Growing with Plants

My 'Growable' Coral and Poppy Flower List

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:32:00 +0000

Some of the best coral easy-to-grow flowers that I can recommend are ( top left, clockwise) Dahlia 'Beach Bum', Dahlia 'Coral Gypsy', Zinnia Benary's Giant Salmon Rose, Sweet Pea 'Valerie Harrod', Zinnia 'Dreamland Coral' and Diascia 'Coral Belle'.

The wedding and design blogs are obsessed with coral and poppy colors, Pinterest ( will someone please invite me?!) has hundreds of pins just based on coral and poppy, but what are the best. most growable flowers that fit in this palette? My designer friends ask me more about what coral colored flowers they can grow than most anything else, so I thought that I might as well share my thoughts, concerns, as well as some suggestions about what plants are truly growable, and which ones to forget.

New Diascia varieties come in the perfect shade of coral. Not great cut flowers, they are great for early spring plantings in the ground, or in containers.

Plant and seed catalogs can be very misleading, and unless you have grown most every plant, more often than not, new gardeners are disappointed in the results they get when the order plants based off nothing more than a photo in a catalog, or a post on a wedding blog. The truth is, choosing flowering plants simply based on color choice is very challenging, so I will share what I know, as well as some expertise on color, from my perspective as both a graphic designer, and, as a gardener who has some experience.

Slightly more challenging to grow - (Clockwise) Peony 'Coral Charm', Peony, 'Coral Magic', Sweet Pea 'Mollie Rilestone', Echinacea ' Coral Reef', Larkspur ' Sublime Salmon', Papaver Oriental Poppy 'Salmon'.

Recent color trends are showing a lot of coral and poppy, both in fashion and in the cut-flower trade. I just want to be a voice of reality here - these are not common colors in the floral world, at least as growable annuals and perennials, and, especially as home-grown cut flowers.

Here are the facts to note: Professional cut-flower growers are fast, as are plant breeders, and some very nice coral cut flowers have been introduced for greenhouse culture, but few of us can grow coral Gerbera or salmon and peach roses. Also, you must think about timing. I tried to group my suggestions buy season, since many people might order randomly from a wide variety of catalogs, not realizing that peony will bloom only for a single week in early June, and a salmon rose may only bloom for a single week in early July. Then, of course, there are Dahlias and Zinnias which bloom at the end of summer, and sweet peas in June and July, so imagining arrangements with roses, peonies, dahlias and sweet peas all together is completely unrealistic, so try to plan your cut flowers by flowering season.

Dahlias, in late summer from my garden in years past. I love combining coral tones with magenta, it allows me to have many options, rather than growing an odd and impractical blend that one often sees with dahlias, of yellow, white, primrose, red, rust and orange. Choosing a more attractive palette makes all the difference.Try pairing these with burgundy colored foliage.

If you are growing Salmon and Coral colored flowers, you will need this precise shade of periwinkle, which I can only find in one variety of an imported Spencer variety of Sweet Pea, called 'Bristol'. Want to grow them? Check out Tony's site called Tony The Gardener for a step-by-step method that not only produced lots of cut flowers, it also looks great in the garden - order your seeds now- this color is sublime!

Coral and poppy colors flowers do look best when paired with darker tones of pink, deep magenta tones and periwinkle, so you may want to plan on planting some complimentary colors like this, as well as lime colored foliage.

Here are my best recommendations for salmon, poppy and coral colored flowers. You will notice that poppies are not included ( except the one photo of an oriental poppy, which too, I would not suggest as an option since all poppies make horrible cut flowers, lasting only a day when cut in water. Save them for the garden.

