Rotary Botanical Gardens

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Thomas Jefferson Collection

We're continuing our research regarding plants that Thomas Jefferson (TJ) grew at Monticello. Janice, Cindy and Patrea are all doing great research for this two year collection that will feature over 150 varieties of vegetables, herbs, perennials and annuals that were grown by TJ. These selections will all be arranged in 13 beds near the arboretum (the former All-America Selections Display Garden - which has moved...). Each variety will have a nice educational sign and this historic display will also have significant color as we include old-fashioned annuals that were grown back then as well. I've included ten selections of flowers that were grown at Monticello like the love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) seen above. Keep in mind that some of my TJ samples seen here are more modern varieties although the original species was available and grown by TJ (not the new fangled selections of course!). See some of the other plants that will be part of the Thomas Jefferson Collection this year further below.

Tomorrow we'll be setting up our booth early for the WPT Garden Expo (see brochure above) which starts on Friday. John, Denise, Mary and I will get everything situated which also is nice as we'll avoid the Friday morning craziness of set-up. I hope the crowd continues to grow for this event as I think attendance has been over 20,000 for each of the last three years. That's a lot of people coming by our booth! We have a great crew of volunteers lined up to staff the booth and both Kris K. and I will be there as RBG staff too. It's fun to interact with the public and represent the gardens. I'll get plenty of gardening questions too which keeps it interesting!

We had another productive day at the Horticulture Center. Kay (directly below) worked on processing some of our first seeds to arrive. She's creating colored name labels for various plants that will correspond to their spring use (plant sale, certain collection, trialing plants, etc.). This process has helped streamline the process of keeping our plants organized as they go from seed to the greenhouses and ultimately back to us as plants in May. Patrea helped process some office work and also worked on painting the window seen below. My photo of her award winning smile today didn't turn out but her help was most appreciated. Pat (third photo down) was bending aluminum rods to use as cord supports for the Holiday Lights Show (HLS) this December. We had this donated rod laying around and he came up with a good use. I told him to use a vice as he was bending these on his forehead and getting dizzy. Further below are some of our luminaries packed and ready to go out for storage. Dr. Gredler was in for some painting and we also saw Maury, Art and some others today.

gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)

heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)

corkscrew flower or snail vine (Vigna caracalla)

globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)

carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) mix

flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum)

purple hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab)

Joseph's coat or summer poinsettia (Amaranthus tricolor 'Perfecta')

cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Golden Shrubberies

Today had a cold start but warmed up to 20 degrees F or so. Looks like some possible snow later tonight and this weekend. I'm happy to see that travel conditions up to the WPT Garden Expo (Madison, WI) for both set-up (Thursday) and take down on Sunday look pretty good. I've had some harrowing driving in the past for this event and don't want to ever repeat a truck & trailer "jack knife" scenario! It was a productive day around the Horticulture Center with plenty of volunteer activity. Pat continued to process lights from the Holiday Lights Show (HLS) while Dr. Gredler continued painting obelisks and an old window...We have a funky, fun use of old windows out in the gardens this year. That's all I'll reveal... Bill O. came in to help Larry inside and Dick H. finished repairs on one of our utility vehicles (thanks Dick!). Larry and Bill continued to load up supplies for the Garden Expo trip on Thursday. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by handy people without a doubt! Urban came in for afternoon pruning and Rose stopped by as well. Maury ran some errands and we also saw Mark S. and some others today. I'm doing my normal winter "thing" and am ready for the Garden Expo this weekend.

I've been giving some recent talks on shrubs and never shy away from shrubs with golden foliage. Keep in mind that while flowering can be a very ephemeral 2-3 weeks of interest, the foliage can carry the bulk of the ornamental interest from May until October. While some people feel that golden shrubs look sickly and Nitrogen deficient, I see them as beacons in a landscape that has enough green. Don't get me wrong. I love all shades of green and while visual texture (leaf shape, size, form) is important, the foliage coloration (yellow, blue, maroon, variegated, etc.) can be a vital component in a composition, border or foundation planting for a longer period of time. I wont have the time or space to elaborate on all the pros and cons of these selections (every plant has pros and cons) but enjoy these few selections for what they offer. Keep in mind that most golden-leaved shrubs will get their best coloration in full sun and in the spring. Some selections fade to a chartreuse (particularly in part shade) or perhaps get "crispy" in full sun without ample moisture. Know your plant! Both above and below is the Tiger Eyes sumac (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger') which is a golden form of the native staghorn sumac. While getting a nice orange fall color, this selection also spreads by "root runners" and will colonize an area. I find it easy to keep controlled (annually) and is one of my favorite larger shrubs.

