A Birthday, A Blizzard, and A Ball

Saturday, March 23^rd was my birthday. I now have 48 trips around the sun logged in. There ought to be frequent flyer miles!! It was a pretty uneventful day as I’m trying to get over a nasty sinus infection. Still, I couldn’t help but go outdoors and enjoy the bright sunshine and 50° temps. A perfect early spring day, right? Who knows anymore. The weather forecasters are predicting heavy snow fall in the next 24 hours. Since all storms need nomenclature these days, the media has bestowed “The Palm Sunday Blizzard” on it.

It’s so gorgeous today. A blizzard tomorrow. Really?

As a gardener and employee of a nursery and landscape company, I always have an eye on the weather. I don’t remember being like this (kind of obsessed) until firmly planting my gardening stalk into the ground and my roots taking hold. As a child, my interest was limited to the possibility of a school snow day (far and few) or rain to get out of farm work. That was a big deal. Today, I’m not so sure why I follow it so closely. Must be a combination of several things: how to dress, how it affects my garden, how it will affect business, and so on.

After my 1965 birth date, my mother brought me home from the hospital just before Palm Sunday. I guess you used to stay in the hospital after birth much longer than you do today. I hadn’t been home long when Indiana experienced its worst tornado outbreak. There’s even a Wikipedia page about this. All my life I’ve heard stories about how my family rode out the storm– even saw one of the major tornados tear across the county from the upstairs window. What a sight that must have been- power out and the ghostly eerie image of the tornado gliding across the landscape visible only against the sky’s random electrical charges or lightning bolts shooting directly into the vicious funnel. Although the path was miles from the house, my brothers and sisters said they missed several days of school because it was ‘all hands on deck’ for cleanup.

Picture of the “double tornado” that hit the Midway Trailer Park in Indiana, killing 14.

Fast forward 48 years and here I am again, at the center of another Palm Sunday storm. This one promises snow and high winds sans the spinning funnels. What will the emerging peonies think? Yes, I worry about stuff like that.

My question to you is this: What is your relationship with the weather, and do you think gardening has influenced that relationship? Love to hear your answers in the comment section below.

Now a little plug for a friend.

Opera is not for everybody. That’s just a fact. But when a local friend of mine sent me the press release for the Indianapolis Opera Ball titled Divinely Dutch: Celebrating the Art & Beauty of the Netherlands, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the visual aesthetic tie to their upcoming opera, The Flying Dutchman.

My friend Jamie Gibbs is a horticulturist and landscape architect. It comes as no surprise that he would co-chair this event and put a botanical twist on it. “Where possible the decorations for the glamorous setting will be recyclable live plants and biodegradable materials in honor of earth day. Thousands of potted Dutch Tulips will grace the dining tables and silent auction areas. These tulips will be planted on the grounds of the Basile Opera Center after the ball. Other “green” components will include reusable backdrops, LED lighting effects and projected images rather than constructing décor only to be discarded. The innovative approach to charity ball decorations is a departure from the often wasteful, and expensive, one-time décor common on such events.”

Sounds like a pretty inspiring Black Tie event, but more importantly an environmentally responsible one. To learn more, Click Here.

Weather Update: It just started snowing. Kinda hard. :/

Why Boxwood Bronze in Winter

It used to bother me that my boxwood would change color from green to bronze in winter. Over time, I’ve come to enjoy the change somewhat. Some years, the change is very dramatic. Here’s why.

The color change of the foliage is really quite common and nothing to be alarmed about. The bronzing occurs mostly in plants that have eastern or southern exposure. Plants with this exposure will typically receive full morning or afternoon sun on bright winter days. When combined with prevailing winds and fluctuating high and low temps, rapid changes in the leaf tissue cause the leaf to change color.

Boxwood in protected environments may remain green except on top where there is more exposure. The profile image (above) provides some evidence that the bronzing occurs as a result of the environmental effects of the sun and wind. Note that the right side of the plant, which faces north and the front porch, remains green. The left side and top is completely exposed all winter and has changed color.

If you prefer your boxwood to remain evergreen, ask your local nursery what varieties hold their green color best. Otherwise, embrace the change and extra winter interest as your plants transform from green to bronzy-orange during the winter months. The green foliage returns once temps warm and stabilize.

Make Way for Hellebores

One of the very sure signals of winter’s departure is the emergence of Hellebore buds in my garden. Although some species can bloom as early as Christmas, mine are late winter bloomers, hence the common name Lenten Rose.

I grow Hellebores for their evergreen foliage, but the bonus is the very early blooms. They are relatively care-free and make great companion plants to my Hostas. Hellebores are typically sold as shade plants and that indeed is one of the benefits of this plant, but many Hellebores can receive a fair amount of sun all year long and do just fine.

When the weather cooperates, I jump outdoors and remove the old tattered foliage to reveal the emerging flower stalks beneath. This practice known as “deadleafing” shows off the flowers much better than leaving them to compete against the old battered foliage.

