plants would get watered. In the begining, I foolishly thought I could keep up with watering everything. It finally hit me a couple of weeks ago. I was fighting a losing battle. The prospect of loss was really weighing on me, and mid way through the month, I realized that everyone would most likely lose some plant material. I would not be alone. The water ban also prohibited any landscape plant installations. Talk about tough– if this was the year one would start a new landscape business, you were sure to go under. I reached out to a friend of mine who owns a landscape company and his report was as expected; sobering. With no irrigation or rain, the mowing jobs had come to a halt. With no installations allowed, and heavy fines at stake, clients were reluctant to forego plants and implement only bed prep or hardscape until the ban was lifted. Like many others, my friend was faced with letting people go. Creative minds saw an opportunity and anyone who owned a large tank or water truck, turned their skeleton crews into watering crews. This would be accomplished by filling up outside the ban area and selling the water and labor to water-restricted clients. Of course, business owners and many residents took advantage of this and the landscape companies are able to recoup a bit of otherwise lost income. The watering crews work pretty much 24/7.
Garden Centers and Nurseries are hurting too. It’s been so extremely hot that no one is working in their gardens, let alone planting anything. Several business have reduced employee headcount drastically, shortened hours of operation, and are even closing a day or two of the week to reduce overhead. That has only complicated things further down the line. The growers who supply the plants to garden centers are now sitting on tons of unsalable inventory.
And the farmers? Well, let’s not go there. It’s really bad. Crops are ruined and no amount of rain will change this now.
It did finally rain yesterday. The thunder that accompanied the rain clouds was startling as the sound has become unfamiliar. We got about 1 inch total– not enough to lift the ban by a long shot. And while I enjoyed looking out over the grayed skies listening to the gentle hushed noise the rain makes as it strikes the surfaces, one thought kept running through my mind. “It’s too little too late.” Tomorrow, I start watering again.
Tough Choices in Times of Drought
Between work at the garden center and home, I feel like the water wand is permanently attached to my hand. We are experiencing severe drought conditions here in the Midwest and that means we have tough choices to make. If you have to choose between lawn and plants for watering– choose plants.
My lawn (pictured above) has not been mown since late May. It simply has not rained enough for it to grow. Although it looks awful, I’m not too concerned about it. It’s actually gone into dormancy and can stay this way for some time before any irreversible damage* is done. On the other hand, flowers and plants will die off without regular watering. This includes trees and shrubs!
Here are a couple of good articles on watering and dealing with drought:
Drought Could Limit Garden Plants’ Development Next Year
If you have tips or techniques you’d like to share on dealing with drought, leave them in the comments section. We can all benefit from each other’s gardening experience.
*Note: If you have recently installed sod or seeded a lawn, you must water it until it is fully established.
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - April 2012
Welcome to a soggy version of Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day. There has been a tinge of frost over the past couple of nights, but the spring rains have arrived and the garden is awakening. I’m always in a bit of a panic when this day arrives because I typically plant more plants for foliage than I do for blossoms. I’ve managed to find a few things in bloom though. I’ve even stretched the rules a bit with my last photo…
The very first Peony blossom of the season has just opened. Wish I could tell you which one it is, but the Peony bed is a hodge podge of inherited plants mixed with new plants. The latter were recklessly planted with no record keeping.
Over the hosta garden, Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ or Winter King Hawthorn is in full bloom. This tree provides dappled sunlight for the shade plants beneath. The Hostas are emerging nicely and seem extra robust this year.
Dicentra spectabilis or Bleeding Hearts are always a welcomed site. There were ten or so plants on the property when we moved in six years ago. They are a bit scattered and need to be moved together to create one mass.
I’ve captured the last blossoms on Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Toro’ or Highbush Blueberry. This shrub is new at Sutherland and we don’t expect much fruit this year, but will be thrilled with any yield. Also looking forward to the leave’s fiery colors in autumn.
Although the foliage on Acer palmatum Kiyohime doesn’t qualify as a bloom, I had to include it because of its striking color. After living with this Japanese Maple three seasons, I can honestly say I prefer spring’s new growth to the fall foliage.
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Gardens. Gardeners post images of what’s blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. All are welcome to participate.
Sensational Shrubs
What is a sensational shrub? I believe it’s a shrub that features striking characteristics multiple times a year, or as my friend Lee May puts it, “they multi-task.” Whether it’s flowers, fragrance, foliage, or winter interest, a sensational shrub will provide your garden with interesting qualities throughout the year. Fothergilla x gardenii ‘Blue Shadow’ fits perfectly into this category.
Spring is on the fast-track over much of the country and with it blooms abound. It’s been quite entertaining and worrisome at the same time. Still plenty of time for hard frosts and freezing temps. One of spring’s early bloomers is Fothergilla. This shrub typically blooms in early spring (April to early May) but has been blooming for me since mid March. I love the small pom pom blooms composed of tiny bottlebrush spikes. The white flowers are echoed in the many dogwoods currently in bloom. They feel light and fresh. To me, they symbolize a start to a new beginning.
As new leaves emerge, they appear powder blue– an effect caused by the silver-grey felt which covers them. The foliage will become leathery and broad as it transforms to a striking blue to blue-green throughout the growing season, changing to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn. You might even see some purple in the final act.
Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’ is a compact slow-grower. It will grow 4-6’ tall and as wide for the first 10 years. So far, there are no known serious insect or disease problems. Try Fothergilla and put a little white in your life this spring. I’m looking forward to following its progress all year.
FOTHERGILLA x gardenii ‘Blue Shadow’
Common Name: fothergilla
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 4 to 6 feet
Spread: 4 to 6 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: White/Ivory
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - March 2012
On beautiful warm and sunny mid March morning, this is what is blooming in my garden.
Hellebore White Spotted Lady
Star Magnolia Tree - bud and blossoms
Hellebore Ivory Prince
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Gardens. Gardeners post images of what’s blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. All are welcome to participate.