1. McClure and Zimmerman. Call 1-800-883-6998 or order online at www.mzbulb.com. Highlights: ‘Casablanca’; a popular and fragrant white Oriental lily.
2. White Flower Farm. Call 1-800-503-9624 or order online at www. white flowerfarm.com. Highlights: ‘True Colors Mix’; pure, bold colors light up your garden like a firecracker.
3. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs. Call 1-877-661-2852 or order online at www. brentandbeckysbulbs.com. Highlights: Lilium Regale; great for the evening garden.
4. Old House Gardens. Call 1-734-995-1486 or order online at www.old housegardens.com. Highlights: ‘Black Beauty’; gorgeous turk’s cap flowers of dark raspberry, edged in silver—long lived and ‘indestructible’.
5. Van Engelen. Call (860)567-8734 or browse their website at www.vanengelen.com. Highlights: Asiatic Pixie lilies; short, sturdy stems.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Rain hogs
I have become more interested in rain gardens this year because of the huge amount of water that has fallen this spring.
I think we actually broke a record for June. I have talked with so many people who have diverted their excess water into garden beds, ponds and even little creeks that connect the ponds. David Husemoller from www.EarthWildGardens.com was featured in the GreenHouse page in the Chicago Sun-Times on 7.04.09. He practices the art of sustainable landscaping and offers many native water loving plants such as Blue Flag Iris, Cardinal Flower, Obedient Plant, Cup Plant and Golden Alexander, through his company, Earth Wild Gardens. Give it a try!
I think we actually broke a record for June. I have talked with so many people who have diverted their excess water into garden beds, ponds and even little creeks that connect the ponds. David Husemoller from www.EarthWildGardens.com was featured in the GreenHouse page in the Chicago Sun-Times on 7.04.09. He practices the art of sustainable landscaping and offers many native water loving plants such as Blue Flag Iris, Cardinal Flower, Obedient Plant, Cup Plant and Golden Alexander, through his company, Earth Wild Gardens. Give it a try!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
One more question...
Amy Stewart, author of the new book, ‘Wicked Plants: A Book of Botanical Atrocities,’ answers one more question for Green House in the May 31st issue in the Chicago Sun-Times.
GREENHOUSE: Do you really believe there are wicked plants or are they just misunderstood?
AMY: A little of both. Take a really invasive plant like kudzu or loosestrife or killer algae (Caulerpa taxifolia). These plants get around with our help.
They are opportunists; they do what they are designed to do, which is to reproduce. We are the guilty party in these horticultural crimes; we're the ones who drove the getaway vehicle. They just make themselves at home wherever we happen to bring them.
And coca (Erythroxylum coca) is an interesting example. Cocaine has fueled a global drug war and ruined countless lives, but Andean farmers argue that coca leaves were chewed as a mild stimulant for centuries, whereas cocaine is a European invention dating back only 150 years. The position of some farmers is that they should be allowed to continue to grow the plant they've always grown, and we should go deal with our cocaine problem at home. Now, there are arguments to be made on both sides of that debate, but it's an interesting point. On its own, coca is nothing more than a shrub. It's what we do with it that changes everything.
But a plant like ratbane (Dichapetalum cymosum or D. toxicarium), which is so toxic that it's used as a rat poison and as a chemical weapon? That's not misunderstood—that's terrifying!
GREENHOUSE: Do you really believe there are wicked plants or are they just misunderstood?
AMY: A little of both. Take a really invasive plant like kudzu or loosestrife or killer algae (Caulerpa taxifolia). These plants get around with our help.
They are opportunists; they do what they are designed to do, which is to reproduce. We are the guilty party in these horticultural crimes; we're the ones who drove the getaway vehicle. They just make themselves at home wherever we happen to bring them.
And coca (Erythroxylum coca) is an interesting example. Cocaine has fueled a global drug war and ruined countless lives, but Andean farmers argue that coca leaves were chewed as a mild stimulant for centuries, whereas cocaine is a European invention dating back only 150 years. The position of some farmers is that they should be allowed to continue to grow the plant they've always grown, and we should go deal with our cocaine problem at home. Now, there are arguments to be made on both sides of that debate, but it's an interesting point. On its own, coca is nothing more than a shrub. It's what we do with it that changes everything.
But a plant like ratbane (Dichapetalum cymosum or D. toxicarium), which is so toxic that it's used as a rat poison and as a chemical weapon? That's not misunderstood—that's terrifying!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sign of spring
The white flowers of the Bloodroot are always a marker of spring for me. I planted them in a partially shady spot under a small Japanese Maple tree. Luckily, they have multiplied every year. This spring I counted more than a dozen blooms. Within a few days, the flowers will drop their petals and their lily pad-shaped leaves will unfurl. We all made it through another long winter...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Dan Hinkley’s view
I wanted to include a photograph from Dan Hinkley, original owner of Heronswood Nursery. This is a view from his newly built home and gardens off Puget Sound in Washington. Take a look at his website at www.danielhinkley.com for more photographs and the writings of an excellent plantsman. Now, I will try to go back and work in my little mess of a garden!
Support the Earth, one bookmark at a time
As well as planting your own vegetable garden this year, you can support Earth Day everyday with a ‘Grow Green’ bookmark. 25% of the purchase price will be donated to The Nature Conservancy. Images of fresh green peas, carrots and hot chile peppers are available on premium card stock or magnetic backing at www.mixitandstixit.com. Just click on ‘bookmarks’ and type in discount coupon code ‘Green House’ when purchasing, to register a donation to The Nature Conservancy.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Pink Poodles or Parasols
Coneflowers come in so many different shapes and colors these days. This one has a frilly pink center like little Victorian parasols. It is available at the Morton Arboretum Plant Sale. Members must order online by April 13th. Visit their website, www.mortonarb.org for more information.
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