To begin, I inspect the plants to check how high the buds are. This is my cue for how close to let the pruners come to the plant’s interior. Note: On old leaves its normal to see browning and blackening of tissues as the individual leaves go through their natural life cycles. If you see this in otherwise active and healthy tissue, it could be a sign of a fatal disease known as “Black Death”.

Next, I snip away at the plant removing the old stems and leaves. This technique need not be precise. The new growth will eventually cover the snipped stems.

I collect the spent foliage and discard it away from the garden. This will reduce the spread of any harbored disease to other plants.

There, all nice and trim. Over the next week or so, the plant will fill out and hide the recent cuts. When blooms are spent, simply remove them and enjoy the lovely evergreen foliage all year long.

Although Hellebores will grow in a variety of soil conditions, adequate soil preparation is the key to long-term health and vigor. This is true for many ornamental perennials. Welcome Spring!

Binge Gardening

For me, working in a garden center and nursery is like being an alcoholic who works in a liquor store. The sauce is all around me and I can’t get enough!

Last summer, one of the enablers - ahem - associates that I work with set some scraggly looking hydrangeas near the area I work in. Right away I noticed them and inquired why they were placed there and not among all the other shrubs. “Well, we’re trying to move them. They’re on sale.” he said. Ahhh the “S” word, music to my ears… wait, doesn’t this guy know I have a problem? It was too late. Into a euphoric state I slipped and like a giddy coy teenager asked, “uh, how much?” He paused for a moment. “Twenty bucks, you can have them all for…” I don’t think he’d finished his answer before I was pulling up one of those little heavy duty garden carts, you know, the metal ones with the fat little tires. I got them all onto one cart and off we went. “Put ‘em on my house account!” I shouted as I wheeled them away, high on my latest fix.

Well, that’s only half the story. The damage was done. How could I keep this a secret? You can’t exactly hide eight hydrangeas or slip them into the garden without ‘anyone’ noticing. I would endure the wrath, again. I had no idea where they were going to go. In fact, I knew nothing going into this. Endless Summer? I’ve seen the ads but have never tried them. I know Michael Dirr and I know he has something to do with this line of plants. Couldn’t be all that bad right? I began to second guess my purchase while justifing that a $20 gamble wouldn’t be such a big loss. See a pattern here??

Into the backyard they went. Resigned to the fact that no matter how many trees I planted on the East side, it was going to be decades before there was any constant shade for my shade gardening passion. That side of the yard is plagued with nomadic shade. Maybe I needed to plant sun loving beds and borders until the canopies mature. That might hold me over. Yes, a dual addiction. That’s what I need. And so, into the sunny side they went.

Time will tell whether the $20 wager of this developing plantoholic will pay off or not. To hinge my bet, the plants were cut back hard so they could focus on root development, not endless blooming as they proclaim to do. I like to think that I hit rock bottom with these hydrangeas. The ill-considered transaction left me feeling uneasy. I’m working on restraining my compulsive plant purchasing behavior and limiting myself to specific plants for specific places. The good news is this; for now, I will forego the twelve-step program.

About these plants. Pink Annabelle Hydrangea, Bella Anna®

Garden Mishaps (and Parables)

It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t include my garden failures on this blog. Hard as I try, from time to time things just don’t work out as planned. Take for instance the photo above. This was Buxus microphylla var. japonica ‘Morris Dwarf’, common name: Morris Dwarf Boxwood. Known for its compact form and sun tolerance, I thought it would be the perfect solution for this spot beside the port cochere.

I acquired the plants in the spring of 2011. By late spring the following year, they were showing signs of stress. And one by one, starting from left to right, they declined. One slow painful death followed by another, then another, and so on. As I witnessed their demise, I couldn’t help wonder if it was something I had done. Well planted? Check. Well watered? Check. I cross-examined myself to the point of aggravation. Was I overzealous in my amendment of the soil? Possibly. Perhaps too much organic material.

Well, what’s done is done. No sense in fretting about it. A new season awaits and with it new challenges and plants to try. I’m really enjoying the winter downtime, but there is a little part of me that is excited by the few minutes of daylight that are added to every passing day. Mishaps or triumphs- bring it on!  

And speaking of bringing it on, head on over to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Man’s blog this Wednesday for an exclusive interview with one of gardening’s greats- Margaret Roach. Her new book The Backyard Parables has just been released and she will be stopping by Kevin’s on her blog tour to talk about this and that, and gardening of course.

A Winter Walk

A little snowy slide show and some of my new plants. Just click the arrows to begin.

Stop Stealing Dreams

I don’t have kids, but I think an awful lot about those who do and what lives those children will lead- especially with our current education system in the US. Can we do anything about it? I believe we can. Click the arrow below to watch a brief video of Seth Godin, then read my challenge at the bottom of the post.

Here’s a 2013 challenge for all you gardeners out there. Teach something to someone about gardening this coming year. Do it by “showing” them, rather then telling them. Partner with a preschool, or any school to share your expertise (you know you have it). Whether it’s a single individual or a classroom, the seeds you sow could germinate in the mind of a young person and bear fruit for years to come.

