Growing with Plants

The Rarest of Rare - Hello 'Blue Chilean Crocus'

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:51:00 +0000

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus ssp leictlinii, a true-blue flower that comes from a tiny corm. Nearly extinct ( or extinct in the wild) this is a plant that today, only exists in private collections. It is the Panda Bear of the plant world.

This rarely seen bulb (corm) is one of the real treasures of the plant world. Tecophilaea provides a refreshing burst of true blue to a winter bulb collection ( and will award you with gasps from your friends, or even from the real hortiphiles, as I found out today as we hosted our annual Winter Bash for the American Primula Society. People simply love the color blue, and the plantsmen love it's rareness.

Tecophileae cyanocrocus is considered by many experts as being extinct in the wild due to farming, commercial water use and climatic change, but remains in many collections around the world. We do know that it it is not extinct, it is certainly rarely found in the wilds of Chile anymore. Today, it is one of the most desirable bulb plants in the world, if only for its amazing azure color, but surely for its rarity. They can be grown from seed if one has a cool greenhouse, but by far, the easiest way to get success will be to order corms in late summer. Not hardy in cold northern areas, some have survived winters in southern England, and Ireland, or in the US where the summers are dry ( Northern California perhaps?). Beyond that, these are only worth growing under the protection of a cold glass or alpine house.

CORMS MUST BE ORDERED IN JULY OR AUGUST, AND PLANTED IN SEPTEMBER BEFORE THE BEGIN ANY GROWTH. USE A QUICK DRAINING SOIL ( I USE GRAVEL AS THE LAYER BELOW THE CORMS) SINCE THESE BULBS DEMAND EXCELLENT DRAINAGE. FERTILIZE AFTER BLOOMING WITH A 0.5.5 analysis FERTILIZER TO ENCOURAGE CORM GROWTH FOR NEXT YEAR. ALLOW POTS TO GO DORMANT AND DRY FOR THE SUMMER.

There have been reports lately of a native population being found, but this has not been confirmed - regardless, this is indeed a rare plant. Unique in not only the bulb world for its blue tint, it is also unique in the plant kingdom. Not truly a crocus at all, it's common name comes from the shape of its' blossoms, which some might say, are crocus-like, although both are classified as being members of the larger plant family, Iridaceae, the iris family. Corms are sometimes available from specialty sources such as Telos Rare Bulbs, and Paul Christian Rare Plants, but be prepared to pay for rarity - two years ago corms sold for $60-75 each, last year, $25. each. This year, some were available for $18.00 each.

Growing and Forcing Belgian Endive

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:51:00 +0000

BELGIAN ENDIVE, TOTEM F1 AVAILABLE FROM JOHNNY'S SELECTED SEEDS, IS AN EASY-To-GROW FRESH VEGGIE TO GROW FOR MID-WINTER SALADS, AND IT NEVER HAS SEEN A PLANE.

Growing Belgian Endive at home, is easier than you might think, yet looking back at these photos, I realized how long it takes (9-10 months), before one can harvest a crop. Even though it seems like like long time to wait for a harvest, the labor involved is minimal. If you are looking for another way to augment your winter storage vegetables like roots, potatoes and cabbage, and you are craving something really fresh-picked, why no grow a crop of Belgian Endive - truly a low carbon crop for fresh winter salads. One sows seed in March or April, a little thinning a weeding in May and June, no fertilizer or water needed in the summer, and then ones digs the roots up in October. A day to dry off in the sun, and then the roots are potted up in a long-tom clay pot, and placed in the root cellar until December, when one relocated them to a warmer, yet dark place to spout. Following, are some photos of the entire process.

BELGIAN ENDIVE SEED MUST BE PLANTED AS SOON AS THE GROUND CAN BE WORKED - HERE IN NEW ENGLAND, THIS CAN BE MID-MARCH.

In the 1700's and 1800's if one wanted fresh vegetables in the winter months, one had to plan months ahead, potting up plants to force in root cellars and hot beds, a common practice on private estates and on family farms. In Europe, methods of growing and then forcing chicories and endives for winter harvests started in the 1600's, yet today, the process has been somewhat modified and modernized, the results are basically exactly the same. Belgian endive that is forced in barns that are blacked-out so the no light at all can turn the chicons green, still provide harvests of endive for modern supermarkets. But if you are looking for a sustainable crop that will provide you with fresh vegetables in the winter

SEED SHOULD BE SOWN THINLY, SO THERE IS MINIMAL HAND-THINNING, WHICH CAN DISTURB THE ANGLE OF THE TAP ROOT. ONE WANTS TO HARVEST LONG, THICK ROOTS IN THE AUTUMN.

YOUNG ENDIVE LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE COMMON DANDELION, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, ALSO AN ENDIVE.

IN MID SUMMER, KEEPING WEEDS AT BAY, WILL BE THE ONLY CHORE. BELGIAN ENDIVE PREFERS LEAN SANDY SOIL THAT DRAINS WELL, WITH VERY LITTLE FERTILIZER. LOW NITROGEN MEANS STRONGER ROOTS, AND LITTLE WATER WILL FORCE ROOTS TO LOOK DEEPER FOR MOISTURE.

JUST BEFORE A HARD FROST, WHICH FOR US, OFTEN MEANS LATE OCTOBER, THE ROOTS ARE CAREFULLY DUG UP.

THE VARIETY I GREW, TOTEM F1 FROM JOHNNY'S SELECTED SEEDS, IS A CHOICE VARIETY FOR NORTHERN GROWERS. ROOTS ARE ALLOWED TO DRY FOR A DAY, AND THE LONG TIPS ARE CUT OFF, AS WELL AS THE FOLIAGE. ROOTS ARE POTTED UP SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER IN A LONG TOM, OR A DEEP CLAY POT. HERE IS WHERE THINGS CAN GO WRONG.

THE POTTED ROOTS ARE WRAPPED IN A CLOTH TO BLOCK OUT THE LIGHT - I USED BLACK VELVET BLACK OUT CLOTH, AND THE ENTIRE POT IS SET IN A COOL, DARK PLACE UNTIL READY TO FORCE. DON'T WAIT TOO LONG, THE LAST HARVEST SHOULD BE AROUND FEB.1ST.

I START POTS AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME BY MOVING THEM TO A PITCH BACK, YET WARM LOCATION, LIKE A CLOSET OR A CELLAR WAY, WHERE TEMPS ARE AROUND 68 DEG. F.

IT ONLY TAKES A FEW WEEKS FOR THE CHICONS TO SPROUT. IF YOU USE A BLACK PLASTIC GARBAGE BAG TO BLOCK OUT THE LIGHT, CHECK DAILY FOR MOLD OR DECAY. SHOOTS CAN BE CUT OFF JUST ABOVE THE ROOT TOP, AND A SECOND CROP WITH FEWER LEAVES CAN BE HARVESTED IN A FEW WEEKS.

Today we hosted the New England chapter of the American Primula Society for a mid-winter bash. We presented this first pot of Belgian Endive to Jacques Mommens, ( who is from Belgium), and he was very moved by his gift. As an active member of The National Rock Garden Society and the American Primrose Society, Jacques is a dear friend of many alpine plant enthusiasts across the country, and we are always thrilled when he braves his long journey from New York to come to one of our events.

Winter Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:22:00 +0000

Solenostemon thyrisoides, a winter-blooming old fashioned conservatory plant, rarely seen today in any collections blooms on a sunny January day in the greenhouse.

Every gardener should have at least one plant in their garden that stops even the most snooty of plantista's in their tracks, forcing them to ask you "Oh my gosh, what is that?!" Here is one plant that may indeed to that, although it is a winter-blooming tender plant intended for growing in the greenhouse. The best part is, it isn't really all that rare - it's a coleus. A green-leaved, almost succulent form grown for centuries by plantsmen for it's blue flowers in January and February which brought that special color to conservatory displays and garden rooms to brighten even the snowiest of winter days.

First introduced to Europe in 1875 by Veitch, this pretty yet rather free-growing ( i.e. branchy and not very attractive) plant does have two qualities that keeps it in private collections - it blooms smack in the middle of winter, and those flowers? They just happen to exist in the most incredible shade of a deep true blue - the sort of blue one only sees in morning glories and cobalt glass.

It's greatest downfall may very well be it's scent; and it doesn't come from its lovely blossoms, for they have no scent, but this plants scent (actually, a 'smell') comes from it's leaves - a sticky mixture of chum, sardines and cod liver oil, with just a spritz of turpentine. I kind of like it, actually, only because it reminds me past experiences with this plant, and how it used to bloom in old wood and glass greenhouses in wintertime. It's just part of that entire experience.

Don't be too confused with the Latin name, for it seems to change annually. It belongs to a clan of plants that just keep getting moved around from one plant family to another ( all within Lamaceae - the mist family- you know, all the plants that have square stems). I know it as a coleus, yet it was classified as Plectranthus as recently as five years ago, and now, pushed over into a genus named Solenostemon ( don't worry, I still call them all coleus too).

You may need to Google all three genus names to fine this species online, if you want to buy one. Logee's greenhouses sells them, yet I don't see it on their mail order list, you would need to call them ( I know they have it for sale, I saw some yesterday). They list it as Coleus thyrsoides, and Glass House Works sells them listed as Plectranthus thyrsoides, and also as Solenostemon thyrsoides. Regardless of what you call it, this continues to be a fine flowering plant for winter windowsills, and especially in cold greenhouses where it really shines.

Plants can be grown from cuttings ( the Logee's plants have bee growing from the same cuttings for over 100 years), but I have recently read that the finest plants are grown from seed, since the plant is formally classified as an annual. I found seed for sale from the South African seed firm of Silver Hill Seeds, which ships worldwide, yet there may very well be a few other sources. It's not necessarily common, but one can find most anything with seven Google searches, right?

