Wood Lily

Posted by: Dawn

I'm glad Tina has posted many of her wildflowers for Wildflower Wednesday, wildflowers are among my favorite spontaneous surprises in the world.

The three photos are of wood lilies that have decided to take up residence in my yard.

The wood lily (Lillium philadelphicum) is also known as; Philadelphia lily, prairie lily and western red lily, they are native to North America. This flower is recognized by it's unique open petals and the ability for the gardener to see through it by the spaces at the bottom of each petals. The wood lily can be between 1 ft and 3 feet tall, it has whorled leaves and will grow in most all conditions (shady, part shade and full sun). It prefers well rotted soil that is dry. They seem to have popped up wherever they want to, germinating by airborne seeds although it has a rough pineapple looking bulb. The wood lily is endangered in Maryland, New Mexico, Tennessee, and North Carolina. They are threatened in Kentucky and Ohio. It is featured on the Saskatchewan flag and is protected against uprooting, picked or destroyed. It grows along edges of woodland forests but this one likes my group of phlox.

The Indians used this lily as a boiled paste, for application on sores, bruises and swelling wounds. They used it as a tea for stomach problems.

This wildflower blooms from July (about the 4th) to August. It almost seems to me that the blooms last for about 2 weeks.

Pretty flower, In the Garden

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team

In the Garden

Leaf Casting and Garden Club Guests

From In the Garden

The swallowtail was invited to a garden club party and it brought a few friends along...

From In the Garden

To gather around tables with little piles of sand and disposable gloves to make a special garden ornament that took...

From In the Garden

lots of concentration and lots of 'making of mud pies' with a reward of some delicious....

From In the Garden

cantaloupe picked fresh from the garden. And of course....

From In the Garden

the stars of the show-the leaf castings themselves!

From In the Garden

Finally, here is a friend to the swallowtail. This is one of many gray hairstreak butterflies enjoying some 'wildflowers' in my garden. In this case the 'wildflower' is an unidentified weed...

in the garden...

A special thanks to Gardener on Sherlock Street who told me how to determine if a cantaloupe is ready to be picked (pick it up gently from the ground and if it separates from the vine it is ready!). Another special thanks to Rose for saying you must pick cantaloupes when ripe or insects get them-I got them in the nick of time! The cantaloupes were very good but are now done for the season.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Wildflower Wednesday: Heartleaved Asters and Perennial Ageratum

From In the Garden

This month I will spotlight two native wildflowers that grow in my garden. I am including them both because they grow next to one another and because they are both blooming now! The two are heart leaved aster, aka woodland aster, (Symphyotrichum cordifolium aka Aster cordifolius) and the other is perennial ageratum (Conoclinium (Eupatorium) coelestinum). Both of these plants are in the aster family so it makes sense they bloom at the same time-late summer to fall.

From In the Garden

I grow these two in part shade in a moist area of my greenhouse garden. This garden is transitioning to a woodland/native garden due to the limited sun it receives. So far it has been an easy transition but once I am finished with some major rehabbing we shall see how it all works out.

I planted both of these natives last fall. So far this year they've not received any supplemental watering, though they did wilt quite a bit; especially the ageratum. I have been most happy with the ageratum but not as pleased with the woodland aster. The woodland aster flops much more than I'd like it to but perhaps it is more of a groundcover than an upright perennial or perhaps it is not getting enough sun. I'm not sure but as long as it blooms it is a keeper in my garden. I like these plants so I intend to spread them around a bit more.

There are many more great natives blooming or getting ready to bloom soon but my garden is kind of in between blooming periods. We have the detritus of the summer garden (daylilies, coneflowers, brown eyes, etc) and the lush foliage of blooms yet to come (pineapple sage, anemones, asters, and mums) so I am happy to have these two native wildflowers blooming as a bridge between peak periods here at Tiger Gardens.

See Gail for more Wildflower Wednesday posts....

in the garden....

Skeeter is out of the net for a while and will be back as soon as she is able.


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

The Disappearing Milkweed, Swallowtail Caterpillars and Eggs

From In the Garden

After our rains finally arrived-thank goodness because with over 18000 gallons of water used last month I simply cannot water anymore-I have been enjoying the garden more. During the high heat days of July and early August I did not venture outside at all unless I had to. It has been a tough summer! At any rate I was looking around the garden while watering and noticed something missing-my tropical milkweed!

