JCRA lecture

I have just come home from a great lecture by Bobby Ward on the life of JC Raulston.  Bobby has worked for 4 years on this project, and tonight's lecture was the kickoff to the book's official release date.  I am so thrilled to (now) own this book; I've known about it for some time, and have been anticipating its arrival. 

The lecture touched on a few highlights of the book, and JC's life.  Throughout the lecture I kept thinking how sad it was to learn so many things about the man and his life; I'm looking forward to finding out more. 

I feel so privileged to be a volunteer at JCRA, I only wish I had moved to NC a lot sooner so that I might have had a chance to just meet him.

I promise to write about it again after I've read it.

big bloomers

You might be thinking to yourself why am I going to be talking about big bloomers?  Let me assure you it has nothing to do with oversized undergarments!

Big Bloomers is a great, still-yet-to-be-discovered-by-many flower farm and garden shop in Sanford, NC south of Raleigh off US 1.  They have a HUGE selection of annuals, perennials, and tender plants.  While on an excursion to the Pottery Festival in Seagrove, NC today I stopped in Sanford to do some plant shopping. 

I have got to be insane for buying more plants!   Seriously, I need to have my head examined.  But, I bought some really great stuff, and I've already made a space for all of them in the house.  I purposely purchased mostly tender plants (well I did buy an ornamental kale) since it's the off-season, and I've been coveting some of these plants for a while. 

So, to add to my already large collection, I bought a Begonia, B. 'Madame Queen', a rhizomatous type begonia having large, glossy leaves with a reddish reverse and ruffled edges.  Stunning.  Just do a search for it online to find it.

Next up is a couple of Agaves: A. 'Sharkskin Shoes' and A. 'El Montevideo'.  I've always wanted to have 'Sharkskin Shoes' in my collection, Agaves are on my top 10 favorite plant list anyway, so it was time to get one.  It's winter hardy, so next year I'll just keep it outside, in a container.  'El Montevideo' is also winter hardy, so I'll give it the same treatment.  'El Montevideo' is unique in that is has a faint stipe running up the middle of each leaf from base to tip. 

I also grabbed a rather interesting succulent called Princess Pine, or Crassula muscosa pseudolycopodioides.  What?!  False something, right?  I'm a little unsure of the exact spelling, and not every online source spells it the same.  But wait, I just remembered I have a fabulous book with great info.  Okay, book says lycopodioides.  So, I looked up lycopodioides and found clubmoss mountain heather, Cassiope lycopodioides, an ericacious plant indiginous to the extreme northwest regions of  North America (Washington state, British Columbia, Alaska specifically), and northeast Asia.  So, this Princess Pine that I've picked up resembles that of the clubmoss mountain heather; indeed it does.  There's your botanical lesson for the day!  Anyway, I'm excited about using this one in a mixed container next summer.

On to the next succulent I purchased, Euphorbia triangularis, not sure which one; it has a dusky purplish color, reddish purple leaves.  Euphorbs are #1 on my top 10 list, so I had to have it.  Plus, it was only $3.25 for a 4".

Lastly, and I could not resist this one, is another Thai Crown of Thorns; yes, like the one I mentioned in an earlier entry.  This too is Euphorbia, did I mention that before?  I was so stoked to see it in their greenhouse becuase I haven't seen many folks carry it.  I bought the red one, 'Cherry Cobbler', since the one I already have is blooming pale yellow.  This plant is so big, and healthy, and multi-stemmed I could not pass it up.  It too was priced VERY reasonably at $6.25 for a generous 6". 

Price is just one of the many things I like about Big Bloomers.  I make trips there at least twice per year, sometimes more, just to get my fix.  All in all, it's always worth going there to see what they have, because they will inevitably have something that no one else is growing, or is growing at a much, much higher price.  Check them out!

beautiful botrytis

I took some pictures today of roses, some were really pretty, others knocking on death's door.  One in particular had a bad case of botrytis; it got me thinking: some fungus is really pretty.  I wonder how many might agree?

Take a look at this picture, for example.  I can't help but see beauty in this poor, wilted flower partially covered in hairy, gray fuzz. 