P.S.  We’re in the middle of our first snow storm in Indiana. Very exciting!

A View on Winter

In anticipation of our first snow, I surveyed the garden to see what I would see. Camera in tow, I headed down the stairs in the blustery wind and rain. What would possess me? Not exactly sure, but this I know for sure: I am driven by a strange desire to visit my plants– no matter what time of year. I have developed a profound connection with the plants. 

Most perennials have been cut back to the ground and the trees and shrubs are now in complete focus. What do I see? Decline. Decay. Deterioration. Yet in the midst of this seasonal decomposition, a bit of steadfast determination has caught my eye. Possibility. Optimism. Is this a metaphor for hope?

Tiny buds wait patiently.

Cones cling tightly.

Green is ever so green.

The seasons of one’s life are really no different than those of the garden. Some seasons transition beautifully from one to another. Others are harsh and relentless. Like a garden, one must have a little expectation of better days to come. A stoic bud ready to open when inclement seasons have passed– a garden is life, filled with patience and hope.

Despite the dreary cold day which brought rain, thunder and lighting, the sun also shown near the afternoon’s final hours. Tonight will bring snow and a whole new crystallized palette for the garden.

And I, I will wait patiently.

O Christmas Tree!

If you’re planning to purchase a live Christmas Tree to plant in your yard later, do yourself a huge favor and dig the hole now. You’ll be glad you did, especially if the weather turns and freezes the ground solid. Keep the loose soil in a garage, barn, or protected from the elements so it will remain loose and dry.

You’re welcome!

Addendum

It’s probably best to only have that potted tree indoors for 3-4 days. Much longer would have it break dormancy and begin to bud. Too many new tender buds on that little tree could lead to disaster when moved outdoors and the temperature falls below freezing.

When you’re ready to plant your tree. Gradually acclimate it to the outdoors. Again, you want to avoid shocking it! One of the biggest shocks to plants going outdoors is light intensity. The second is wind. Plants that have been indoors are not used to wind which can cause them to dry up very quickly. Last is temperature. To avoid temperature shock, introduce your plant to the outdoors a few hours a day, then gradually increasing the time outside. After a week or two, your plants should be fully acclimated to the outdoors.

Last, if you can’t plant it right away, try to place the potted tree in a protected area. Potted plants don’t do well when left above ground in freezing temps.

Autumn's Closing Door

As winter knocks on the garden door, I sieze every moment to survey the back lawn and take in the lingering autumn view. No fall is ever the same, and this year we are surprised to see several leaves still clinging on to the Chestnut Tree (upper left). Not so long ago, the heat was unbearable and droughty conditions threatened to wreak havoc. But now, the morning air is biting and often accompanied by frost crystals. The few hours of sunlight draw elongated shadows upon the terrain. The deciduous trees are but mere skeletons of their former voluminous selves. The time has come to wrap things up, and each day presents itself with all sorts of necessary tasks to be accomplished before the snow begins to fly.

Mid November and we are still planting. A practice that I am more comfortable with having worked at the nursery this year. As long as the earth is tillable, I’m game for planting trees, shrubs, even a few select perennials like Peonies.

These Peonies were given to me by a customer of Sundown Gardens, the garden center and nursery where I work. She indicated they had been purchased several years ago at Sundown when it was a peony farm. That was decades ago. I found it enchanting that they had come full circle- back to Sundown and now on to a new gardener’s home. This particular plant is Paeonia lactiflora ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’.

Other areas of the garden are getting cleaned up for the winter months. Leaves are raked out, branches and brambles pruned. Every year, I cut back my Limelight Hydrangeas and take out any branches that are growing into the plant. Limelights bloom on new growth, so there is no risk of cutting off next year’s blooms. I also take time to loosen and rake the mulch which has formed a hard crust over the top. I want to be sure that any moisture from rain or melting snow penetrates the mulch instead of running off.

Terra Cotta pots have been emptied and scrubbed to remove salt buildup from fertilizer and hard water deposits. They are ready for a dip in a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) which will rid them of any lingering diseases and chemical residue that may have set in during the growing season.

While some plants are taking up residence in the garden, others will have to wait until next season. My Acer palmatum ‘Beni hime’ or ‘Beni hime’ Japanese Maple is one that shall remain homeless this winter. I simply can’t decide whether to plant him in the ground, or in a container.

I purchased the very small maple from Dannaher Landscaping & Nursery. They specialize in rare and unusual plants, especially conifers. This little Japanese maple was grafted by David Dannaher several years ago. It’s a dwarf grower whose annual growth rarely exceeds 1-2 inches per year. Because they are difficult to propagate, there aren’t many available for purchase. I just love the tiny leaves which are about the size of a penny.

And so, another Thanksgiving comes and goes. This is a time of year that is typically melancholy. But instead of feeling sadness for autumn’s closing door, I’m actually looking forward to winter’s arrival. I have worked hard to turn my gardening obsession into a full time career and more than ever, I welcome a little downtime.