Stay ConnectedThe Daily Gardener is a weekday podcast celebrating garden history, literature, and the small botanical stories that shape how we garden today.
Each episode follows an “on this day” format, uncovering the people, plants, books, and moments that have quietly influenced gardens across time.
New episodes are released Monday through Friday, and each show features a thoughtfully chosen garden book.
Copyright: Copyright ©2019-2020, Jennifer Ebeling|The Daily Gardener All rights reserved
There's that lovely saying that goes something like, "One man's weed is another man's wildflower". This is especially true in the case of Queen Anne's Lace. In the Facebook group for the show, listener Danny Perkins shared how much he enjoyed allowing Queen Anne's Lace to reign all over in his garden. I feel the same way. But, others do not.... and, I respect that. I think one of the reasons I personally enjoy Queen Anne's Lace is because it reminds me of Baby's Breath - which does not like to return as a perennial in my garden. On the other hand, this year, I started growing Valerian and I would say that it is another alternative to Baby's Breath and it is similar to Queen Anne's Lace. Another charming characteristic of Queen Anne's Lace is that it's a member of the carrot family. If you crush the leaves and stem, you'll notice a carrot odor. It's no wonder the scientific name for Queen Anne's Lace is Daucus carota and the common name is wild carrot. Here's a fun fact: the Romans ate Queen Anne's Lace as a vegetable. And here's an herbal application: the root juice of Queen Anne's Lace is wonderful for treating itchy skin. Brevities #OTD It's the anniversary of the death of Andreas Marggraff who died on this day in 1782. Marggraff was a German chemist. In 1747, he figured out a way to isolate glucose from raisins. That same year, he announced his discovery of finding sugar in beets and he came up with a way to use alcohol to extract it. Marggraff's discovery was not used commercially while he was alive. It wasn't until 1802, that the first beat sugar refinery opened its doors... and the modern sugar industry was born. #OTD Today in 1840 the world lost a wonderful physician and botanist by the name of Henry Perrine. As a botanist, Perrine was first recognized for his work with quinine as a cure for malaria. Perrine also served as a US Ambassador to the Yucatán. As a result of his position, Perrine was able to bring many tropical plants from Mexico and Caribbean to the United States. In 1838, the United States Congress gave Perrine a land grant which he used to establish a place to grow plants in the Florida Keys. At the time Florida was a territory. Perrine believed that the Florida Keys and South Florida offered the perfect climate for creating what he hoped would be one of the great botanical gardens of the world. Perrine's vision was to turn the wasteland into a tropical paradise Perrine shared his hopes when he wrote to Congress, saying: "This land will grow every tropic a growth in abundance… With settlers on 5 acre parcels, growing such plants - this South Florida area [can] support more population than any... area in the entire south end [as well as] the happiest living conditions…" On Christmas day and 1838, Dr. Perrine and his wife and their children moved to Indian key Perrine was in love with his new surroundings. Unlike many South Florida settlers, Perrine believed that he could live in peace; side-by-side with the local American Indians. Perrine's work was showing promise until this day in 1840. Perrine 's neighbor was a radical named Jacob Hausman. Hausman had gathered a small militia and had offered Congress a deal; he would kill every American Indian in South Florida and they would pay him $200 per body. Congress never got Hausman's letter, but the Seminole Indians in Florida had learned of Hausman's plan. It's no wonder, then, that on this day in 1840, they attacked Indian key. But, their chief target, Hausman, had escaped the attack by slipping away in a boat. Dr. Perrine could hear the attack happening outside his house. He quickly tucked his wife and children into a turtle crawl beneath their house and he slid a chest of his Mexican seeds over the trap door in order to conceal it. When the opportunity presented itself, Dr. Perrine spoke to the Indians in Spanish identifying himself as a friend and a doctor. The Indians left... but they returned that evening. They chased Perrine to the cupola of his house where they killed him. Then they set the house on fire. Perrine's wife and children survived the entire ordeal in the turtle crawl, making their way through a narrow tunnel to the sea along side the turtles. The following day a naval vessel rescued Hester Perrine and her children. Today, Perrine and his legacy lives on in the botanicals he brought to Florida: the avocado, the key lime, the mango, and numerous agave. #OTD Today is the birthday of the Indian geneticist MS Swaminathan. Swaminathan is the father of India's Green Revolution; a movement which distributed high-yield wheat and rice varieties to poor farmers When Swaminathan had graduated from college, he recognized that the number one issue facing his country was food scarcity. While others were concerned with independence, Swaminathan felt that agriculture was the country's highest priority. Instead of pursuing medicine, which was his natural inclination, he decided to pursue degrees in agriculture. And, he continued to get a variety of degrees from numerous top universities from around the world. Swaminathan felt he could best help his country by solving the food problem. On January 4, 1968, Swaminathan gave a lecture at the Indian Science Congress where he first coined the term Green Revolution. Swaminathan wanted to marry technology development and dissemination with ecology. By developing high yielding wheat and rice varieties that small farmers could afford, the people of India became more independent. Today, Swaminathan believes that every person has the right to have food. This belief was forged during what he calls India's ship to mouth existence - when India had to wait for ships from America, or other parts of the world, to bring in food. The journey from ship to mouth to seeing food as a right is a huge paradigm shift; one which professor Swaminathan has so humbly lead.
Unearthed Words "In August, the large masses of berries, which, when in flower, had attracted many wild bees, gradually assumed their bright velvety crimson hue, and by their weight again bent down and broke their tender limbs." - Henry David Thoreau "Summer is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." - John Ruskin Today's book recommendation: The Evening Garden: Flowers and Fragrance from Dusk Till Dawn by Peter Loewer This book reveals both the history and science of the night garden. The topic of night-blooming plants has always fascinated gardeners. For example, newspaper articles over the past two centuries have shared excited reports of blooms on the night blooming cereus. This book came out in the early 90's and was advertised to gardeners who found themselves working long hours during the daytime which equated to little time for gardening. This book offers information about the history and the raising of night blooming plants as well as chapters on night fragrances, wildlife, and plans for outdoor lighting. It's an oldie but goodie. You can get copies of this book on Amazon using the today show notes for as little as $.25
Today's Garden Chore Add another layer of layer of mulch to your summer garden. Just adding an extra layer of mulch helps keep the roots of your plants cooler and more moist during hot weather. In turn, that helps to lower the stress level of your plants during this time of the year. This is also a good time to cover up some of the unsightly areas in your garden (spots where you have divided or harvested). Or you can also refresh areas where your mulch has decomposed. Don't forget that organic mulch is continuously decompose in your beds which in turn helps feed the soil. That said, you don't want to go into fall or winter with your soil uncovered because open soil is an invitation for weeds - and that's a party you do not want to have to clean up after.
Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart Here's a little story about the New Zealand botanist Lucy Cranwell who was born On this day in 1907. Imagine yourself at 21? What were you doing? Well, at 21, Lucy was appointed the curator at the Auckland Museum. Barely more than a child herself, Lucy had a special talent for engaging young students. Ever-encouraging and relatable, Lucy sparked a love of horticulture in her students. Lucy, herself, had an excellent teacher growing up in the form of her father who was a trained nurseryman. Lucy grew up helping with the large orchard on their property. It's no wonder then, that Lucy loved exploring and being in the field. During her days at the University Field Club, her peers knew her as the strongest and fastest walker at the University. One of Lucy's dearest friends was the botanist Lucy Beatrice Moore. The two Lucys went on many botanical field trips together. It was a common practice during these trips to sleep out in the open in a sleeping bag. There were many mornings when the the women woke to find themselves covered in frost. Lucy Cranwell served as the curator in Auckland for 14 years. During that time she collected over 4,000 plants for the herbarium and she created something she called "Botany Trots" - a term I absolutely adore. Botany Trots were these little botanical excursions for the children of New Zealand. Now, isn't that sweet? Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Well, the time we've waited for all year is here; it's time to harvest tomatoes. I want to give you just a quick word of caution when it comes to harvesting your tomatoes. As gardeners, sometimes we wait too long to harvest them. Sometimes that can be unintentional, and other times, we think that letting them stay on the vine is best. However, if you wait too long, the tomatoes split. This is especially true with heirloom tomatoes. If you're growing heirlooms it's best to let them ripen in a cool, dark, place. Don't be tempted to put them on a sunny window or countertop. They won't appreciate the view or the attention. Remember, heirloom tomatoes, are very fragile. The price for their fantastic flavor? Lots of TLC.