The Winter Windowsill - Rare Bulbs

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:12:00 +0000

THE CAPE HYACINTH

Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor

CULTURE- Easy as Papewhite narcissus. Purchase bulbs in autumn from specialist bulb catalogs, and some Dutch bulb catalogs. Plant in a professional quality potting mix ( like ProMix by Fafard), or a fast-draining soil mix ( 1/3 gravel, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 compost or loam), water well once, and set on cool, bright windowsill or on a bench in a cool greenhouse which does not freeze. Bulbs emerge in a few weeks, and will produce two to three leaves per bulb. Floral scapes appear shortly after. Provide the brightest light possible ( a sunny, bright window that becomes cooler at night, or the sunniest spot in your greenhouse.

Lachenalia aloides var. Nelsonii

Related to the common hyacinth, the plant grows in much the same way, but without the fragrance. Lachenalia were once popular in the late 1800's, but fell out of fashion when indoor heating eliminated those rooms often found in large turn of the century homes, and farm houses which were not heated. Many flower enthusiasts are rediscovering these easy-to-grow South African bulbs for winter windowsill collections. Look for them next Autumn when you order your Paperwhites, and try something very different.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Romulea komsbergensis

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CROCUS

We can thank Romulus for this rather odd name for plant which is neither a crocus, nor truly anything 'Romulus-like', for according to plantsman and authors Peter Goldblat and Robert Manning authors of many find monographs of plants found in both South Africa ( and particularly those found within the genus Iridaceae, the Iris family) - the name Romulus simply came from the fact that one species within these genus grows in and around Rome, and we have Linnaeus to thank for that, way back in 1760. Linnaeus, is the Swedish botanist who essentially invented and introduced botanical latin, which we all still use today.

Romuea are not common at all, or at least in bulb collections beyond only the geekiest of bulb collectors ( ahem). I will admit that they are quite boring when not in bloom. If new to Romulea, you think that you made a mistake, and that grass started growing in all of your containers, but wait - for that winter day, when the sun is low and weak, for romuleus to arrive (if only briefly, and only when the sun is at it's highest point and bright around noon - the large floral buds reveal even larger, crocus-like striped cups with a complex color structure, sometimes so complex that a camera cannot capture the jewel tones very well. Sadly, the simple Romulea is destined for obscurity, for nobody really grows them in any number, and perhaps they shouldn't, for there are far better bulb plants, so don't be meslead by the close up photo. I would suggest the we leave them mother natures garden, and visit them on the winter rain soaked velds and vernal seeps of the Cape area of South Africa, where left to own role amongst the grasses and other bulbs, it flourishes in large sweets. Only appreciated by a lonely Baboon, who may take a second glance at their beauty, in only so briefly before tearing out the sweet corm from which it grows, as a snack.

Stenomesson pearcei

A rare bulb from Peru and Equador, I am please to say that this bulb has proven sturdy enough for me have it in bloom three times this year. The experts will tell you to never plant mature bulbs, for they will never bloom, and, to never repot them for they will sulk for at least three years. My bulbs not only sat out on the bench for three months, after I forgot to plant them, I repotted them twice this year. But then again, I wonder exactly how many Stenomesson pearcei

experts there really are out there?

Ornithogalum fimbriatum

Alpine form of Star of Bethlehem

My Favorite Seed Sources

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:08:00 +0000

Is it just me? Or are there more seed catalogs arriving in the mail than ever before?

Clearly our new digital work has not affected the catalog printing industry. As most of us know, there is still that special 'something' about paper, when it comes to some things. I would bet my yellow variegated clivia that most people read the paper catalogs , circling favorite choices, crafting a final list, and then places an order on-line.

Every blog on the planet is featuring their favorite catalogs, so I will approach this subject differently. I thought that I might share with you some of my more unconventional sources for seed. Some of these you may already be familiar with, others maybe not so much. Either way, I encourage you to support these small business, or plant societies - for the truth is that there are very few sources where one can get truly unique seeds. Most heirloom and major seed companies purchase their seeds overseas, in China or all from the same source. Look for those who grow their own, breed their own, or collect responsibly from the wild. Be wary of most seed banks offering "heirloom seed" in large lots that you can bury in the cellar - most are scams, or at the very best, simply selling old seed of out dated varieties that will never germinate once the Mayan calendar runs out.

Here are some of my current, favorite sources - where many of us plant enthusiasts like to purchase the seeds that interest us. If you are looking for something different, unique or something really ...

challenging, do try some of these sources. for those hard-to-find and even the rarest of species to grow in your gardens and collections. Yes, I will admit that some of these sources sell only challenging seeds, but if one follows directions, and uses Google properly to search for the proper planting sowing directions, success is not as impossible as you may have previously encountered. Go for it!

Broadly speaking, I have arranged my favorite seed sources into a few large categories -

Commercial Seed Sources

These are the big, glossy or newsprint mega catalogs, most are fine sources, and you can choose from a tall stack of choices based on your own personal criteria list - organic, heirloom, hybrid, GMO, non GMO, whatever - go have fun! The upside is that most of these large companies carry fresher seed, but the downside is that most carry the same varieties, and have a limited selection, focusing on the easiest annuals and vegetables to grow. My favorite commercial sources? That's easy. Thompson & Morgan, because of their variety, and Johnny's Selected Seeds because they grow most of their own seed and varieties right here in New England, and they breed many of their own varieties rather than focusing older varieties ( i.e. beyond tomatoes, "heirloom" varieties are not always the best choice for many reasons and especially if you are growing organically - most older varieties are more susceptible to virus' and diseases, and less flavorful - so do your research).

Professional Sources

This is where the commercial growers purchase seed, and although not an option for most of you, I only mention these for one reason - in case you were wondering where you could buy seed for fabulous over-performing plants which often cost as high as $8 or $9.00 at the nursery ( think - Proven Winners brand). The cost is high for these plants for a simple reason, they are the best performing varieties of annuals ( yes, they are registered and trademarked) but don't let that freak you out. It's necessary. Really, it's the only way that companies like Proven Winners can afford to research, develop and distribute their intellectual property and at the same time, make a profit so that they can find, develop and market more. They are a business and need to make a profit.

This is why you cannot find those awesome varieties, some which you may have paid $4.99 a pot for at your local nursery, as seed that you can grow at home. Even your local nursery can't buy that special seed, they are required to purchase their plants as pre-started plugs from even a larger wholesaler who is licensed to grow these plants into plug stage, or as tissue cultured baby plants. Many travel a very long distance by the time they are planted into a pot at your nursery. Currently, many come from Africa where warmer temperatures allow an unheated environment, and at the same time providing tribal cultures with new opportunities. So really, in many ways, we are supporting a very good thing.

Plant Enthusiast Sources

Now for the good stuff - Here I include specialist nurseries, those mom and pop growers focusing on their own, unique breeding programs, independent plant collectors who travel to Tibet, or Nepal to collect seed of which one would buy a sponsor collection from, or those sources where, not unlike crowd sourcing, pull together many collectors of seed, such as those offered as a membership benefit in various plant societies (seed exchanges) which offer both wild collected seed, as well as seed grown in members' gardens. A membership in a plant society that offers the benefit of an annual seed list is one of the finest sources for the most unusual seed. So if you are a collector, or more serious with your plant choices, that would be my first recommendation.

Businesses with interesting seed: ( all ship worldwide).

Jelitto Seeds

( check out their pre-chilled perennial seeds - by far the best way to grow the most challenging of perennials from seed - $18 per packet may seem high, but imagine 200 delphiniums that grow 6 feet tall at that price, and you will quickly see the value.

J.L. Hudson Seeds

Plant World Seeds

I have not ordered from them yet, but I have friends who just did, so I will let you know - interesting material.

Silverhill Seeds ( South African plants and bulbs)
Almost forgot this one! the best, and perhaps the only source for responsibly collected wild seed of South African bulbs and plants. Most of my collection has been raised from seed purchased from Silverhill.

Barnhaven Primroses
For fine strains of garden primroses especially the polyanthus types, which are difficult to find today in nurseries ( most have no stems) these are the classic, and finest strains with excellent germination.

Chris Chadwell Seeds

My good friend Mr. Chadwell is one of the last of the great explorers collecting today. His specialty? The Himalaya ) Tibet and Nepal. This is where many of the world's most important collections get their material ( i.e. botanic gardens). If you see a number at a Botanic Garden that starts with CC and a four code number, it's a Chadwell collection. But yes, you can own those very same plants - just purchase a share in one of Chris Chadwell's expeditions, and you too could get box in the mail of all sorts of amazing seeds ( I just got one this weekend, and I am so excited!).

Plant Societies with Seed Exchanges

North American Rock Garden Society

The American Primrose Society

American Rhododendron Society

American Horticultural Society

American Conifer Society

Pacific Bulb Society

Alpine Garden Society

Clematis International

Just Google any plant type ( Peony, Irish Narcissus, etc, and check and see if they have a seed exchange, and although many seeds are challenging, I guarantee that each society will be more than happy to help you with guidelines on how to grow your seeds. Some are much easier than you may believe ( EXAMPLE - sow a pot in the autumn, leave outdoors in the snow, and by spring, you will have seedlings - that's how many primrose seeds grow).

Uncommon Home Grown Citrus

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:26:00 +0000

MANY CITRUS MAKE EXCELLENT WINDOWSILL PLANTS, IN MY GREENHOUSE, I KEEP ABOUT TEN TYPES, HERE ARE A FEW.

As a teenager, I was a bit of a nerd ( which I've been thinking about lately - see end of post). Not really into competitive sports, nor other typical teenagy stuff like comic books, music or pop stars; I was the sort of kid who instead of asking for a motorbike, begged my parents for money to buy a lime tree from the Park's Seed catalog ( circa 1972?). The idea that one could grow citrus indoors fascinated me for all it delivers - fragrant flowers, yummy fruit and a cool houseplant. Like many things, this was not always true. A popular book at the time had step-by-step methods for growing your own citrus from seed, ( something that I see even today suggested on other blogs), but although a great way to get children interested in plants, the truth is, most, if not all citrus from seed will not bloom and bear fruit for many years. So unless you child plants to take her citrus to college, and then to her first home, the reality of real fruit from a seed-raised plant is unrealistic.

