Fwd: Dave's Garden Weekly Newsletter for March 23, 2009

[Guest guest]

Lovely article on The Secret Garden, and interesting info on Magnesium.....

 

Cyndi

 

 

 

 

 

adminTo: cyndikrallSent: 3/22/2009 11:50:01 P.M. Pacific Daylight TimeSubj: Dave & apos;s Garden Weekly Newsletter for March 23, 2009

 

Welcome to the Dave's Garden Newsletter for March 23, 2009Gratitude is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul. -- Henry Ward (Harry) Beecher, American clergyman (born 6/24/1813)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant of the Week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffalo RoseCallirhoe involucrata The native mallow Callirhoe involucrata is best known as "wine cups." The magenta (and occasionally pink and white) blooms are chalice-shaped and appear from mid-summer to frost on this trailing groundcover plant. It is drought-tolerant and easy to grow, even in poor clayey soil. It looks great tumbling over a rock wall or covering a slope. In the wild, it is found in craggy, open fields and glades as far north as the Dakotas and and Wyoming, and south to Texas and Utah.Unlike most drought-tolerant plants, the deeply lobed leaves are a blue-green, rather than the more common silver or gray color associated with xeriscape plants. Rabbits tend to nibble on wine cups, but they are not a favorite of deer. If you try growing it from seed, your germination results will be better if the seed is first scarified or nicked. » Read more about this plant

Type of plant: PerennialsBloom color: Magenta (Pink-Purple)Bloom time of year: Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early FallSun requirements: Full SunCold hardiness: Zone 3a to Zone 9bHeight: 6-12 in. (15-30 cm)Spacing: 15-18 in. (38-45 cm)

 

 

 

This Week's ArticlesMonday, March 23, 2009

 

 

 

 

Understanding Grafted Ornamental TreesBy Toni Leland (tonileland)Today's garden centers are filled with a fascinating and beautiful array of ornamental trees that have been manipulated to weep, or curl, or do other things that, in their natural state, they would not. In early spring, neighborhoods filled with weeping cherry and ornamental crab-apple trees provide a breathtaking display of spring beauty. Understanding the process of grafting and the problems it can produce are key to using these specimens in the landscape.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret Garden . . . what did it REALLY look like?By Carrie Lamont (carrielamont)The Secret Garden - what did it really look like? If you've read the book, you remember the bricked-up secret garden which came to life when tended by Mary Lennox. If you haven't, perhaps I can convince you to pick up a copy somewhere and read it! Although it's a children's book, it has captivated the hearts of gardeners for generations. Here are some photographs of what the adult in me thinks the flowers in Mary's Secret Garden might have looked like.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Starting water lotus from seedBy Susanne Talbert (art_n_garden)What could be more beautiful than a blooming water lotus above a tranquil pond? Although water lotus plants can sometimes be hard to come by, they are not impossible to start from seed. Why not take on the challenge of starting one from seed this spring?Continue reading » Sunday, March 22, 2009

 

 

 

 

Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) - my garden inspirationBy Jan Recchio (grampapa)Trained artist, accomplished craftswoman, garden designer, turn-of-the-century garden author, avid gardener...this, and much more, was Gertrude Jekyll. Her garden writings are as valid today as they were 100 years ago.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to the Furcraeas, the giant Agave Look-alikesBy Geoff Stein (palmbob)Furcraeas are Agave relatives that look like large, trunking Agaves. This article is an introduction to this interesting and ornamental genus.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

The Ornamental Dwarf SpeedwellsBy Todd Boland (Todd_Boland)While many gardeners are familiar with the taller speedwells, they may have had limited exposure to the dwarf species. There are, in fact, a host of dwarf, mat-like or creeping speedwells that can be used in a variety of garden situations. This article will introduce you to the more popular species.Continue reading » Saturday, March 21, 2009

 

 

 

 

Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden!By Darius Van d'Rhys (darius)Yesterday, Friday March 20, 2009 was an historic day for all gardeners, but particularly for the vegetable and fruit gardeners. For the first time since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden at the White House in 1943, there will once again be a vegetable garden at the White House. A number of 5th-grade students joined First Lady Michelle Obama on Friday, March 20, 2009 to break ground on an 1100 square foot garden on the South Lawn at the White House.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

