A Gift from Flower World

Before I left my job last month, I was given a very generous gift certificate for Flower World.  I was saving it to buy the plants for my new shade garden in the back yard.

Yesterday, I got into the truck and drove down the street to Flower World, gift certificate in hand.  There's nothing more exciting than a good plan and the means with which to carry it out!  Thank you, Liana and Dionna!

Here are the six hostas (four different varieties) that will make up the bulk of the new shade garden.  Annuals (impatiens and periwinkles) will provide a border once the hostas are in the ground.

 

 

History of the Azalea

Originally placed in a genus of their own, azaleas are now considered to be a form of rhododendron. Azaleas can be divided into deciduous and evergreen types, and are mostly native to hilly areas with damp acidic soil. Their brilliant flower colors have made them a sought-after shrub for centuries.

Azaleas are members of the heath (Ericaceae) family, an ancient group of plants dating to 70 million years ago. They are related to rhododendrons and blueberries. Most azaleas we are familiar with today are descended from Asian shrubs, and were originally cultivated by monks of the Buddhist monasteries. When seeds of the Rhododendron luteum were sent to England from the shores of the Black Sea, it became parent to many azalea hybrids.

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There are three medium-sized azaleas in the front yard on the west side of the house.  They are unusually colorful this year, and the purple color can be seen blocks away.  I'll have to prune them back a little once they are finished blooming, and it will encourage growth upward rather than outward, crowding their neighbors.

This particular azalea was a gift from a friend of my mother, who bought it for us as a housewarming gift 13 years ago.  I love the stories and histories around most of the plants, shrubs and trees in my lovely yard.  It really does take a village...

List of Heirloom Vegetables Planted in 2014

This year, I ordered my heirloom vegetable seeds from both Baker Creek Seed Company in Missouri, and Turtle Tree Seed Company in New York.  Here's a bit of info about Turtle Tree.

We are a small non-profit seed company that sells 100% open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds. They are all grown using biodynamic and organic practices both in our seed garden and by other farmers and gardeners who use biodynamic methods. All our seed is non-GMO, non-hybrid, never treated, and grown without the use of chemical inputs. We are part of a Camphill Village in Copake, NY, a life-sharing community which includes people with developmental disabilities. People of all abilities help with growing, cleaning and packing our seeds. Another aspect of our mission is encouraging and educating people who want to grow and save open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds.
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Here is the list of vegetables to be found in my Maltby garden.

• Tomato plants are heirloom varieties "Mortgage Lifter" and "Bonnie Original"
• Tomato seeds from Baker Creek are Black Cherry Tomato and Myona Tomato
• Sunflower seeds-  "Solar Flare"
• Aunt Ada's Italian Pole Beans
• Schweizer Riesen (Swiss Giant) Snow Peas
• Sugar Pea--Dwarf Grey
• Snow Pea--Oregon Sugar Pod II
• One William Shakespeare Rose in amongst the vegetables
• Long Bean Chinese Green Noodle (grows up to 20 inches long)
• Carrot--Danvers 126 Half Long
• Amarillo Carrot
• Crystal Apple Cucumber
• Jaune Dickfleischige Cucumber
• Boothby Blonde Cucumber

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)

Few gardens should be without the easy charm of snapdragons. They get their name from the fact that you can gently squeeze the sides of the intricately shaped flower and see the jaws of a dragon head snap closed. The blooms come in gorgeous colors, including some with beautiful color variations on each flower. Plus, snapdragons are an outstanding cut flower.

 

Snapdragons are especially useful because they're a cool-season annual, coming into their own in early spring when the warm-season annuals, such as marigolds and impatiens, are just being planted. They're also great for fall color. Snapdragons got their name due to the shape "like a nose" that resembles a dragon's head. 

 

Here's a lovely example of a flame orange snapdragon on the picnic table in the pasture.  I'm looking for a place to plant this over the weekend.

 

 

The Two Most Beautiful Words in the English Language

Henry James declared that the two most beautiful words in the English language are the words "summer afternoon".  I have to agree.

The Yard at Evening

After a full day of work in the yard and garden, I took a few moments to enjoy these lovely views in the yard, and spend a while on the glider in my favorite corner of the back yard.

 

 

 

 

Time for Rhododendrons!

Every rhododendron in the neighborhood is in full bloom this week.  There are at several dozen varieties showing their beauty, and I have at least seven varieties on our property.  Our neighbors behind us have four acres that have the largest and most beautiful rhodies that I've ever seen.

Here are some examples of what we see this time of year in Maltby.