Random Garden Thoughts, Tips, and Photos

My most recent mystery roses have bloomed, at last. I must say, even the ones that I thought I knew turned out to be mysteries. But my favorite and most anticipated, the Rosa Rugosa, bloomed today. She has not disappointed me. She is pink and semi-double, with a fluffy yellow center. I'm very happy with her.

We've had a lot of rain this spring. I'm not complaining, mind you, because who in their right mind (and I always am) would complain about something as good as rain? But not only is this wonderful, abundant rain causing blackspot on most of my roses, it is also giving the weeds a strong foothold along the walk.

However, weeding can become a fun hunt for freebies.

For example, the Johnny Jump-ups that I planted in a pot last fall have gone to seed, and all kinds of Johnnies are coming up in the walkway.

I carefully dug these sweetie-pies up, making sure to keep the tender roots as safe and undamaged as possible. I kept a bit of dirt with each plant. There were probably 20 plants growing among the weeds! After digging them up, I added water. Later this week, I'm going to plant them in the new raised garden Bill is making for us. Useful plants are going to take up of the planting space, but I would like a few cutting flowers; these little Johnnies (named for my dear old daddy, no doubt) will be tucked in along the edges. Once planted, like their wild cousins, common violets, they will come up new from seed for several years.
Note: If I am not able to put them in the planting beds before a few days, I will put them in a large pot of potting soil, watering them well and keeping them in part shade until I am able to get them in the ground. They won't last long this way.

Our herbs are growing fabulously this year. I know what some of you are thinking. Herbs are weeds, so if the weeds are happy, the herbs are, too. Not necessarilary true, my friend. But for those of you who know how magnificent an herb plant can be in the garden, here are some easy to grow, useful and beautiful herbs:

Normally, Echinacea is a soft violet pink color, but I found these at Home Depot this weekend. I thought I'd died and gon to heaven, but thank goodness, it's just a new hybrid!

I'm going to plant them next to something blue that is also blooming this time of year, so the blooms will complement each other.

Echinacea is a medicinal herb used for asthma and other lung ailments. But it is known to raise bloodpressure. As an asthmatic (since I was four), I can assure you that the new medicines for asthma far exceed any benefits you can get from Echinacea. I grow it for it's beauty only.

Russian Comfrey has a gorgeous blue flower.

Most comfrey plants I've seen have a pink/purple flower. Comfrey makes a poltice to put on infection. Again, though I know people who use it, I never have. It's a beautiful plant. A friend gave me three tiny sprouts about 15 years ago, and they've tried to take over the garden ever sense. I just pull them up if they come up where I don't want them. Over and over and over and over, all summer. These gorgeous Periwinkle blooms are worth it, however.

Speaking of Periwinkle Blue blossoms, Borage is an herb with edible flowers. Not only are they pretty on a salad, they taste like cucumber. I have read that you can add the leaves to salad, but I've only eaten the flowers. You can toss them on your salad with Violets and Nasturtiums. Gorgeous, healthy, and delicious!

Though it's not an herb, there are still a few stray blooms of Bleeding Heart peeking over the Peonies at the back of the border. This girl is over 4 feet tall. I planted her many years ago.

 

Pineapple Sage is a delightful smelling herb used for making teas. This one was planted this year and is already quite large. I usually grow Pineapple Sage as an annual in this climate, but many years it does survive the North Carolina Piedmont's winter. After buying a new one this year, I realized that last year's plant had shown her pretty head once again. (After all, we'd had snow all winter, which protects many plants from the bitter cold.) As you see, Pineapple Sage has red trumpet shaped blooms on spikes at the end of each branch. This is the first bloom this year.

I found the cat in the garden the other day, laying contentedly on his back. Actually, at first sight, I was afraid he was sick. Then I saw this Catnip had sprung up along the garden path...it came up from seed. So El Cat-o wasn't sick. He was just happy.

Catnip not only delights your kitten, it makes a relaxing tea, but it's good for respiratory infections and asthma, tummy troubles, and many other things. (read more about it here: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_catnip.htm)

Mr. and Mrs. Birdie have decided to build a next in the Brown Turkey Fig that grows well on the southeast side of the house. I hope that's a good idea. The hornets and bees love that fig tree come August. So do I, but I don't like the bees and the hornets, so I miss most of the fig season due to bugs. My sis Jeanie is taking allergy shots for stinging insects. I'm going to look into it.