You Supply The Caption - Gardening Fun :)By Dea O'Hopp (Dea)"You Supply The Caption" photo is a fun opportunity for Readers. A gardening related photo will be presented, and you, the Readers, will provide humorous captions. The wit available on Dave's Garden is some of the best around, so please join in the fun! This feature is not a "for compensation" article - just a way of saying Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy...now let's hear some funny stuff!Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy garden and nature books, but save some money for the plantsBy Sally G. Miller (sallyg)I'd love to own a room full of garden and nature books, but if I bought them all new, I'd have no money left to buy any plants.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Schisandra: Bay Star VineBy Jacqueline Cross (libellule)Schisandra are shade loving, flowering vines with beautiful glossy green foliage that are native to the southeastern U.S. They are sweetly scented and deserving of a spot in your garden.Continue reading » Friday, March 20, 2009

 

 

 

 

Arsenic and Old Ferns - Home Phytoremediation!By LariAnn Garner (LariAnn)Pressure-treated wood seems the perfect solution for outdoor wood construction such as decks and sheds. However, until relatively recently, the pressure treating process involved arsenic, a poison that is able to leach out of the wood and into the soil around the wood structure. If you have old pressure-treated structures on your property, or have had them, you'll want to read this article . . .Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

The Vernal Equinox: the Spring New YearBy Lois Tilton (LTilton)Happy New Year! According to many of our ancestors and some cultures today, the new year begins on the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring.Continue reading » Thursday, March 19, 2009

 

 

 

 

Introduction to the Modern Library Gardening SeriesBy Benjamin Hill (BennysPlace)Should there be more to a gardening book than the expected “how to†or quick reference? Absolutely! Our garden library should be as vast and varied as the garden itself.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Frogs in Flower Arranging – What’s the Point?By Jill M. Nicolaus (critterologist)At a recent craft show, I noticed a lot of pottery vendors selling “Ichi ban†vases and bowls with built in “frogs" for flower arranging. No, these frogs weren’t little green amphibians, they were sets of little metal spines to hold flower stems upright. If you love bringing in a few blooms, a frog could be your new best friend!Continue reading » Wednesday, March 18, 2009

 

 

 

 

Magnesium: Essential for a plant’s health, and oursBy Darius Van d'Rhys (darius)Magnesium is at the core of the chlorophyll molecule, and an essential ingredient for healthy plants, and the animals (including humans) that eat those plants. All living organisms depend on magnesium in all types of cells, body tissues and organs for a variety of functions. Magnesium in human and animal bodies is important in regulating muscle and nerve functions, and half the magnesium in humans is found in our bones.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Henry MitchellBy Marie Harrison (can2grow)Henry Mitchell is my favorite author of gardening books. His books stay on the table beside my favorite chair ready to pick up and read whenever I tire of working in the garden or writing about it. Every time I read a bit from his books, I am delighted. His opinionated gardening tales are not only informative and entertaining, but they capture the very essence of what gardening is all about.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

Plant Select's new book: A resource for all gardenersBy Susanne Talbert (art_n_garden)During March, the writer's group at Dave's is penning articles about their favorite gardening book series and authors. I don't really have a particular series or author that I sway toward, but I do have a favorite organization that everyone should know about. They recently came out with a new book chronicling 25 years of hard work in the gardening industry. Plant Select's new book is a must-read for anyone that is struggling to find plants or resources on tough plants. Moreover, every gardener should support organizations like Plant Select, which lead to better, stronger, and more resilient plants for our gardens.Continue reading » Tuesday, March 17, 2009

 

 

 

 

Wood Sorrel: Lucky ShamrockBy Sharon Brown (Sharran)I spent half my life looking for shamrocks. Not four leafed clovers, mind you, but shamrocks. I was taught they were lucky, they would keep snakes away, and they were the plant of my Irish/Celt ancestors. Of course everything I ever did was blamed on ancestors, but I am sure if the truth be known, my genetic structure is linked to every tribe and clan that ever existed.Continue reading »

 

 

 

 

 

How peculiar: Green cultivarsBy Susanne Talbert (art_n_garden)Olive green, lime green, chartreuse, Kelly green…some of the many wonderful shades of green that can grace our gardens. If you love green, you might want to check out these enviously green cultivars of your favorite flowering florae.Continue reading »