LEFT to RIGHT | MEYER LEMON, CHANGSHOU KUMQUAT, AUSTRALIAN FINGER LIME, LIMEQUAT, AND THE TINY FORTUNELLA HINDSII.

But don't despair, there are many places online where you can purchase grafted citrus plants - grafting is the preferred method for propagation, since it allows that root stock variety to be one which will aggressively grow roots, or perhaps be a bit more hardy than the scion ( the top part of the graft), and the best part is that fruit can be had while the tree is still at a small size - even window sill size. Most of my plants are from Logee's greenhouses, which is located not far from where I live, but a simple Google search will connect you with many sources.

There are a few things to note about growing citrus is pots. First, they often have shallow roots, and fresh soil often needs to be added each year at the top of the pot. Second, you may read that citrus like to be potbound, this this is not true - many citrus dislike root disturbance, but prefer a larger container. Third, although great indoor plants, they do best when one can bring pots outdoors for the spring, summer and autumn, to be brought in again at the first heavy frost. Citrus also should not be trained, so forget about getting a beautiful orange topiary. It can be done with careful selection of a straight stem graft, and careful pruning, but good topiary forms are rare. A "standard" sort of topiary can be achieved, at a larger scale, but window sill sized pots trained, are unrealistic.

These images show some of the various varieties and species which do well in our cool to cold greenhouse. I adore Kumquats, so we grow 5 varieties including the very time Hong Kong Kumquat, Fortunella hindsii, with fruits no larger than a pea. They look like doll house oranges, and although edible, they are mostly skin and seed.

The Australian Finger Lime is very special and it makes a terrific potted plant even when not in bloom or in fruit. Be careful of its thorns - many citrus have them!

My Meyer Lemon trees annually provide us with an entire winter full of fresh Meyer lemons for tea and cooking. I don't think that I could have enough of this sweet lemon which tasted more like a cross between a tangerine and a lemon.

The bizarre Buddha's Hand is a treasured citron-type of citrus in the orient, as well as in some middle eastern countries. Mostly pith and skin, it can be candied for fruitcakes and seasonal treats. Preserved for generations in a timeless method which involved the fruit to be cooked in a liquid mixture of water, sugar and corn syrup, the fruit section become transparent like glass much like candied cherries or orange peel.

Currently spending the weekend in New York City.... Looking at plants? Not really.....

Attending Bronycon! ( Google it).

Hey...we all have a day job too, you know!

A Sunny Winter Day in the Greenhouse

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:53:00 +0000

WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO FINALLY DROP TO BELOW 10 DEG. F, A BRONZE COLORED CYMBIDIUM ORCHID ENJOYS A SUNBEAM ON A JANUARY SUNNY AFTERNOON IN THE GREENHOUSE.

Of the many pleasures one has in keeping a greenhouse in New England is the ability to garden during those months when snow is deep, and outside temperatures are far below freezing. It may be frosty outdoors, but underglass - in a t-shirt- I am muddy and filthy in the good way - with hand pruners, loppers, rakes and hoses. I actually prefer gardening in January in the greenhouse more than a June day in the garden. With the scent of almond and jasmine in the moist, green-smelling air, physical labor under glass in ones own greenhouse is one of the most memorable experiences. I have to admit, even as a snow-lover, with no snow this year, this sure beats shoveling snow! ( Lest we forget - last January).

I began my two weeks off from work ( the first full week I took all year), with a long to-do list, and naturally, very little from that list was accomplished. I was never able to get the greenhouse properly prepared for winter with a wrap of bubble wrap inside of the glass, so I do hope that this mild winter continues ( although, 8 deg. F tomorrow!), but I never really expect to get much done on these staycations. I just let each day dictate what needs to be done.

A PHAIUS TANKERVILLIAE, AN ENORMOUS ASIAN COOL-GROWING ORCHID WHICH HAS BEEN GROWN IN ESTATE GREENHOUSES SINCE 1778, SPREADS ITS LEAVES TO ABSORB THE SHORT WINTER DAY-LENGTH. NEW FLORAL SCAPES ARE BEGINNING TO EMERGE ON THIS LARGE, GROUND-GROWING ORCHID.

There are experiences you never think about, once you have a home greenhouse. First, you have this realization that you could grow most everything ( except the warmest, tropicals). So restraint is to be practiced, especially during seed-ordering season. I know that I could order rare primrose seed, the finest hyrbid French Delphiniums, rare bulb or challenging annuals that are practically impossible to foster in a home, all are easy peasy with a greenhouse.

I've found that the best way to control myself, is to establish little rules. I try to grow only a few genus a year ( I am thinking that this year I may focus on Hollyhocks in one section of the garden). Of course, this list changed daily, so it all really depends on the precise moment when I place an order on-line. Tigridia is on my list for a large, long bed near the greenhouse, and definitely many many pots of Tuberoses ( the single ones) which I will grow in the antique methods outlined in those old gardening books I wrote about in December. Dahlias again, and most likely, a large experiment on recreating ( or creating - since they really never existed except in art) the ideal cottage garden - you know, those annuals and biennials one rarely sees grown well, which must be sown in place like Poppies, Godetia, Nemisia, Schizanthus, Salpiglosses, Mimulus, Foxgloves, Hollyhocks, Campanulas, and the like. I just need the thatched cottage to go with this project.

REMEMBER THOSE WINTER-GROWING SWEET PEAS THAT I PLANTED IN OCTOBER? THANKS TO MICE, WHO ATE 33 SEEDLINGS, I ONLY HAVE 4 LEFT. I TRANSPLANTED THEM TODAY INTO A LARGE, FELT FABRIC CONTAINER. I AM USING A BEEN TOWER AS A TRELLIS. WITH A GOOD DOSE OF LIQUID FEED, AND A PINCH TO STIMULATE A STRONGER SIDE SHOOT WHICH WILL BECOME THE MAIN STEM, I SHOULD HAVE SWEET PEA FLOWERS BY THE END OF MARCH, OR EARLY APRIL.

READY FOR THE COMPOST PILE, FANCY WEEDS FROM A WINTERS DAY OF WEEDING AND PRUNING. ACACIA, SPANISH MOSS ( TILANDSIA), CAMELLIA AND JASMINUM.

SET ON A RAISED SAND PLUNGE BED, THE POT OF SWEET PEAS REMAINS WARMER. THE JASMINE VINE ON THE LEFT, HAS BECOME A WEED IN THE GREENHOUSE, RUNNING AROUND THE FOUNDATION AND UP 16 FEET IN THE REAR. IT WILL BLOOM IN MARCH, WHICH I LOVE, BUT I STILL HAD TO DO SOME SERIOUS HACKING. UN-MANAGED, IT GROWS AS FAST AS KUDZU.

A BENCH OF VELTHIEMIA DIVISIONS. I HAVE SO MANY, THAT THESE MAY FIND NEW HOMES IN A FEW WEEKS.

CAMELLIAS NEED ATTENTION, EVEN IN THE WINTER. IT'S A LITTLE LATE TO DO THIS, BUT VARIETIES THAT FORM CLUSTERS OF FLOWER BUDS, SHOULD HAVE THE EXCESS BUDS REMOVED, TO ALLOW EACH FLOWER TO DEVELOP TO A MATURE SIZE. LEAVING TWO BUDS IS SOMETIMES OK, BUT I LIKE PERFECT FLOWERS, SO ALL BUT ONE BUD IS REMOVED.

CAMELLIA BUDS SNAP OFF EASILY. IF ONE KEEPS TOO MANY ON A PLANT, THE PLANT ITSELF WILL DROP MOST IF NOT ALL OF IT'S BUDS. YOUR REWARD WILL BE LARGE, PERFECTLY FORMS BLOSSOMS.

Exhibition Flowers - Why not grow the best?

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:20:00 +0000

JUDGES FROM THE NATIONAL SWEET PEA SOCIETY EVALUATING SWEET PEAS IN ENGLAND AS PART OF THE RHS WISLEY TRIALS. LEARNING WHAT VARIETIES OF FLOWERS TO GROW AND GETTING THEM DIRECTLY FROM SPECIFIC PLANT SOCIETIES OFTEN IS THE BEST WAY TO OBTAIN THE NEWEST CULTIVARS.

photo by the talented photographer IanJmase ©All Rights Reserved/Flickr

Have you ever wondered why annuals that you buy in the spring in those plastic 6 pacs look so perfect? Why those pansies you buy are covered in flowers, so green and lush with nice, dense growth? Growers know that only annuals with flowers on them will sell, that short, dense and bush looking geraniums sell first. Most spring bedding plants are drenched in growth hormones, root stimulator's and are varieties selected primarily for their performance on the sales bench ( i.e. in flower when you buy them) and not for how they perform in your garden. We all deserve more, right?

On this New Year's Day, as our mail boxes are stuffed with glossy seed catalogs, I am going to share my thoughts on some alternative sources for some of the most common bedding plants, annuals and the like. My strategy is a simple one - if I want awesome pelargoniums and geraniums, incredible pansies and other extraordinary annuals, go to the real experts - the plant societies.

It makes sense, a pansy enthusiast who is raising exhibition pansies, would never buy them at their local market, they know the varieties and methods that work, so why not learn from the pros. Here are a few secret sources for sourcing and growing the most perfect Pansies, Sweet Peas, and Geraniums from scratch.

Plant societies are concerned not with how a plant looks at Home Depot, rather they are focused on conservation of old stocks of exhibition varieties, on how to cultivate a plant to perfection without chemical enhancement/ Members exhibit plants in regional and national exhibitions, they trade cultivation secrets freely and they have the connections- where to find the best varieties, and their publications and web sites often have links to the finest nurseries and sources for both seeds and plants that will never show up at your local garden center.

