tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13974692177817112172009-12-09T11:32:15.282-05:00Planting seeds, bulbs and rooted pieces; dividing perennials, striking cuttings; always learning -- in the GardenNellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.comBlogger500125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-18481172988585270492009-12-08T20:29:00.003-05:002009-12-08T21:10:30.483-05:00

A short tutorial for Blotanical members with questions: Picks are the oil that runs Blotanical, determining the most popular of easily chosen blog Posts from multiple lists. Clicks determine the most popular blogs of the week, and the past 24 hours, by number of actual visits to the blog. Picks quickly add points for those aspiring to a higher rank. Picks do not count as visits, because picks

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-29975070590644232312009-12-08T17:50:00.000-05:002009-12-08T17:50:35.215-05:00

Despite the recent freeze, the calendar still indicates it is fall for a few more days. Buffy and I took to the woods yesterday. Buffy found the scent of something to give fruitless chase; I found color remaining in the woods, including sumac and sweet gum. A small grove of ancient magnolias, at right, tall and thin because of crowding. Back at the house, we found color in the

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-44550760865271516732009-12-07T12:48:00.000-05:002009-12-07T12:48:10.564-05:00

I wasn't going to have an Amaryllis this year, until I saw the bulbs in a bin at Ramona's Flint River Nursery. They had sprouted in the warm room. She said the ones she'd potted and put outside in the cool didn't have buds yet. When I got home, I called back and asked her to put the two bulbs with the tallest sprouts aside for me. Lying in a cardboard bin, they'd sprouted into a curve, trying

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-35280865674078400452009-12-06T03:55:00.000-05:002009-12-06T03:55:00.388-05:00

I was reading the blog of Tim at A Chef in the Garden and saw his beginning Stumpery. Stumpery? Whoever thought? Prince Charles, for one. Prince Phillip asked him when he was going to burn that lot when he saw it. I searched for Stumpery images and found some interesting uses for stumps and roots and such left from clearing land. One that I found looked somewhat like my Stick House before I

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-74618003974809282902009-04-23T21:45:00.003-04:002009-12-05T19:15:40.724-05:00

The Oval Lawn, surrounded by plants with buds, but few blooms except for dianthus and some newly planted pentas on the north side. The ubiquitous Knock Out, which was a gift from Mary Daniels, along with a little wrought iron Monkey, five years ago. West end, the center grassy paths. What looks like grass is crocosmia, tons of it. Tangerine Bulbine and Purple Heart beside a big rock. In

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-4218209843996451482009-05-07T21:34:00.006-04:002009-12-05T19:14:16.313-05:00

Red Cascade, with tiny blossoms, but lots of them. Instead of climbing, this one wants to spread. I've propped it up with little pieces of metal edging fence, and encouraged it to climb cedar posts. A better glimpse of White Dawn since more buds opened. The Knockout roses and Belinda's Dream have finished their first flush of bloom in the Pink Rose Bed, just as lily buds get larger and

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-7229794042970036062009-05-05T20:54:00.004-04:002009-12-05T19:13:01.710-05:00

White Dawn Rose Buffy samples the lavender clematis that climbs the rustic pole opposite White Dawn White Dawn is a sport of New Dawn, the reblooming sport of 'Dr Van Fleet.' All have shiny bright green foliage. White Dawn lacks the blush of New Dawn and some of the abundant vigor.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-3697537432933334732009-05-23T17:35:00.010-04:002009-12-05T19:12:07.505-05:00

The Front Islands have a color scheme -- sort of. I read about a famous designer who renovated her garden using darkest Purple, palest Yellow, Chartreuse and all shades of Orange. Mine is loosely based on her choices, except that other colors keep sneaking in. Kniphofia and Livin' Easy These are snapdragons from seed. I hoped for a darker bronze foliage and an even darker red color that I

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-4395309612955041612008-02-22T15:00:00.009-05:002009-12-05T19:05:51.832-05:00

One the roses that came to me through the mail, known from the source as 'The Chicken Rose' is about to be re-introduced as 'Grandma's Yellow Rose' -- I like the old names better. It's looking good in the greenhouse. I've already dug a hole at its destination, just waiting to make sure the weather is fit before I re-dig and plant. Its companions will be mostly more yellow roses, daffodils for

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-41761232018636607712009-04-21T12:12:00.005-04:002009-12-05T19:04:52.567-05:00

'Peace' rose was introduced during the era in which I was born. Later a climbing sport was identified, which is what I grow. I have to choose whether to hack back the grapes, or hard prune the roses, as they share an arbor.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-45576819187562791312009-05-05T16:38:00.006-04:002009-12-05T19:04:16.658-05:00

A neighbor child ran home once after seeing another neighbor planting a tree rose, and shouted, "Mama! Mr. John bought a bouquet on a stick!" When I was pruning Carefree Delight, the long canes reminded me of Mr. John's tree rose. I thought, 'I can make a bouquet on a stick!' Some rebar to help support, a little pruning at the bottom and my stick was done. The rest of the growth, which

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-83171908653737667622009-05-22T14:26:00.003-04:002009-12-05T19:02:43.509-05:00

Sunny Knockout, added to my garden yesterday in the Yellow Rose Bed. I only bought one. I'd like to have a Carefree Sunshine, from the same hybridizer. Violas are on the way out in this bed. Late daffodils are still maturing. Moonbeam Coreopsis and Shasta daisies will add summer color as the big nicotianas seed out and are cut back.