Being allergic to bees is hard on a gardener.

The Kimberly Fern is, in my opinion, the best fern for the front porch pot. I prefer it over the Boston fern any time. Not only does it not drop its leaves like the Boston does, but it can handle the cold and the heat better. Let it dry out between waterings. If it likes where and how you keep it, it will get really large, with fronds that grow long and lush. If planted in the deep South, it may escape into the garden and become a pest (if you can consider ferns in the garden pesky...). Up here in North Carolina,

I don't think that's anything to worry about.

Last but not least, my darling, Rainy Spring days are perfect days for setting the

hanging orchids out on the stoop. I watered the ones in pots, but these Vandas can get messy when watered, because the Orchid Mix falls all over everything, and water can't be contained. I usually water them in a large bowl, but on this rainy day, I happily set them on the porch; and they were glad to be there.

That's it, honey-bun. Just some garden thoughts and pictures for you today. See ya' next time.

deber

Twelve Handmade Gifts for Mother's Day

We moms enjoy all kinds of wonderful gifts, but my Mom's favorite, and now my own, are the gifts made by the hands of our children.

Your mom might like this gift

if she has a garden with a pond...

but then again, maybe not...

If you'd like to make something for your mom this Mother's Day, I've got a dozen last minute gifts you can whip up before Sunday, guaranteed to please and delight your mom.

1. Memory Pages - This is one thing you can do alone or with your siblings. Buy a Memory Book or Photo Album, and make up a few pages for Mom with photos, sweet and funny comments and mementos.
   Note: You can even make a party of this gift, with your mom as the guest of honor. Bring the book, tape, glue, ribbon, ephemera ("junk to glue on", as some of us say in the art world), and photos, and do it together. That will add another layer to the wonderful memories.

Seasonings-in-a-pot

2. An Herb Garden - Everyone who cooks can appreciate a few basic potted herbs growing in a sunny window or on the back deck. You can find herbs at most hardware stores and nurseries. They can be potted in one big pot for a porch or deck, or individually in small pots for the kitchen window. Some good herbs are:
Basil - Go by smell. If you like the smell, it's a nice Basil. I like Purple Ruffle, Globe, and Lemon.
Rosemary - One of my favorites. Not only a good cullinary herb, Rosemary has beautiful little longlasting flowers when it's mature, and makes a pretty potted plant.
Thyme - Lemon Thyme is a must in my own kitchen, but French or English Thymes are good basics.
Chamomile - The flowers of Chamomile make a nice, relaxing tea. Roman Chamomile is a perennial, and German is an annual.
Oregano - Greek Oregano is easily found, but if you can find Cuban Oregano, it is delicious, and the large leaves can be fried as well as added to Mom's spaghetti.
Lavender - Lady Lavender is a pretty plant which blooms the first year and grows well in a pot. Flowers can be added to teas, or put under pillow cases for a good night's sleep.
Chives - The most popular chives are the Garlic Chives, with edible pink flowers and tubular leaves.

Necklace of glass and stone;

many bead stores offer assistance in making jewelry.

3. Jewelry - A lovely necklace or bracelet can be a speedy project for you to create. Some stores, like Bisque and Bead here in my town, can assist you with choosing the beads and putting them together from start to finish. But Michael's, AC Moore and Walmart have how-to books, beads, tools and "findings" (the clasps and other necessaries) for you if you want to start a new hobby.

4. Music CD - If you have a few cd's that your mom enjoys, you might want to record a collection of music for her from them. If you have the know-how, be sure to record a sweet or funny introduction to her in your own voice. Make it mushy so you can make her cry...happy tears. Then decorate the front of the CD with permanent markers.

5. Cards - A Mother's Day card may seem like a "given" to you, but there are many ways to make really special cards. Stamping is a fun project, and paper, stamps and stamp pads are easy to find at any craft store. Or you can glue or draw things. You can also make a photo card using a special photo. Most photo programs have a way to put your photos on card stock. Any adorable family picture can be made into a pack of 6 to 10 notecards, printing two cards per piece of card stock. Buy envelopes for notecards at an office store or Walmart.