If you find yourself bored watching the Tournament of Roses Parade this year, I encourage you to check out some of these still active, yet needy societies for plants that were once in-vogue. Here are three I am currently looking at:

The National Sweet Pea Society

The National Pansy and Viola Society

The National Pelargonium and Geranium Society

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EXHIBITION PANSIES - IN 1833, THERE WERE MORE THAN 400 NAMED VARIETIES

Today I was thinking about pansies. I was aware the in the 19th and early 20th century, there were fancy exhibition pansies and violas, but perusing the seed catalogs from the major retail seed suppliers, I am finding little information, let alone any selections that excite me. Which brings be to the NationalViola & Pansy Society (NVPS), and English group dedicated to the culture of exhibition pansies, that is, if you can find them. Sadly, many plant society sites are poorly designed or no longer maintained, obviously due to the lack of interest from a new, younger generation who might be more digitally savvy. Still, these sites provide some basic information, I like to use them as I would a library or a book.

A CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW DISPLAY OF PANSIES GROWN BY A B LONGDEN ( from Flickr member Dryasdingo)

I found a chocolate - magenta variety called 'Jackanapes', introduced by Gertrude Jekyll, and said to have been named after her pet monkey, whose cheeky face she thought it resembled. It is still available, and one of the vintage varieties I am growing this year ( look at the NVPS site to see hundreds more to try).

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EXHIBITION GERANIUMS

WINNING EXHIBITION PELARGONIUM'S FROM PRIZE-PELARGONIUMS.com, CHECK OUT THEIR STEP-BY-STEP TRAINING METHODS, THEY ARE AMAZING - ORDER STOCK IN THE US FROM GERANIACEAE.COM

PELARGONIUMS - GERANIUMS

The Pelargonium and Geranium Society is still a rather active group ( I know this because I get many links to my posts from members), and a current favorite site for me to explore, especially the member links with directions on how to grow exhibition quality Pelargoniums ( geraniums). I've learned that with lots of pinching, and proper trimming, that a bushy plant with an explosion of bloom could be had by June. Florist geraniums and garden center forms, are rarely this nice. Check out this growers site. Ken Able, for excellent step-by-step methods on training pelargoniums for exhibition. I am so captivated with the images, just be certain to buy the proper varieties, not the over-hybridized forms often sold in the spring.

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EXHIBITION SWEET PEAS HAVE STEMS 18 INCHES LONG, WHICH ONLY COME FROM CAREFULLY GROW SPENCER VARIETIES WHICH MUST BE GROWN FROM SEED IMPORTED FROM ENGLAND, STARTED EARLY, PINCHED BACK TO CREATE A STRONGER GROWING SIDE STEM, AND TIED TO A SINGLE CANE. COOL WEATHER IS A MUST, AND LOTS OF WATER. STILL, NOTHING COMPARES WITH THIS RARELY GROWN ANNUAL.

THE RHS WISLEY SWEET PEA TRIAL FIELD - NOTICE HOW THE SWEET PEAS ARE GROWN ON CORDONS - BAMBOO POLES, EACH WITH A SINGLE VINE ATTACHED TO IT. WANT LONG FLOWER STEMS? THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT. IRRIGATION, PINCH OUT YOUR SEEDLING TO GET A STRONGER STEM, AND FERTILIZE WELL.

IMAGES OF THE WISLEY SWEET PEA TRIALS FROM LATHYRUS.COM

SWEET PEAS FOR EXHIBITION AND FOR CUTTING

AT Lathyrus.com. and Owl's Acres Sweet Peas, Exhibition Sweet Pea seed is available world-wide ( it's where I get mine), and the National Sweet Pea Society in England can connect you to many other members and sources over-seas for the finest seed, and step-by-step cultivation guides and techniques for growing the most amazing cut flower sweet peas. Look, Burpee and other commercial US sources just won't have the fine exhibition Spencer varieties that the real experts grow- the proper varieties are essential.

If you want long, long stems, intense fragrance, and large sweet pea flowers, you simply must order your seed from the British growers. I do every year, and in side-by-side comparisons, the difference is substantial, and once you grow them yourself, you will see the difference. After growing them myself, I first notice that the leaves alone are almost three times the size of US grown cultivars, and well, the colors are luscious! Order seed now for many will sell out, and you will need seed soon, even here in New England, since you will need to start seedlings in mid February to pinch back properly to grow on cordons. Also, I strongly advise that you join the Sweet Peas Society for their free handbooks and source lists.

Greeting a Dawning Year

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:12:00 +0000

CONSERVATORY DELIGHTS WELCOME A NEW YEAR

A COMPOSITION INSPIRED BY AN ENGRAVING PUBLISHED IN THE YOUNG GARDENERS ASSISTANT
by Thomas Bridgeman, 1853.

PERIOD FLOWERS, PICKED TODAY IN THE GREENHOUSE.

Descending snow, the yellow leaf and sear,

Are indications of old Time's career;

The careful florist tends his sheltered plants,

Studies their nature, and supplies their wants.

Winter's white sheet now covers earth's cold bed;

Pride of our home the lovely flowers, outside, are dead;

Some early venturers would the aspect cheer;

B'neath thy glass, first-born greet a dawning year.

In 1850, winter flowers were often presented under glass domes, or placed in bowls and vases within Wardian Cases, where the extra humidity would keep them fresher. Greenhouses were heated by coal or wood, and night-time meant even colder temperatures. Homes where also wood or steam heated, heated, and most recommended that plants and flowers be brought into the center of the room for evenings, so that they would not freeze when the temperature drops on chilly nights.

Above, a New Years' urn created in the 19th century style, it includes many flowers in bloom in the cold greenhouse today ( from top), Clivia caulescens x nobilis, a natural cross which occurs in South Africa, Westringia rosmarifolia, two Abutilon varieties (the flowering Parlor Maple), a red Vireya Rhododendron, pink and cream colored Correa 'Western Hills', a good shrub for winter gardens under glass, Narcissus romieuxii and Narcissus cantabricus, Camellia japonica and a Cyclamen graecum leaf. Moss and ferns complete the period composition.

Alos, the term 'Florists', is an old term for those who grew not only grew plants and flowers to sell, but also those who bred flowers, sold bulbs and notions for growing plants. Somewhat different than what a florist is today. In 1853, a 'Florist' was more like a butcher who raised his own meat, and bred his own cattle as well.

Growing like it's 1855 - Inspiration from the past for a new gardening year

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:13:00 +0000

A WARDIAN CASE IS DIFFERENT THAN A

At the end of each year, I treat myself to a small selection of rare gardening books. Like many gardeners, I prefer to choose my own books, as many of you would understand, I am not the easiest person to buy a plant book for!. This year, I've found 5 very nice vintage gardening books, all printed between 1802 and 1908. , and most focus on the subject of growing potted plants indoors, either under glass in some of the country's first greenhouses, or in conservatories. I find the subject of 18th century greenhouses appealing for many obvious reasons, but mainly, as a New Englander with a glass house, living just outside of Boston ( where many of these books were published), I can relate to this desire people had for 'keeping a glass house' in the middle of winter where one can grow tender plants, trees and shrubs collected from around the world.

In the 1800's, a glass structure in which to grow plants was a luxury item indeed, yet they were far more common than today. Most every estate or large home had some sort of conservatory or greenhouse, but they also very necessary for florists, farmers and produce stores, for providing a constant supply of fresh flowers. veggies and fruit for the markets. Otherwise, the greater population would need to survive on winter storage vegetables like roots, turnips, cabbages, carrots and potatoes.

Oranges could be shipped via trains, and Pine Apples by ship, but fresh flowers had to be locally grown, and some crops such as oranges could be grown for both their blossoms ( for winter weddings) and for fruit. If one wanted any sort of fresh green vegetable, it had to be forced or 'forwarded' in a hot bed,or grown under glass in a greenhouse. A New England farm always kept both cold frames and hot beds ( lined with fresh manure to heat the roots), where they grew both late and early crops of many vegetables, but with those with horticultural interests, such methods were also used for forcing rhubarbs, growing violets, and forwarding Tuber Roses, a favorite flower of the time around the Civil War. If one wanted orchids, and if one had deep pockets, a hot house was needed, or a 'stove house'. where temperatures were kept as high as 110 deg. F in the day, for growing equatorial plants. These were rare, and only the very wealthy could afford their maintenance. A proper greenhouse would be kept at 40-50 degrees ( like mine) and many plants could be kept throughout the long, snowy winter with a heated brick flue and a fire.

Most of all, these books are showing me just how sophisticated people with the plants they attempted to grow indoors. Many chapters deal with plant windows, forcing on a windowsill, and the culture of Wardian Cases ( precursor to the modern terrarium). Plants for homes could be found via mail catalogs and in the large east coast cities around the mid 1800's. These books are so inspiring, that I think I will refocus much of my blogging from growing rare plants, to how people grew plants 250 years ago.

I will be sharing with you such things as how to grow crops of cut-flower Tuberoses in a method I never saw before, how to master Sea Kale shoots, how to create organic coldframes with 'paper glass' created from rag paper and boiled linseed oil, how to force rhubarb ( one day in 1851, a cart in Boston with fresh, forced, blanched rhubarb in January sold more then 2 tons worth!), and many other lost or forgotten methods that gardeners with a curious mind, will appreciate.

Plants were often kept in 17th and 18th century homes in the north, and many thrived where they could not today, since nights became cold due to the fact that all homes were heated by fires. The selection and variety of plants available was far more extensive than I even imagined. Even last night, I spent 3 hours on Google trying to find sources for many of the plants, which are available, but not being grown by anyone doing mailorder. It is ironic that even in our modern world of air freight, that the 1850 gardener - with his world of steam ships and trains actually had access to far more plant material, than a modern greenhouse enthusiast does today.

