Posted on by tonytomeo · 1 Comment

Six on Saturday: Early & Late

Punctuality is an attribute that is not endowed equally. Some plant species march to the beat of a different drum.

1. Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle is ready for autumn with its foliar color. However, the weather has not gotten cool yet. This may be the result of distress through summer.

2. Clerodendrum myricoides, butterfly flower supposedly begins to bloom in June, and then finishes about now. However, this tardy specimen is only beginning to bloom now.

3. Camellia sasanqua, sasanqua camellia should bloom for autumn or winter. However, this specimen blooms whenever it wants to. It seems to be at a different time every year.

4. Hebe buxifolia, boxwood hebe should have bloomed for June or July. However, it did nothing at the time. Instead, it is blooming now. I believe that this one is ‘Patty’s Purple’.

5. Crinum bulbispermum, Orange River lily bloomed on time for spring, but is doing so again. However, it can bloom randomly any time, so is technically neither early nor late.

6. Rhody says that it is never too early or too late for a nap. He is an expert on that topic. He also mentioned that it is bad grammar to use “however” in each of these six citations.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 2 Comments

French Marigolds

Marigolds are traditional flowers for autumn.

The Maya actually cultivated marigolds long before the French. The ancestors of French marigolds, Tagetes patula, were native to Mexico and Guatemala. French horticulturists merely hybridized the varieties that are now most popular. The largest varieties can grow a foot high and broad. Most, though, stay significantly lower as compact bedding plants.

Contrary to their popularity during autumn, French marigolds are warm season annuals. With frequent deadheading, they can perform from spring until cool winter weather. They are popular as short term annuals merely because they perform best while young. Bloom is slightly less abundant as they age. They can perform as well for spring as for autumn.

Many varieties of French marigolds are available. Yet, their floral color range is limited to yellow, orange and red. Brown flowers are really dark orange. Creamy white flowers are really very pale yellow. White marigolds are uncommon because richer colors are more popular. Like most bedding plants, French marigolds want rich soil and regular watering.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 2 Comments

Cool Season Annuals Are Back

Cool season annuals are now seasonable.

Warm season annuals may not seem ready to relinquish their space. Although some are beginning to get tired after a season of performance, some are not. They might be happy to continue blooming until cooler winter weather. Bedding plants are temporary, though. The time for winter annuals, or cool season annuals, to have their turn is now beginning.

There is no rush, though. Only cool season annuals that begin as seed must do so while the weather is still warm. Most begin as cell pack seedlings, so can, if necessary, wait for a little while longer. Some actually prefer to begin later in autumn. Ornamental kales and cyclamens can wait until winter. Various cool season annuals are on various schedules.

Besides, various warm season annuals are also on various schedules. Some deteriorate sooner than others. Ideally, their replacement should coincide with the beginning of their deterioration. Some are already deteriorating, so are ready for their replacement. Others, though, can perform until cooler autumn weather. Their replacement is generally sooner.

Some annuals, both warm season and cool season, are actually perennial. They merely perform as annuals because replacement is easier than salvage. They likely get shabby during their off season, but can have potential to survive. Wax begonias, for example are warm season annuals. They get tired through winter but can survive until the next spring.

On small scales, cool season annuals can coexist with overwintering wax begonias. For example, pansies can partially obscure tired wax begonias through winter. In spring, the wax begonias may regenerate to replace the pansies. Sweet Williams and primroses are cool season annuals that are actually perennials. They can survive through the summer.

Pansies and violas are the most familiar and reliable of cool season annuals. Marigolds, calendulas, and snapdragons are popular autumn annuals. Cyclamens and ornamental kales can replace them later for winter. Stocks are notably fragrant cool season annuals. Alyssums can begin about now and continue into next summer, as if they are perennials. Iceland poppies are nice for pots and smaller plantings. Cornflowers are nice wildflowers for cutting.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 12 Comments

Six on Saturday: White

White is my favorite color; so I found six white flowers for this week. None are new here, though. Each was featured at one time or another.

1. Lobularia maritima, alyssum performed well this year. A tree that formerly shaded it has been removed. Since someone asked earlier, I realized that it does smell like honey.

2. Begonia X semperflorens–cultorum, wax begonia stands higher behind the cascading alyssum. Actually, it is not notably tall; and the alyssum does not cascade all that much.

3. Pelargonium X hortorum, zonal geranium does not shed its deteriorating blooms like the other varieties which bloom pink or red. It consequently needs occasional grooming.

4. Brugmansia X candida, angel’s trumpet is not quite as bright white as the other white flowers here. Externally, its flowers are slightly greenish. It is the most fragrant, though.

5. Rosa spp., rose is a climbing cultivar. Of course, it does not actually climb on its own. It merely extends long canes that can be tied to the fence behind it. It is still quite small.

6. Agapanthus orientalis, lily of the Nile finished blooming quite some time ago and was already deadheaded along with the blue sorts before this single late floral stalk bloomed.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 2 Comments

Cup Of Gold Vine

‘Variegata’ is a bit less aggressive.