The newer Diascia varieties are some of the greatest coral colored plants, and they can be cut for small vases, but generally, they are only good as bedding plants in the early spring. Diascia are fine choices for cool-season gardens in California, or in the greenhouse - in the north, look for them in March and plant out early like pansies, and then toss them when the weather becomes hot. Two good ones are available mail order from Joy Creek Nurseries, named Coral Belle and Coral Rose. Park Seed company offers a zinnia called Dreamland, and one selection is coral, although the photo does not do it justice, believe me, it's pretty close to coral - on the darkish reddish toned side of coral but it enhances arrangements. True coral is such a difficult color to achieve. Zinnia Benary's Giant is available at many seed sources, try Sunrise seeds or Harris Seeds. This is one of the finest bright coral colored flowers for mid to late summer bouquets. Try Benary's Giant Salmon Rose as a nice color to accompany the brighter coral colors.

Zinnias and Dahlias

Of all of the flowers that are easy to grow, which come in coral, Dahlias and Zinnias offer the most value, for not only are they easy to grow, and provide you with lots of flowers, they produce flowers for a long period of time, whereas flowers like Peonies only bloom for a week or two. Swan Island Dahlias offers a tremendous variety of Dahlias ( it's where I order mine from), and you can easily assemble a collection based on a few tones of color.

Dahlias come in many coral colors, many of which look best when combined with a blend of pink and magenta tones, and violet color varieties. These, which I grew three years ago, so how effective a simple restrained color palette can be.

EASIEST TO GROW CORAL FLOWERS

All of these are terrific for mid to late summer bloom ( except the peony varieties)

Dahlias - Coral Gypsy, Tempest, Beach Bum
Zinnia - Benary's Giant Coral
Zinnia - Benary's Giant Salmon Rose
Zinnia - Dreamland Coral
Echinacea 'Coral Reef' PPAF available at good nurseries
Peony - Coral Charm from Klem's Song Sparrow Nursery
Peony - Coral Magic also from Klem's Song Sparrow Nursery

MORE CHALLENGING TO GROW CORAL FLOWERS

All of these are June and early July flowering plants.

Sweet Peas - Valerie Harrod - Order from England, at Owls Acre Sweet Peas
Diascia ( not for cut flower, only for beds) Coral Belle, and Coral Rose. Buy as started plants in spring.
Clarkia elegans - 'Apple Blossom' from Thompson & Morgan - Sow where it will grow, thin, do not transplant. Cool Growing.
Larkspur - Sublime Salmon available as a single color from Johnny's Selected Seeds Sow where it is to grow and do not transplant.
Sweet Pea Mollie Rilestone from Thompson & Morgan
Poppies, try Papaver somniverum as an annual ( sow where it is to grow) or plant long-lived Oriental Poppies in coral colors.

Almost impossible to grow unless you live in northern California or Oregon - ( or England) is Clarkia elegans, one of the most delightful coral colored flowers. Cool growing, never wanting to go over 55 deg. F, sow where it will grow, and do not transplant it since it must form a tap root. These look like tissue paper flowers.

A Clivia cross marks mid-season

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:15:00 +0000

CLIVIA MINIATA X CAULESCENS

Known as Clivia Interspecific Group, these crosses between two species of the common houseplant clivia, are often crosses between an autumn blooming species such as C. caulescens, and a spring blooming species, like C. miniata. The autumn blooming species have pendant, slender blossoms with greenish tips to the petals, and the spring blooming C. miniata, which we are all familar with, have larger, wide blossoms. These crosses have a little of both, and are variable. Look for them at plant collector sales, or cross your own ( it's not that hard, and the berries are easy to clean and plant, since the seed is large, looking very much like a macadamia nut).

Clivia are long-lasting, sturdy house plants, and they bloom indoors if you can provide them with a cool, bright room where the daylight will trigger bud formation ( meaning - no lamps near by, nor street lights - these are plants that need to experience the natural progression of day length in the spring, or the shorter day length in autumn). Allowing them to go dry all winter, is incorrect, and will not stimulate these South African plants to bloom. What triggers them is temperature shifts from day to night, and day length. It's the only way that they will know that it is spring, or autumn ( or mid-winter, as in this case!).