It reminds me of Edward Scissorhands.  He saw beauty in everything he touched, and others around him.  He couldn't help it; he just wanted everything to be good and perfect and beautiful.  Now, I'm not that naive, but I do enjoy the natural order of things, especially when it comes to plants. 

Botrytis is a common disease of flowers, affecting some more than others.  For roses, it's easy to contract because their petal counts are so high.  Add moisture and you've got yourself one heck of fungus.  We've had some good amount of rain lately, with the effects of Ida coming through, and an addtional rain event to follow.  So, conditions have been right for this kind of flare up. 

This fungus is not only seen on flowers, in fact, you might be more familiar with it when affects your strawberries or grapes.  It's that icky gray mold you see, and looks like a science experiement took place in your refrigerator. 

By the way, this is Moonstone, a hybrid tea, whose petals are so delicate and pristine when in perfect condition.  It's a flower that evokes innocence and purity; loaded with petals, which open to display quite a large flower head.  Gorgeous!

see more on my picasa web album:

rose pictures

of princesses and kangaroo paws

Now that my tender plants are in the house I have more time to really pay attention to them.  I've been noticing how they look, taking stock of their sizes, and what flower buds might still persist. 

I'm very pleased with how my princess flower, Tibouchina urvilleana, is blooming.  One by one, the buds have opened to reveal the perfectly delicate, purple flowers.  They are as soft and velvety as the leaves.  The best thing about growing this plant inside is its tolerance for drought, which means I don't have to water it frequently.  Our friends in south Florida can enjoy this plant year round outdoors, that is to say that it's hardy there. 

Kangaroo paws was a new one for me this year.  I saw it at the garden center on the sale table for $5.  It was a no brainer purchase.  The real question was how many I was going to buy (just one).  Anigozanthos 'Bush Pearl', an Australian native wildflower, bears vibrant, candy pink flowers.  Aptly named, the flowers are that of the shape of a kangaroo's paw.  I'm really enjoying the grass like foliage, and the way the flower bud stems come out of the ends much like how a tradescantia flowers, only longer.  Does that make sense?

As I was drawing the mini blinds on the window the other night, I noticed the biggest surprise of all: flower buds on my Thai Crown of Thorns.  I purchased this plant after having seen it the previous year at the Philadelphia Flower Show.  My friend John purchased one (I actually think he bought more than that!), but I just could not drop $20 for a little 4" potted plant.  Thinking that I could maybe find it somewhere at my local garden center, I decided to wait.  Well, I had not seen it anywhere. 

The trip to Philly Flower Show was coming back around again, and I knew we were going.  Sure enough that same vendor was in the exact same spot selling her Thai Crown of Thorns and other unusual plants.  I was torn.  I would be taking a chance if I did not buy it then and there, knowing that I still might not be able to find it.  So, there I was trying to make a decision.  I was prepared to pay the $20 for it.  But, there was a bonus!  She remembered us from the year before.  An unusual circumstance, actually, was what made her remember us, but I digress.  Anyway, she gave me a discount.  I was stoked.  It was only 10% off, but I didn't care; any amount off was enough to make me happy about it.  Now, it's about to produce flowers.  I remember being impressed by how much it grew for me this summer.  I've kept it on the dry side, and used a lot of perlite in the soil, especially at the top.  Tada! 

welcome to the jungle

The time has come where the overnight temperatures are too cold for my tender plants.  I've spent the last 2 days grooming, cleaning, repotting, and organizing, and transforming my living room into a wilderness of plant life.  I'm fortunate to have a pretty good sized room, with ample sunlight from a southwest exposure; I can situate the bright-light-lovers on that window, while the less-light-lovers go on the north window. 

I'm most excited about bringing some color in the house: I have several aloes in varying stages of bloom, a cyclamen loaded with buds, and a princess flower in bud.  I'm hoping my orchids and clivia will produce flowers in the coming months.  Doing orchids is a first for me, so we'll see.  But, I've been growing the clivia for years and have not had a bloom since when I purchased it.  I've tried so many different methods of treatment through fall before I bring it indoors, with no success, but I refuse to give up on it! 

I keep the house at 68, so that should be good for everybody.  I get a nice warm up when the days are pleasant, and when the sun is shining through the window, it warms up the living room nicely to about 70 or 71. 

