If Only They Could Lay Eggs!

  

Sempervivum is more well-known by its common name, Hen & Chicks or Houseleeks. The name comes from the Latin Semper means - forever and vivo means – lives. These evergreen plants originate from the European alpine regions, making them extremely hardy. They prefer full sun or very light shade and require good drainage. Sempervivum work well in rock gardens, trough plantings, strawberry planters or tucked into rock wall crevices. They are also a good choice for green roofs and make for interesting topiaries.

The main rosette is referred to as the Hen and the smaller rosettes are the chicks. Each of these chicks can be removed and replanted easily or shared with friends. Occasionally a long shoot will appear, topped with a cluster of flowers. Shortly after flowering, the plant will die, but by then, numerous chicks will have been produced to take its place.

These aren’t your mother’s old fashioned green Hen & Chicks. There are several hundred varieties, shapes, colors and textures. Many turn a reddish color in winter; others are edged in red, while others rage in colors of brown to orange. Some varieties even look as if they are covered in cobwebs.

In the days-of-old, Sempervivum were planted on roofs of houses to guard against lightning. There is some scientific proof behind the myth; Sempervivum are naturally fire resistant and can slow down the spread of flames. The plant was also planted on the roof to bring the inhabitants good luck. Feuding neighbors were known to go up on the opposing neighbor’s roof and pull off their plants, believing that they would be vulnerable to natural disasters and left unguarded against demons.

With so many varieties to choose from and so many places to plant them, this is a fun and unique plant to experiment with.

The Incredible, Edible Landscape

I live on an old homestead, surrounded by what once had been an edible landscape. Apple, persimmon, fig, cherry and plum trees, along with grape vines and numerous nut trees are within easy reach. I am sure there was once a very large garden close by also. The fig tree is the only one which still produces decent fruit. This was the way of life for so many families in the area; grow what you need.

I have grown up in the age of convenience; microwave cooking, frozen dinners or eating out is the norm. But as budgets tighten along with belt lines, due to some of the unhealthy, easy food available, people are once again looking to gardens to supplement the grocery budget and supply healthy food for the family. After a winter of eating tasteless tomatoes which have been shipped green from one coast to the next, than gassed to make them bright red for the grocery store bins, is it any wonder we crave the taste of a fresh, homegrown tomato. Many of us do not have the space or the yard design to grow a garden, but that should not stop you. Many plants can be incorporated into your yard to create an edible landscape.

One of the best and easiest plants to grow in your landscaping is the blueberry bush. This plant can easily fit in with other perennials in a sunny location. Keep in mind they like an acidic soil and while many self pollinate, having two different varieties will ensure a good fruit production. What could be better then picking fresh blueberries in the morning for your muffins or pancakes?


A bush or patio tomato can be grown in a planter on a back deck and a cherry tomato can be grown in a window box or hanging basket. A pepper plant is also very attractive in a planter. Herbs can be grown in small pots on a sunny front step or as ground cover in perennial beds. Nasturtiums are an annual flower which come in a range of colors and the flowers can be added to salads.

Start out with a few favorites and before long you will be hooked, by the convenience and ease of having an edible estate. Just be prepared to compete with the rabbits and neighbors who may come by for a snack.

A Room With A View

It was really cold last week.  I mean 18 degree cold, so I curled up in a favorite spot and looked through some garden magazines, wishing for all that summer color.  I looked out the window, seeing nothing of interest, returned to the glossy pictures.  That thought, made me put down the magazine and turn my thoughts to the fact that there was nothing of interest outside my window.  Sure, we often plant our landscape and gardens for the outside world, but what about our own view from a spot on the sofa or our kitchen window or what we see when we open our eyes in the morning.  We all need a room with a view.  There are plenty of cold mornings or rainy days or days when you just don’t feel good, so have something interesting to look at. 

When you are outside deciding where to plant that rose bush or flowering tree, consider walking in the house and see if you should move it over a little bit so it can be seen from inside.  Plant a favorite color or something very fragrant which can be enjoyed as you lay in bed on a lazy weekend morning.  Plant something outside your kitchen window which attracts butterflies to make dishwashing a little more pleasant.  Plant something evergreen outside the living room window, so those bleak winter days don’t seem quite so gray.   That enjoyable view doesn’t need to be of just plants; a statue, bench or fountain can be enjoyed inside too.

Our yards are not meant to be just enjoyed by our neighbors or when we are outside, but from within also.   Besides, when the garden is beautiful from inside the house, it just naturally draws you outside to get up-close and personal with it.  It’s a win, win situation.

Ode To A Winter's Day

            Henry David Thoreau said; “Live each season as it passes, breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”

          I have a hard time resigning myself to the winter season; the cold, the long nights, the frost; did I mention cold?   I love the spring!  Green shoots pushing up through the dirt, buds ready to burst, a green tinge appearing on tree limbs….so much anticipation.  I love summer!  Plants filling in everywhere; so much color, sounds and smells.  I love fall!  Cool mornings, cool evenings, and amazing fall colors.  Winter, not so much! 