Trellises, arbors and pergolas for this vine should be strong. Cup of gold vine, Solandra maxima, can grow quite large, and it can do so quite fast. It easily reaches forty feet high and wide. Within ideal situations, vines can grow a hundred fifty feet long! Fortunately, it is conducive to frequent pruning. It can grow as free standing shrubbery without support.

Flowers of cup of gold vine compensate for their lack of abundance with size. Individual flowers may be six to eight inches long and three to six inches wide! Bloom is not overly profuse, though. It occurs mostly between January and May, with a few sporadic flowers during summer. Bloom begins pastel yellow and darkens to richer gold as it progresses.

The simple foliage is nicely glossy. Individual leaves are alternate and two to six inches long. ‘Variegata’ produces delightfully variegated foliage, and is relatively docile. Cup of gold vine needs shelter from frost though, so may not be suitable where winters are cool. It grows almost too easily from cuttings or layers. Stems might root where they touch the ground. All parts of it are toxic.

Posted on by tonytomeo

Trellises And Arbors Provide Support

Boston ivy climbs without a trellis.

Vines are very diverse. A few are annuals. A few are perennials. Many are woody vines. Some climb by twining their stems, leaves or tendrils. Some cling onto their support with aerial roots or suction discs. Within home gardens, some need the support of trellises or arbors. Most vines are naturally aggressive, so should get all the support that they need.

Vines that cling onto their supports with roots or suction discs need no trellises or arbors. They climb regardless. English ivy clings with aerial roots. Boston ivy clings with suction discs. Both can be destructive to their support. They ruin paint and promote rot in wood. Therefore, they should only climb surfaces that they can not damage, such as concrete.

Vines that climb by twining their stems, leaves or tendrils are the sorts that need support. On trellises, some can cover otherwise bare walls or fences, or stand freely like hedges. On arbors, vines frame gateways. On pergolas, they mostly shade patios like small trees. Vines are not low maintenance, though. Actually, they require specialized maintenance.

Vines, by nature, seek the top of their support, where they grow the most. Consequently, vines on trellises tend to get top heavy. Carolina jessamine, lilac vine and mandevilla all need grooming to limit upper growth. Then, their lower growth is fuller and more uniform. Star jasmine is naturally more uniform, but even it may get somewhat overgrown on top.

Upper overgrowth may not be so undesirable on arbors or pergolas. However, pruning is as important. Grapevines need annual dormant pruning during winter. Such pruning is a bit more complicated at the height of a pergola. Wisteria can be spectacular on pergolas. It needs aggressive pruning, though, so that it will not become too overgrown and heavy.

Bougainvillea is one of several vines that does not actively climb. It requires guidance to follow trellises or arbors, or to reach the top of pergolas. Then, it needs frequent pruning to avoid overgrowth. Its various cultivars behave differently, though. Some stay compact enough for small trellises and arbors. Some grow large enough for substantial pergolas.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 14 Comments

Six on Saturday: Arborist’s Report

Both of only two grand valley oaks at work are deteriorating. Sadly, the prognosis for the smaller of the two is not so good.

1. Quercus lobata, valley oak is obviously distressed. It should not start to defoliate until after cool weather later in autumn. Even then, defoliation should be more symmetrical.

2. Upon closer inspection, fluffy and newer interior growth is evidently comprising most of the canopy, while the exterior of the canopy is notably sparse. It is not a new problem.

3. The defoliated portion of the canopy appears to be completely necrotic. No foliage can be seen. If the tree survives, removal of this portion will severely disfigure its symmetry.

4. This significant cavity is developing on the formerly flawless trunk. The interior wood is badly decayed. Sadly, the tree may not live long enough for this to become a concern.

5. Cupressus macrocarpa, Monterey cypress, next to the valley oak, is likely succumbing to cypress bark canker. A few trees have already been removed. It is also a slow process.

6. Meanwhile, in other news, a collared mountain lion was seen on surveillance video in the neighborhood. We all know that they live here, but it is different to actually see one.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo

Yellow African Iris

Yellow African iris is commendably tough.

Common African iris is perhaps too common. That is likely because it is so resilient and easy to propagate. Once it inhabits the garden, it will likely stay there. Yellow African iris, Dietes bicolor, is about as tough and prolific, but it is considerably less common. Though similar to common African iris, it is distinct. It has a softer foliar texture and yellow bloom.

Bloom continues from spring through summer, as long as the weather is warm. The pale yellow flowers are only about two to two and a half inches wide. They hover on slim but tough stems just above their foliage. Several flowers bloom in succession on each stem. Without deadheading, seed pods can disperse seed. Seedlings can become numerous.

Yellow African iris grows with foliar fans that form dense basal clumps. Collectively, they grow four feet tall and three feet wide. However, they can grow substantially broader with age. Large clumps are tough, but otherwise easy to divide. Foliage is somewhat grassy. Without grooming, it can become cluttered with old foliage and deteriorating floral stems. Overgrown clumps can be cut back after winter.