Camellia Bowl XLVII

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +0000

In this month, when it seems we are forced to endure the dreary (thy grumpy Ground Hog, a dead President or two, dirty snow, the impending doom of mud season, and yeah, bowl games), we are reminded that we must remember the hottie ( St. Valentines Day, chocolate, hot cherry pie). But really, there is another reason why we secretly adore Saint Valentines Day, and it has nothing to do with jewelry. We more visual people love it because it is so perfectly pretty - just check out the seasonal candy isle at your local Walmart. Businesses know that February needs a PR team - plus some designers picking out the perfect tint of periwinkle, magenta, coral and pink - combined with cerise and red - all trying to make this ugliest month (since November), somehow more survivable. But I am reminded that before there were sweet tarts and chocolate covered cherries, and Jared, there was --- camellias.

Camellias are for old ladies. At least, that's what I used to believe. In the olden times ( like, fifty years ago) camellias were only seen as corsages for church, corsages for Gramma at a wedding, and for, I don't know - sweet tea parties in the south? . But these Chinese trees were once the most cherished if not rarest plants ever grown in containers and in gardens. At one time, they were only grown in the Imperial Palaces of Japan and China, where they were one of the first plants ever cultivated in pots by man, some dating back to the 10th century. Today, they are still not as common as one may think outside of California and the deep south in the US, or in southern Italy and France in Europe.

Here in the north, the camellia is a rare site, for they make horrible house plants, and they are not hardy for outdoor culture. To have any success with camellias, one must have a cold, sunny room with moist air - something that was more common a hundred years ago, but with modern heating systems, an indoor location rarely found in homes today.

CAMELLIA 'LIPSTICK' HAS AN UNUSUAL FORM, CALLED ANEMONE FLOWERED TYPE.

Camellias are best grown in a cool, if not cold greenhouse, with buoyant air flow, a day and night shift in temperatures, and with bright winter light. An understory tree in its native eastern Asia ( the mountainous areas of Korea, China and Japan), this smallish tree did have its heyday in North America in the 18th and 19th century, for it was perfectly appointed for the estate conservatory which had wood or coal heat during the day, and chilly nights, or, it was often found in grand, Victorian parlours and homes which had unheated rooms. Camellias thrive in cold, if not near freezing temperatures, able to take frosts down near 15 - 20 degrees F for some time, so they are common landscape plants in areas where winters are more mild ( Oregon, Georgia, southern Europe, England and Japan), but elsewhere, they cannot live.

Camellia societies shows are terrific places to discover the perfect forms to grow. This show, at the Descanso Gardens in California, is held annually near Pasadena. Tables are laid about with small containers, each with a different selection often grouped in threes, fives, or singly. I made my wish list at two of these shows held in February a few few years ago, and then took my list to the nearby Camellia nursery - Nuccio's, where I had a crate packed and sent home on the plane with me. Trying to find camellia's in New England is practically impossible today, while a hundred a fifty years ago, most every greenhouse and florist from New York to Boston, had many trees growing for winter blooms to supply weddings, funerals and corsage work. Camellias are indeed, living heirlooms today, for one can hardly find a blossom anywhere - even in the poshest of New York City florists.

A selection of February camellias, picked today in my greenhouse showing the various forms available.

Pitcairnoideae or Deuterocohnia? I still likey.

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:51:00 +0000

Botanist's continue to study and reevaluate certain genus, and one of the latest changes happened while no one was looking - don't despair, every ones fav bromeliad Abromeitella is now reclassified as Deuterocohinia - gasp.

I wouldn't let this keep you up at night, it will take years for even serious collectors to rename their plants, to make new plant labels, to learn how to even pronounce Deuterocohinia, and most importantly, for the plant catalogs and nurseries from which one finds these more unusual yet fabulous house plants, to change their plant descriptions. Often by then, the name changes again anyway. For now, most people are still calling this plant Abromeitella.

This tiny, symetrical bromeliad is highly cherished in collections of many cacti and succulent growers, who appreciate symmetry and the over-all form of their plants. Once classified into the sub-Family Pitcairnioideae (pit-cairn-ee-oy’dee-ee) , this is one long-lived relative of the pineapple family, and it gets better with age, forming a nice, tight mound, or bun shape that looks very much like a rock or a mound of moss.

