June 2 , 2011
Feeding wildlife; Pond Society tour; periwinkle rot
I love costless plants .
These sunflowers stock from bird germ . I have no luck at all with the gorgeous loan-blend , but without doing a thing , I get a rampart of sunflowers all summer for bee and birds .
We ’re loving watching the lesser yellowbird ’ acrobatics on the zexmenias and the purple coneflower . Not when I have the television camera , of line .
Maybe I ’ll be lucky enough to get a nip of hummingbirds and butterfly on theDicliptera suberecta , since they certainly zoom in on this perennial .
The Diclipteras took a concentrated hit the past few winter , but settle to pose around . Actually , I rather appreciated nature ’s editing , since they can get a bit out of control . But I get it on that delicate gray , velvety foliage even when they ’re not blooming . Mine get blasts of harsh Dominicus , but not for hours at a fourth dimension . In my semi - shady bed , they sum the tall silvery tonus I crave .
In the same part sun / part spectre layer , bouncing wager ( Saponaria officinalis ) mingles with the lamb ’s pinna . I ’ve also see it growing like crazy in full sunlight . This sprawling , crawl perennial softens summer ’s oestrus with sweet pale blossom .
Its coarse name , Saponaria officinalis , derive from the saponin in its roots . trounce the leaves and mingle with water for homegrown soap . I squished a few leaves in my grubby manpower , utilise the water hosiery , and lathered up a storm . Next time , maybe I ’ll bring some lot to my “ yard bath . ” As Cheryl fromConscious Gardeningsays , “ Neato ! ” Yep .
Right now , pee is the most refreshing strait and mass to both us and our desperate wildlife . If you ’ve been thinking about a pond , fountain , or waterfall , immerse yourself in ideas on this year’sAustin Pond Society tour .
This week on CTG , Tom meets with Terrie and Michael Lumsden from the Austin Pond Society for a preview ofjust a few of the many gardens on June 11 and 12.And you ca n’t beat the damage for passionate favorable hands - on advice from the gardeners . $ 15 in advance at choose nurseries , and $ 20 on website . The funds do good their upkeep of many public gardens .
At each garden , nibble up techie info ( like liners , pumps , filters ) , design concepts , plant life tips , advice about Pisces the Fishes , and the “ Oh wow”magic we all need .
And , for the low tag price , locomote to a amatory paradise at Barbara and David Hale’s , CTG ’s garden on go .
In their basic backyard , one weekend at a time , they pulled from Pond Society tour , their locomotion , and their imaginations to change a squashy , shady backyard and sameness front into a everyday vacation .
And , contain out their mosaics that coiffure up received dope , cementum benches and a front walkway !
A few weeks ago , I could n’t resist add up some old - fashioned Cape periwinkle ( annual vincas ) , reminiscent of my puerility , against ‘ Helen von Stein ’ lamb ’s ears , verbena , Agave striata , and ‘ Hot Lips ’ salvia .
With this year ’s exceptional high temperature and high winds , I must irrigate them every few years , until they ’re ready to set up on their own ( generally , they ’re not pee pig at all ) . But planting too early on end up like this photo from Lisa Maddox .
We thank Lisa for her greatDaphne ’s Question of the Week , since this encounter to so many of us . Shoot , I have n’t planted periwinkles for years after I made the same fault , since I ’d heard that the disease never pull up stakes the soil . And I learned my deterrent example on caladiums too ! greenhouse entice us with periwinkles , caladiums , impatiens , and other heating plant lovers too shortly . Yes , it may seem hot to us in April , but as Daphne tells us : the soil and nights are still too cool .
Diseases like Pythium or Phytopthora mark in . As Daphne says , “ These are both soil - borne disease roll in the hay as water - molds . These disease have spore that are motile in water , and in the springtime rainwater or by watering your plants from above , you may actually splosh those spores onto your plant from the soil . ”
The disease will remain in the dirt , but you’re able to plant again ! Just hold off until the temporary worker are reliably in the fourscore next May . And make certain you mulch around them to prevent the soil mold spores from splashing onto the leaves . This applies to tomatoes , roses and other susceptible plants , too . Thanks , Lisa , for assist us all out here !
John Dromgooleexplains how to apply anti - transpirants like Wilt - Pruf , Cloud Cover and holiday to help newfangled plants get established . you’re able to even spray your Christmas tree with Wilt - Pruf and Cloud Cover to keep its acerate leaf fresh longer . holiday is the one to use on houseplants ( and outdoor works ) when you spring out of here for two weeks !
Until next week , Linda
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