Sunday Best – Almond Blossom
Six on Saturday: Last Wednesday
No theme was planned for these six random pictures that I took last Wednesday after we relocated the pygmy date palms. Daphne, pigsqueak and azalea were featured somewhat recently already.
1. Phoenix roebelenii, pygmy date palm, which is one of a pair, is included in my six this week only because relocating them, in their large and heavy pots, was such a major task.
2. Cymbidium spp., orchid is not blooming yet, but is working on it. No such bloom was expected, since this formerly large specimen was divided thoroughly after its last bloom.
3. Daphne odora ‘Variegata’, daphne was featured in my Six on Saturday earlier, but this picture demonstrates how large one of several specimens is. It is apparently happy here.
4. Bergenia crassifolia, pigsqueak bloomed with a few premature flowers for December, but is blooming more on time now. The flowers are nice whenever they choose to bloom.
5. Hyacinthus orientalis, hyacinth has been reliably perennial for several years, which is impressive. The winter chill here does not seem to be adequate for it to bloom so nicely.
6. Rhododendron spp., azalea started blooming prematurely nearly two months ago and continues to bloom through winter. Its bloom duration compensates for its off schedule.
This is the link for Six on Saturday, for anyone else who would like to participate: https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/
Sunday Best – Primrose
Six on Saturday: Retail Nursery Visit
It is a long story, but to be brief, while waiting for a neighbor to finish at another errand, I visited a nursery and took these few pictures.
1. Bare root stock is too tempting. I must resist. I already have all of the fruit trees that I want. Almost all remained canned from last winter because I did not clear their orchard.
2. Magnolia soulangeana, saucer magnolia looks like it will be blooming soon. I suspect that these trees were field grown in heavy soil in Oregon. I refrained from investigating.
3. Primula vulgaris, English primrose no longer seems to be as common as its botanical name suggests. Perhaps I can learn to appreciate it again. Their colors are so cartoonish.
4. Cyclamen persicum, florist’s cyclamen is also easier to appreciate again when it is less cliche than it is as garish red and white Christmas decor. White is still my favorite color.
5. Daphne odora, daphne caught my attention initially by fragrance, and then by its lack of variegation. I wonder if it grows any more vigorously without variegation than with it.
6. Lamprocapnos spectabilis, bleeding heart is not cliche in white like florist’s cyclamen is. I know nothing of this species, but I get the impression that it tolerates a bit of shade.
This is the link for Six on Saturday, for anyone else who would like to participate: https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/
Sunday Best – Calla
Six on Saturday: More Winter Flowers Again
The last two are not actually winter flowers, but happened to be in bloom for these Six.
1. Helleborus orientalis, hellebore does not perform well here. I sometimes comment on how pretty they are in other gardens. Yet, even here, some bloom nicely once in a while.
2. Daphne odora ‘Variegata’, variegated daphne seems to bloom better when distressed. This particular specimen is not as healthy as the others which are blooming a bit slower.
3. Cynoglossum grande, Pacific hound’s tongue is a native wildflower that grows where it wants to. This one is in my driveway. It will not die, but it does not like to be relocated.
4. Tecomaria capensis, Cape honeysuckle is prettier close up than it is at a distance. It is awkward in form, but can not be pruned enough without eliminating some of its bloom.
5. Leonotis leonurus, lion’s ear does not actually bloom at this time of year. This is just a random off bloom. It could be early for next summer, or it could be late for last summer.
6. Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’ dwarf bottlebrush technically should not bloom at this time of year either, but can bloom whenever the weather has been warm for a while.
This is the link for Six on Saturday, for anyone else who would like to participate: https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/
Alternating Canes Favors New Growth
Dormant pruning happens during winter for one primary reason; dormancy. For the same reason, most alternating canes pruning should happen during winter. The results of such pruning will become obvious during the following spring or summer. New growth should be more vigorous. Bloom and any subsequent fruit production should be more abundant.
Alternating canes is similar to coppicing, but not as drastic. Coppicing entails pruning all growth down to the ground. Alternating canes involves pruning only old and deteriorating stems to the ground. Younger and more vigorous stems remain with more space to grow and bloom. The process essentially promotes constant growth of more productive stems.
Pruning grape vines with this technique is a bit different. It entails pruning old canes only back to their permanent trunks, rather than to the ground. In that regard, it is more similar to pollarding, but not as drastic. Pollarding entails pruning all growth back to a trunk or a few main limbs. Small grape vines might support only a pair of canes after such pruning.
Most, but not all, alternating canes pruning should happen during winter dormancy. Lilac and Forsythia bloom profusely for early spring, but generate no fruit. Therefore, for them, alternating canes pruning may occur immediately after bloom. Delay of such pruning can allow old canes to bloom one last time prior to their removal. It maximizes floral potential.
Some species that benefit from alternating canes pruning happen to be evergreen. Their pruning can happen whenever it is convenient for them, even if not during winter. Abelia, for example, may be rather sparse after such pruning. It remains sparse for longer during early winter than late in winter. Oregon grape and Heavenly bamboo are also evergreen.
Proper dormant pruning for several types of plants involves alternating canes by default. These include, but are not limited to, roses, hydrangeas, elderberries, and cane berries. Some types of filbert, and some types of cotoneaster are less common examples. Witch hazels, like forsythias and lilacs, should bloom prior to pruning. Bamboos are conducive to alternating canes whenever they appear to get unkempt.
Sunday Best – Flowering Apricot
Six on Saturday: More Winter Flowers
This is why hummingbirds do not need to leave for the winter here. By the time autumn flowers finish blooming, a few sustaining winter flowers begin their bloom.
1. Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’ manzanita is the common cultivar of an uncommon species from Sonoma County to the North. It continues to bloom until April.
2. Garrya elliptica, silk tassel is native. This particular specimen and a few others in the landscapes were installed, though. They are surprisingly messy to work with and prune.
3. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, California lilac is also native. I suspect that those that inhabit the landscapes were also installed. Their spacing is not haphazard enough to be natural.
4. Tulbaghia violacea, society garlic is at its best for winter, not because it blooms more, but because it does not smell as objectionable as it will during warmer summer weather.
5. Grevillea spp. lost its identity. It seems to bloom continually. I can not remember ever seeing it without at least some bloom. Hummingbirds are very fond of it, especially now.
6. Salvia leucantha, Mexican blue sage bloom is fuzzy, but not quite as fuzzy as it seems to be in this unfocused picture. The camera was more interested in the foliage behind it.
This is the link for Six on Saturday, for anyone else who would like to participate: https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/
Sunday Best – Winter Flowering Cherry
Tony Tomeo 