If you are looking for an easy-to-grow house plant that has excellent geometry and form, then I highly recommend searching out a young plant of Abromeitella. There are four species that have this tight growth pattern, all are wonderful and rarely seen ( which also means that they are not common, and not very easy to find). Like any plant, I suggest one begin with a Google search, or, find a friend with a plant who will share a 'pup' with you. These are easy to propagate from cuttings.

My three plants are still young, only three and four years old from young plants and cuttings, but I have a friend ( Art Scarpa) who has some very large and impressive specimens which win ribbons often at the larger plant shows ( like Philadelphia Flower Show and the New England Spring Flower Show), we call them his 'green sheep'.

Gardening in and out of your zone.

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:26:00 +0000

CAMELLIA'S LIKE THIS ARE STILL A LONG WAY OFF IN OUR ZONE 6a GARDEN, BUT MAYBE A FEW OF THE HARDIER FORMS WILL NOW SURVIVE. FOR NOW, I MUST GROW MOST CAMELLIAS IN THE GLASS GREENHOUSE, WHERE THEIR ANNUAL SHOW IS JUST BEGINNING TO START. THIS STRIPED FORM LOST ITS LABEL, BUT WHO CARES WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE THIS?

While on the theme of cataclysm, hoards of invading beetles, and the whole 2012 thing, I might as well end the month with climate change fears. Last week, the USDA updated its hardiness zone map for the US, and there were some significant surprises - yes, the government has spoken, and yes, it's warmer - just a little, almost everywhere. It does confirm that we are experiencing milder winters in most areas, especially in New England where I live, this January marks the 9th month in a row where our temperatures have averaged above normal, this month, by as much as 6 degrees.

It doesn't mean that we will be replanting our gardens with palm trees, but I have noticed that this is one winter where I have had something in bloom every month. Our snowdrops are in bloom right now, and the witch hazels are just opening, a good 3 months earlier than last year, but then again, last year our winter was the worst in recorded history, so who really knows what is happening?

The new Plant Hardiness Map however is very impressive, and you really should go visit the USDA site and give it a run - you can view zones at detail, even just your county. I was surprised to see that even though I am now listed in zone 6, that our property is in a pocket of zone 5b ( we were zone 5 before the revised map). This explains why many zone 6 plants are surviving in our garden. You can find the new map here. For the first time, the map is available as an interactive GIS-based map, for which a broadband Internet connection is recommended. Users may simply type in a ZIP Code, and find the hardiness zone for that area. No printed posters will be available this year, but high resolution images of the map can be downloaded and printed in a variety of sizes.

ON THE NEW USDA PLANT HARDINESS MAP, YOU CAN CLICK ON YOUR STATE, AND VIEW YOUR COUNTY, AND SEE ITS MICRO ZONES. I LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF MASSACHUSETTS, IN WORCESTER, IN THE USDA ZONE 6a. I SEE ARTICHOKES IN MY FUTURE.

If you are an experienced gardener, you know all about micro climates, those little secret sweet-spots in your garden where certain micro conditions exists where plants in a zone or two higher, can survive. I have a few such spots, the raised bed next to the greenhouse foundation, which drains well, yet remains covered with snow in most winters, carries a population of zone 7 Zauchneria and Nerine bowdenii. A sandy dry bed in front of the studio that becomes damp in spring, but then drys out all summer long, keeps a collection of Juno Irises and South African bulbs that are clearly zone 8. A few pockets where I replaced soil with gravel and coarse sand in the sunniest bed in the front yard, has successfully kept zone 7 plants of Agapanthus 'Storm Cloud' and Eremurus alive and blooming for 7 years now.

MY FIRST SNOWDROP, AND IT'S TWO MONTHS EARLIER THAN IN NORMAL WINTERS. NOT THAT UNUSUAL THOUGH, GALANTHUS WILL EMERGE ANYTIME BETWEEN DECEMBER AND MARCH IN OUR CLIMATE. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER.