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-47486770107904404232009-07-07T20:36:00.006-04:002009-12-05T19:00:07.064-05:00

Pride of Barbados Heliconia Livin' Easy Roses Orange Julius originated at the Orange Juice stand of Julius Freed in the 1920's. Freed's accountant couldn't tolerate pure O.J., so Freed mixed him up some juice, milk, sugar and ice and the Julius was created. Sometimes I just mix up equal parts orange juice and milk without the ice, sugar and blender. The juice curdles the milk. A little vanilla

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-55489139706177548392009-07-19T22:31:00.004-04:002009-12-05T18:58:32.205-05:00

In Victorian times yellow roses symbolized jealousy. Today it represents friendship, joy and affection. Julia Child Sunny Knockout These are newly planted this year with 'Moonbeam' coreopsis, bringing joy and gladness to the garden. I just think these pictures are too, too big. It's as if you have your face in the life-size rose. What do y'all think?

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-3837310349279339362009-09-02T00:08:00.002-04:002009-12-05T18:56:21.217-05:00

Monday after it rained, there were mists hanging in the distance, looking very much like fall is on the way. Tuesday when we ate in town, out the restaurant window I could see loropetalum across the street. They had the purple haze of autumn, having been pruned. I let mine grow as big as they can unless they crowd their neighbors the way the ones with the pink roses do, or as these by the crape

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-21278277052211974622009-09-06T14:33:00.004-04:002009-12-05T18:55:44.847-05:00

Carefree Delight Yellow Knockout I recently posted about reviving some wilted Gerbera Daisies for a little bud vase with hot water. Individual flowers require different tempertures for conditioning for bouquets. The water that I used on the Gerberas was extra warm, not boiling. On tender plants, really hot water may cause tender stems to break down. Some early spring blossoms like violets,

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-11605746805691315712009-09-07T16:31:00.001-04:002009-12-05T18:53:39.933-05:00

Belinda's Dream Climbing Peace with Mandevilla vine White Dawn; note the orange hips already forming Julia Child

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-62979075301479727812009-10-02T00:02:00.004-04:002009-12-05T18:51:56.775-05:00

Orange: A color of Fall, of Halloween, and in my garden, one of the Fiesta colors. Zinnias, with the energy of a fiery blaze. A bouquet of orange roses may be a sign of romantic feelings and the desire to move a relationship beyond the stage of friendship. Tithonia with purple Alternanthera, orange Bulbine, Vetiver grass and a Gulf Fritillary butterfly. Trying out a new background color,

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-22684023186137519192009-10-09T13:40:00.001-04:002009-12-05T18:51:11.267-05:00

Rosa 'Gene Boerner' is the best bloomer in the garden today. A floribunda, posthumously named for the breeder, it is one of my favs. The Flower Brick used today is by Andrea for Sadak. I bought it in a gift shop in Thomasville. It is a blue-green rather than the true blue of most blue and white ware. Chartreuse alternanthera is the the filler I used. The bits of alternanthera will

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-53173760894693108672009-11-12T08:13:00.002-05:002009-12-05T18:49:11.028-05:00

Epsom Salt is Magnesium Sulfate, a salt of the elements Magnesium and Sulfur, MgSO4. It has medicinal uses as well as being used as a garden chemical. Most medical uses are best discussed with your doctor. A soak in bath salts containing Epsom Salt after a hard day in the garden is soothing, eases sore muscles and aids sleep. Maybe it's the combination of warm water and minerals. I buy an over

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-55961825126673594062009-11-30T14:38:00.002-05:002009-12-05T18:48:30.491-05:00

The predicted freeze failed to take out lingering pretties. Butterflies came out to play again yesterday when the sun warmed the garden. I found more flowers that begged display here. Randy of Randy and Meg's Paradise Garden put forth the possibility of butterflies getting their name from Sulphurs, who look like pats of butter, nectaring here yesterday on Lantana montevidensis. Even a

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-70114941811574901362009-12-04T16:15:00.003-05:002009-12-05T18:11:18.489-05:00

Meems, of Hoe and Shovel, whose garden is always an inspiration to me, suggested that we join her in Twelve Days of Christmas in the Garden. I interpreted this meme to display a year's worth of blossoms, going back to 2008 for some of my favorite pics along with more recent views. Right now the garden is in confusion: Hibiscus and Roses blooming alongside Camellias while we wait for that first

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-4230983616950985772009-12-03T04:02:00.004-05:002009-12-03T12:10:02.777-05:00

Diana asked for a closer view of the herb garden's mid-feature, which I call the 'faux fountain.' After a search I located more views of the herb garden from its earlier days. Some things are best viewed through vaseline glass, but here you are, we're among friends. Updating, the culinary sage has died out and needs more grown from seed. Thyme remains and Oregano, not shown, is good. Parsley 

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-68619171568257896212009-12-01T08:50:00.001-05:002009-12-02T20:43:05.193-05:00

Pantone Color Institute predicts that “Aurora,” “Tomato Puree,” and “Eucalyptus” will be the hot colors for spring/summer 2010, according to an article on CNNMoney.com. Aurora is a yellow tinted with green that gives off a burst of energy. Tomato Puree is a red that can be paired with Turquoise, another Pantone hot hue, for a retro look. Eucalyptus is a cool and classic hue. Other colors

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1397469217781711217.post-3079034617874607672009-12-02T14:27:00.005-05:002009-12-02T14:34:27.842-05:00

A partial list of some books in my garden that I've had for many years, or picked up in a Library sale somewhere. I didn't list the ancient textbooks, nor many of the late 20th century garden books on my shelves. I've given away some of my books once I decided that I would focus on regional books better suited to southern gardening. There are others that I wish I had bought before they went out

NellJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.com13