Brevities
#OTD Today is the birthday of horticulturalist Frank Cabot who was born on this day in 1925.
It's hard to believe that we lost Frank just eight years ago. He was a tremendous gardener and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his work in founding the nonprofit The Garden Conservancy. Cabot lived until the age of 86 and he spent his life perfecting his 20-acre English-style garden and estate. His masterpiece garden is known as Les Quatre Vents, or the Four Winds, and it's been in his family for over 100 years. There's a wonderful video of an interview that Martha Stewart did with Frank. He tells about the moon bridge being a copy of a moon bridge from Seven Star Park in China. "I'm a great believer in plagiarizing. I think all gardeners are. There's no reason why one shouldn't plagiarize. Why not take someone else's good idea and adapted to one's site. This garden really represents that; it's just Ideas that were gleaned from other sources." #OTD Today is the birthday of Andy Warhol who was born on this day in 1928 Warhol painted a series called Flowers that debuted in 1964. This series of paintings was unique. Warhol found the original photo for it in a magazine called Modern Photography.
All the canvas Warhol used for the Flowers series was square. He only painted on 24 and 48 inch canvases. In these paintings, Warhol applied his masterful use of color; making the flowers much more vibrant against their background. Although Warhol's Flowers have been compared to Van Gogh's bouquets and Matisse's Cutouts, it seemed no one could agree what kind of blooms were featured in the Flowers. The New York Herald Tribune identified the blossoms as anemones. The Village Voice said they were nasturtiums. Other publications said they were pansies. There was no way to really tell. The series of prints showed the same flowers over and over again in different color combinations and backgrounds.
Warhol once said, "My fascination with letting images repeat and repeat - manifests my belief that we spend much of our lives seeing without observing." Warhol's Flower series is considered a likely source for the phrase "flower power" which became an anthem for the non-violence movement. Whether or not that's true, Warhol's psychedelic flowers were totally in sync with the movement.
Warhols assistant once recalled, "When Warhol... made flowers, it reflected the urban, dark, death side of that whole flower power movement... there is a lot of depth in there."
Warhol's inclinations aligned with the 1960's flower children. He once wished aloud: "I think everybody should like everybody."
My favorite Andy Warhol quote is one that gardeners will identify with.
He said,
"I always notice flowers." #OTD On this day in 1954 that the botanist David Fairchild passed away. He was 85 years old. In terms of accomplishments, Fairchild hit it out of the botanical park. He was single-handedly responsible for the introduction of more than 200,000 plants to the United States; including pistachios, mangoes, dates, nectarines, soybeans, and flowering cherries. In conducting his work, Fairchild traveled around the globe numerous times. Without David Fairchild; the Washington Mall would not have the beautiful Japanese flowering cherries. When that first shipment of cherry trees arrived in the United States, it was infested with insects and diseases. It was a blessing in disguise. Japan was so embarrassed by the shipment, that they immediately shipped new specimens. And, Japan sent experts to the States to make sure that the trees were taken care of properly. And, plants like kale seem to be a relatively new phenomenon in gardens across the country. But, it was actually David Fairchild, and not Trader Joe's, who brought kale to the United States. And, David Fairchild brought the avocado here as well. Looking back over Fairchild's life, it's clear he had a few lucky breaks that helped change the trajectory of his life. For instance, on his first collecting expedition, he met a world traveler and wealthy benefactor named Barbara Latham who funded Many of his adventures. And, in 1905 he married Mary Ann Bell; his father-in-law was none other than Alexander Graham Bell. Finally, the next time you're in Florida, stop by the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables which is filled with many of the plants that were collected by Fairchild and it's named in his honor. Unearthed Words We celebrate the birthday of Alfred Lord Tennyson who was born on this day in 1809. Tennyson was the fourth of twelve children in his family and he became one of the most well loved Victorian poets. Today, you can take a tour of Tennyson's walled garden on the Isle of Wight. Both the home and the garden have been restored to their former glory and the property gets top ratings on TripAdvisor. An 1895 newspaper shared this charming account of Tennyson's garden: "Another orchard which I shall never forget is that which lives alongside Tennyson's Garden. It was only natural that one should recall the poets lines: (From In Memoriam:)
"O sound to rout the brood of cares, The sweep of scythe in morning dew, The gust that round the garden flew, And tumbled half the mellowing pears!"
(And, from Song of the Lotos-Eaters:) "Lo! sweeten'd with the summer light, The full-juiced apple, waxing over-mellow, Drops in a silent autumn night."
And, here's Tennyson's most quoted sentiment is a favorite among gardeners: "If I had a flower for every time I thought of you… I could walk through my garden forever." Today's book recommendation: Flora's Dictionary : The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers by Kathleen Gips
Oh, to live in Victorian times; when the meaning of a flower had so many more possibilities than just, "I love you". This book is a delight for the gardener who enjoys learning the difference between a red rose and a white one during this time in history. In addition to flowers, this book even shares the meanings of fruits and vegetables. Many of the meanings are rooted in classical literature; in that regard, this book provides added insight across subjects. Today's Garden Chore If you want to keep growing, keep sowing. Now is the time to sow more seeds - to grow more leafy greens like lettuce and arugula and spinach; and more vegetables that mature quickly like radish, and dill, and turnip. This time of year, I like to reseed kale as well. There's nothing like eating young kale shoots grown in the fall. If you're having a hot fall, don't forget that you can cover your crops with reemay to protect them from the sun and help keep them cool. There are so many wonderful resources out with advice on extending the growing season. Check out anything by Nikkie Jabbour and you'll find yourself in excellent company. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart
When I was researching Tennyson, I came across a story about a fan of his named Professor John Stewart Blackie. Blackie was a Scottish scholar known for his wit and kindness, as well as his flamboyance. In 1864, in one of his letters, Blackie described what it was like meeting Tennyson: " The poet (Tennyson) came downstairs from a hot bath which he had just been taking, quite in an easy unaffected style ; a certain slow - heaviness of motion belongs essentially to his character, and contrasts strikingly with the alert quickness and sinewy energy of Kingsley : head Jovian, eye dark, pale face, black flowing locks, like a Spanish ship-captain or a captain of Italian brigands something not at all common and not the least English. We dined, talked, and smoked together, and got on admirably." Long after, in his old age, Miss Stoddart tells us, the Professor spoke of this visit with a reference very unusual to him in allusion to his contemporaries, and a few flowers gathered in Tennyson's garden were carefully pressed and affixed to his copy of his "in Memoriam". Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
One of the things I love to do at the end of spending time in my garden is to make some tussie mussies. Tussie mussies are also called nosegays or posies; they are small flower bouquets typically given as a gift. Mine are pretty small - with cuttings no longer than 6 inches. I like the charm of these little tussie mussies. They are super fun to drop off by someone's mailbox or simply to set down near the register of your favorite barista. They look perfect when placed on top of a book or added to the top of a gift-wrapped package. Irene Deitsch wrote a book called Tussie Mussies a few years ago and she explained the etymology of the word tussie mussie - which I found quite helpful. "A 'tussie' is a nosegay, which is a Middle English word for a small group of flowers held together in a little bouquet. 