Crape-myrtle

                                                                                
                            CRAPE-MYRTLE                                
      (Lagerstoemia)

Crape Myrtles come in many colors including a deep purple

Mid-summer brings a spectacular display of color when Crape-Myrtle shrubs come into bloom. Clusters of flowers in pink, purple, white, red, blue and even bi-color varieties add incredible color to yards, gardens and on road sides.

Many have a gold center and they can be found with more then
one color on the flowers.

 

Originally from China and the tropics, Crape-Myrtles have been popular in the south as far north as Baltimore for many years. These subtropical plants were not able to survive our winters until recent years. Now with more hardy hybrids available they are quickly becoming standard for gardeners in the northeast.

Careful pruning helps develop an elegant plant that
can be enjoyed all year.
  
Crape-Myrtle are deer resistant, 

attracts butterflies and are easy to care for.  

Planted in full sun you should plan on enjoying
 your new shrub for many years to come. 

The biggest problem with Crape-Myrtles is 
deciding which color to choose.

The incredible bark would make Crape-Myrtles popular even if they didn't bloom  

When the leaves drop in autumn, the beautiful exfoliating bark adds interest to the garden all winter long.  

Crape-Myrtles bloom in early summer on 'new wood', so when pruned in the early spring they produce more flowers. 

Pruning is best done in March or early April to keep the shape and size in check.  Actually crape-myrtles benefit from a "heavy" pruning every few years.

A heavy pruning every few years helps create more flowers which
blooms on new wood.
Caution: this type of drastic pruning should not be done every year. 

A good time to buy your Crape-Myrtle is when they are in bloom so you are guaranteed the color you want. Keep your new plant in the pot until planting in September when the heat breaks.  Be sure to mulch it well after planting and give it extra tender care the first year.

Blooming at the same time as Rose-of -Sharon , Crape Myrtle does not have the
"volunteer seedling" problems that Rose-of-Sharon has.

Be patient in the spring because Crape-Myrtle break dormancy long after most other plants, usually when Dogwood are blooming.  Give them time and you will be rewarded with summer color when few other shrubs are flowering.

Happy Summer,
James

African violets

                        AFRICAN VIOLETS                             (Saintpaulia)

Flowers have five petals with yellow centers.

African Violets have long been the most popular flowering houseplants in the country and will continue to maintain this distinction far into the future. African Violets are not  "true" violets but are a genus "Saintpaulia"  related 

to Gloxinia, originally from Kenya and Tanzania, Africa.

New varieties have flowers that can be ruffled or multi-colored.

One reason for its popularity is its ability to flower in indirect light and easy care. African violets are short plants with rounded or slightly pointed leaves with flower  stalks emerging from the center. Flower colors range from white, pink, red, purple and blue with a yellow center. There is also a trailing variety which is less well known. Flowers have five single petals although now double flower are available as well as fringed and multi-colors varieties which seem to be created every day. Even variegated leaves of white and green can easily be found.

 With short periods of rest, Africans violets flower throughout the year.

The abundant flowers bloom well with indirect sunlight all year long which help make African violets as popular as they are. They also prefer modern indoor temperatures of around sixty five degrees which is ideal. Most houseplants prefer cooler temps at night. Additionally a fully mature plant only requires a three to six inch pot making them ideal for window ledges, shelves or coffee tables. All these traits make African violets perfect flowering houseplants for almost everywhere in an apartment or house with enough indirect sunlight or  artificial fluorescent light.

Use the correct size pots as plants grow to help the roots to adjust.

Considered an easy to care for plant, it is important to remember that African violets come from a warm climate. Water them with room temperature water. Cold water causes yellow spotting on the leaves . Also avoid wetting the leaves when watering. Watering plants from the bottom is a good practice and lets them dry out between watering. Over-watering can cause root rot, the most common cause of death of all houseplants. Also avoid drafts. Move away from cold drafty windows and air conditioners.

Easy and fun to propagate, you can take a leaf with the stem from the center of the plant and root it in water or potting soil. The outer leaves are too thick and do not root easily. Once rooted African violets grow quickly to flowering size.

Once plants have rooted it's time to move them into the soil. 

Off shoots from the main plant are best removed and to their own pots.

Requiring a rich soil mixture, you can purchase African violet soil premixed or you can *blend your own, but they will not grow well in regular potting mix.

As the new plants grow you can add them to your collection or give them to friends as gifts.
African violets are excellent Mothers Day gifts. 

           For more information on African violets visit the website of the                            'African Violet Society of American' 

www.avsa.org 

Happy Indoor Gardening, 

James 

Ornamental Kale

ORNAMENTAL KALE
FLOWERING CABBAGE 

Brassica oleracea

Plantings of Ornamental Kale and Flowering Cabbage add
drama to this city scape on a rainy winter day.