Look for seasonally dry, or winter dry areas, beds that are near foundations in full winter sun that never freeze, or areas where winter snows are often deep, and try some plants that are a few zones higher than you have tried before, and see what happens.

Facing Environmental Disaster

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:11:00 +0000

I've been waiting for two years to write about this - and to avoid any bad juju, I just avoided writing about it. But now, I need to face the inevitable - we in Worcester Massachusetts are facing a biological disaster, and my garden in smack dab in the middle of it. We may loose every deciduous tree in the government finds one hole from a not so tiny beetle from China. The Asian Long Horn Beetle - recently escaped from wood shipping containers from China, is threatening the existence of hard-wood trees in parts of North America, and Europe.

I live in a small part of Worcester County in Massachusetts where the Asian Long Horn Beetle has been found. Two years ago, we joked a little that the beetle, if it came from anywhere, came in one of our rare plant shipments ( it's didn't), but the joke quickly became serious when the government swept in and quarantined half of our county, and then proceeded cut down every deciduous tree in a 5 mile radius in an attempt to stop the infestation of this destructive beetle that now threatens most every deciduous tree in North America. With many host species such as maple, ash, birch, oak and most every tree except evergreens, we have been keeping our eyes open for the tell tale holes found in infested trees.

As of today, nearly 20,000 trees have been cut down in our county. No wood or wood products can leave our county since the government quarantine has been enlarged to now include our property.

Government Inspectors search carefully for Asian Long Horned Beetles in our mixed shrub border amidst Japanese ground bamboo ( Sasa vietchii). I think that they enjoyed some of the species that we had, asking for the names of all of our Japanese maples, Davidia and Stewartia species.

Then, this morning, I awoke to scene reminiscent of those found in one of those bad SciFi channel disaster films - 5AM, a knock on the door, and a team of agents in uniforms, clipboards, cameras and various scientific devices began sweeping through our garden. As I picked up the morning paper, I thought " Maybe a UFO crash landed in the back yard", as a helicopter roared overhead.

Men and women in uniform, entered the garden from all entrances.They opened gates, looked in the greenhouse, and out in the woods out back, spot lights, and a crowd of officers in safety vests looking up into the trees. Actually, most of these very official looking officers are students, employed by the government's beetle buster program. And all were very polite, and curious about many of our rare trees. The good news? We 'passed' this phase, although I was instructed to call the government program for next steps.

We passed this phase!

Two years ago, the only infested area was a small area near Chicago, a section in New Jersey, and our city in Massachusetts. As you can see, the threatened area has been expanding. To learn more about the Asian Long Horned Beetle, please visit the US Government's Beetle Buster site.

Seeds from a Collecting Trek in Tibet

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

A Blue Himalayan Poppy ( Meconopsis) blooms aside an alpine lake high in the Himalaya. These and more arrived from an expedition share in Tibet that I received from Chris Chadwell's latest trip.

When seeds first arrive, I like to organize them by type - bulbs and woodland plants need to be separated from shrubs and trees. Alpines, Primula species and tender tropicals all need to be researched to learn the proper method for germination, such as stratification or chemical treatment to stimulate growth. Collection numbers must be noted, since this is serious business - often the only other groups growing some of these rare seeds are a botanical garden or two in Europe who surely have a staff working on tracking the accession numbers and collection numbers.

A large packet of seeds arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, part of a share purchased from an expedition to Little Tibet, and an additional package both from noted plantsman and seed collector Chris Chadwell, who stayed with us twice this past summer. Chris runs the Sino-Himalayan Plant Association and he is a very prodigious seed collector having traveled throughout the Himalaya. He is one of the last of a handful of explorers today to still travel to far away places collecting and discovering new species and genus. One can purchase shares for a few hundred dollars in any one of his seed collecting trips to the Himalaya ( he has been more than 27 times), and you will get in the mail, a selection of seeds, many quite rare, and very precious. Chris gave us a few extra seeds in our share as a gift for staying at our home this summer with his son, and I am most grateful to have many of these species which are new to me. Now the hard part comes - sowing and cultural research for each species. I thought that I might share the process a bit.