'Mussie' refers to the moss that was moistened and put around the stems of the flowers to keep them from wilting. That's why they're called tussie-mussies." Brevities #OTD Today is the anniversary of the death of Jeanne Baret who died on this day in 1807. Baret was the first woman to have circumnavigated the world as part of the expedition which was led by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. Beret was able to join the expedition after posing as a valet to the expedition's naturalist: Philibert Commerçon. Before the expedition, Baret had been employed as Commerçon's housekeeper. A few years later his wife died and Baret took over the management of the household in addition to having a personal relationship with Commerçon. Commerçon had poor health and it was likely that he needed Baret to join him on the expedition because he needed her assistance. Baret herself was actually a botanist herself and her own right. When the ship stopped in Rio de Janeiro, an old leg injury prevented Commerçon from collecting specimens. Thus , it was Baret who ventured out into the tropics and returned with the lovely tropical vine that would be named to honor the expedition's commander: Bougainvillea. #OTD It's the birthday of Frederick William Calcut Paxford who was born on this day in 1898. Paxford was CS Lewis's gardener from 1930 until Lewis' death in 1963. Paxford was the inspiration for Puddleglum; the marsh Weigle and the silver chair in the chronicles of Narnia where Puddleglum was described as, "an inwardly optimistic, outwardly pessimistic, dear, frustrating, shrewd countryman of immense integrity." Paxford and Lewis were the same age. However, Paxford had served during World War I, and he had been gassed as a soldier. Nearly a decade after the war, Lewis bought his property in Oxfordshire called the Kilns. When Paxford was hired, he spent many years preparing the grounds. He leveled the lawn in front of the house. He set out flowers and a Rose arbor. He established both an orchard and a vegetable garden. and he helped raise rabbits and chickens. Lewis called Paxford, "our indispensable factotum" (A factotem is an employee who does all kinds of tasks.) Meanwhile, Paxford always referred to Sinclair Lewis as "Mr. Jack". Here are a few of Paxford's memories about Lewis: "Mr. Jack loved the trees and would not have a tree cut down or lopped. When we had to take some [branches] to make a rose trellis, we had to get them when he was away for a few days and cover up the cuts with mud so that they would not be seen." Paxford lived in a little private Bungalow in the garden and he stayed there for 33 years. When Lewis died, Paxford was only bequeathed 100 pounds. To which he replied, "Well, it won't take me far, will it?" #OTD Today is the anniversary of the death of Candice Wheeler who died on this day in 1923. Candice Wheeler is often called "the mother of interior design". In addition to design, Wheeler loved gardening and she helped create the artist community of Onteora. Onteora was known for its unique homes and gardens. In its prime, it was a summer colony teaming with artists set in New York's Catskill Mountains. Wheeler's garden was known as Wildmuir. Wildmuir had wonderful lawn, specimen rhododendrons, laurels, and evergreen trees. In the 1920s, Wildmuir was updated by Harold Caparn, who designed the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Like Martha Stewart, Candice Wheeler was multitalented. Her publishing credits include a variety of books; from How to Make Rugsto Content in a Garden. Content in a Gardenis partly an essay and partly a guide as to what can be grown in a small space. Wheeler wrote from her own experiences. In a 1923 newspaper advertisement for the book, the reviewer wrote that Candice Wheeler and her daughter, Dora Wheeler Keith, "are thoroughly in sympathy with nature, of which the former writes as charmingly as the latter illustrates it." And it was Candace Wheeler who said, "One of the most perfect and unfailing joys of life is planting. It is the creative joy felt by God." Unearthed Words Today, we honor the poetry of Wendell Erdman Barry, an American author whose extraordinary nature poetry grew out of his experiences as a farmer. Barry is responsible for so many wonderful quotes and poems. It was difficult to pick just a few. Here are some of my favorites: "Eating is an agricultural act." "Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup." "Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do." "I don't believe that grief passes away. It has its time and place forever. More time is added to it; it becomes a story within a story. But grief and griever alike endure." Today's book recommendation: The Herb Garden Cookbook by Lucinda Hutson Southern Livingsaid this about Lucinda Hutson's book: "Lucinda Hutson's garden is something of a legend in Austin. An invitation from Lucinda, an authority on ethnic herbs and an accomplished cook, to sample a new dish or special punch in her flamboyant setting is a guaranteed fiesta. . . . And her gusto for entertaining and cooking is exemplified in her recipes [in] The Herb Garden Cookbook." If you've ever wondered what to do with all the herbs growing in your garden, Hutson's book will be an inspiration for you. This book was published back in 2003, but it is a classic. You can get used copies on Amazon using the link provided in today's show notes for under three dollars. Today's Garden Chore Now is the time to start pansy seed for fall color to your beds and containers and window boxes. Pansies can handle cooler temperatures. When your geraniums and begonias and other summer bloomers are starting to get leggy and spent, pansies are nice way to add a dash of color with their adorable little faces. If you look closely at pansies, you'll see that their petals are heart-shaped and they overlap. Despite their sweet faces, pansies are tough. They will survive a frost. They can bounce back from single-digit temperatures (which I think is incredible). And remember, pansies love morning sun the best - they're not thrilled with hot afternoon sun. They're too cool for that. Just a heads up: Pansy seed can be finicky and slow going, so check out some YouTube videos for germination tips to ensure success. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart On this day in 1998, The Province out of Vancouver, British Columbia shared an article written by Peter Clough that caught my attention. The title was called Hydrangea Fest Yanked by Rootsand began with the sentence, "It's a blooming shame." Here's what it said: "Saturday was supposed to be the inaugural SurreyWhite Rock Hydrangea Blossom Festival. For organizer Elaine Cramer, it was going to be the realization of a dream she's had for 15 years to bring a world-class floral parade to the Lower Mainland. Now it's not going to happen; not this year at least. After months of planning, the parade has been cancelled. [...] Elaine is no novice when it comes to hydrangeas. She actually studied them at university. Her garden's home to several varieties. [Elaine] says Surrey was equally enthusiastic. In fact, she says, it was Mayor Doug McCallum who convinced her that the best route through Surrey was 152nd Street. So she was a little shocked two weeks ago when she sat down before the city's special-events committee to be told by chairwoman Council Judy Higginbotham that her permit had been denied. She's been working with Surrey officials for more than a year and only now does she learn of the problem. Elaine and her 30 volunteers plan to give away more than 10,000 hydrangea bushes between now and October with next year's parade in mind. That's if she can get a permit." Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Right about now you might be thinking about doing a little garden cleanup and preparation for fall. One of the questions I get from gardeners this time of year has to do with whether or not to let some of your plants go to seed. After spending most of the summer deadheading and illuminating all of the brown stuff on our foliage, it can be tough for some gardeners to let things go to seed. But there are many benefits to letting some of the plants in your garden bolt in all their glory. First of all, there is tremendous ornamental value that extends into winter if you allow your perennials to keep their seed heads. (Think of the seeds heads offered by cilantro, kale, arugula, basil and so forth). Second, seeds offer food and habitat to native bees and other creatures. Thirdly, saving seeds from the garden saves you money because it eliminates the need to buy seed for next year. (Think of your tomatoes and other edibles). This practice also allows you to keep heritage plants alive for future generations. That's exactly how the heirlooms we know and love have been passed down through the generations. The main thing, is to allow nature to do most of the drying for you. Your seeds will have a much higher success rate if you let them dry as much as possible before you collect them. And finally, allowing plants to go to seed means that you will have less to plant and subsequent seasons thanks to volunteer plants. Each year my garden is blessed with Queen Anne's lace, Indian Paintbrush, Columbine, Forget-Me-Nots, Lettuce, Dill, Foxglove, Valerian, Lovage and Beets. All planted by God; all perfectly placed and happy as a result. My volunteers find a way to utilize the tiniest nooks and crevices in my garden. Brevities #OTD It's the anniversary of the death of the landscape and portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough who died on this day in 1788. Gainsborough is known for his painting of the Blue Boy today. You can visit Gainsborough's house in Suffolk. There is a garden there with a spectacular mulberry tree dating to the early 1600s during the reign of James I who encouraged the planting of mulberry trees in order to establish a silk industry. The king and his advisers lacked the knowledge about Mulberry trees of which there are two kinds. The white mulberry feeds silk worms and the black supplies the fruit. Gainsborough's Mulberry (as well as every other Mulberry cultivated in England) was the black Mulberry. Although England never successfully became known for silk worms, the craft of silk weaving became firmly rooted. In addition to the large Mulberry, the Gainsborough garden includes two Beds for Herbs and another that is strictly devoted to plants used for