             While I pine away for those long daylight hours of summer, these shorter hours actually trigger plants to prepare for the cold months ahead by becoming cold-hardy or ‘hardening-off’.  While I am putting on an extra pair of socks to warm my feet, the plants roots are busy taking in nutrients and growing throughout the winter.  While I am curled up on the couch watching old movies, eating popcorn and counting down till spring, my plants are getting ready to burst forth in spring glory at the right time. 

As spring explodes around us, I resign myself to the fact that I really should have spent my winter getting my garden ready for spring.  So this winter, I am not going to hibernate my time away, I am going to be ahead of the game and have everything ready for spring….just as soon as it warms up a little.

Resolutions, Smesolutions

     My favorite New Year’s toast is:  ‘May all your worries this year last as long as your New Year’s resolutions’, but this year I’m hoping to make some garden resolutions to have a lasting effect throughout the year.  So here are my resolutions:

·        Learn – I have learned that I can still learn.  Winter is a great time to curl up with several good gardening magazines, or take a course through your local agricultural extension.

·        Right plant, right place – I promise to try hard to bypass that amazing shade plant and not try to convince myself that a couple hours of morning shade equals deep shade.

·        Weed in winter – Forget the gym, bend and stretch those muscles as you pull those winter weeds.  You will feel the pain the next morning but reap the benefits in spring.

·        Prune and pinch with a vengeance – Remember that overgrown plant that was a mess this summer?  Come winter and the loss of foliage, it doesn’t look so bad now, but next summer you’ll regret it, so PRUNE.

 ·        Get the kids involved – They need to get some fresh air and away from the TV, plus many hands make for less work.  Raise some future gardeners.

·         Is there a plant you have been coveting?  Go ahead and treat yourself and your garden to something special (just remember right plant, right place)

 

·        Stop and smell the roses – We are all so busy with work, kids and activities that we forget to stop and appreciate what is around us.  Even with gardening, I so often focus on a plant or have my head down pulling weeds or digging that I forget to stop, look and enjoy.

     So with this New Year, I hope your worries are few and your garden glorious. 

Show Your Southern Flare

Plant of the Month:  Camellia Sasanqua

     When I think of a southern garden, two plants come to mind: magnolia and camellia.  Not all of us have the room for the magnificent magnolia, but don’t feel like you are settling for a camellia.  Camellias have been stealing the show in the garden for the past two months.  While leaves have been dropping as fast as the thermometer, the camellia has been wowing us with its winter blooms.

     The sasanqua camellia can tolerate quite a bit more sun then camellia japonica.  Sasanquas bloom in November and December.  Even when the blooms are gone, you are left with beautiful dark evergreen foliage.  Many of the older, established homes have large, beautiful camellias worked into the landscape, but they seem to be missing from many of the newer neighborhoods.  Such a shame, as these spectacular plants deserve a place in every garden.  The sasnquas range in sizes from short to tall and colors vary from white to pink to red, and sometimes a mix of all three.  There is also a variety which works wonderfully as an espalier on a wall.  So there is really no excuse for not having one in your yard. 

     Camellias have a beautiful natural shape and do not require a lot of pruning.  If it is pruned, be sure to do it shortly after blooming, as it sets its buds for next year.   Insect problems can be scale which will cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off or spider mites which will cause the leaves to turn bronze and speckle.  These can be treated.  Proper planting and drainage can help prevent diseases associated with camellias.

      So make a New Year’s resolution to show off your southern flare and make your Northern friends envious by planting a camellia.

Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

   
It’s hunting season, but I’m not hunting deer. It’s time to take that trusty shotgun and hunt some mistletoe. This is the perfect time to hunt mistletoe; one: because there is no use for it any other time of the year and two: it’s easy to see, now that all the leaves are down.

The Greek word for mistletoe is Phoradendron, which means “thief of the tree”. While not a true parasite, mistletoe sure acts as one, sinking its roots into the tree and leeching nutrients from the tree to help with its photosynthesis. Found high in the branches of trees, the seed is extremely sticky, latching onto bird’s beaks or feathers or the fur of other woodland creatures and dropping off to start a new batch on a new host. Mistletoe is toxic to people, but birds rely on the berries for high-protein food and the foliage for nesting material. Butterflies lay their eggs on the plants and use the nectar for food. Mistletoe is also an important nectar and pollen food for bees. Throughout the ages, mistletoe has been used to treat an array of ailments, from leprosy, worms and labor pains to high blood pressure.

All interesting facts, but why do we kiss under a parasitical-like plant? According to Norse mythology, Balder, loved by gods and men, was felled by an arrow made of mistletoe, the only material that could hurt him. He was revived by his mother, Frigg, and she commanded anyone who stood under the plant to kiss as a reminder of how love conquered death.

So if you do decide to go on a mistletoe hunt, and even though a shotgun has a cool, woodsy image to it, take a 22 if you want any mistletoe to bring home.

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.