An easy apron

6. Apron - If you sew and have a sewing machine, you can make an easy "half apron" from one yard of 36" (or wider) fabric without a pattern.
Cut a 22" x 36" strip of fabric for the skirt.
Trim side selvages, fold edges over and stitch.
Fold a 3" hem, iron and stitch.
Cut two 3" x 36" strips for a waist band.
Sew one end together, fold down the length, top of fabric together and iron.
Stitch ends, and stitch from each end toward the middle, leaving a 22 1/2" opening to insert the skirt.
Turn and iron so that the unsewn part is folded down the same as the sewn seams.
Gather the top of the hemmed piece, and pin to what will be the inside of the back of the waist band.
Machine sew.
Hand stitch the top of the waist band to the skirt, and topstitch if you prefer a more finished look.

Pick flowers fresh from your yard

7. Garden Flowers - If you have a yard, it's likely that you will have something nice blooming there. Pick a handful, and present them to your mom in a little vase (Dollar stores always have affordable vases) or even in a Mason Jar tied with a ribbon. If all you have are a handful of wild violets, don't despair. They are lovely in a shot glass or small bottle.

A "Mommy Vase" made from wire and an old bottle,

for tiny blooms

8. Recycle and Repurpose Bottles and Jars - I call these "Mommy Vases", because they're great for the tiny, short-stemmed blossoms picked for Mommie by the little ones. You can take a small bottle or jar, wrap it in wire (copper is nice and available at the hardware and craft stores), make a loop on top, and Voila. A great vase to hang in the kitchen window with violets.

My grandson hard at work making art

9. Children's Art - If you have some colorful children's art of your own or your children's, you can matt it and put it in a simple frame. It will make a treasured gift for Mom.

A water garden: pot, plant, small goldfish,

water conditioner, and fish food

10. A Water Garden - Buy a large non-toxic pot with a rubber plug or no hole (2 gallons or more), a miniature water lily (both are usually found at Lowes or Home Depot), and some water conditioner, two "feeder fish" and a tiny container of fish food from the pet store. Condition the water and add the plant according to directions, add the fish, and you have a pretty little miniature water garden for Mom's patio.
   Note: This gift will need part shade so it won't get too hot for the fish. Only one or two small fish would be recommended for this container; if you don't want fish, clean out the water weekly to avoid mosquitos.

11. Cook Something Yummy - If you bake a delicious cake, you can buy some frosting in a tube and write something on top. Or bake Mom's favorite cookies or a tart. You can even make dinner for her. She'll love that! Just don't forget to clean the kitchen when you're done.

12. Make a Book of Coupons for Helpful Chores - You can make up a little package of things you can do for her and tuck them into your card. She can redeem them as she needs them done. Weed the garden, clean the kitchen, do the dishes, mow the lawn, help clean out a room or closet, organize her studio... Anything you will actually be able and willing to do for her. She'll be so pleased with what a thoughtful person you have become, and will appreciate this more than you may ever know.

This is just a sample of wonderful things you can do for your mom. Depending on what she's interested in and your budget, this is a pretty fun selection.

Remember, the most important thing is to give your special gift with a note that expresses your grattitude and love...words that she'll treasure in her heart forever.

Antique Roses

Honorine de Brabant, a Bourbon Rose.

I've been waiting for this gorgeous bloom for one year.

You've seen roses like her in the paintings of the old masters.

Honerine is full of buds, and I'll be

photographing her again later in the week.

This flower is cupped, striped and fragrant. 

An unforgettable combination.

These Lady Banks blooms cover a huge rambling plant.

The flowers aren't very fragrant (if at all),

and the Spring only blooms are each the size of a penny.

But she makes a gigantic display.

I remember my Grandmother Gray's rose garden. It was in a sunny side yard, along the road where everyone in the neighborhood could enjoy it's colors and scent.

With long stems and long lasting blooms perfect for picking, most of Grandmamma's roses were modern Tea roses or Floribundas. Being a teenager, I didn't understand her love for roses, but was delighted that my grandmother had that rose garden, because it always gave me a ready idea for Mother's Day.

A handful of sweetly scented elegance,

mostly Madame Pierre Oger,

but a sample of all blooming in our garden today.

On my 16th birthday, Grandmamma picked 16 different roses and presented them to me in a Mason jar; it was one of my most treasured gifts, ever. With all the colors, shapes and scents in one place, I acquired a new appreciation for the elegant, yet humble rose.