From In the Garden

I did a double take because even though we had been in a drought I could not see how 20+ two foot tall plants fully leafed out could just disappear. Okay, well maybe I can understand it if I had a rabbit or deer problem. I have neither one of those issues here so I then surmised the drought took out the milkweed-until I looked closer. Can you see what I saw? Stems! Just stems that were chewed off about six inches above the ground. Ha! You can tell I am not too used to this happening but those butterfly aficionados out there in cyberland will immediately realize what happened to the butterfly weed-caterpillars ate it. I have never had this happen to my native butterfly weed and while I'm not begrudging the monarch caterpillars their food (I assume it is them) I am a bit distressed to think that if there are no blooms on my plants then there will be no seedlings next year. Not to worry, the plants are growing back nicely and there are a few stray seedlings in other parts of the garden that will surely continue on this wonderful milkweed in my garden. It is really a nice plant to be so accommodating to the caterpillars and to grow back for the gardener too!

From In the Garden

Another really cool thing about this milkweed is that it is a host for several insects. When I first found the orange eggs above I was most excited to think they were monarch eggs but upon further research I know they most likely are not monarch eggs but ladybug eggs! This is very good for my garden and makes total sense to me. As anyone who grows tropical milkweed knows this milkweed is most attractive to aphids. What do ladybugs eat but aphids? These ladybug eggs will hatch and the larve will make short work of the aphids. But! They may also eat the monarch caterpillars so the eggs are a quandary for me. Note: These eggs can be mistaken for aphids but they have no legs and are mobile so are definitely not aphids. For more on this check this link about monarchs and butterfly weed.

The swallowtail photo was only to distract you from the picture of the ugly milkweed sticks and is not a culprit in the missing milkweed. This caterpillar and a ton of its buddies made my dillweed all disappear....

in the garden....


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Perennial Plant Society's Premiere Garden Speakers and Chihuly at Cheekwood

From In the Garden

I feel awfully lucky to be a part of such a great gardening organization called the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee (PPSMT) here in Tennessee that I simply must talk about it. Not only do they have over 200 members from all around Middle Tennessee, but they have great garden speakers, garden tours and a plant sale that is a big fundraiser for the organization. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in the Belle Meade area of Nashville. And what a treat Cheekwood can be for visitors! When PPSMT members walk into the Botanic Hall area for their meeting they are greeted by a wonderful display of ferns and other tender perennials along with a couple of macaws. A special feature that is on display in this area (for just a short time) and amongst the whole garden is a Chihuly exhibit. If you haven't seen Chihuly you simply must! I know a few of my blogging friends have seen his exhibits-namely Rose and Cosmos (who no longer blogs). I will not go into detail about the exhibit because I was there to hear a wonderful speaker talk about hellebores on this particular night so let's get on with it. If you wish to check out Chihuly at Cheekwood just check this link. Hurry-time is running out.

From In the Garden

Once you enter the Botanic Hall proper you are greeted with a wonderful wide open space filled with chairs-filled with members of the PPSMT who have come to hear C. Colston Burrell speak on hellebores.

From In the Garden

He was an absolutely awesome speaker! Not only was he funny, he imparted a great deal of useful information for us gardeners. He also showed a lot of grace when the presentation equipment occasionally malfunctioned. I learned so much about hellebores as I think all members present did.

Mr. Burrell is an award winning garden author who has authored many good garden books that are most useful to gardeners. He is a native plant enthusiast and well versed on hellebores. His presentation had wonderful photos of all the types of hellebores from around the world. Great shots of some great gardens too! I so wish he had brought some of his books to sell so I could have gotten him to autograph one for me. You see, last month's PPSMT speaker was none other than Peter Loewr and boy oh boy did I ever wish I had brought my copy of Ornamental Grasses so he could autograph that book for me. How cool is it that we in Middle Tennessee can see these award winning authors come to this little capital city of Nashville to speak to us? I just think the PPSMT is top notch. In addition to great speakers we get a plant swap each month (gotta know what you are getting though) and we also get free garden tours!