My biggest concern is keeping my cat from making a mess.  She loves to chew on the leaves, scratch in the soil, and generally get herself into mischief.  I fear that everday I come home from work, I'll be welcome with potting soil all over the floor!

my own worst critic

After being disappointed with my state fair garden this year, I realize how unimportant that sentiment is.  So many of my friends and acquaintances have given me so many compliments on it this week, it makes me so happy that they have enjoyed seeing it.  (I just hope they've been sincere!)

I don't ever do these gardens to win, though it's a nice bonus.  I do it because I enjoy the challenge of producing a garden based on a theme; I enjoy putting different plants together to see if they work well.  It's never been about the blue, or any ribbon, really.  Sure, it's nice when you can produce something better than the guy you're competing against, but it's not the objective. 

I tend to be my own worst critic, in everything I do, and it has been a great revelation for me this week discovering this truth of my abilities.  I do always remember to keep one thing very clear:  have fun. 

I've posted a bunch of pics on my Picasa web album.  Enjoy! 
my picasa web album

i'm still here

Well, after a LONG hiatus I'm pleased to be back at the keyboard writing again.  The last several weeks have been filled with lots of last minute gardenings-to-do for the State Fair, and not-so-gardening-things-to-do too.  I struggled at the end with the fair garden, and wasn't overly pleased with the end result; but, I finished nevertheless. 

The theme was Ornamental Grasses and Sedges, of which I did not have enough.  I tried to really mix it up to showcase the grasses with other plants of varying colors and textures.  I was happy with some of the plantings, and some of the design as well.  I stayed true to the original design that I had conceptualized in spring when I knew I would be planting this theme.  It was a real challenge considering all that I took on this summer and fall.  By the way, I took 3rd place, scored an 85!  (I've never scored below 90 before in all the years I've been doing this.)  My lack of attention to this year's fair garden showed through and through.

paisley garden (more from open days)

I have always wanted to visit Helen's Haven, and the Thompson Garden, but I think my favorite was Paisley Garden. Paisley had the design asthetic I tend to go for: a generous mix of (hardy and not hardy) tropical plants, herbaceous perennials, flowering shrubs and trees, and annuals to bridge the gaps between peak blooming periods. The layout of the beds were relaxed and unpretentious, so you could just meander through from one to the next without feeling like there was a severe transition among them.

In the Thompsons' garden I like how Kathleen and Walt planted Naked Ladies among flowering annuals so they just pop up unexpectedly! Their teacup fountain reminds me of the one at Chanticleer.

My favorite part of Helen’s Haven was the bed of HUGE castor bean plants in her front yard. See more from Open Days http://picasaweb.google.com/sandrazazzara/OpenDaysGardenTours#

open days garden tours

This weekend was the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Garden Tours. I volunteered to sit in one of the gardens, and had a chance to visit a few too. It's always a treat when this happens in our area. People open up their gardens (and sometimes homes) to folks and I think it's a great way to see how other people enjoy their garden space. This picture here is Rose Cottage, the garden where I volunteered.

Rose Cottage was a garden of surprises; there were many unexpected delights to be seen in this city garden in Oakwood. From the front yard you couldn't really tell what awaited behind the house. Once you were back there, you were charmed by plants of all kinds from annuals to perennials, shrubs such as Edgeworthia and blooming Camellias; and there was a gorgeous Clematis armandii at the back door. Behind, and off to the right of the building you see in this picture, sits the vegetable garden; a composting area and secret garden were back behind there as well.

I was invited to come back to see Rose Cottage in spring by homeowners Jim and Sharon. You could tell by seeing the other plants in the garden that it would be worth the visit, knowing that this is a garden of at least 3 season interest.

busy bees

I just had a great dinner with some of my fellow volunteers from JCRA. We went to Busy Bee Cafe, then to Hillsborough St near campus for Loco Pops. Yummy! What a fabulous way to take a break from working in the garden to socialize with friends!

The evening was not without plants, mind you, as we were graced with plant gifts! Sandy brought not only variegated Solomon's Seal, but columbine seeds too. And, of course we talked about plants. My favorite subject!!!