'Golden Nugget' barberry (Berberis thunbergii) - not many fruits which are certainly a problem with other selections in terms of being consumed by birds, pooped out and spread throughout woodlands near and far. Be wary of heavy fruiting barberries although they are a darn tough shrub

'Avalon Gold' dogwood (Cornus sericea)

'Hedgerow's Gold' dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Golden Spirit smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot') in spring

Golden Spirit smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot') in summer

Dream Catcher beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Maradco')

Dream Catcher beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Maradco') - spring growth

'Golden Sunshine' willow (Salix hybrida) - cut back severely to keep fresh and moderately sized

one of the many golden bluebeards (Caryopteris sp.) - blue flowers in late summer

Chardonnay Pearls slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis 'Duncan')

golden forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'Gold Leaf')

'Briant Rubidor' weigela (Weigela florida)

Mellow Yellow spirea (Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon')

golden cutleaf elderberry (Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland's Gold')

'Nugget' ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

golden bird's nest spruce (Picea abies 'Repens Gold')

'Saybrook Gold' juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

golden falsecypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mops')

Monday, February 3, 2014

Swiss Chard - The Original Ornamental Edible

My winter blogs have been understandably more reliant on color to get us (me) through these dismal months. It was sunny and frigid cold today but that can describe most of our weather over the past month or so. We did have a nice volunteer turnout today with some of the Grumpies going out in the gardens. Terry went out to bring in lights and Urban was out pruning this morning. Marv and Maury ran some errands while Pat and Gene worked on processing lights and some other indoor projects. Gary and Dr. Gredler painted while Ron Y., Jim and Vern all worked on carpentry projects. Dick H. became immersed in some vehicle repairs. We also saw Del, Gary S., Janice, Ron W., Rollie and many others. Pat C. came in to help me with some spreadsheet preparations and other office duties (much appreciated!). Larry and Bill worked on snow removal and some other projects while I bounced between my usual seed ordering, presentation preparation, etc. With the WPT Garden Expo coming up this weekend, we're getting all of our "ducks in a row" for set-up on Thursday and the event on Friday through Sunday at the Exhibition Hall of the Alliant Energy Center (Madison, WI). See www.wigardenexpo.com/ for more event information. We are selling tickets for this event at the Cottage Garden Gallery (while supplies last!). The ticket lines can be lengthy at the Expo so consider pre-purchasing your tickets in order to streamline your entry.

I think I've focused on Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) in the past although it is not a plant that I feel can be over-promoted (or over eaten). It is a true ornamental edible! Swiss chard is dynamite as a summer vegetable, having nutritious stalks and greens. One cup of chopped Swiss chard has only 7 calories and contains significant Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron and also potassium, magnesium, Vitamin K, protein and fiber. Swiss chard will thrive in our summer heat with adequate moisture and decent soils. You can continually harvest stalks from the outer portion of the plant or cut back severely as needed (hence the other name of "perpetual spinach"). This plant will generate new growth after a severe cutting which I accomplish at home three times each summer (for every clump of chard). Beets (also Beta vulgaris) are closely related and while also having edible greens, generate the "beet" that is a very nutritious, swollen taproot. There are some fun varieties of beets (look for 'Bull's Blood' and 'MacGregor's Favorite) with very dark foliage that is ornamental and edible too! As this blog will illustrate, Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) also has colorful veination and stems/stalks. Most varieties will stay under 18" tall but all have textured leaves that feature a vein color and stem coloration as well. Some selections are mixes of many colors (see 'Bright Lights' below) while many, like 'Orange Fantasia' directly above and directly below, are selected for their specific color contribution. You can't go wrong with Swiss chard in a sunny spot and even if you don't "acquire the taste", this plant can be a strong component in the garden. If you aren't cutting stalks for consumption, consider removing the older, outer stems on occasion to expose the brightest (and youngest) growth.