Usually my blogs are true stories, with more than a little humor, of my garden adventures at Casa Buxton. Today is different as I say good-bye and thank you to a true plants woman. Muriel Humenick may not be familiar to many outside of the Sacramento region who don't grow roses, but she was a force of nature to those of us to love roses, especially the OGRs or Old Garden Roses.

She was a well-traveled lady in the world of rose competitions, both as a competitor but also as a judge. She and her late husband, Bill, lived on a 4-acre rose garden called Rose Acres. She gave lectures, demonstrations, and pointers to rosarians of all abilities and experience – all you needed was an interest to learn; from Master Rosarians to the newbies, she was available to all and never spoke down to others even when she could see a person was missing the point.

She handled 5000 varieties of roses in her home nursery/garden with the help of volunteers. It was one of her trusty volunteers who found her lying there among her roses on July 15. She picked the perfect place as her husband Bill had passed away there himself in 2008 at age 88. Muriel herself was a mere 89. When you spoke with her, the years fell away as you discussed roses, pruning, favorite varieties and much more. Usually with a rose-covered hat on and a brightly flowered blouse, she held court with her followers.

Her love of roses began in her childhood home where her father had 1 rose bush in the corner of the family Victory Garden; that sparked her love of all things roses for the rest of her life.

I had the pleasure some years ago of going to her nursery to look for a few rose bushes which I had only found in books before; these rose where introduced pre-1940s: 'Silver Moon' (a white single rambler), 'Bloomfield Courage' (single bright red, small flowered rambler) and 'Apple Blossom' (a small, dainty rambler with small flowers like those of a raspberry plant). My mother and I went up there to Shingle Springs to look and came back with a total of 4 roses and the promise of Muriel rooting the 3 I went for. We went to look and stayed chatting with Muriel there for 4 hours – none of us had expected such a long visit!

I saw her at various other places through the years in the Sacramento region and managed to chat with her a couple more time. She was a true force of nature! She was the co-founder of the Sierra Foothills Rose Society, and was also active in the Sacramento and Mother Lode Rose Societies as well. We will all miss her, but those of us who have rose bushes she propagated will always a piece of her to help us remember this remarkable lady!

Last month I visited most of the gardens featured in the Vallejo Garden Tour.  I really enjoyed the older homes with so much character that frequently extends out into their gardens.  I saw evidence of projects that I have envisioned but not gotten around to myself.  The mosaic table tops and colorfully painted metals chairs coupled with very colorful fabrics blending with enthusiastic plants gave me so many more ideas to try out myself.  The chosen gardens are more like living gallery walls, they transport you to another world of luscious color and texture.  Take the time to visit these garden tours if you ever have the chance.  Most frequently the homeowners themselves have designed their space over time and the results give us the opportunities to peek inside the personality and style of many talented neighbors.  I come away inspired  whether I have seen the garden as a volunteer Master Gardener docent or as a guest enjoying what our lovely Mediterranean climate supports. 

The hills have sepia toned shades

Of browns and yellows and dotted

With the dusty green of ancient oak.

Tree branches hang limply

With dry crunchy leaves mottled

In shades of dying.

The ground beneath my feet

Is cracked and open with wisps

Of grasses and parched plants long dried out.

Around town, green lawns and lush flowering plants in front yards have

Been replaced with dry scape designs requiring little or no water.

We parse out our water on a daily basis for our basic needs.

And we wait in silent prayer and remember the lush fertile days of

Moist earth with brimming lakes and streams and abundant water for all

Living things.

Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice' or ‘Hawaii' is a striking specimen with variegated leaves and intense pink bracts. It has a ‘mounding' habit that is suitable for hanging baskets, bank coverage or as a container plant.

Bougainvillea's are more common in mild tropical climates or coastal areas where frost is absent or a rare occurrence. They are often employed as a climbing vine cloaking a wall or South side of a building in more temperate climates. Newer varieties, such as ‘Raspberry Ice' are more tolerant of frost and have extended their range into more temperate zones such as Sunset zone 9. It's suitable for full sun locations, needing only moderate water and occasional fertilization during spring and summer. Special care is needed not to disturb the roots when planting, cut the container away and plant with care.

My experience with ‘Raspberry Ice' started with seeing an ‘unhappy' plant from a brand name grower as the result of indifferent care. I have a West facing site with some full sun in the afternoon, the wall releases heat in the evening. The plant is mulched and on drip irrigation and has thrived. I trim the base moderately to keep the entry way clear, otherwise I guide it onto the trellis. I have not yet experienced any difficulties with establishing ‘Raspberry Ice'.

More specific information on Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice' can be found in Sunset Western Book.