- Author: Betty Victor
A garden art project started when a Master Gardener friend gave me a small tricycle planter. Since it had been sitting outside, the first thing that was needed was to clean it, so it would be ready to paint-a wire brush was used for this. After it was cleaned, the decision needed to be made what color should it be painted?
A search of spray paint in the garage turned up purple, red and yellow of course not enough in one can to paint it one color. So as the picture shows the frame is purple, the 3 wheels are red, and because it will hold a pot, the yellow paint was used on a clay pot.
Now the empty pot needed a plant so a white Abutlon ‘Canopus' was purchased. Abutlons are also known as flowering maple. ‘Canopus' abutlon has white bell shaped flowers with shiny green leaves. According to the tag on the plant it will grow in pots. These plants can grow 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. They takes average watering in the ground, but as we know most plants in pots need to be watered more often, especially in the hot weather.
It probably will be a good idea to check every few days to be sure the soil is not bone dry. I have a water meter so I will test the soil with that before watering.
Unfortunately this planter and plant is not staying in my garden. It is a surprise for my granddaughter's garden.
- Author: Launa Herrmann
Most of us are familiar with Asiatic and Oriental lilies, the true lilies that belong to the genus Lilium. They both develop from a bulb and share similarities yet they are different. The Oriental lily is taller and its bloom size larger than the Asiatic. The Asiatic is not as fragrant as the Oriental.
Recently breeders introduced a stunning hybrid, the tree lily, that is a cross between the Oriental and Asiatic. With the beauty and benefits of both types, the tree lily towers above most other plants in the garden. The one now in full bloom in my garden measures 8 feet in height. Yes, 8 feet tall. Frankly, I thought I was seeing things when its sturdy stake-like stem grew taller by the day pushing its whorls of linear leaves between the branches of a tree in search of sun.
I don't recall where exactly I purchased the bulb except that it was in one of those cellophane packages found in garden bins at one of Vacaville's big box stores. I just figured this massive lily was a plain ordinary Lilium that simply outdid itself this year.
The truth is this plant with upward facing white flowers brushed with soft red strokes is not an ordinary Oriental or Asiatic lily but a tree lily. Botanically named Lilium OT hybrid ‘Garden Pleasure,' this tree lily survives in my garden because it tolerates clay soil. Research reveals this giant lily grows in Zones 3 to 10 in either full sun or half shade and is available in other colors — Satisfaction, Purple Prince, Lavon and Conca d'Or. To view them, visit www.brecks.com
- Author: Kathleen Roche
Ah! A little time off! Put on the flip flops, buy some soil and mulch and the path is cleared…..
My project this week was removing old and tired vegetation from the rock ring under the magnolia tree in the front of the house, filling the area with new soil and gathering succulents to plant in their place. I divided some I started last summer and visited a new friend for cuttings of some that I don't have. When all was said and done, there are about 15 varieties of low growing succulents and cactus installed against a backdrop of mixed ornamental tall grasses (be careful; some of these may be invasive so study their habits before planting).
They are all wee little guys right now and have a lot of space to expand in but as they grow, they should fill in. If not, I have many more in my nursery to add.
In the course of shopping for materials for this little project, I came across some great additions to my collection at a local nursery. These little 4 oz cactus varieties are all settled in and ready for the summer. Some shop for clothes, I shop for new succulents and cactus. I am patient and find the ones in the 4 oz pots along with cuttings from friends. I plant and wait to see how they develop. Here are new members:
I am not sure why little straw flowers are glued to them. I see them as disrelated to the plants. Maybe they are a marketing ploy or something to show us what color the flowers will be. Either way, I think it is not dissimilar to a groomer putting a little pink bow on a golden retriever after its bath. I left the flowers on them for the photo but soon after, they were removed.
Notes to self:
• mulch the rose bed
• reduce watering even more
• clean the worm bin
- Author: Kathy M Gunther
It has been just over six years since Mike and I picked up stakes and moved from our hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to sunny California! A very big adventure…and a bit scary…to move away from everyone and everything we had known for 50+ years. After being in California for several months, we happened to talk to a Master Gardener at the downtown Fairfield farmer's market, and proceeded to sign up for classes! I had previously been a Master Gardener through Michigan State Extension and had enjoyed it very much. So, to make our new home really feel like home, I figured that making friends with a bunch of gardeners would be the way to go! Little did I know! Since joining the Solano County Master Gardeners, we have met and become friends with so many wonderful people, that it made our transition as Californians so much easier! The first time I met Jennifer Baumbach, I knew she and I would become close friends….we have the same goofy sense of humor! And, after listening to Ken Williams teach our Intro to Horticulture and Irrigation classes at the Master Gardener office, we decided to continue our education with him at SCC! Such a fun and educational experience! And, also, Ken became another of our closest friends!
So many changes for us…and so many differences in our gardening life! I'm sure I drove Jen nuts at our first wreath workshop as we were walking back to our cars and I was constantly pointing out plants and saying “What's this?... What's that?” WOW! A whole new world of green growing things!
So, this article will be my first attempt to show you some of the differences in gardening in Michigan vs. California! The first, and most obvious, is the growing season! Michigan has approx. 3 to 4 months of growing time. Planting after the date of last frost in Michigan is Memorial Day! In Fairfield, I think it is sometime in February! Oh my gosh! In February in Michigan, we are still having cabin fever, watching all the white stuff coming down! We can plant here in February and March? NO WAY! To be continued…
- Author: Trisha Rose
Well the process has begun, the backyard lawn is now gone, lawn guys accidentally sprayed with weed killer, who knows why, there went their job security. We were planning to take it out, so now is the time.
It's been 10 days with dirt and dead grass bits and 3 large dogs. Vacuum on overload. Raised bed going in Saturday with drip. Next Tuesday the rocks show up, they are permeable so water can still reach the soil below. Then drought tolerant plantings need to replace 25% of the previous turf area.
Trying to satisfy both the Solano County Water Agency's Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate Program $1 per square foot "solanocash4grass@scwa2.com" and the California State "SaveOurWaterTurf@egia.org" rebate program for a total of $2 per square foot of turf removed. The state program piggybacks on our local program to make up the difference up to $2 total per square foot.
In my case, I began with the county program, had my pre-inspection and my notice to proceed. I just found out about the state program so I went on-line to complete the submission process, very slick website, easy to navigate and upload photos and tie in our local program details. Hit the submit button and shortly thereafter got my application number via an email.
So now just need to keep my wits about me til next Tuesday.