I start my process by creating labels - two for each pot of seed. One will have an accession number on it, a long number which I keep in an Excel spreadsheet so that I can track the progress and keep an accurate record of sowing dates, successes and failures. The naming convention I use is long, and includes the date, year, collection number, and much more information that anyone else would find boring. I print the number, and mount it on one vinyl label which I place in the bottom of the pot, incase mice steal it or I lose it. The other label includes the name of the plant and the collection number. I track the cultural information in another document, that I can access quickly. The tags are waterproof, and I prefer white type on black, opting to use the Brother P-Touch system and 1/2 inch black waterproof tape.

Each pot of seed is properly sown, which requires some up-front work. First I research the species, and sometimes the genus. Knowing the specifics about culture is important, since these are not seeds that you can just simply sow, many are woodland plants, ephemerals, or they are seeds of hardy trees and shrubs, each genus and each species will need a different treatment. Some species must be allowed to be exposed to light, others, must germinate in the dark. Some need a splash or boiling water, or need to be soaked, others may need an acid treatment or will need to be frozen for a time to simulare winter. Temperatures for many require a shift from day to night, and others, particularly tree species require first a warm, moist period for a couple of weeks, and then a freezing period outdoors for a few months, only to be brought indoors again. I try to group pots of seeds that require similar treatment.

This latest collection has everything from bulb seed for Arisaema and Lilies, to many Iris species as well as seed that is almost microscopic. There are some packets of tree seeds like Maples and Olive,, and then there are some woodland species like impatiens. There are even some very choice alpine plant seeds for rare primula, saxifrage and nepeta ( the cat mints). Many of the genus that Chris has collected have medicinal value, a new focus for him since he has been getting alot of interest from medicinal plant reasearchers, ethnobotanists and pharma - all who are looking for the next big discovery. In researching many of these species, I have been surprised at the medicinal value that many of these plants have.

Empty seed packets are kept in an old clay pot, and then brought indoors where in the evening, I can enter the names and numbers into my master spread sheet that will track progress. Keeping accurate records is essential, since these are important collections, and one must function as carefully as a leading botanical garden does. Some of these species are quite rare, and one would not want to lose a tracking number or a collection number, for what if a certain species is new to science, or a new form? One has a tremendous responsibility with such seed, yet it is all still very fun. I was particularly thrilled to have gotten a packet of a rare lily, Lilium polyphyllum, the rarest of rare.

Some seed needs special treatment, such as these seeds from the giant lily, Cardiocrinum giganteum. These may take 7 years before they become large enough to bloom, and some may take over a year to germinate.

Seeds are all sown carefully in pots, and then covered with either sand, or gravel, or simply soil. Some seeds need daylight, others, must have complete darkness. Some require smoke, needing a forest or field fire to germinate, so they are treated with smoke paper so that the right chemical will be released. Nature makes germinating seeds of some plants very difficult with specific needs.

Once potted, gravel chips are spread on top, since most of the flats will be placed out doors so that winter temperatures can stratify the seeds that need it. The labels are pushed down deep into the pots ( so that birds, or little terriers cannot see them an pull them out). And the rest is up to mother nature herself.

With any luck, the first seedlings will emerge in a few weeks with many of the perennials, and then the fun really begins. I urge many of you to consider buying a share in a seed collecting expedition or to join a plant society and to purchase some seeds from one of the many seed exchanges that most plant society's have. This is often the only way to obtain many of these rare species, since most plants today are either hybrids or mass produced. There are still many species new to horticulture, or many more that are the pure species, which are often much more interesting than their fancy relatives. In collections such as this latest one from Chris Chadwell, many of the species are available no where else since very few explorers have been collecting some of the western Chinese, Tibetan and Nepalese species.