From In the Garden

Speaking of gardens I'm going to leave you with this teaser of an outside display of Chihuly. Members of the PPSMT were not allowed to wonder the Cheekwood grounds and google and gaggle along the displays but some of the displays are within sight of the parking area so many of us took advantage of the situation and snapped some photos. I have not actually seen the whole exhibit but it is on my to do list. How beautiful is Cheekwood with Chihuly? I just had such a great time I had to share it with you all....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Mimosa Tree

By SkeeterI had planned to continue talking about seeds today as a follow up to Tuesdays post. I have changed my mind and will be talking about a tree instead. I have been finding more and more of these seedlings in my Georgia garden this summer. I usually spot a few here and there but this year, they are all over my Wishing Well Garden. This area is a prime route for birds heading to my feeders in the backyard. I assume, they are the planters of the seeds. I usually just pluck the weeds and toss them. I have always thought them to resemble a Mimosa Tree but not sure of their identity. One started growing in what I considered a great spot for something tall. So I have decided to let the seedling grow and see what happens. My grandmother had a beautiful Mimosa Tree in her front yard. As a child I would climb that small tree and had so much fun in it while playing Monkey. I remember the beautiful foliage of the tree being so exotic looking. I also remember the long Bean Pods she produced filled with seeds. And the sticky but beautiful and sweet smelling scent to the fluffy pink flowers it shared with us.
I did a bit of research on Mimosa trees (also known as Silk Trees) and think I have one now growing in my garden! I found a site (Click HERE) that tells how invasive they can be in some areas.
I really do like where this one is growing as it will balance out this garden. The tall Canna to the right and the Mimosa to the left of the walkway path in the middle. With growth will come shade though and I am not sure the Canna would like the shade. The plants around the Mimosa are things which can easily be moved elsewhere. The Banana Tree was to be the focal point of this side of the planter but as you can see, she is not growing tall this year. I do have another Banana on the other side of the planter which is doing well.
She is growing quickly so I must decide if I want this tree to remain or become another victim to the compost pile. She is already taller then the swing frame and growing more each day.
The above picture was snapped on Aug 2...
This above picture, was snapped yesterday Aug 18. She has really grown in 2 weeks. Should I let this Mimosa grow and be a tree or just pull the thing up before she starts giving me a mess? I do know they are messy. Do you think she would shade the Canna or the Swing Vines too much or be okay where that is concerned? The Swing is West while the Mimosa is towards the East. This entire planter runs East and West. I would really like to hear what you all have to say on this matter. I would love to keep her for my childhood memories but I am not sure I want this MIMOSA TREE, In the Garden...

Note: There's some interesting talk on the comments about whether this is a Mimosa, Cassia, Hemp or Locust tree. I cannot decide so I will let her grow a bit longer and see what happens with this mystery tree... I love a good mystery, don't you?

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,In the Garden

Veggie Garden Update-August 2010-Cantaloupes Anyone?

From In the Garden

What a difference a month makes in the vegetable garden! We have to pick every day or else we wind up with a basketful of lots of vegetables-including some that have grown too big. Do you see the cucumbers? Yuck! I love the cucumbers to eat and to grow but hate the fact they tend to hide out amongst the foliage and are very difficult to find. The two huge ones that have begun turning yellow are destined for the compost bin-back to the earth to feed next year's vegetable garden; and the cycle continues. I think one of the best things about gardening is the ability to recycle wastes from our homes and everyday lives back into a usable product-compost-that can then grow healthy vegetables to feed us.

From In the Garden

July Veggie Garden Update Picture

From In the Garden

August Veggie Garden Update

The two photos above might best show just how much the vegetable garden has changed. Wow! I love the changes in gardens and it never fails to amaze me just how much plants grow in a single season. Where we could see the A-frame and some of the brick pathways last month both are covered by vines this month. It makes for tricky walking trying to avoid stepping on the cantaloupe vines but I have to work with what I have-a small vegetable patch in part shade.

From In the Garden

The primary vining crops that are taking over the garden are the bushel gourds and cantaloupe. Gourds really love the garden as they are taking over part of the lawn and nearby beds as well! The cantaloupes are not as bad about taking over but since they are growing in the old banana spot and were an afterthought, they are taking over the pathways since they are not growing up a trellis. On the gourds I am actually relieved to see them take off and grow so I don't begrudge them their real estate. I was afraid I wouldn't get any gourds due to their slow start but just look at the three in the picture! It seemed like the gourds grew overnight.