Bloom.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 17, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speedwell 'Sunny Border Blue'(Veronica ) Type of plant: PerennialsBloom color: Blue-VioletBloom time of year: Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early FallSun requirements: Full SunCold hardiness: Zone 3b to Zone 8bHeight: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm)Submitted by DebinSC on June 23, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 18, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daylily 'Bird Talk'(Hemerocallis ) Bloom color: Pale Pink, Violet/Lavender, Cream/Tan, Silver/GraySun requirements: Full Sun, Sun to Partial ShadeCold hardiness: Zone 4a to Zone 11Height: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)Spacing: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm), 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)Submitted by Calif_Sue on July 9, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 19, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angelica 'Purpurea'(Angelica stricta) Type of plant: PerennialsBloom color: Violet/LavenderBloom time of year: Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid SummerSun requirements: Full Sun, Sun to Partial ShadeCold hardiness: Zone 5a to Zone 8bHeight: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)Spacing: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)Submitted by Calif_Sue on July 18, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 20, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Napiergrass 'Princess'(Pennisetum purpureum) Type of plant: Annuals, Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo, Tropicals and Tender PerennialsBloom color: Red, Purple, Dark Purple/Black, Maroon (Purple-Brown)Bloom time of year: Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid FallSun requirements: Full Sun, Sun to Partial ShadeCold hardiness: Zone 8a to Zone 10bHeight: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm), 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)Spacing: 15-18 in. (38-45 cm)Submitted by pennefeather on July 20, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 21, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fan Flower 'Blue Wonder'(Scaevola aemula) Type of plant: Annuals, Tropicals and Tender PerennialsBloom color: Blue-VioletBloom time of year: Blooms all yearSun requirements: Full SunCold hardiness: Zone 9a to Zone 11Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)Spacing: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)Submitted by Calif_Sue on July 19, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 22, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Cosmos(Cosmos bipinnatus) Type of plant: AnnualsBloom color: Pink, Red, White/Near WhiteBloom time of year: Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid FallSun requirements: Full SunCold hardiness: Not ApplicableHeight: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm), 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)Spacing: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)Submitted by Calif_Sue on July 28, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bloom of the day for March 23, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oriental-Trumpet Lily 'Candy Club'(Lilium ) Bloom time of year: Mid SummerSun requirements: Full Sun, Sun to Partial ShadeCold hardiness: Zone 5a to Zone 8aHeight: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)Submitted by ladygardener1 on July 29, 2008

 

Forum ActivityA grand total of 25,122 posts were made during the past week:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forum

Posts

 

Northeast Gardening

1,872 posts

 

PlantFiles Pictures

1,153 posts

 

Games

831 posts

 

Southwest Gardening

803 posts

 

Bird Watching

769 posts

 

Poultry and Livestock

745 posts

 

Plant and Tree Identification

705 posts

 

Daylilies

667 posts

 

Texas Gardening

604 posts

 

Florida Gardening

577 posts

 

Australian Gardening

566 posts

 

Pets

563 posts

 

Rocky Mountain Gardening

530 posts

 

Pacific Northwest Gardening

476 posts

 

African Violets and Gesneriads

448 posts

 

Group Trades, Swaps and Round Robins

447 posts

 

Mid-South Gardening

441 posts

 

California Gardening

428 posts

 

Irises

380 posts

 

Self-contained Box Gardens

353 posts

 

Morning Glories

337 posts

 

Photos

317 posts

 

Sewing and Quilting

314 posts

 

Cut Flowers and Floral Design

286 posts

 

Vegetable Gardening

249 posts

 

Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening

248 posts

 

Homesteading

246 posts

 

Clematis

238 posts

 

Mid-Atlantic Gardening

235 posts

 

Water Gardens

230 posts

 

Beginner Gardening Questions

228 posts

 

Ohio River Valley Gardening

224 posts

 

Cacti and Succulents

224 posts

 

Bulbs

222 posts

 

Recipes

212 posts

 

Hostas

207 posts

 

Tropical Zone Gardening

188 posts

 

Coleus

188 posts

 

Pottery, Clay and Ceramics

187 posts

 

Peonies

181 posts

 

Seed Germination

176 posts

 

Orchids

174 posts

 

Greenhouse

171 posts

 

Roses

171 posts

 

Hoyas

168 posts

 

Cottage Gardening

164 posts

 

Weather

160 posts

 

Tomatoes

155 posts

 

Winter Sowing

153 posts

 

Seed Trading

152 posts

 

Brugmansias

151 posts

 

Equine Forum

145 posts

 