One book, has sample ads from Boston nurserymen and seed catalogs, some offering as many as 1300 varieties of just named forms of Anemone and Ranunculus which could be imported from Holland. Frittilaria, Cholchicum, Clivia nobilis, Ixia, and many Australian shrubs were also offered as 'in-stock items. Again, I remind you - this was before the Civil War! Maybe I am just naive, but I was shocked to imagine such material even being introduced at that time to the American gardener. Even more impressive is the diversity of species suggested for greenhouse culture in these books (many are still hard-to-find rare bulbs which continue today to be elusive in the trade like Lachenalia, Ornithogalum, Massonia, Brunsvigia, Boophane and Nerine). Sadly, these were all wild collected, a practice not encouraged today. Yet seeds are also listed.

I also learnt than books were expensive then, since many of these listed at $20 to $60 dollars in 1850! Obviously, only the rich could afford bound books, but a few did list our at $6. - $10., still, quite costly and not that far off from today's prices for printed media.

Terrariums can vary in price today, from a choice vintage hand-blown dome in a Guy Wolff pot (left) to a home made recycled soda bottle from Walmart, cut and placed over a begonia cutting. They both work!

Many of those late 18^th century and early nineteenth century greenhouse shrubs arrived on whaling and merchant ships who often had natural history collectors on board as their routes traversed the unexplored regions of Australia, the south seas, Chile, Argentina and the cape of South Africa. I am about to invest in a year full of new ventures with plants, and one that you will be able to share with me as I experiment with recreating old and forgotten methods of propagation, the culture of Tube Roses in pots and trellis, on forcing Rhubarb and Sea Kale, on building forcing frames from paper coated in boiled linseed oil, on hot beds, cold frames, blanching cardoons, and training topiaries in the old style.

There are cultural specifics to practice - training pelargonium’s for exhibition and parlor display, preparing the perfect bed of Tigridia, growing hybrid gladiolus in pots, forwarding cucumbers under hand glasses, and sourcing many tender shrubs and trees for conservatory culture which I cannot find in my catalog and on-line sources.

A PAGE FROM EDWARD SPRAGUE RAND JR.s FLOWERS FOR THE PARLOR & GARDEN. A CHAPTER ON WARDIAN CASES, FLORENCE FLASKS and the WALTONIAN CASE. ALL METHODS OF GROWING PLANTS INDOORS USED DURING THE 1800's. I CAN"T WAIT TO START RECREATING THESE!

A YOUNG NEPENTHES ( TROPICAL PITCHER PLANT) GROWING UNDER A GLASS DOME ABOVE OUR KITCHEN SINK.

I am learning how fresh flowers, particularly camellias, can be brought into the home from the cold greenhouse, and arranged under glass to extend their lives. One book suggests that all proper Wardian cases should have bowls of camellias kept in it, where they could last up to 2 weeks.

MANY CHAPTERS ABOUT WINDOW GARDENING ARE ENTERTAINING, SINCE THEY OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE POISONOUS GASSES AND FUME THAT FRAGRANT FLOWERS EMIT AT NIGHT, WARNING THE READER TO NOT PLACE THEM IN THE BED ROOM.

I AM SURPRISED BY THE SELECTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CAPE BULBS THAT WERE AVAILABLE IN THE EARLY 1800'a, A FAR BETTER SELECTION THAT IS EVEN AVAILABLE TODAY.

Fruits and vegetables aside, the flowering conservatory shrubs are what are capturing my attention at the moment. Many are not available from my source lists, so please help me if you can. Logee’s Greenhouses is my primary source, and since their greenhouses are from that era, they have many of the plants which were so popular then for winter gardens under glass, and for winter florist work such as Buddleia asiatica, jasmines, violets etc. But there are those shrubs that I do not have a source for, which were very common as exhibition plants like Hovea species, Kennedia, Eriostemon, Chorizema, and Epacris. I did find a hybrid Epacris last year at a greenhouse (similar to a heath), but these are now on my must-get list.

What's in Bloom Today - Under Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:39:00 +0000

I PICKED A VERY NINETEENTH CENTURY COMPOSITION IN THE GREENHOUSE TODAY. THESE ARE FLOWERS ONE WOULD HAVE FOUND SOLD ON A DECEMBER STREET CORNER IN LONDON OR IN NEW YORK DURING THE LATE 1800's - FRENCH SCENTED VIOLETS, CAMELLIAS, HOOP NARCISSUS, TROPICAL RED RHODODENDRONS ( VIYREYA) FREESIAS, ALMOND-SCENTED OSMANTHUS AND WESTRINGIA ROSEMARIFOLIA ( THE PALE LAVENDER FLOWERS).

Greenhouses are magical in the winter. A thin sheet of glass divides two climates, outside, the bitter cold, dry winter and New England blizzards, inside - it's warm and moist, and the air is thick with the scent of winter-blooming trees and potted plants like jasmine, narcissus, freesia, scented camellias, fragrant Parma and French violets. At one time these were the only flowers available during the winter for many people who live where it snows, and before air travel made shipping flowers around the planet an every day event, a greenhouse was the only way to get fresh flowers, citrus and vegetables.

OSMANTHUS FRAGRANS - THE ALMOND SCENTED OSMANTHUS STARTS BLOOMING IN OCTOBER IN THE GREENHOUSE, AND CONTINUES UNTIL JANUARY. AT ONE TIME, EVERY PROPER WINTER WEDDING WOULD HAVE HAD THIS FLOWER IN THEIR BRIDAL BOUQUETS.

THE ALMOND SCENTED OSMANTHUS FRAGANS - SURE, THE CHINESE HAVE GROWN THIS PLANT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS FOR TEA AND IN GARDENS, BUT THIS IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF WINTER FRAGRANCE IN OUR GREENHOUSE, SMELLING A BIT LIKE WILD CHERRY COUGH DROPS.

In my 1802 gardening book, it is suggested that an estate must keep greenhouses for such luxuries as Pine Apples, Muscat grapes, Persimmons and lemons. Cut flowers like carnations, violets, camellias, and buddleia can be had throughout the winter for arrangements, and tubbed trees can be brought into the conservatory for winter displays of Acacia trees, Camellia trees, Roses, Orchids and forced plums.

Narcissus romieuxii ssp. cantabricus, self seeded seedlings, blooming in pots around the greenhouse every December and January. They smell like gummy bears. Native to the Atlas mountains of Morocco, this rarity is an uncommon site outside of specialist collections.

Oxalis versicolor - The Candycane Oxalis, a bulbous species from South Africa

Lost are those days when every madame required a corsage constructed from a pure, white camellia for a visit to the opera, or a nosegay of violets for Saint Valentines day. These are the very reasons why I bother to keep a greenhouse, for they are not economical. But the joy they bring on days like this when it is cold out, that even on the shortest day of winter,there are flowers in bloom and citrus to pick, even here in the north, just outside of Boston. It's a lost luxury few can experience, so we are grateful. This is a bit about maintaining a truly vintage experience, and the fact that there are only a few private greenhouses left in America that continue to grow rare collections of classic winter conservatory plants as well as rare plants found only in botanic gardens. In a way, it's a living museum, and one that both teaches you and one which provides a sort of holistic treatment for the soul. Find your way into a greenhouse this winter, and find a not only a nice one, but an interesting one.... for if you have never walked into a winter glass house in full bloom in December and January when there is snow outside, you are missing a wonderful experience.

A WILD FREESIA, FREESIA ALBA, WHICH I STARTED FROM SEEDS COLLECTED IN SOUTH AFRICA, BLOOMS CLOSE TO THE GLASS. MOST SOUTH AFRICAN BULBS GROW WEAK LIKE THIS IN THE WINTER, BUT THE FLOWERS ARE FRAGRANT AND WORTH PICKING TO BRING INTO THE HOME ON SNOWY DAYS.

A Happy Christmas to all....

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:10:00 +0000

Although it is busy around the house here during the Holidays, I thought that I would just drop a note to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Hanukkah or Happy Winter Solstice. As I continue to clean up, do dished, throw out wrapping paper a burn off some of the calories, here are a few images from our home from last nights dinner. Plus, a crazy indulgent wreath that I made with some white single camellias that were blooming in the greenhouse. As you can see, I went a little crazy with the chalk, after becoming inspired by the talents of New York artist Dana Tanamachi, something I want to add to this blog starting this week - blackboard art - here is my test piece that I created for our family Lithuanian Christmas Eve dinner. I was fretting about what quote to use, first starting with 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', but it just felt wrong, so I erased it and wrote 'Tis the night before....", but it still felt wrong. I ended up with a nice quote from Dr. Suess' 'The Grinch', which seemed to set the perfect tone on this cold, winters night spent with friends and family.

Wishing you all a very, Merry Christmas...and just think about it......the seed catalogs are arriving already!

A mild December - What's in bloom, outdoors.

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:10:00 +0000

A DAPHNE MEZEREUM 'ALBA' IS IN FULL BLOOM, ON THIS MILD, DECEMBER MORNING

Every Few Years, we experience a mild December, if not a mild winter here in New England, making some of us dream a little that perhaps, we are gardening in Britain, when such winters are the norm. Much of Europe and the UK have winters that hover around freezing, allowing Hellebores and Daphne to bloom in December and January. Dreams of such weather occuring in the Boston area are unrealistic, since December and January typically means deep snow and frigid temperatures near 0 deg. F.

Call it an effect from global warming, El Nino or just a freak coincidence - our zone 5 New England garden feels more like Worcester England, than Worcester, Massachusetts, with a record-breaking "warmest November and December in recorded history'. There are some benefits, however, besides my greenhouse heating bill being reduced significantly - many plants are blooming much earlier this year, both inside the greenhouse, and most noticiably, outdoors. Hellebores are budding, narcissus are emerging and some late-winter blooming shrubs are starting to flower.

It's not unusual for our garden to have something in bloom outdoors, each month of the year, but often one needs to look harder than we have this year. Surely, colder weather will arrive, and put an end to all of this talk about an early spring, but until then, we enjoy our 'very British' winter.

A HELLEBORE IS NOT SHY ABOUT SHOWING ITS BUDS - IN A 'NORMAL' SEASON, WE WOULD NOT SEE THIS BUD FORMATION UNTIL MARCH. HELLEBORES ARE INDEED WINTER-BLOOMING PLANTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, FOR THEY PREFER MILD WINTERS.