dying fabric. The rest of the garden is made up of plants that were available during Gainsborough's lifetime. #OTD Today in 1820 the first potatoes were planted in Hawaii. Turns out the, the American brig, the Thaddeus, brought more than the first missionaries to the island brought. #OTD On this day In 1938, the Belvedere Daily Republican, out of Belvedere Illinois, published a small article about a tree named for Benjamin Franklin. Here's what it said: "About 200 years ago, John Bartram, an eminent botanist, discovered a strange flowering tree in a Georgia forest and named it "Franklinia" in honor of his fellow Philadelphian, Benjamin Franklin." #OTD It's the anniversary of the death of the poet Wallace Stevens who died on this day in 1955. Stevens said, "Death is the mother of beauty. Only the perishable can be beautiful; which is why we are unmoved by artificial flowers." Stevens was one of the most skilled poets of the 20th Century he lived his entire adult life near Elizabeth Park in Hartford Connecticut. By day, Stevens worked at Hartford insurance company where he became a Vice President and by night he was a poet; it was in an unusual combination. Stevens lived 2 miles from his work and he walked to work every day; undoubtedly using the time to find inspiration and to write poems. The park across from his house was one of his favorite places. Elizabeth Park is huge; covering over 100 acres with formal gardens, meadows, lawns, green houses, and a pond. Stevens wrote the following poems About Elizabeth Park: Vacancy in the Park The Plain Sense of Things Nuns Painting Water Lilies By 1950, Stevens was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for his poetry. And, here's a little known fact about Wallace Stevens: He once started a fist-fight with Ernest Hemingway in Key West. Unearthed Words Today is the birthday of the victorian poet William Watson who is born on this day in 1858. Watson was overlooked two times for the role of poet laureate because he had included his political views about the government's policy regarding South Africa and Ireland into some of his poetry. Late in his life, he was invited to write a poem to commemorate the Liverpool cathedral in 1924 to help raise money. He did the job, but the church wasn't thrilled that Watson had written about the squalid conditions of the cities population - which was in stark contrast to the Grand Cathedral. Once Watson died, England embraced him. Rudyard Kipling said he was. "someone who had never written a bad line". Here's a poem by William Watson that gardeners will appreciate. It's called simply Three Flowers: I made a little song about the rose And sang it for the rose to hear, Nor ever marked until the music's close A lily that was listening near. The red red rose flushed redder with delight, And like a queen her head she raised. The white white lily blanched a paler white, For anger that she was not praised. Turning I left the rose unto her pride, The lily to her enviousness, And soon upon the grassy ground espied A daisy all companionless. Doubtless no flattered flower is this, I deemed; And not so graciously it grew As rose or lily: but methought it seemed More thankful for the sun and dew. Dear love, my sweet small flower that grew'st among The grass, from all the flowers apart,— Forgive me that I gave the rose my song, Ere thou, the daisy, hadst my heart! Today's book recommendation: The Cook and the Gardener : A Year of Recipes and Writings for the French Countryside by Amanda Hesser This award winning book offers a lovely blend of cookbook along with garden stories that allow you to live vicariously with Hesser on a culinary school of estate in burgundy France. Since the book is about traditional French gardening and cooking, it also captures the local customs and wisdom cultivated in provincial France. Each chapter covers a month. The book can be read one season at a time, following along with the changes on the calendar and in the harvest. Each season offers a recipe for stock. The little stories about the gardener are delightful and there are wonderful tips that gardeners will appreciate appreciate. For instance, Amanda learned not to pick cabbages before a frost because the frost enhances the flavor. There's a lovely recipe for pumpkin soup as well as all kinds of preserves. This is my favorite kind of book because it's part cookbook, part garden story, and part history. Best of all, the tone is cozy-cozy, charming, and conversational. Today's Garden Chore Propagate some slips of mint. Cut it with a sharp knife below a joint, take off leaves from the bottom 2-3 inches, and then put your cuttings in a glass filled with water for a week or so. It will take a week or two for the roots to form, but don't change the water. (Go ahead and add more if needed). This is one of the simplest ways to propagate mint, as well as other herbs. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart Just a quick heads up that tomorrow, August 3, is Garden Day at Longwood Gardens. There is a keynote presentation from Matt Ross who is the Director of Continuing Education there. Matt will give two Keynote talks titled, "Go Green, Go White, Get Variegated" and another one called "Hidden Gems: the Best Gardens in America You've Never Heard Of." In addition, there will be nine breakout sessions to check out. So, if you live near Longwood, please go on my behalf and then tell me all about it. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Are you growing Gladiola? The plants are also sometimes called the Sword Lily. Gladiola is Latin for a small sword. In Victorian times, the Gladiola meant, "You pierce my heart." And the next time you see a Gladiola, take a closer look: Members of this family produce parts in multiples of three. There are three sepals, colored to look like petals, and three true petals, and three stamens. Brevities #OTD It was on this day in 1923 that the botanist Edwin Way Teale married Nelly Imogene Donovan. The two had met while Teale was at College. After they married, they moved to New York so that Teale could continue his education at Columbia University. Teale's first job was writing for the magazine Popular Science. On the side, he began taking pictures and specializing in nature photography. When Teale was 42, he left Popular Science to become a freelancer. By 1943, his book By-ways to Adventure: A Guide to Nature Hobbies won the John Burroughs Medal for distinguished natural history writing. During World War II, Teale's son, David, was killed in Germany. The couple began traveling across the country by automobile. The trips help them cope with their grief. The trips became not only a catharsis but also an integral part of Teale's writing. Their 1947 journey, covering 17,000 miles in a black Buick, following the advance of spring, led to Teale's book north with the spring. Additional road trips lead to more books: Journey Into Summer, Autumn Across America, and Wandering Through Winter. Wandering Through Winter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1966. And, it was Edward Way Teale who said: For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. Any fine morning, a power saw can fell a tree that took a thousand years to grow. "Nature is shy and noncommittal in a crowd. To learn her secrets, visit her alone or with a single friend, at most. Everything evades you, everything hides, even your thoughts escape you when you walk in a crowd." "Our minds, as well as our bodies, have need of the out-of-doors. Our spirits, too, need simple things, elemental things, the sun and the wind and the rain, moonlight, and starlight, sunrise and mist and mossy forest trails, the perfumes of dawn, and the smell of fresh-turned earth and the ancient music of wind among the trees." #OTD And today is the birthday of the botanist Franklin Hewitt Perrin who is born in London on this day in 1927. In 1962, Perrin, along with Max Walters, wrote The Atlas of the British Flora, which some called the most important natural history book of the 20th century. It was Franklin Perrin who devised the Dot Map. He was an outstanding field botanist with a phenomenal memory for plants. Perrin was the best kind of botanist, possessing the eagerness of an amateur and the training of a true professional. Perrin had obtained his Ph.D. in Cambridge. When Max Walters, the director of the University herbarium, invited him to map the distribution of all the wildflowers trees and ferns of England and Ireland, Perrin said, "yes." Planning and leading groups of experts on remote field trips by bicycle, train, or on foot, was Perrin's favorite thing to do. Walters and Perrin successfully mapped all of Britain's plants in under five years. Unearthed Words "The English winter, ending in July To recommence in August." - Lord Byron Today's book recommendation: The Garden Chef: Recipes and Stories from Plant to Plate For many people, gardens are just extensions of the kitchen. Today restaurants are utilizing rooftop gardens for growing herbs and spices, and larger plots allow for cultivating vegetables along with fruit trees. The garden chef offers more than 100 gardens focused recipes, and it shares how 40 of the world's top chefs grow and cook with produce directly from their garden. The book offers stories along with the recipes for folks to enjoy reading cookbooks. It also gives tips for gardeners showing how the smallest space can grow Something delicious to eat. Today's Garden Chore Try using a strawberry jar to plant herbs. One of the best things about strawberry jars is that they can be brought into the house for winter, and the leaves of your herbs can be snipped off whenever you need them. And it has a minimal footprint. If you're going to plant in a strawberry jar successfully, make sure you fill it with a mixture of potting soil and plenty of perlite. Then, you can add the herbs that you like: basil, parsley, apple mint, and lemon time, for instance. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart And it was on this day in 1950 that The Ithaca Journal out of Ithaca New York published a question from a reader. The reader wanted an answer to this question: Please list a few plants that are named for people. Here is the answer: The poinsettia was named 'for Joel R. Poinsett, a famous statesman. Wisteria is named in .honor of Caspar Wistar, a distinguished physician and scientist of Philadelphia. Leonard Fuchs, a German botanist, discovered the 'plant known as fuchsia, while William Forsyth, a Scotch botanist, is responsible for the name of forsythia. The name of Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French soldier, and explorer, is perpetuated in the bougainvillea. The paulownia is named for the Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna, daughter of Czar Paul I. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Did you know that poppies were Christopher Lloyd's his favorite flower? In his short essay about poppies, he introduces 'Goliath' poppies which grow to 4 feet tall and offer the largest blooms of any poppy. Lloyd wrote about the blooms saying, "They are rich crimson, which is as exciting as scarlet. In choosing plant neighbors to vie with it, I have been best pleased with an equally bright and pure yellow giant buttercup. Ranunculus acris 'Stevenii.' It is, however, shocking to discover that there are some gardeners (and non -gardeners) of congenitally weak and palsied constitution who do not like strong colors and who even pride themselves, as a class apart, on their good taste. The good-taste brigade can only think comfortably in terms of color harmonies and of soft and soothing pastel shades." Oh, how it pains the heart to be called out by Christopher Lloyd, doesn't it? Well, even though he thinks we're too meek when it comes to color in the garden, we are in violent agreement when it comes to procurement. You'll love this little snippet about how he came to own the poppy "Beauty Queen": "I took a fancy to 'Beauty Queen' in a friend's garden in Scotland in June, when it was flowering, and received permission to take a piece. When you see a plant that you must have, the answer to the question "Would you like some at the right time? should be "I'd rather have it now," right time or not. Otherwise, the right time will surely slip by, the transference of the coveted piece from central Scotland to the south of England (or from California to Maine) will be in convenient, and all you'll have is a gnawing gap in the pit of your wish-world." Brevities #OTD It was on this day in 1703 that Daniel Defoe was made to stand in the pillory in front of the temple bar. The pillory was basically a stockade; the hands and head would be caught between two large beams of wood. It was a horrible punishment. It was usually reserved for the most hideous crimes. When Dafoe was convicted of sedition, the crowds did their best to show their support; they threw flowers at his feet instead of mud. The image of Defoe standing with his head and hands in the stocks surrounded by an adoring audience was memorialized in an 1862 painting. In 1830, a biography of Defoe said that the stocks were adorned with garlands and that drinks were provided to celebrate Dafoe's release. #OTD It's the birthday of Mary Vaux Walcott born in Philadelphia today in 1860. Gardeners know Walcott for her work as a botanical illustrator; she created meticulously accurate watercolors of plants and flowers. She is known as the "Audobon of botany". Walcott became an illustrator one summer after being challenged to paint a rare blooming Arnica. Although her effort was only a modest success, it encouraged her to pursue the art. In that pursuit, she met Charles Doolittle Walcott. They were both doing fieldwork in the Canadian Rockies and they found they were equally yoked. They married the following year. At the time, Charles was the secretary of the Smithsonian; that's how Walcott came to develop the Smithsonian process printing technique. Walcott created hundreds of illustrations of the native plants of North America. Her five volume set entitled North American Wildflowersshowcases the stunning beauty of everyday wildflowers, many of which are at peak bloom right now. In addition to her work as a botanist, Mary was a successful glacial geologist and photographer. She was the first woman to summit a peak over 10,000 feet in Canada when she tackled Mount Stephen. Today Walcott even has a mountain named after her in Jasper - Mount Mary Vaux. #OTD Today's the anniversary of the death of Richard Morris Hunt who was an American architect during the gilded age. Gardeners know Hunt for his collaborations with the Frederick Law Olmsted. They worked together on the Vanderbilt mausoleum and the Chicago world's fair. Their ultimate collaboration occurred in Asheville, North Carolina, where they worked together to design the gardens, house, and manor village for the Biltmore estate. Hunt is often recognized as theDean of American Architecture. He was the first American trained at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Although Hunt and Olmsted had history, they clashed over Hunt's design for the southern entrance to Central Park. Hunt had won the competition to design it, but Olmsted and Vaux balked when they saw Hunt's glorious plan. For the main entrance at Fifth Avenue, Hunt had designed what he called the Gate of Peace. It included a circular fountain within a square parterre. The most magnificent part of his plan, was a semi circular terrace with a 50 foot column featuring a sailor and a Native American holding up the cities arms. At the base of the column was to be a monument to Henry Hudson. It involved a pool of water featuring Neptune in his chariot and Henry Hudson standing on the prowl of a ship. On the back side, there was a memorial to Christopher Columbus. Thinking the public would embrace his grand vision, Hunt made the decision to promote his designs for the park all on his own. But Hunt did not appreciate Vaux's is power. Although privately Vaux said that Hunt's plans were "splendid and striking"; publicly he told a friend they were, "what the country had been fighting against... Napoleon III in disguise all over. Vaux summarized that Hunt's designs were, "not American but the park was." Ironically, in 1898, a memorial was erected in Central Park to honor Richard Morris Hunt. The memorial is located on the eastern perimeter of the park and it was created by the same man who created the monument to Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial: Daniel Chester French. When he was alive, Hunt wanted to elevate the publics taste in design and the arts, but he was also flexible enough to meet them where they were. It was Richard Maurice Hunter who said, "The first thing you've got to remember is that it's your clients' money you're spending. Your goal is to achieve the best results by following their wishes. If they want you to build a house upside down standing on its chimney, it's up to you to do it." #OTD It was on this day in 1972 that the horticulture program at the Smithsonian Gardens was established by Sydney Dylan Ripley who was the secretary of the Smithsonian. An American ornithologist and conservationist, as a child Ripley had been inspired by the area around the Louvre in France. He had hoped to make the Smithsonian a bustling area with activities for visitors and tourists. The purpose for the establishment of the horticultural services division was to provide landscaping in and around the Smithsonian museums. In 2010, the horticultural program was renamed the Smithsonian Gardens to recognize the role that the gardens play in the visitor experience. Unearthed Words Here's a poem by Robert Frost called 'Lodged'. This is a short garden poem. In six little lines, Frost connects himself to the flowers in the flowerbed, pelted by wind and rain; yet through it all, managing to survive. The rain to the wind said, 'You push and I'll pelt.' They so smote the garden bed That the flowers actually knelt, And lay lodged--though not dead. I know how the flowers felt. Today's book recommendation: Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces by Michelle Slatalla Slatella's book was named "the best gift book for gardeners" by the New York Times book review. The book was put together by the team responsible for Gardenista and Remodelista. It's chockfull of hundreds of design tips and easy DIY's. It features 100 classic garden objects and a landscape primer with tips from the pros. It's a fantastic resource for folks hoping to get Garden Design 101 tips from the best and most creative in the business. Today's Garden Chore Check for overcrowding and overall areas of meh. Garden chores tend to get pushed aside this time of year. But it's worth spending a little time this week looking closely at the overall appearance of your beds, borders and containers. Take your camera with you to document what you see. If the beds are both crowded and unattractive, you'll probably need to do a bit of pruning and transplanting to whip those beds into shape for the remainder of the season. