New Plants (1)

Well, I hadn’t indented to have such a long absence of posts… I’ve been busy cleaning out the bottom half of the greenhouse and I am finally approaching the finish line.

In addition, I’ve been getting prepped to plant acquisitions that have been waiting, some since last spring! I made a list and I have 31 plants to install this spring. In some cases it would be slightly better to wait until fall (so careful summer wattering can be avoided) but I’m impatient and need the greenhouse space! Also, our water system is spring fed, so I don’t need to worry about a billion dollar water bill.

Last weekend I visited two major nurseries in the Woodinville area; Molbaks and Flower World. Both are lovely, large and often relatively crowded. I’ve found both to have a great selection and they have interesting displays throughout the grounds. Flower World, in particular, has extensive gardens on site. In fact, the road from the entrance to the retail area passes through a gorgeous mini-park. One day this summer I intend to spend a day walking and appreciating the beauty.

I returned home with only four plants; which may be a record low from a nursery trip.

From Molbaks, I purchased a Daphne odora Aureomarginata (Winter Daphne.) I got my first whiff of this flowering shrub in early February and it knocked my socks off. It ranks as my second favorite floral fragrance, right behind a deciduous magnolia I have yet to identify.

I was quite surprised to find our native Arbutus menzeseii (Madrona) in large quantity and two different sizes. This tree is one of my most favorite plants, even moreso considering it is a native. Sadly, though we do have several ideal locations for them, we have no Arbutus on our property. I always keep an eye out at nurseries on the off chance they have it available. Arbutus are very difficult to keep healthy in containers and nearly two thirds will die upon transplant. For these reasons, they are rarely kept at nurseries. The smaller the plant, the greater its chance of surviving transplant. The plants offered at Molbaks are much larger than I’d thought wise with Arbutus, but they look very healthy so I took a chance.

From Flower World, I bought a Pheonix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm.) This plant can tolerate temperatures near 20 degrees and can survive outdoors here with protection from extreme cold. It is, however, very slow growing in our cool, dry summer climate, so I will be keeping it in the greenhouse for at least a couple years.

Finally, I picked up a little plant for the succulent area of the greenhouse. Senecio crassissimus is a pretty little thing that I know very little about as of now, other than that it will look great next to jade plants and their compatriots.

Again, I post from a cell phone. Sorry for the formatting.

The pictures are, in order: Daphne odora, Arbutus menzeseii, Pheonix canariensis, Senecio crassissimus and that wonderfully fragrant magnolia just beginning to flower. (I will discover its name this season.)

What’s Happening in the Greenhouse

After a brief look in the greenhouse I decided to post a few pictures of some plants that have already taken off for the season.

From my phone I can’t put captions under each picture so:

First is a Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) in bloom. People say these plants thrive on neglect and I believe that’s true. Last season, after having been neglected for years, this plant produced a much heavier bloom!

Next up is a Pelargonium hybrid (commonly called Geraniums.) These plants will bloom continuously if protected from frost and given enough light.

Next is a hybrid Abutilon (Flowering Maple/Chinese Lantern.) To me, one of the most beautiful flowering plants. The blossoms are complex and delicate and I find the colors spectacular. It seems to bloom all year, at least sporadically.

The next is not flowering but is putting on new growth quickly. This is Crassula arborescens, a very close relative of the common Jade Plant. I love the color of the huge succulent leaves and it is a great contrast with it’s close kin.

Finally, the only scented flower so far in the greenhouse, a hardy Gardenia unfurling it’s petals. If you get your nose close enough if smells wonderful and excites me for the many upcoming fragrant blooming plants.

Also, it’s oddly warm out.

Himalayan Blackberry – The Invader

I suppose it would be difficult to call this a plant I love, but I certainly respect it. As far as weedy overgrowth in the pacific northwest, the very invasive, non-native Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan Blackberry) is without peer. This invader has delicious berries but few other desirable qualities. It quickly colonizes nearly any site, forming impenetrable thickets that can approach 15 feet tall. The plant produces a cane during one growing season and fruits on that cane the next. Occasionally a cane can remain mature, but not fruit for several seasons. After fruiting, the cane dies. Each one can be 20 or more feet long and will root wherever it touches the ground.

Rubus laciniatus (Evergreen Blackberry) is very similar and I would suspect hybrids between the two species are common. A greater tolerance for cold seems to be the only significant difference.

This King County website has some great information about these wily invaders.

Much of my work clearing land involves attempting to remove this living barbed-wire fence. A sharp machete and canvas/denim are minimum requirements when tackling a large patch. A sturdy brush mower makes the job significantly easier.

Click on the picture below to go to some video of land pre and post brush mowing.

Mother Canes

An Introduction

This should’ve happened some time ago; I am beginning to blog.

For the past year I’ve been collecting plants and reading every bit of botanical literature I can find. I’m fortunate to have a spacious greenhouse and bit of property to attempt to cultivate to its fullest extent. The first steps in this process involve cleaning up 10 years worth of overgrowth outdoors and organizing the greenhouse. Some of this process has begun but there is much left to do. The final vision is unclear… I suspect that my seemingly random collecting and planting has some sort of plan I just haven’t discerned yet.

I have many pictures to post and 22,000 plants and plant related topics I’d love to write about… I am hoping I can be consistent enough to get to them all and with any luck, be somewhat interesting along the way.