From In the Garden

Another big surprise is all the cantaloupes we have in the garden. I think at last count there are six of these huge fruits growing. They are pretty close to a foot in diameter. We were SO ready to pick one and determine its ripeness and taste that I think we prematurely picked a cantaloupe.

From In the Garden

This cantaloupe was the victim of us rushing in so to speak. While it tasted good and disappeared in two days, it was a bit more firm and not as tasty as we'd like our cantaloupes to be. Mr. Fix-it and I decided it probably needed another few days in order for it to fully soften up and develop a deep flavor. We'll wait a bit longer than we think on the other cantaloupes-but can you blame us for jumping the gun and picking it? Please forgive Mr. Fix-it's appearance-he was working outside on this very hot day and got his white shirt smudged.

Update on cantaloupe ripeness: the outside of the cantaloupes are quickly changing color to a very distinct orange and not the tan and green you see on the above pictured cantaloupe in the garden. My friend Vonna says THAT is when to pick them but to still leave them a day or two longer. That day will be tomorrow since I am having a bunch of garden club members over to do a leaf casting workshop. You can bet cantaloupes-probably this one-will be on the menu for snacks! I will let you all know how it goes and maybe post a picture Friday or next week.

From In the Garden

Here is a long shot showing both the gourds and the cantaloupes-do you see how much less room the vines take when grown vertically versus along the ground? Oh how I wish I could let all my vining crops run but that is not to be so. Just to the right of the vines is one of two beds with tomatoes. They are doing quite well now but are beginning to decline due to the heat. Watering has not been an issue for the vegetable garden believe it or not. One of the advantages of the French intensive method of gardening I employ is to have the ground all covered either with plants or mulch and to ensure the soil is double dug and enriched with good compost-this alleviates water loss and helps to protect the soil. It has worked like a charm for me for nearly many years. I've watered this garden only twice all summer. That is super great!

Aside: I believe the French Intensive Method of gardening is a precursor to square foot gardening. In my little research on the matter I have found the French intensive method to have become popularized in the mid 1970s and the square foot gardening technique became popular in the early 1980s. Correct me if I'm wrong. Both methods employ good soil practices and are favored by organic gardeners. I find I like the French Intensive method better because all work is done up front and there is no need for exact and precise measurements. While the SFG method seems to work for many people I just find it ludicrous you must be meticulous with measuring. This may be good for new gardeners but for me gardening is to go and do. Spacing can become second nature and rotation simply common sense. I know my opinion may be controversial but it is my opinion. You hardly ever hear of the French Intensive method of gardening anymore and I think it is a shame. All blogs ever talk about is SFG so I had to get in a plug on the French method. I will, no doubt, post on it and my views at some point.

From In the Garden

Lastly let's look at the cucumbers growing vertically. I have an overabundance of cucumbers-as I know most of you do that grow cukes. I tried to compensate for not having any cukes last summer by over planting this summer. These vines are growing up on a nylon trellis that you can find at just about any store for a few dollars. I cannot recommend these trellises enough. Many think the nylon rots quickly but in my experience the trellis will last many years. I just retired one last year after six years. It was not retired due to rot but due to tears when I'd move it around or I would pull vine residue off from it-basically I mistreated it a bit. In came two new trellises and I'm leaving these put for now.

We are also harvesting straight neck squash just about daily. I have found this type of squash to be very squash vine borer resistant. I did not plant any Waltham winter squash this year but I can attest to its durability as well. One vine I will not plant again though is the Kuri squash. It has been a dismal failure, along with the hay bale experiment. We got one banana pepper and one shriveled eggplant from the two hay bales I planted. I will do more research and try that experiment again next year but with a few changes.

A note on fall planting: until the rains return and it cools down it is not wise to plant anything right now-even with consistent watering the plants will pretty much languish. But! Before we know it will be time to get in those transplants of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Plant bulbs of garlic and lettuce seeds too! My lettuce is still growing but I am need of a new planting soon. I actually met my goal of picking lettuce with tomatoes but the lettuce was bitter and very tiny-not exactly what I had in mind....

in the garden...

Look for a post to come on the gourds. If you do not grow these vines then it might just be time if you want a great looking groundcover vine that stands up to the heat and drought and part shade and even produces cool fruit!