Carolina Gardening

142 posts

 

Trash to Treasure

136 posts

 

Books, Movies, and TV

129 posts

 

Plant Trading

120 posts

 

Wildlife

119 posts

 

Beginner Vegetables

118 posts

 

Trees, Shrubs and Conifers

117 posts

 

Michigan Gardening

116 posts

 

Perennials

116 posts

 

Canadian Gardening

116 posts

 

Tropical Plants

113 posts

 

Propagation

113 posts

 

BirdFiles Pictures

110 posts

 

Georgia Gardening

105 posts

 

Healthy Living

101 posts

 

Herbs

101 posts

 

Jokes & Humor

99 posts

 

Garden Talk

98 posts

 

Market Growers

98 posts

 

Soil and Composting

97 posts

 

Container Gardening

96 posts

 

Amaryllis and Hippeastrums

89 posts

 

Vines and Climbers

89 posts

 

Strawbale Gardening

88 posts

 

Lilies

88 posts

 

Crafts and Decorating

82 posts

 

Dahlias

76 posts

 

Voting Booth

75 posts

 

Peppers

72 posts

 

Japanese Maples

68 posts

 

Orchid Cactus

66 posts

 

Happy Birthday

66 posts

 

Farm Life

59 posts

 

Computer Talk

58 posts

 

Shady Gardens

57 posts

 

Bird Identification

57 posts

 

Hibiscus

57 posts

 

Fragrant Gardening

54 posts

 

Beginner Landscaping

51 posts

 

Beginner Houseplants

51 posts

 

Clean and Clutter-free

48 posts

 

Beginner Flowers

44 posts

 

Fruits and Nuts

44 posts

 

Insect and Spider Identification

42 posts

 

Aroids

42 posts

 

Ornamental Gourds

39 posts

 

Mosaics and Stained Glass

36 posts

 

Carnivorous Plants

36 posts

 

Central Midwest Gardening

36 posts

 

Ferns, Fungi and Mosses

35 posts

 

Hydrangeas

34 posts

 

Organic Gardening

33 posts

 

Frugal Living

33 posts

 

Cooking

32 posts

 

Garden Design

31 posts

 

Needle Arts

27 posts

 

Garden Art

27 posts

 

Native Plants and Wild Plants

25 posts

 

Bromeliads

24 posts

 

Hypertufa and Concrete

24 posts

 

Upper Midwest Gardening

23 posts

 

Indoor Gardening and Houseplants

22 posts

 

Vermicomposting

21 posts

 

Garden Pests and Diseases

20 posts

 

Gladiolas

20 posts

 

Home Decorating

19 posts

 

Beekeeping

19 posts

 

Sustainable Alternatives

19 posts

 

Gardening History

19 posts

 

Palms and Cycads

19 posts

 

Rocks, Minerals and Gems

18 posts

 

Caudiciforms

18 posts

 

Heucheras and Friends

18 posts

 

BugFiles Pictures

17 posts

 

Passifloras

17 posts

 

Wildlife Gardening

17 posts

 

Antiques and Collectibles

16 posts

 

Rhododendrons and Relatives

16 posts

 

Tropical Fruits

15 posts

 

Cameras and Photography

15 posts

 

Vacations and Travel

15 posts

 

Bloom.com Photos

14 posts

 

Tiny Gardens

13 posts

 

Cannas

12 posts

 

Swaps, Trades and Giveaways

12 posts

 

Construction Zone: building, remodeling, additions

12 posts

 

Soap and Candle-making

12 posts

 

Test

12 posts

 

Poppies

11 posts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From a friend of DG:

 

 

 

Our friends at preen are running an interesting looking sweepstakes. One person will win $2,500. Three people will win $500 and a hundred people will win $10 gift cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Summary

 

 

 

1,922 new members signed up during the last week, bringing our total number of members to 431,064. We have 7,716 paid rs. Forums:25,122 posts PlantFiles:188 plants were added136 comments were posted1,050 pictures were posted BirdFiles:7 bird were added11 comments were posted77 pictures were posted BugFiles:2 bug were added8 comments were posted16 pictures were posted Garden Watchdog:28 companies were added191 reviews were posted Go Gardening:25 companies were added7 reviews were posted Garden Bookworm:1 book was added0 book reviews were posted

 

 

Un by logging in to Dave's Garden, click on "My Info", then "Preferences", then "Newsletter". A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!