EVEN ALPINES ARE STARTING TO BUD, LOOK CLOSELY AND FIND THE YELLOW BUD ON THIS DRABA SPECIES GROWING IN AN ALPINE TROUGH.

Winter Greens, Blues and Pinks

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:29:00 +0000

ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR, HAS BRIGHT BLUE NEEDLES, AND GREY BRANCHES - JUST A TWIG OR TWO IN A STONE CONTAINER BECOMES AN INSTANT HOLIDAY STATEMENT.

CAMELLIA 'YULETIDE' - FRAGRANCE AND BEAUTY, FRESH FROM THE COLD GREENHOUSE THESE WILL BRIGHTEN DARK HALLWAYS AND GUEST ROOMS THIS COMING WEEKEND.

YELLOW-BERRIED HOLLY IS A SURPRISING COLOR-BREAK FROM THE TRADITIONAL RED-BERRIED FORMS. THE GOLDEN FRUITS MAKE THESE HOLLY WREATHS SOMEHOW MORE STYLISH.

SINCE THE GREENHOUSE CAMELLIAS ARE EARLY I AM ABLE TO PICK MANY TO ADD TO INDOOR WREATHS AND FOR THE HOLIDAY TABLE THIS YEAR.

Useful digital gifts which may surprise you (and them).

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:38:00 +0000

I'll be honest, I started this post with just App's for gardeners, but I reached a point where I felt that I could not really suggest any of the apps, since I really could not find any that I would have wanted myself. Most are silly, too simple, useless, or poorly designed. Come-on developers - let's get going! Instead, I am suggesting some gift ideas that come from unusual sources: the world of trail-running, hunting, fashion and even a dentist's site, starting with this:

1. Oh Yes..... A Digital Microscope! ( and camera).

Find ViTiny on Amazon, but it's price is a little higher than list.

This may be the most interesting and useful gift for any serious plantsperson - essential for students or the genus kid who wants to win the next science fair, it very well could make the stocking of an adult gardeners who is curious about pollen, insects, floral parts, identification or for fun. Finally, in the global plethora of iPods and music players, comes something that a plant enthusiast could really use. Imagine botanizing for alpines in Chile, or the Alps, and pulling out your digital microscope to view some seed pods on a saxifrage?

It magnify's 5x - 90x, so you're not exactly going to find some new particle that could be named after you, and will prove string theory, it still allows you to examine, explore and discover a whole new world of plants.

At $199.00 it's not too expensive, and since it acts as a digital camera too, it blasts away any Sony Quickshot. Aston Kutcher may not be using this at his next coctail party, but I might be!

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2. Dodocase - Have your iPad Bound like a fine book

This is simple elegance, I think I am in love with the Dodocase! As a designer myself, I kick myself for thinking of this first. I mean, I did invent this ( but never showed any one because I thought people would laugh!). Come on - don't tell me that you don't miss the smell and feel of a hard-cover book? OK, I may not be man enough to admit that I rarely purchased paperbacks, because I preferred cloth-bound books ( I even remove the paper slip covers ruining any value) ( but I'm old fashioned in that quirky way, where I insist on staying through the credits of a film, to compete the 'full experience' and to appreciate the score').

The Dodo Case - not only a gift for the Neo Luddite, anyone who appreciates a fine book and reading experience will love one. It's one of those Holiday gifts that I believe any gardener would appreciate. Available from the Dodocase website, or the Jcrew website ( in case you need to oder me one for delivery by Christmas).

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3. Digital Binoculars and Digital Camera, all in one.

Thanks to Bushnell, the leader in binoculars, this device, also available for around $200.00, can be very useful for many gardeners, outdoors people and birders. Imagine trying to visually capture some images blossoms on the top of a rare magnolia in China, or a rare honey creeper in Hawaii, as it sips nectar at the top of a tree, or a hummingbird high on a Saguaro cactus in Arizona ( OK, or, to nail that 8 point buck before you blow him away).

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4. Trail Runner Software - Track your plant hikes, GPS mark your finds

Trailrunner is a software program designed for trail runners and mountain bikers, but it also is priceless for hikers, and plant hunters, if you spend time in the back country or at high-elevations ( take note you NARGS members looking for a unique gift for your alpine plant enthusiast). Trailrunner is a route planning software at it's core, but it can do more than record the calories and the distance traversed, it can calculate routes, alternate return trails, export information and directions onto your iPhone or GPS, and it provides detailed GPS information the entire time that you are on the trail. Need to note exactly where you saw that Eritrichium nanum ( and it will take 760 calories off of that lunchtime raclette that you chowed down back at the hutte).

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5. Personal Lightning Detector

From a company that makes home weather stations ( I like those too, since an old-fashioned rain gauge and barometer stick, may seem quaint and old-school, when it comes to weather, I like to be serious about it). This is available from Ambient Weather.com, and it is a device which may seem senseless to some people, unless you spend as much time as I do out in the garden, or hiking above treeline in the mountains. It is also helpful if you spend too much time out in the garden putting up a scarecrow just as a thunderstorm is brewing up ( just sayin').

Listed in Martha Stewart Living!

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:08:00 +0000

I can't believe that Growing With Plants made a best-of listing in the next issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. I am listed on page four of the January 2012 Martha Stewart Living Magazine as an 'On Our Radar', a sidebar for one of the four blogs worth bookmarking! Thanks so much for the support folks at MSLO! I am SO honored!

Botanical Wreaths from the Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:06:00 +0000

A WALK AROUND THE GARDEN, CAN RESULT IN UNUSUAL MATERIALS FOR HOME-MADE WREATHS. THIS ALPINE WREATH WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH CLIPPINGS FROM ALPINE DAPHNE SPECIES, ERICA, HEATH, DWARF RHODODENDRON, REINDEER MOSS AND MINIATURE SHRUB CLIPPINGS.

Commercial wreaths can be so boring. On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, my father would take us on hikes into the woods to collect Holiday greens. Armed with large, musty burlap chicken grain bags that said "Blue Seal Feeds" on them, each of us would search for Kalmia, white pine, ground pines and Gaultheria ( oh, so illegal now!). Once home with our spoils, we warmed up with hot chocolate and mom's date nut bread, as dad prepared the living room floor with drop clothes. We would spend the night, making garlands, wreaths and berry bowls marking the official start of the Holiday season.

Clippings in the Alpine Wreath include miniature berried shrubs, dwarf alpine willow, and various lichens and mosses.

Today, even if it was legal to collect native greens from endangered plants, I still like to live on the edge and 'steal' little pieces of some very precious shrubs and trees to make wreaths that are themed, and very special. This week, I am going to share some of my annual favorites including my Fletcher Steele inspired 'Golden Green' wreath, created from only golden needled shrubs, a homage to the late landscape architects gold border at the Stoddard Estate where I had my first job as a gardener during my high school years. I have also designed a beautiful yellow berried holly wreath with a rare golden-berried holly. Later in the week I may share those, but first, I share these two: An alpine wreath, with plant material collected from my alpine garden, made from rare Daphne species, arctic willows and other small shrubs, and a precious fresh olive wreath, made from fresh cut olive branches from one of the large Italian olive trees in the greenhouse.

Fresh olive greens make a Mediterranean statement, and a unique wreath for a New England home, since olive trees cannot be grown outdoors in zone 5. My annual December pruning session so that the larger plants in tubs will fit in the greenhouse provides enough olive, rosemary and bay laurel to make a few of these sweet wreaths for our home, or for special gifts.

The Twelve Cyclamen of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:29:00 +0000

Cyclamen species, (the 'wild' cyclamen or Europe and the Mediterranean) all have beautifully patterned winter foliage

Here are twelve different leaf forms found in wild cyclamen species, While watering the greenhouse today, I was struck by the diversity and beauty that the entire collects presents as a display. Since I never take these plants into the house, no one sees them, so I will share a dozen forms here. All are from my collection growing in a sand plunge bed in the greenhouse. I find that winter cyclamen foliage display is something that I look forward to every year, even the seedlings are fun to evaluate every winter, selecting ones with more patterned leaves, especially with the Cyclamen hederifolium seedlings, variety can mean getting some leaves long a slender, like arrowheads,while others form a strong, Christmas tree pattern. A few emerge with the choicest of all leave patterns - none, rather they are completely silver, like pewter or silver - cyclamen species are perhaps the most Christmassy of plants.

Cyclamen coum Pewter Group

In these weeks before Christmas, potted Cyclamen in full bloom are appearing in flower shops and grocery stores as gift plants for the home, but the genus Cyclamen offers much more for the serious gardener, and even in southern New England, some species can be grown outdoors. The wild cyclamen are preferred by plant collectors, and they appeal to me too. I've been collecting Cyclamen for ten years now, starting plants from wild collected seed and from other collectors, in an attempt to collect ever species. They begin blooming in October, and some species bloom near the end of their growing season in April, but I am always caught off guard when I see the foliage without flowers. Cyclamen is one genus where the foliage is as interesting and attractive as the floral display is.

Cyclamen hederifolium 'Arrow Head form'

The wild cyclamen species are primarily winter growing woodland plants, treasured by serious gardeners in England and in Oregon and Washington, or in temperate areas where winter means temperatures that hover just above freezing ( think parts of Italy, France, Germany). But in New England, they can be challenging to keep, due to our often icy winters, and unpredictable winter thaws. If you are interested in growing a few, try the most winter hardy, Cyclamen coum, and C. hederifolium. Cyclamen graecum and C. africanum are not frost-hardy in the north.

Cyclamen hederifolium var. confusum

I find that the easiest way to master Cyclamen is to imagine them in the wild, as an understory woodland plant growing under the fallen leaves in deciduous forests. Most follow a growth cycle similar to the ephemerals we all love ( the first flowers of spring, that bloom before the leaves come out on the trees - trillium, bloodroot, anemone. The only difference is that Cyclamen often start their 'srping' earlier, like, in Autumn. Both norther ephemerals and cyclamen like to go dormant in the summer, when the woodland becomes dry due to the full canopy of leaves. Nature is so smart. In autumn, when the temperature and tree leaves drop, they begin their growth cycle again, which is why most cyclamen are truly winter plants. and not unlike the helebores and other evergreen winter growing plants of the zone 9 woodland where deep freezes are rare.