I'm frequently quizzed by Vanette, whose questions about plants range from mundane to mysterious. She keeps me on my toes, testing my knowledge, which is great for my brain. I can't wait to hear all about the removal of some privet at her home garden; she and her husband are getting ready to replace some awful, and old, privet to make way for beautyberry instead. What a great choice!

I'm looking forward to planting my Solomon's Seal, and spreading some columbine seeds. I just emptied a container I have on my front porch; I think I'll put some of the Solomon's Seal in it. The variegation in the leaf will look great against the creamy white color of the container. Then, I'll plant some white tulips in October or November to come up next spring. It's an awesome combo in a garden setting, I think I'll enjoy it in a container too. It's a combo I used several years ago in my aunt's garden, so I can't wait to recreate it on my front porch for next spring. I'll plant the rest under the trees along my drive, plenty of shade there.

I had so much fun tonight, I hope we do this again real soon.

30 days

I just visited NC's state fair website, the official countdown is now 30 days left 'til opening day. 30 days.

That's 30 days to get my garden finished up. 30 days to finish the final rendering of the plot plan (design). 30 days to complete my garden concept statement. 30 days. Am I getting a little nervous? Just a little.

I worked a lot in the garden this past weekend: Saturday almost all day, Sunday for at least a couple of hours. The coleus cuttings I rooted haven't really done much (No kidding dummy! Did I really think that they would produce much in 2 months? C'mon!). I planted them anyway, as if by some chance they might produce some size.

So, I planted some more, fertilized, agonized, and weeded. And came to the realization that there are about 4 weeks left to show time, and sure enough it's 30 days. 30 days. Did I mention it was 30 days left?

My first lesson learned this particular year was that I didn't start early enough. In the past I've started as early as June and I wished that I'd started later. So, this year I waited until August. That was just a bit too late.

It'll be fine. I don't really play to win, I just play to have fun. And that's a spirit of the game I don't want to lose. There are so many things I learn each year in this process, and to me that's half of it right there.

alien v. predator

I hold Praying Mantises in high esteem as the kings and queens of the insect world. And, I've often likened them to be the most alien-like, with their unusually shaped triangular heads and large, compound eyes that seem to stare right back at you. In the garden they are among the most beloved insects to have due to their predatory nature since they feed, in part, on bad bugs. So, while it is true they're predators, this particular one got caught in a web, and lost the battle against a hungry spider. Can you see the spider at the end of its abdomen?

I was in complete shock and awe, in disbelief that this knight in my garden has been conquered by another beast of prey within its same pecking order (in my estimation anyway). So what else could I do but get my camera?!

When I was a young girl I was scared of Praying Mantises, not really understanding what was behind that praying-like stance. When I got into gardening and plants I realized there was no other insect that got my attention quite like Mantids. In college, entomology was my favorite class, and I felt bad for having to kill one to display in a case for a semester-long insect collecting project. I sort of felt that same sorrow, as it were, when I saw this one hanging in the web, barely alive as the spider sucked its life away.

textures and patterns

I'm extremely attracted to texture and pattern in plants; dare I say moreso than flowers. When I got home from work today I couldn't help but marvel at some of my plants. It rained this afternoon, so it was nice and cloudy. Water droplets were suspended on the leaves of many of my plants and it was so inspiring, I just couldn't help myself from taking pictures.

This is Begonia 'Fireworks', my absolute fave. I'm a big fan of fireworks and the pattern on this leaf is just so amazing. I love how the black centers radiate out to silver, then purple at the edge. It's an iridescent leaf, which I wish could be properly captured in the image, but I just couldn't get it.

I've found that my tastes in garden design have gravitated toward liking gardens with greater textural differences versus color. The Silver Garden at Longwood Gardens achieves just that, and has always been a source of inspiration for me with it's display of dessert and Mediterranean plants. Though of one common color pallette, it's the varying textures that make the design of the garden.

Another noteworthy texture garden at Longwood is the Fern Passage. It is so cool and green, and perfectly lustful and airy feeling. And there's that real earthy smell that evokes the perfect reaction of being in the tropics. I just love it!