Champney's Pink Cluster, a Noisette, has grown thru her friend,

Lady Banks (a yellow species rose)

and is now thriving above the Lady's head.

Champney's Pink Cluster was first grown in Charleston.

I was going to dig her up after the 3rd year, when she was

leafless, thanks to a bad case of blackspot.

Then she discovered her wild but accommodating neighbor.

Turns out, that's how she grows best.

Bill showing off for the Lady and me.

Grandmamma would be proud to learn that I, too, am a rose grower. My first love, however, are the old roses; the Bourbons, Noisettes, Mosses, Damasks, Rugosas and other very fragrant roses.

Madame Pierre Oger

This rose has the most incredible scent.

I picked most of these because she's not in a

good location for me to enjoy.

Contrary to what many people think, though they can be hard to find, old roses need not always be a costly purchase. It is true that many antique roses are rare, and must be obtained through nurseries that specialize in old roses.

I bought most of my collection through inexpensive sources. This has it's advantages:
1. Cheap. I have paid no more than $5.00 for many of my old roses. If you can't afford to buy perfect specimens from garden stores and online shops, you can still acquire a limited selection of beautiful roses for low prices.
2. Readily available. In my area, old roses are hard to find in nurseries. There are many reputable sources which guarantee quality and assure that the rose you are buying is actually the rose you think you are buying. But often you have to wait for the rose to be rooted, and then shipped. (Though it's well worth it for a special, rare bloom.)

Rose de Rescht, my wonderfully scented 

Damask, is infected with a mosaic virus,

as evident in the yellow patterning on the leaves.

Purchasing discount bare root roses has disadvantages:
1. Questionable quality. Though they may be perfectly fine, when you're buying from discount stores there is no guarantee that you aren't buying a rose infected with a virus. This may or may not affect the bloom, and though it isn't contageous, it may be unsightly. It will most certainly keep you from winning a prize at the local Rose Society.
2. Questionable variety. I'm glad to see that my Champney's Pink Cluster is actually what it was labeled to be. The same with my $5.00 Home Depot roses. But the roses I bought this year from (...I don't even want to tell you where I got them!) a cheap place?

Climbing Fourth of July

This rose came from a nursery. It isn't an "old rose"

but is gorgeous, combining some of

my favorite old rose qualities, like scent, a yellow center,

the single bloom, and a deep red stripe.

When I bought them, I knew that one of these discount roses wasn't what it was supposed to be. I could tell because of the strangely prickly, dark stems and deeply grooved leaves. It's going to be either a rugosa or moss. Since I love both of those, I took my chances and bought it.

Our newest Mystery Rose:

With this black, prickly stem, I knew this wasn't

a properly labeled rose. Bill and I decided

that for $3.33, it was worth the risk. If it's a Rugosa which suckers,

it will have to be moved in the fall.

But as the other roses from that purchase acquire their leaves, I'm realizing that their leaves are all different even though four of them were supposed to be just two certain roses. I'll have to wait for the first big bloom to be able to identify them, and even then it might be impossible. Plus, they might be Teas or some new varieties, which are lovely, but not what I'm looking for.

But don't worry about our little garden, my friend. The thing about Mystery Roses is that they can be moved and relocated, or even given away. It's a little trouble, but it's worth it...I hope...

One bit of advice for planting bare root roses: buy them as soon as you see them in the store and plant them the right way (I talk about this in a previous post) right away.

Have a rosey day, my friend!

An Honorine de Brabant bloom, fully open.

Below are some links to various rose sources and information:

http://www.antiqueroseemporium.com/
http://http//www.vintagegardens.com/
http://www.heirloomroses.com/
http://www.rose.org/
http://www.ars.org/

Books on Old Roses and Antique Roses (Many of these are out of print, but can be found through Amazon and other on-line sources):
100 Old Roses for the American Garden (Smith & Hawken) by Clair G. Martin (my favorite)
The Random House Book of Old Roses by Roger Phillips
The Fragrant Year, Scented Plants for Your Garden by Helen Van Pelt Wilson (out of print and no pictures, but my sister Jeanie's favorite)
Best Rose Guide: A Comprehensive Selection by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix

PS: Later this week I'll show you how to root a rose (or other plant) cutting. I also want to talk about potted herbs. See you then.