After Chrysanthemum flowers fade away and squirrels have eaten the pumpkins, ‘Ornamental Kale’ or ‘Flowering Cabbage’ still brings color to the late autumn garden. These beautiful plants are prized for their brightly colored foliage which becomes more intense when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. 

As the tempatures drop,below 50  colors in the leaves become more intense. 

Ornamental Kale is in the same family as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and collars.  Although flowering kales are edible*, it is not delicious and is best used as a garnish on the bottom of the plate.

Flowering cabbage is easy to indentify by the rounded leaves with
resemble our common ediable cabbage. 

When you buy Ornamental kale at your local garden center select plants close to the size you want them when mature. Once root bound they will not grow much more than they already have in the pot.

Ornamental Kales have many different leaves with more being introduced every year. 

When you bring it home, plant them in the ground or transplant into another pot. Bury stems so that the lowest leaves are flush with the soil surface.

Ornamental kale requires a sunny location in a moderately moist rich soil.        Keep the plants moist. Kale and cabbage do not do tolerate drying out and will lose vigor quickly. Fully grown plants are approximately 15 inches tall and one foot wide.

The key to longivity is regular watering. 

When colder weather arrives pigments in the leaves will brighten, white pink or red. This is when they at the peak of their display. In addition to color kale leaves have many shapes, curly, frilly or ruffled.

The pure white leaves of this Kale would be the focal point of any winter garden. 

There are many different cultivars available today, ‘Peacock’, ‘Pigeon’, ‘Osaka’ and the ‘Tokyo’ to name a few. Home gardeners have a large selection to choose from. Pick the plants most pleasing to your eyes.

It is the colors and patterens on the leaves of Flowering cabbage  that gardeners find appealing. 

You can start seeds ten weeks before the expected frost date or purchase plugs at your local garden center. Growing them can be fun but you will have to battle beetles and insects to prevent them from chewing holes in the leaves. I only have space for a few pots so I use this opportunity to support my local garden nurseries.

If they survive the winter both the kales & cabbages will flower in the spring.

*As noted above, ornamental kale and flowering cabbage plants are edible, but they are tough and bitter.  To reduce their bitter taste, boil them, discard the water and then boil or sauté them in olive oil prior to serving.

The information in this article is from University of Wisconsin-Extension Garden Fact s (XHT1163) Susan Mahr, UW Horticulture Agent.

Happy gardening,

James

Thriller, filler, spiller

THRILLER, FILLER, SPILLER,

FLOWERS IN CONTAINERS

A beautiful container arrangement is a welcome sight to friends
visitors and even ourselves when we arrive home.  

Beautifully arranged potted plants add an eye catching focal point to any area in your garden. Making them yourself is not as difficult as you may think and is very rewarding.

The most important thing is to make sure all the flowers and plants in the container require the same care, sunlight, soil and water. Otherwise there is a chance one will not survive, leaving an empty space where flowers should be growing. Read the directions on the plant marker or ask knowledgeable greenhouse personnel for suggestions.

For everyone who believes you can't have color in the shade, try a container
full of  caladiums and coleus. 

If your plant is root bound gently open the bottom with a blade or your finger tips before planting. This will permit the plant to better absorb water and minerals.

A common problem with all nursery stock, even trees and shrubs, a bound 

root ball will stunt plants which cannot easily absorb water or nutrients.

The mantra for a successful flower display is “Thriller, Filler, Spiller”.

 The ‘thriller’ is the plant in the center of the pot that adds height and interest. Usually this is a tall spike such as Dracaena (dra-SEE-na) with can be green or purple, or some type of ornamental grass.

The ‘filler’ is the flower around the center of the pot which is the most dramatic color. You can use more than one color flower if you wish. It’s your creation so have fun with it. 

Remember you want to see all the flowers in the center so they should all grow to the same height or one will crowd out the others by midsummer.

The ‘spiller’ will grow over the pot edge and give the entire container a fuller appearance. Many folks use variegated vinca, ivy or asparagus fern for this. If you have plenty of sun hanging geraniums, also known as ‘ivy geraniums’ will give your pot a knockout punch.

For those who don't have time or space to 'Garden With Children' a beautiful container
arranged together will help teach them an appreciation of gardening that may last a lifetime.

Although directions may say plant 6 to 8 inches apart, you want your pot to look like it is full immediately, so place plants much closer together. This ‘British’ technique works wonderfully in containers of annuals that will only survive one season.

Proper watering is essential for potted plants to survive. If your pot is on the ground it should be watered every day. If it is hanging, monitor it daily as it may need more frequent watering. On hot summer days it may need to be watered twice.

When creating your container you are only limited by your own imagination.
Although there are no flowers this display adds drama . 

When creating your containers you are only limited by plant requirements and your imagination.

Please support our local farms, greenhouses and supply stores. They have the largest selection and the best tended plants to choose from and they depend on our seasonal business.

Happy Gardening,   

 James