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Seeds

By SkeeterThis year has not been a typical year in my Georgia Garden. I decided that in the years past, I was spending too much money on plants with some not returning the following year. Time to budget, so what's a gardener to do? Well, turn to seeds instead of purchased potted plants from a garden center. Excuse the blurry picture but the camera lens tends to fog over on these humid summer days!
The Grapevine Project (Click HERE to see) on the swing has done exactly what I had in mind when creating this little project. Okay, I had the idea and The Saint carried out the construction of the arbor. We do make a good team!
I did nothing more then poke some seeds into the ground beside the swing and just look!
I never have much luck with seed planting and I was thinking with their slow beginning, that these seeds were a flop as well. Once the Temperatures climbed, so did the vines as they really started taking off up the grapevine. The first picture was snapped on July 27 while the above was snapped yesterday, on August, 16. Yes, it is now growing like a weed! Zooming in, you can see the pretty red blooms she is finally showing me. This is Cardinal Climber from purchased seed.Here you see Cypress Vine from seeds passed along from Nina's garden. You may recall Nina as one of the original 7 commenter's in the beginning of "In the Garden" Blog. I visited Nina's garden last summer (Click HERE to see) and was captivated with the Hummingbirds buzzing all over her beautiful Cypress Vine. She informed me that the vine reseeds and she offered seeds for my Georgia Garden! How excited I was to receive those seeds and to plant them!One bit of warning though, they do grab a hold of anything in their sight to include unsuspecting Wind Chimes! I must check on the Cypress Vine every few days to make sure she is climbing where I prefer her to climb.
The Cardinal is starting to shine for me and hopefully the Cypress with its red blooms will be soon to show as well.
Zooming into the area below the swing, we find some pink and yellow pretties. Not sure what they are as this is an issue when planting seeds and not placing markers. I can only imagine how many seedlings I have pulled in other areas as those seeds never produced for me. Or did they?
I planted Morning Glory, 4 O'Clocks, Sweet Pea, Cypress Vine, Scarlet Runner bean, Cardinal Climber and Chinese Lantern below the swing on both side. The Cardinal Climber, Cypress Vine and Scarlet Bean are the only things I have been able to identify as things growing from seeds. I thought I had snapped a picture of the Scarlet Bean but I could not find one on file. It was a late spring bloomer for me which I enjoyed, although, it did not bloom profusely. Tina and Nina both gave me some of the above seeds as well as me purchasing some. I am wondering if the above picture is of Morning Glory? The morning glory I am familiar with are climbers and these are not but these bloom in the morning then close up by noon not to be seen again until the following morning! Looking at my empty seed packets, I also planted Moonflower but thinking it was the Jimsonweed type Datura that Tina has talked about in the past being white and large blooms. (Click HERE to see) Could this plant above in colors of yellow and pink be Moonflower?
Here you see the plant in the afternoon with blooms closed up and gone for the day. Also, you can see the Cardinal Climber grabbing onto this plant. Could this mystery plant be something else from seeds Tina or Nina passed along to me. What you think ladies, do you have this beauty in your gardens?
Zooming in to the Tipsy Pots, we see some color as well. Again, the humidity got to the camera lens. Geesh, I will be glad when the humidity is gone but on the other hand, once the humidity is gone, the flowers will be soon to follow. Sigh...
The top pot is home to Purslane. I have mixed feelings about this plant as she only blooms in the morning then closes up for the day. Like the mystery plants in the ground beside her! I prefer blooms that last all day long for my enjoyment as well as the bees, hummers and butterflies but Purslane finds its way into my garden occasionally.
This little beauties name escapes the brain at the moment but she sure is pretty calling the second pot home.
The third pot is home to Red Heart Hens & Chicks. I decided that not all the pots need to have a trailing plant. This Hen loves this spot and has been thriving all summer long. She is shaded a bit from the western sun and does not require as much water as the other two plants above. The bottom pot has a trailing green plant that touches the ground but very difficult to see as it is covered by all the vines and my Mystery Plant. (All the Tipsy Pot plants were purchased instead of grown from seed) I should be more diligent about marking where I plant SEEDS, In the Garden...

Note: A great big Thank You to Tina and Nina for passing along seeds for me to enjoy in my garden. I will show you more on Thursday...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,In the Garden