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart Today is National Avocado Day. Avocado is a fruit and it was originally called an alligator pear by Sir Hans Sloane in 1696. And, Guinness has the largest avocado recorded at 5 pounds 6 1/2 ounces. Don't forget that the skin of an avocado can be toxic to cats and dogs - but the flesh of an avocado is actually higher in potassium than bananas. Now, the next time the price of avocados gets you down, remember that avocados are harvested by hand. Pickers need to use a 16-foot pole to reach the hanging fruit. And, finally, here's a little fun fact about avocados: The conquistadors used avocado seeds to write. It turns out, the avocado seed produces a milky liquid that changes to the color red when exposed to air. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Have you tried growing Castor Bean? It's one of Michael Pollen's favorite plants. Check out the way he starts his article on the plant called, "Consider the Castor Bean" : "Pretty they are not, but a garden can labor under a surfeit "sur·fuht" of prettiness, be too sweet or cheerful for its own good. Sometimes what's needed in the garden is a hint of vegetal menace, of nature run tropically, luxuriantly amuck. For this I recommend the castor bean." While most of us have heard of castor oil (extracted by crushing and processing the seeds), growing the castor bean plant can be a new adventure for gardeners. The castor bean plant is the only member of the genus Ricinus communis and belongs to the spurge family. Unlike other members of the euphorbia family, castor bean does not have that milky latex sap, the sap of castor bean is watery. The giant, tropical leaves and peculiar seed pods make the plant an exotic addition to your garden. A native plant from Ethiopia, castor bean can grow to 40 feet tall when it can grow year round. For most gardeners who grow castor bean as an annual in a single season, castor bean will grow quickly and vigorously but it will only reach about 8-10 feet. If you grow castor bean, you need to be aware that the seeds are extremely poisonous. If you have kids around, keep plants out of reach and eliminate seeds altogether by cutting off the flowering spike. As you probably suspected from the latin name, the toxin in castor seeds is ricin (RYE-sin), one of the world's deadliest natural poisons. During the Cold War, the Bulgarian journalist, Georgi Markov, was killed when an umbrella rigged as a pellet rifle, shot a small BB into his leg as Markov stood in line at a bus stop. After he died in 1978, Scotland Yard investigated and found the BB; it was the size of a pinhead and it had been drilled with two holes producing an X-shaped cavity and the holes had been packed with ricin. The holes had been coated with a sugary substance which trapped the ricin inside the BB. The coating was designed to melt at body temperature, at which time the ricin was free to be absorbed into the bloodstream and kill him. Despite their unnerving history, castor beans are still good garden plants. They look beautiful with cannas, bananas and elephant ears for a tropical garden. They make a wonderful backdrop for grasses. And, they shine at the back of the flower border where they create a magnificent screen in no time. Castor Beans do best in full sun and they don't like wet feet - so plant them high and dry or in well drained locations. Brevities #OTD It's the birthday of Emily Brontë who was born on this day in 1818. Brontë wrote: Reason, indeed, may oft complain For Nature's sad reality, And tell the suffering heart, how vain Its cherished dreams must always be; And Truth may rudely trample down The flowers of Fancy, newly-blown. #OTD It's the birthday of Ellis Rowan, who was a well-known Australian artist and botanical illustrator, born on this day in 1848. In a 1994 newspaper article, Sarah Guest described Rowan this way: "She was an explorer. She set off alone at 68, for Papua New Guinea - who died in 1922. She dyed her hair red; had a face-lift; left her husband (the suggestion is that she was bored); was a member of one of Victoria's great pastoralist families; was a much-admired, prolific, technically proficient and joyous painter of plants and birds; and a conservationist she campaigned to stop the slaughter of birds for the decoration of ladies' hats... in her day she was known as "Australia's brilliant daughter" which, indeed, she was." Rowan discovered painting after her botanist husband. Frederick. encouraged her to develop a talent. Rowan developed her passion into her profession and it led her into unknown parts of Australia. During the first World war Rowan was living in New Guinea. At one point, she painted 45 of the 62 known species of birds of paradise. As a woman living during the mid-1800s, Rowan minded the dress code of her era. Wherever she went, whether on an exploration or back at home, she was always impeccably dressed; wearing heavy ankle length dresses, high collars with full sleeves - complete with crinolines, corsets, whalebone stays, and a hat. Just before Rowan died, the federal parliament in Australia debated whether to buy 1,000 of her paintings despite the Australian artist and novelist, Norman Lindsay, who called her work vulgar art. Lindsey didn't think wildflowers were worthy of subjects of real art. Ultimately, the paintings were purchased for $5000 . They are now part of Australia's national library. #OTD And it was on this day in 1901 that the General assembly of Arkansas selected the apple blossom as the floral emblem. This selection was not without controversy. The Floral Emblem Society, led by Mrs. Ed Barton, had supported the apple blossom. The Arkansas Federation of women's clubs wanted the passion flower. The disagreement between the two groups became known as the battle of the blooms. Barton became a one woman crusader for the apple blossom; writing articles and memos to newspapers - even personally mailing letters to affluent citizens. Whenever she mailed anything, she included a promotional pamphlet that she had created praising the apple blossom. In an ingenious move, she not only promoted the apple blossom, but she also dissed the passion flower; saying it was, "as pretty as a non-native of Arkansas", and saying that it would "grow anywhere the farmers hoe let it." Ouch. When the legislature was set to vote, Barton appeared at the capital wearing ... wait for it.... a bright apple red dress. And, she pulled a Martha Stewart and personally gifted every lawmaker with an apple and a note that said, "These are the results of our beautiful apple blossoms. But, what is the result of a passion flower? A dried shriveled pod." Indeed. Unearthed Words "Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." - Russel Baker "Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more?" - Bev Adams, Mountain Gardening Today's book recommendation: Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood by Martin Wood and Judith Tankard Gertrude Jekyll was one of the most influential garden designers of the early 20th century. This wonderful book explores her life and work at the home she created for herself at Munstead Wood in England. The book is a fantastic collection of all things Jekyll; her writings and photographs, as well as personal accounts from friends and acquaintances. Today's Garden Chore When you are done harvesting blackberries or boysenberries, it is time to do a little housekeeping. Cut this years fruit bearing canes back to the ground and tie up the new green canes to take their place. Once all the fruiting has finished, you can begin to trim back your blackberries and boysenberries. The canes that just produced the fruit will start to dry and become woody and brown. Now, is the time to cut them right back to the ground. While you're at it, cut back any diseased or damaged canes. Next, look for anything that is too long or out of control. Try to make your plants have a nice, pleasant form. Take the new canes and train them where you want them to go. Make sure to spread them out so that they get good airflow. Remember, taking the time to do this right now will make them easier to pick from next season Thornless varieties make the job of pruning blackberries and boysenberries much easier. Don't forget: The fruit grows on new wood. And be sure to remove all dead or broken limbs - and suckers as well. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart It was on this day in 1932 that Walt Disney premiered his first academy award winning animated cartoon. The short was called"Flowers and Trees" and it was the first cartoon to use technicolor. Flowers and Treeswas supposed to be a black-and-white cartoon, but Walt Disney decided it would make the perfect test film for the new technicolor process. The vivid colors of the natural world were the perfect subject for a technicolor production Meanwhile the Mickey Mouse short features were judged to be successful enough; they remained in black-and-white until 1935. Flowers and Treespremiered at the Chinese theater in Los Angeles on this day and won the Academy award for animated short subject. In the movie, the trees and flowers are anthropomorphized; they wake up at the beginning of the day and begin lifting their heads and stretching. In the short, a beautiful lady tree is wooed by suitor; while an evil old leafless tree attempts to steal her away. The two trees dual and when the old tree loses the battle, he sets the forest on fire. The plants in the natural world work together to put the fire out. The two trees end up happily together and they get engaged in the final seconds of the movie. The lady tree is presented a ring made from a curled up caterpillar. As the trees embrace, the bellflowers begin to play the wedding march and the other flowers dance around the hugging trees. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Do you have children or grandchildren? A Peter Rabbit Garden is a lovely idea for you to consider. Of course, Peter Rabbit is the creation of Beatrix Potter, who was a noted botanist and mycologist. (A mycologist studies fungi). Potter's garden was located at Hill Top Farm. In making your Peter Rabbit garden, you could add a little wooden fence or a little stone wall around the perimeter. Inside, use the herbs and perennials featured in the books: Herbs include: Mint, Chamomile, Lavender, Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Lemon Balm, and Tansy. Edibles include Lettuce, Beets, Radish, Rhubarb, Onions, and Strawberry Then add Pansies, Roses, and Pinks. Brevities #OTD On this day in 1810, Thomas Nuttal, just 24 years old, jumped in a birch bark canoe with Aaron Greely, the deputy surveyor of the territory of Michigan, and they paddled to Mackinac Island arriving two weeks later on August 12. Nuttal spent several days on Mackinac. He was the first true botanist to explore the flora of Michigan, and certainly of Mackinac Island. Nuttal immediately set about collecting and writing detailed accounts of the flora he discovered. He documented about sixty species - about twenty were previously unknown. One the new Mackinac discoveries was the dwarf lake iris (Iris lucustris), which became the state wildflower of Michigan. #OTD It's the birthday of Edith Coleman, an Australian naturalist and a prolific writer, who was born on this day in 1874. Until recently little was known about Coleman. The author, Danielle Claude wrote a book about Coleman called The Wasp and the Orchidwhich explored how Coleman went from being a housewife until the age of 48 and then transformed into one of Australia's leading naturalists. Coleman had a special appreciation for orchids. Beginning in January 1927 one of her daughters told her that she had seen a wasp entering the flower of the small tongue orchid backwards. The odd behavior was something both Coleman and her daughter would see repeatedly over the next few seasons. The behavior was is perplexing; especially after Coleman dissected the plants and discovered that they were male. Coleman continued to study their behavior and she finally discovered that the wasp was fertilizing the orchid. The orchid uses this stealth pollination strategy Called pseudo-copulation to trick the mail wasps into thinking they are meeting with a female wasp. By getting the males to enter the plant, the plant is able to be pollinated. Coleman became the first woman to be awarded the Australian natural history medallion. Coleman will forever be remembered for her groundbreaking discovery about orchid pollination #OTD And it's the anniversary of the death of Ryan Gainey the landscape designer extraordinaire who died on this day in 2016. Gaineydied trying to save his beloved Jack Russell terrier's jellybean Leo and baby Ruth from a fire at his home. Neither he nor his dogs survived. When I came to landscape design, Gainey was completely self-taught. In the wonderful documentary about his life called "The Well-Placed Weed: The Bountiful Life of Ryan Gainey." (btw I shared it in the FB group so check it out) In the documentary Gaineyasked the filmmaker, "I've had a wild life. Do you know why?" His reply was simple and 100% Gainey: "I created it." Gaineypurchased a home in Decatur Georgia that used to be the site of Holcomb Nursery. He removed many of the green houses behind his home but kept the low brick walls that had served as the foundation for the greenhouses. The result was that Gaineyinstantly had a series of garden rooms that he could decorate and design to his hearts content. Over the course of his career, Gaineybecame friends with other notable designers and gardeners like Rosemary Verey and Penelope Hobhouse. Gainey loved Verey; they had a special bond. He loved the Camellia japonica. Gaineys gardens looked effortless with things spilling over and nestled in a way that made them look like they had been in the garden for decades. It was Gainey who said, "Where lies the genius of man? It is the ability to control nature... but for one purpose only; and that is to create beauty." 148 days before Gaineypassed away, an enormous white oak fell over and crushed his house. Gainey considered the tree to be the soul of his life. #OTD It was on this day in 1931 that newspapers were reporting that Louis Schubert and August Rosenberg had the distinction of being the first recipients of a patent for a plant. The patent was conferred for the first ever-blooming rose, which they named "The New Dawn." The patentable feature was for its ever-blooming aspect. The new rose was described as identical with the Dr. Van Fleet climbing rose, except that instead of blooming once each year it bloomed successively like the ever-blooming tea roses. The plant patent act was signed by president Hoover May 23, 1930. The patent for New Dawn was assigned shortly after President Herbert Hoover signed the the bill. A plant patent gives the exclusive right to reproduce, use or sell an invention or discovery throughout the United States for a period of 17 years. Unearthed Words "Hot July brings cooling showers, Apricots and gillyflowers." - Sara Coleridge, Pretty Lessons in Verse "A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay. A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon. A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly." Today's book recommendation: The Education of A Gardener by Russell Page Russell Page is one of the legendary gardeners and landscapers of the twentieth century. First published in 1962, this book shares his charming anecdotes and timeless gardening advice. Today's Garden Chore Now is a great time to deal with your Iris. When your irises finish blooming, cut off the dead flower stalks; but not leaves. Iris use their swords, the green leaves, to nourish rhizomes for the following year. Since they are semi dormant, you can divide them now if necessary. Replant them as soon as possible and remember to cut off about two-thirds of the foliage to compensate for root loss. Simply cut the leaves in a fan shape and enjoy more iris next year. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart On this day, in 1951, the botanist Charles Clemon Deam replied to an inquiry about the honeysuckle. Deam wrote: "That [plant's] name is to me the same as a red flag to a bull. I cannot tell you in words how I regard this vine. Your question is does it propagate from seed. I do not believe it does. ... I have never heard a good word for it. . . . All that I can say affirmatively is that it is no good for anything." In concluding this condemnation of the honeysuckle he twice suggests that some of the new "insecticides" might kill it. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Have you tried to propagate roses through cutting? Maybe you want to pass along an old rose from a friend or simply make more of your own. You can take a cutting of your rose, which is also called a slip. When it comes to selecting the right stem, I look for a long, young shoot. These new shoots are about the diameter of a pencil and have grown from spots I have pruned earlier in the year – which is another benefit of pruning. Now these shoots are pretty easy to spot; they are usually a little lighter in color and they are super vigorous. Anyway, you want to cut one long shoot down low and then make your hardwood slips from that one long shoot. If you look at the long stem you just cut, you'll notice that, at the top, the stem is pliable; meaning you can bend it quite easily. But as you go further down the stem, you'll begin to notice that the soft, pliability goes away and all you're left with is what we call hardwood. That's where you will take your cuttings. From one long stem I can usually get three or four 5 to 7 inch cuttings. So, bottom line; Don't take your cutting from a stem that is bendable. Now when you make your slips, use something sharp – it can be a knife or a pruner. For the bottom of the cutting, cut straight across - right below a bud(where the leads to connect to the stem.) For the top of your slip, cut at an angle - right above a bud. Using those bud connection points as guides for cutting is important because this is where loads of non-determinant cells like to hang out. That means the plants can leverage them to make roots or shoots, depending on what it needs to do to survive. Pretty cool, huh? Then, I just strip the leaves off from the lower 4 inches of the stem, leaving just one or two leaf clusters at the tip. Then, I trim some of the bark from the bottom inch or so of the cutting; making it rather squarish (like a mint stem), and then I dip that into rooting powder. Finally, place the bottom 3-4 inches of the cutting into well drained potting soil in the ground and cut and cover the slip with a mason jar. Brevities #OTD It's the birthday of Roland Hallet Shumway who was born on this day in 1842. A pioneering seedsman out of Rockford, Illinois, Shumway always went by his initials of R.H. The RH Shumway Seed Company became the worlds largest mail-order seed company; their "Marketmore" seeds or especially popular. Famous Shumway Seed customers included Bing Crosby and Perry Como. When Shumway was 19, he enlisted in the army to serve in the Civil War. He contracted bronchitis and became totally deaf during his service. Once Shumway was asked how he would like to be remembered. He gave a three word response: Good Seeds Cheap. Shumway said that he wanted to make sure, "that good seeds were within the reach of the poorest planters" As with any venture, sweat equity drives success. Shumway said, "From the beginning of the new year, until after spring planting, my industrious employees work 16 hours a day, and myself and my family 18 or more hours per day. Are we not surely knights at labor? How can we do more? Do we not deserve the patronage of every planter in America ?" #OTD It's the 120th anniversary of the 14-week botanical expedition through Yellowstone led by the botanist Aven Nelson. Aven had hired a student named Leslie Goodding to be the chore boy for $10 per month. The group assembled at the University of Wyoming where Nelsen had been hired to teach. Leslie remembered the excitement on campus at the prospect of going on the trek, saying, "Some three or four months were to be spent in Yellowstone park collecting plants… Many students… were anxious to accompany Dr. Nelson on [the] expedition, and were willing to work for nothing just to see the Park… This was in the days when autos were much like hen's teeth and trips through the Park by stage were expensive." (Note: The euphemism "hen's teeth" refers to something being exceptionally rare; since hens have no teeth, it implies that something is so scarce it is virtually nonexistent. So, during the time of this expedition – no vehicles.) In addition to Leslie, another botany student named Elias Nelsen, (no relation to Aven), joined the group. Anyway, on this day in 1899, Leslie and Elias, had gone collecting near an area called Artist Paint Pots; it's a dangerous area with over 50 springs, geysers, vents and mud pots. Geothermal features are some of the most dangerous natural features in Yellowstone, but people often fail to realize that fact. To this day, park rangers rescue one or two visitors, who fall from boardwalks or wander off designated paths and punch their feet through thin earthen crust into boiling water. Yet, drawn by curiosity, Elias ignored the warning signs and went off the path. Suddenly, he found himself with one leg sunk into boiling hot mud. He managed to free himself and Aven's wife did what she could with soda and flour to bandage his wounds, and the doc at the nearest town recommend Elias return home for treatment. Despite the challenges posed by Yellowstone, Aven Nelsen and his team collected roughly 30,000 specimens although only about 500 species were represented. Nelson had purposely gathered 20 -30 duplicates per species because he correctly assumed that institutions and collectors would want specimens from Yellowstone. Today, Nelson is remembered as the Father of Wyoming Botany, but his greatest legacy is the Rocky Mountain Herbarium created from Nelson's collection of Yellowstone plants. Unearthed Words Here's a few verses about July from a poem by Ruth Pitter called The Diehards from her wonderful book called "The Rude Potato." "We go in withering July To ply the hard incessant hoe; Panting beneath the brazen sky We sweat and grumble, but we go." Today's book recommendation: The Rude Potato by Ruth Pitter As a gardener herself, Ruth had a personal knowledge of flowers. She loved gardening and she wrote her poetry when she finished her chores and her gardening. The Rude Potato is a very witty entertaining collection of poems about gardens and gardeners. Today's Garden Chore How to Garden through the dog days of summer by working early and staying cool. For many of us, the dog days of summer can be a time when we take a break from gardening. To avoid the high temps, potential sunburn, and bug bites, I go out in the morning, work for no more than a two hour stint and wrap up no later than 10am. For self-care, I set up a sports umbrella for shade and I bring a large fan around with me to stay cool. The fan also keeps the bugs at bay; mosquitos especially are not good fliers. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart #OTD Today is the birthday of Winthrop Mackworth Praed - Praed was an English writer and politician remembered for his humorous verse. He wrote, "I remember, I remember how my childhood fleeted by. The mirth of its December, and the warmth of its July." Praed's home had a fine grove. He had an orangery and beautiful grounds overlooking a harbor. Praed tragically died at 37 from tuberculosis. For many years, his fans enjoyed this little story about him: "A man want to a bookshop and asked, "Have you Browning?" And the clerk replied, "No we cant sell him. People say they can't understand him." Then the customer asked, "Have you Praed?" And the clerk said, "Yes, we've prayed and we can't understand him. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
Are you growing Cleome? My daughter just had her senior pictures taken and I took some cuttings from the garden for her to hold during her photo shoot. For one of the pictures, I had her hold just one large white blossom in her hands. It looked like a giant puffball and it had a very etherial quality about it Cleome is beautiful - but it is also sticky - so keep that in mind if you handle it. I know some gardeners have no trouble sowing cleome directly into their gardens, but some gardeners complain that it can be an inconsistent germinater. I like to sow cleome right now since the seeds like strong light to get going. Sometimes cleome can benefit from staking - so keep that in mind as well. And, if you are planning a cutting garden, it is hard to beat cleome. The blooms are a show-stealer in any arrangement. Brevities #OTD The Botanic garden at Oxford, also known as the Physic Garden, was founded on this day in 1632. The garden is the oldest in England. When the garden was founded,the ground where the garden stands had been raised to protect it from floods. During the founding ceremony, dignitaries of the University walked in a procession from St. Mary's church to the garden. Mr. Edward Dawson, a physician, and Dr. Clayton, the Regius Professor of Medicine, each gave a speech and a stone was placed in the garden gateway by the Vice-Chancellor himself. #OTD Today is the birthday of William Forsyth who was born on this day in 1804. Forsyth was a Scottish botanist. He trained as a gardener at the Physic Garden and was an apprentice to Philip Miller, the chief gardener. In 1771, Forsyth himself took over the chief gardening position. Three years later, he built one of the very first rock gardens with over 40 tons of stone collected from the land around the Tower of London and even some pieces of lava imported from Iceland. The effort was noted for posterity, the garden was a bust. Forsyth was also the founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society. The genus, Forsythia, is named in his honor. #OTD The English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge died on this day in 1834. Along with his friend, William Wordsworth, he helped found the Romantic Movement in England and was a member of a group called the Lake Poets. In his poem called Youth and Age, Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote, "Flowers are lovely; Love is flower-like; Friendship is a sheltering tree;" #OTD On this day in 1938, Canadian Naturalist Charles Joseph Sauriol ("Sar-ee-all") wrote about sharing his garden with a toad. He wrote, "One particular toad has taken quite a fancy to the Wild Flower garden. His den is alongside the Hepatica plant. There he sits half buried, and blinks up at me while I shower water on him." Unearthed Words Here are a few English proverbs about July: "If the first of July be rainy weather, It will rain, more of less, for four weeks together." "The glowing Ruby should adorn Those who in warm July are born, Then will they be exempt and free From love's doubt and anxiety." Today's book recommendation: The Fragrant Path by Louise Beebe Wilder This is a wonderful guide to the cultivation of scented flowers. The newly revised edition includes modern varieties as well. The late Louise Beebe Wilder is that rare figure, a garden writer from another era (she was born in 1878). Her books continue to be published because they are so charming and contain a wealth of horticultural knowledge. Today's Garden Chore Go to a local farmers market - not for the produce - for the knowledge. The growers at the farmer's market have an expertise about growing that is often an untapped resource. Plus, the growers are so generous with Information. It's always a pleasure to talk to someone who has first-hand knowledge about growing plants. Something Sweet Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart Today in 1874, the The Opelousas Courier shared a wonderful story called "A Case of Floral Offerings." The story was from Berlin, it told of an actress who was playing the role of a female Hamlet. She wanted to have bouquets and wreaths thrown to her at the end of her performance. When a man told her that the flowers would cost $20, the actress said that it was too much for one night. But, the gentleman had an idea. He said, twenty dollars would be sufficient for two nights. And he explained how it would work. He said, "Today, I and my men, will throw the bouquets to you from the first tier. After the performance is over, I shall take the flowers home with me in a basket [and] put them in water... Tomorrow night [we will toss them at your feet again]. No one in the audience will know that the bouquets have been used before." The actress liked to the man's ingenious plan and paid the sum he had demanded. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."
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