Cyclamen graecum ssp. anatolicum

Cyclamen africanum

Over the past 100 years, cyclamen have been bred and grown as potted plants with countless selection, ranging from fancy doubles, fragrant forms, fringed and ruffled foliage, and of course, spectacularly mottled foliage. Most are quite nice, but difficult to keep alive in a traditional home environment, since like all cylamen, they prefer cool, if not cold temperature, especially at night, as well as fresh, buoyant air.

Cyclamen persicum

Cyclamen rohlfsianum

Cyclamen graecum subsp. candicum

Cyclamen hederifolium 'Silver Cloud' selection

Cyclamen hederifolium forma albiflorum

Cyclamen hederifolium "Tile Barn" seedling

Want to keep your florist cyclamen alive ? Here's how:

Cyclamen as potted Holiday plants can be found all over the globe in December, and January, look for selections with interesting foliage, for now two cyclamen have the same patterns, and check for fragrance, for some have a sweet or nutmeg-like scent. All florist cylclamen are hybrid varieties of one species, Cyclamen persicum, a tender species from Persia that cannot handle heavy frosts, yet these plants still appreciate a bright, cool window with a northern exposure, and cooler night temperatures if you can provide it. They are challenging to keep growing once they stop blooming, but you can try. Just remember to keep the plants cool, in bright light ( not sunlight), and when the foliage begins to turn yellow in late winter, allow the plants to dry out. A summer rest is required, with only a tiny drop or two of water necessary. Plants should start growing in late summer when the night time temperatures begin to drop, so plant should be brought outdoors, and kept dryish through the summer ( under an eave of a house int he shade). They require autumn rains to begin growing again, so take care to relocate them near the end of august.

Cardoons - So Yummy, It's Cardunculous.

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:31:00 +0000

CYNARA CARDUNCULUS, or the COMMON CARDOON - IT LOOKS LIKE FUZZY CELERY WITH THORNS, OR AN ARTICHOKE PLANT ( WHICH IT BOTANICALLY IS), HAS RECENTLY BECOME A STYLISH ORNAMENTAL FOR THE SUMMER GARDEN, WITH ITS LARGE, THISTLE-LIKE FOLIAGE, AND GREYISH COLOR.

Worth growing for many reasons, the Cardoon is gaining in popularity as an ornamental, often seen in trendy perennial borders, where young plants set out in spring, grow into massive, grey-foliaged urn-shaped forms which compliment many planting schemes. What many new gardeners do know, is that history of this plant, a popular medievil and ancient European vegetable, even grown in colonial America as a late autumn and early winter vegetable. Today, the crop is still cultivated in France, particularly the Savoie and Provence, where the trimmed thick, white stems are braised, and slow-cooked with various alpine cheeses, cream and Parmesian - how could anything combined with that, be bad? I think it's time that we re-discover the other benefits of this ancient vegetable, consumed since the 4th Century, that makes even the oldest heirloom tomato, seem infantile.

CARDOONS, ARE KNOWN IN ITALY AS CARDONE, CARDUNI, OR CARDI, THIS THISTLE-LIKE RELATIVE OF THE ARTICHOKE IS A POPULAR VEGETABLE IN MANY MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY RECIPIES, ESPECIALLY IN GREECE, PORTUGAL, MOROCCO, LYBIA CROATIA, FRANCE AND ITALY, WHERE IT IS FOUND IN MANY CHRISTMAS EVE DISHES.

One can't write about cardoons, without mentioning artichokes, for the two share a small genus ( Cynara) and they are so close, in fact, that only the species name changes, and many selections are difficult to define when seen growing side-by-side in the garden. Some selections of wild cardoons in Sicily even have edible buds, like artichokes.

Cardoons are easy to grow in many temperate gardens ( Zones 3-6 as annuals, and they may winter over in warmer zones), the plant is best cultivated as an annual. Seeds must be started indoors, early in the year, for they require a long growing season. I order my seed in January, and start them along with artichokes, in early February in the greenhouse. Young plants grow best with bright light, so keep seedlings under lights if you do not have a greenhouse, with the lights set at 16 hours of day-length.

Cynar, an Italian aperitif, is a liqueur which takes advantage of the bitterness found in cardoons and artichokes. Hip New York restaurants, like Mario Batali's BABBO, serves wonderful cocktails with this liqueur, some with blood orange juice, gin and it is included in authentic negroni's instead of Campari.

BLANCHED CARDOONS ARE HARVESTED IN NOVEMBER, CUT AT THE BASE, WITH THE CUT END WIPED IN LEMON JUICE TO PREVENT BROWNING. WATCH OUT FOR THE TINY SPINES!

BLANCHING STEMS and HARVEST

Cardoon stems must be blanched before eating because they can be very bitter. In gardening terms, this means wrapping them stems in a light-block material for approximately four weeks starting in late September, which will turn the stems white if you are successful in blocking out all light. Old gardening books, such as the Vilmorin vegetable guide advises that the stalks be wrapped in hay tightly, and then have the soil earthed-up around the bundles. Newer methods use any opaque material along with cord, to tie the plants into grocery-store celery-like bundles. There are self-blanching varieties, or if you really want to be authentic, you can wrap the mature plants in October with tar paper or black sheeting, tied tightly around the stems, so that they grow white ( a method used in Europe), or use specially designed cardoon blanchers, terra cotta tubes that fit around the stems.

An Advent Calendar of Blooms

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:50:00 +0000

ZYGOCACTUS, SCHLUMBERGERA, OR CHRISTMAS CACTUS, PERHAPS THE ONE PLANT MR. BALDWIN CAN'T TWEET ABOUT BECAUSE OF CHARACTER COUNT.

Early December is busy for everyone, and even though we have not started to decorate ( or clean!) the house this season, thanks to Mother Nature, our plant collections continue to bloom on schedule, without hesitation, much like an Advent Calendar, there are plants that bloom on certain days and times, and we just can't stop them. ( OK, it's a stretch, but I'm not feeling that well today). Here are a few blooming right now.

Native to South America ( Equador and Peru), this rare bulb looks like a smaller, green flowered Amaryllis, but it's not. Stenomesson piercii is a, choice bulb only found in the most geeky of plant collections, ( I gave a few bulbs away a few months ago, when I repotted mine). Blooming a month early this year, I was surprised to find this one stem hidden in a camellia bush in the greenhouse.

From the deserts of the cape floral zone in South Africa, comes this Massonia jasminiflora. It only produces two leaves, and a little cluster of blossoms in the center. Some species have beautiful foliage that can have very smooth leaf surfaces, and others have these strange little pustules, or blisters. This Christmas time bloomer has a little of both, and the flowers smell like, well, not Jasmine....more like hay. It may be night scented, I will have to take a whiff later in the week.

Winter Blooming Clematis

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:29:00 +0000

CLEMATIS CIRROSA var. BALEARICA 'FRECKLES', A WINTER BLOOMING EVERGREEN CLEMATIS FOR COLD GREENHOUSES, OR WINTER-MILD GARDENS IN CALIFORNIA.

Clematis for Christmas? If you are surprised, you are not alone, but if you are looking for a beautiful winter blooming vine for your winter-mild garden ( zones 9 plus) or for a cool greenhouse in the north, consider the evergreen Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica.

We have all have a vision of clematis vines, but winter-blooming clematis? Not so much. If your idea of clematis brings to mind a motif which involves tacky lamp posts in the summer, there are some very choice species and selections that are more interesting, particularly a species that comes from the mild winter climate of Spain and Italy.

Gardeners who live in warmer areas like California are more likely to be familiar with these winter-blooming clematis, as Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica, is a common vine in the western US. Interested if growing one? You can find one at Plant Delights nursery). Winter blooming clematis make great container plants in the north, if you can provide a cold, moist conservatory which is sunny. A few are even showing up as florist plants at the Holiday, so keep your eyes open. I have seen them at Whole Foods and at Trader Joes a few years ago. These selections all have nodding, four-petaled blossoms, and many have speckles. Clematis cirrhosa grows wild in places like Corsica, Majorca, and Sardinia, which should provide you with some information on the winter conditions required. I would say that if you can grow a rosemary outside, or in a plant room that remains cool, then you can try one of these.

Selections of C. cirrhosa are always hard to find in the states, look for then names which often have Christmas titles - C. cirrhosa 'Jingle Bells ( an all white form) comes to mind. My first C. cirrhosa Jingle Bells' came as a Holiday gift plant. Other selections to look for are 'Wisley Cream', ( a white and greenish blossom, and 'Freckles', shown here. A few commercial growers are selling a few of these Clematis to retailers like Whole Foods and flower markets, trained as wreathes as a seasonal pot plant in the north, but if you have a cold greenhouse, the species makes a magnificent show ( this is my first year growing it, but I have seen some vines in greenhouses that are often in full bloom at Christmas). Commonly grown in gardens in the United Kingdom, in North America, the species and named varieties are harder to find.

SPECIAL ONE DAY SALE at Terrain 40% Off Sale for Readers!

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:39:00 +0000

I love Terrain, the hip gardening store outside of Philadelphia and apparently, they love you too - announcing a secret sale for readers - so mark your calendar - online sale is TUESDAY, DEC. 6th for from 1:00 pm until 8:! Really, a 7 hour sale on the 6th where you will save 40% off on all sale items. On-line sale is only available from ~~10 am - 4pm EST~~, FROM 1:00pm to 8:00 pm EST so you may want to lurk for a hours first on-line to see what you might want first. Of course, once you are on their site, you may want to check out their other offerings. Here are some of my favorites, in case you are asking....