Patterns play an important role for me too. One of the best caladiums I've grown is 'Red Flash', and it's more than just an elephant-ear shaped leaf with red color. There's a distinct edge of green and inside the red center are large freckles of silver.

Manihot esculenta 'Variegata' was such a great find for me many, many years ago. And the color patterns on this leaf are out of this world. The pattern of greens and yellows are more pronounced when grown in full sun. Using it in a container is best because I like to bring mine in the house for winter, and it doesn't transplant well, so I usually do pot in pot.

critters and coleus

2 things on my mind today in the garden: critters and coleus. I wish I had my camera; and it nevers fails that when I don't have it, I miss an opportunity. Back to that in a minute.

My sister and her husband gave me some coleus cuttings about 3 weeks ago, and they are growing really well. I started them in vases of water until they began to show root production, then, I potted them all up last week and they've been maturing nicely. I realize it seems late in the year to be starting coleus cuttings, but I have a competition to consider.

Most people know I'm a garden competitor in our state fair, and I've been competing every year since 2003. I haven't won a blue ribbon yet, but I'm trying! I do it mostly because I enjoy it, not for the blue.

Gardens need to be completed by the second week of October, which brings us back to the growing of late coleus cuttings. It's my hope that these cuttings will produce sizeable plants for display in my garden. We'll see.

On to critters. I went to the fairgrounds today to check on my garden display, see how things were doing, check water, groom plants. Plants are growing well, and I still have much work to do. To my delight I saw 3 tree frogs nestled in canna and banana plants! I love tree frogs, they're so cute. And there they were, minding their own business, relaxing among the flora, waiting for a meal. Too bad I didn't have my camera.

plants among friends

I saw my friend Bobby today, he had a gorogeous bromeliad for me. It's a vriesea type, you know, the ones with the really brightly colored
"flowers" like oranges, reds and purply-pinks. A real treat! I "traded" him for an aloe that I've been growing, that was so robust that I divided it up and had plenty to share. A couple of months ago he gave me a piece of dracaena and a clivia pup; both are doing well! I love Bobby's enthusiasm for plants. He's got a lot of knowledge, especially about tropical plants, since he's a Florida boy.


Having him give me that vriesea brings back memories of my trip to TPIE (tropical plant industry exposition) 2 years ago. That was a fun trip and one I've always wanted to go on. Not only did I get to see Ft Lauderdale and Miami, but I travelled to a few of the area nurseries to see how they operate. And, the other best part of that trip was going to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. What an awesome place! It just occured to me that I need to add the Fairchild site to my list of faves.


My pic is from that Florida trip, one of the nurseries I visited specialized in bromeliads.

Cyclamen africanum

I bought a cyclamen from John Lonsdale while at Pine Knot Farms' Hellebore Days in March. Not having much experience with growing cyclamen, John offered me some great advice on growing them. John is a leading expert on cyclamen, so his advice is invaluable.

First and foremost, it is not hardy a species to my zone 7 garden; I 've containerized it so all I have to do is carry it indoors when the cold comes. John told me to put it in full, hot sun and water periodically in summer and that should produce some great flowers for fall. Well, I've done nothing of the sort (it's mostly in shade) and I cannot believe my eyes with this little thing! I've had a few sporadic blooms over the last several weeks, foliage has been emerging sporadically for several weeks as well.

C. africanum is native to northern Algeria and Tunisia. From all I've read it looks a lot like C. hederifolium, just not hardy. And to me, it's far more exciting than the typical ones you find at Christmastime anyway, much as I adore them.

Crinum 'Menehune' in flower!

I bought Crinum 'Menehune' from Lushlife Nurseries (SC) back in June. Well, I had to buy 2! 'Menehune' has amazing burgundy-red leaves (that don't fade) and pretty pink flowers. I noticed a flower yesterday among several buds on a stalk; I was so surprised because I hadn't even noticed the stalk! Now I can't wait to see how many more will be produced.

Since it is also known as the Red Bog Lily, it's tolerant of wet soils and can be grown on a pond's edge; but, it is surprisingly tolerant of drier conditions too. Mine are planted in containers, so I'm able to control the moisture. I expect the clumps to top out at about 18-24" tall.