More January Rare Bulbs

noreply@blogger.com (Matt) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000

ASPHODELUS ACAULIS, A RARE ALPINE LILY-LIKE PLANT FROM TURKEY WITH LONG, DORMANT STORAGE ROOTS LIKE CARROTS, BLOOMS IN A LONG-TOM SET INTO A RAISED SAND PLUNGE BED IN MY GREENHOUSE.

In the front of my greenhouse, on the sunniest side near the front door, sit two raised beds which are filled with sand. Placed into these sand beds are clay pots, many with rare bulbs in these. This is the preferred method in which to grow many winter or summer growing bulbs, since the appreciate the cooler soil that a damp clay pot which is plunged into damp sand provides, and since the terra cotta pots are porous, they wick moisture from the sand providing optimal conditions for many bulbs. The air temperature on sunny days can rise to nearly 75 degrees in January, but the soil will remain more consistent, often near 45 degrees F. At night, the air cools to near 39-40 degrees, and the soil remains warmer. Many plants require this temperature shift as it mimics nature more closely than the constant temps which a plant might get in a modern heated home might get.

BLOOMING EVERY WINTER, I HAVE LEARNED THAT FREQUENT REPOTTING ACTUALLY HELPS THIS SPECIES BLOOM NICER. THE YEAR FOLLOWING DIVISION TO A SINGLE CROWN, WHILE DORMANT IN JULY, HELPS THIS RARE TURKISH ALPINE BLOOM. IN THE WINTER SUNSHINE TODAY, I NOTICED THAT IT ALSO HAS A SWEET FRAGRANCE, WHICH I NEVER NOTICED BEFORE.

THE POT IS NEARLY 12 INCHES DEEP, AND THE THICK ROOTS ARE SET IN A SOIL MIX WHICH IS MOSTLY SHARP SAND. THIS PAST SUMMER I DIVIDED A LARGE PLANT AND SHARED 5 ROOTS WITH READERS OF THIS BLOG - SHARING IS A GOOD THING, SINCE IF ONE LOSES A PLANT, ONE CAN OFTEN GET A DIVISION FROM A SHARED SOURCE.

TECOPHILAEA CYANOCROCUS ssp. VIOLACEAE

Last post, I shared an image of the rare Chilean blue crocus, or Tecophilaea cyanocrocus var. leichtlinii which has sky blue flowers, here a week later, a less blue and more violet variety is blooming, the equally rare and choice Tecophilaea cyanocrocus var. 'Violacea', a bulb best grown in the protected zone 7 rockery or in a cold alpine house, where one can appreciate its stunning deep violet blossoms.

The legendary Tecophilaea, or blue Chilean Crocus ( remember, they are not true crocus), continue to provide the greatest interest in the greenhouse this week, and I am very glad that I have both a somewhat free weekend as well as a sunny one too. I can enjoy them a bit during the daylight hours as I repot some orchids, train some topiary and sow some seeds. During the week I never get to see anything, as I am still arriving home from work in the dark, and leaving for work in the dark. These are plants that look best in sunlight.

HERE YOU CAN SEE THE COLOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO FORMS OF TECOPHILAEA CYANOCROCUS, ON THE LEFT, T. CYANOCROCUS VAR. 'LEICHTLINII' WITH SKY BLUE FLOWERS, AND ON THE RIGHT, T. CYANOCROCUS VAR. 'VIOLACEA'. BOTH ARE SUMPTUOUSLY RARE COLORS IN THE FLORAL WORLD.

Our two rescue puppies that we are fostering after Joe helped shut down a backyard puppy mill in December, are doing well now - all wormed, and ready to go get 'fixed' at Tufts this coming week. Hopefully we will be able to find good homes for the 12 rescues, as well as for these two boys since they are starting to raise Hell in the garden. Below, are some shots of 'Scooby' and 'Scraggy' as the discover some sprouting crocus in front of the greenhouse, which they promptly dug up and ate.

If you are interested in adopting any of the recent rescues, please check out the Irish Terrier Rescue Network and apply. They are all sweet, and healthy, and need good, loving homes.

Please find me a nice, loving home. I promise that I won't eat your crocus.

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.