If you live in the Philly area, the sale starts for IN-STORE guests on Thursday, Dec 1 and ends on Tuesday, Dec. 6th. So get your vintage woody truck, some Filson wooly underwear, and your 8 heirloom reindeer ready. It's time for some serious Xmas style upgrades to your garden.

Not on sale, but so nice.

My favorite soap - Smell like a lumber Jack.

Dividing a prized Agave

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:14:00 +0000

AN AGAVE LOPHANTHA 'QUADRICOLOR' IS READY FOR DIVISION, RESULTING IN MANY NEW PLANTS TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS.

Agave's offer the home gardener so much more than Tequilla, today, many are investments; costly, yes, but they are true investments, almost guaranteed to perform better than the stock market, and sometimes, they can be just as painful, but in the end, they make dazzling statements that enhance any place in the garden. You don't even need a greenhouse, any home gardener can keep specimens whether you live in an apartment, suburban house or large estate. Agave thrive both indoors in pots on windowsills when small, and then spend the summer outdoors in full sun. In winter, they can return to the brightest window sills or they can spend a slow, dormant winter in cool, dry cellar when they become too large. Ours do very well in our sunny, cold greenhouse, and although expensive, many form offsets ( or pups) that can be removed and potted up to start new plants. When $35. plant does that, I become very happy.

Dividing an Agave only requires patience, the easiest mistake to make is to divide too early, when the runners are still root free. I like to wait an extra year after the first sign of off-shoots, so that they can form their own roots before I remove them from their mother.

A well rooted division snaps easily off of the mother plant, and is ready to spend life on its own, in its own pot.

NOTICE HOW THE OLDER OFFSETS HASVE MORE ROOTS, WHILE THE ONE ON THE RIGHT HAS ONLY A COUPLE. THE LARGER OFFSETS ARE THREE YEARS OLD, AND THEY SNAP OFF EASILY, SINCE THE UNDERGROUND STEMS ARE BRITTLE.

My five year old plant provided me with six strong divisions, plus a few un-rooted stems that I will pot together in a flat of sand, so that they can form roots, which can take up to another six months. Agave are not fast growers, so the more maturity that you can get on your plantlets, the easier the transition to their own pots will be.

These underground shoots often will root, but like premature babies, they must be treated carefully, and often need a little intensive care for a period of time before they can catch up to their older brothers and sisters.

Mom gets a fresh batch of soil ( Pro Mix, sand and Soil Perfector by Espoma) and is then upgraded to a nicer pot. She will start to create more babies right away, but will not be repotted and divided for at least three more years. Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' is now more affordable, at $16.00 ( this past year), and you can order one from Plant Delight's Nursery. Their new catalog will be out in early January. Any plant that can live for decades, that can handle full sun and drought, it prime in my book. Not all agave species divide as fast as others, but this cultivar offsets regularly.

Freshly potted up baby Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' on the bench in the greenhouse, ready to be watered in with their first drink. They will be allowed to dry out completely between waterings until new roots form.

My 'Earlier than Normal', Camellia Season

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:55:00 +0000

THE EARLIEST CAMELLIAS TO BLOOM IN THE AUTUMN ARE THE SASANQUA TYPE, THE GROUP WHICH INCLUDES GREEN TEA. THIS PINK SINGLE SASANQUA IS A JAPANESE CULTIVAR CALLED 'OMIGOROMO'

Camellias in New England? The Camellia has a long history as a container plant in New England glasshouses, they were some of the first plants ever grown in greenhouses in the 17th and 18 Century in and around the Boston area. Estates often kept large tubs of Camellias which arrived on ships from China, Japan and Europe where it was a popular cut flower. A Camellia blossom often was one of the few flowers available during the cold winter months, where short day length plants that could withstand cold temperatures included scented violets, forced bulbs and citrus.

'CAMELLIA SASANQUA 'OMIGOROMO'

Many think of camellia's as out-dated corsage plants best saved for old ladies and some foundation plantings in southern California or the south, sadly, the generation who did remember the Camellia as a corsage flower is gone, leaving this fine cold weather bloomer prime for re-discovery by a new generation who will need to learn how to grow it. If you live in New England as I do, camellias do best in cold greenhouses, or perhaps an unheated room, if you live in an old house. There was a time when a every Victorian mansion had a chilly, unheated room, or even a conservatory where camellia trees thrived in large terra cotta pots.

CAMELLIA SASANQUA 'MINE NO YUKU', OR SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, HAS NOW BEEN RENAMED BY MONROVIA NURSERIES, AND MARKETED UNDER THE REGISTERED NAME OF 'WHITE DOVES'.

Today, the camellia suffers from modern heating systems and dry air - two things which they hate. Outdoor culture in the northeast has not yet been perfected. There is much excitement about new, hardier species coming into the market from northern Korea and from high elevation sites in China and Japan, but most seem to be reliable hardy to Pennsylvania and zone 7. A few are surviving in Zones 5 and 6, but only in special sites.

This autumn, my camellias are blooming very early, most of my tubs were in bloom in February as I posted earlier this year in a camellia round-up, but even some later types are starting to bloom. Camellias are grouped into specific groups, representing either their flower shape, they heritage or their type. There are sasanqua's, which mostly bloom in the autumn, and then there are camellia japonica's, species, and many more. My sasanqua types always bloom in November, but this season even has some japonica's blooming. In January, many of these same plants were in bloom.

'MINE-NO-YUKI' MAKES AN IMPRESSIVE TUBBED SPECIMEN FOR FALL GARDENS, WHERE IT CAN REMAIN OUTDOORS UNTIL TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 26 DEGREES F. I MOVE MINE IN AND OUT OF THE GREENHOUSE, AS THE WEATHER SHIFTS. THIS AUTUMN HAS BEEN REMARKABLY MILD, SO THE SASANQUA'S ARE OUTSIDE AGAIN.

CAMELLIA 'SHIBORI EGAO' HAS VARIEGATED FOLIAGE AS WELL AS BI-COLORED FLOWERS IN PINK AND WHITE.

Camellias in Japan and China have a long history in horticulture, many have been grown for as long as plants have been cultivated in pots, some of the first cultivated plant by man included the camellia in China, but even today, they plant is treated with the highest of respect. In North America, the camellia is a popular landscape plant only in the mildest of climates, and any decent garden in southern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia or western states like California and Oregon is not complete without a camellia tree blooming in the winter. For those of us in the north, the camellia is still an exotic plant, rarely seen at all, either in the florist shops, or in the garden. I am on a personal mission to change that. If you are interested in growing camellias, consider joining the American Camellia Society. Or Google search for a local state chapter, or one for your country. The Camellia Web based in Southern California is a great place to start.

CAMELLIA SASANQUA 'YULETIDE', A POPULAR CULTIVAR FOR LATE AUTUMN AND EARLY WINTER BLOOMS. BEAUTIFUL, BRIGHT RED SINGLE BLOSSOMS THAT ARE VERY JAPANESE LOOKING, ALMOST LIKE A PLUM BLOSSOM.

A HIGO TYPE CAMELLIA THAT I PLANTED IN THE GROUND IN THE GREENHOUSE, IS LOADED WITH BUDS, AND I EXPECT THIS TREE TO BE IN BLOOM MOST OF THE WINTER. ITS LARGE SEVEN INCH BLOSSOMS ARE SO SIMPLE, YET BRIGHT WITH THEIR CENTRAL BOSS OF STAMENS.

AN EARLY BLOOMING C. JAPONICA 'SAN DIMAS', IS SHOWING SMALLER FLOWERS THIS YEAR, BUT BLOOMING FOR ME A GOOD THREE MONTHS EARLY.

Family Ties - A Hyacinth Family Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:49:00 +0000

RESNOVA MEGAPHYLLA, NOW ALMOST FULLY EMERGED, DISPLAYS TWO LEAVES, NOT UNLIKE OTHER RELATIVES LIKE THE MASSONIA BELOW, BOTH SHARE PHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES LIKE DUAL APPRESSED LEAVES AND BLOSSOMS THAT LOOK LIKE SHAVING BRUSHES AT GROUND LEVEL.

Like any family, whether we like it or not, there are similarities amongst relatives. While I may share my physiology with my brothers, sister and my dad, the goes for plants. As I walked through the greenhouse this morning, I noticed how many of the rarer relatives of the Hyacinth family all share similar traits with the common Dutch hyacinth which we are so familiar with. Here are a few shots which demonstrate the botanical connection between some South African bulbs species all related to hyacinths. I could have included the Daubenya from the previous post, as well as some spring blooming specimens in my collection like Velthiemia, Dipcadi and other Lachenalia, but I wanted to show what is growing right now, near each other.

MASSONIA JASMINIFLORA, ALMOST READY TO BLOOM

IN THE SAND PLUNGE, YOU CAN SEE THE SIMILARITIES

LACHENALIA PURPUREO -CAERULEA HAS CURIOUS PUSTULATED FOLIAGE -LITTLE BLISTERS WHICH CAN BE ORNAMENTAL.

EVEN HYBRID LACHENALIA HAVE INTERESTING FOLIAGE. THE AFRICAN BEAUTY SERIES HAS SPECKLES, AND ALSO PRODUCE 2 OR 3 LEAVES.

THIS LACHENALIA PUSILLA REALLY DEMONSTRATES THE SIMILARITIES WITHIN THE FAMILY. APPRESSED LEAVES AND FOLIAGE PATTERNS. EVEN THE BLOSSOM, DESIGNED TO BE POLLINATED BY DESERT RODENTS, REMAINS AT GROUND LEVEL. I RAISED THESE FROM SEED, AND NOW MATURE, THEY BLOOM EVERY AUTUMN IN THE BULB BED.

DETAIL OF LACHENALIA PUSILLA

OTHER SMALL LACHENALIA ARE JUST EMERGING. THIS POT OF L. PUSILLA, HAS BOTH SEEDLINGS AND MATURE BULBS, SINCE I DUMP THE OLD SEED PODS BACK INTO THE POT EVERY YEAR. THIS SPECIES WILL PRODUCE A YELLOW BLOSSOM IN MID WINTER.