The Cotton-Arbo retum

2009-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Last week, two lovely photographers were shooting here from Fine Gardening magazine.
A photo of our blue gate is now being offered as a wallpaper choice for your pc, via Fine Gardening's enewsletter. Here are the links for it:
link for enewsletter:
http://bit.ly/dhlBY
image of garden gate:
http://www.finegardening.com/design/wallpaper/garden-gate.aspx
how to make image your wallpaper:
http://www.finegardening.com/plants/wallpaper.aspx

It's a little hard to see the quote above the gate, but it reads, "We Draw Close To Ourselves Those Things That we Love".

2009-08-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

The Terrible Hot Humid Days of Late Summer
or
Welcome to the JONNgul!!

One of my gardening idols, the amazing Pam Frost of Vancouver B.C.,whose English style borders are surely some of the best in the world, has an expression for this time in the garden. It is "blousey". I couldn't agree with her more. She hates this time so much that she forbids garden visitors or tours during August. I can sympathize with her feeling but we are much more 'warts and all' garden sharers.
Nevertheless, from my hermitted AC window, I can see the jungle and the many plants that have come to resemble "The Plant That Ate Chicago" ( a tip of the hat to Bill Cosby and his "Chicken Heart" from my childhood.)

On the unfortunately rare occasion when the temperatures drop below scalding or it rains( in August? Not.)here's what I see ( so much is blooming now!! ):

Vines:
Clematis: we grow about 35 varieties. I am particularly fond of the small bell shaped flowers of clem. tangutica and viticella, particularly the deep saturated wine of Gravetye Beauty and the longest blooming deep two tone pink of Princess Diana.
They are rambling over obelisks, conifers, barberries, and perennials. After the agony of their 2-4 years of settling in, it is a great joy to see them so floriferous.
Of our 7 varieties of lonicera, Heckrottii is still blaring away with its pink and apricot trumpets.This year our most exciting new vine is a variegated lonicera (not the also beloved pale yellow one w/ fine green veining) whose boldly variegated gold and green leaves exactly resemble those of Hydrangea vine Miranda. The Blue Sky passion flowers are happily covering the entry arbor.

Perennials :
Rudbeckias- a great new introduction this year( such a relief from the usual gaudy but still useful taxi yellow), is Cherry Brandy , a handsome two tone dark red with black cone center. Also Blue Lobelia, Eupatorium Gateway and Little Joe, Kirengeshoma, Monarda Mahogany,Echinacea, Nepeta Siberica,Spigellia Marylandica, Boehmeria varieg,Miscanthus Silene (my fav. of the pink plumers) , Pennisetum Rubrum, Gaura, Platycodon, Aconitum, Veronicastrum,Persicaria Taurus and Golden Arrow, Agastache Black Adder and Limerock ,Phlox (at last) , and, of course, the longest blooming perennials here- Geranium Rozanne/Jolly Bee and Corydalis Lutea. Various variegated and golden leaved Tricyrtis - have just begun, and my #1 perennial plant, Persicaria Lance Corporal, is just about to burst forth with his great long dark pink pokers. Our 30 + daylily varieties are near finishing, as are the various Ligularia and Filipendula. The very tall Fallopia variegata and Persicaria polymorpha continue their eye catching partnership with the other giants- Heliopsis Lemon Queen, Eupatorium Gateway , Heliopsis Prairie Sunset, and Rudbeckia Herbstsonne.

Shrubs:
So many hydrangeas! Quick Fire is a nice new addition.Our favorite quercifolia, the double flowered Snowflake, is just ending its white phase and heading toward rose . The large but dainty bright white flowers of Hydr.Kyushu- are a welcome relief in their many surroundings of green. Pink Clethra and Hibiscus Blue Bird partner well with various golden conifers.

Trees:
Its large dusky purple cones cause Abies Koreana Aurea to draw comment more than any other of our many conifers.

Robinia Frisia is all shocking golden glory, followed by Acers Negundo Kelly's Gold and Winter Lightning, Ptelia and a fastigiate golden beech. Heptacodium are budded up and waiting to burst pink in September. We have added 6 new Japanese Maples to our collection of now-45 varieties.

The gardens are at their fullest and tallest; the garden rooms their most hidden.
"Blousy" is the operative adjective now but "Welcome" is still the operative expression!

2009-08-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

Our 22 year old "Cotton-Arbo retum" is 1/2 acre of intensely planted garden rooms, linked by a series of sunken paths, ponds and waterfalls. Foliage guides the aesthetic, with great emphasis on Japanese maples, conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs. Herbaceous peonies and non-bearded iris have a strong presence in the perennials, accompanied by other perennials, vines and ornamental grasses with particular foliage appeal. The repetition of yellow foliage and purple foliage is everpresent to keep the eye engaged. The Cotton-Arbo retum is open free to the public, sunrise to sunset, daily, May through October.
597 Washington St. 01890

Take the Montvale Ave. exit off Rt. 93 (1 exit south of the 93/128 intersection.)Go west one block to the lights at Washington St.Turn left and go 0.6 miles .Turn left on Sunset Rd. and park. Walk back to Washington St., turn left and enter the gardens through the driveway only.

(handout at entrance):
WELCOME TO THE COTTON-ARBO RETUM

We moved to Winchester and began this garden 22 years ago. Aside from an evergreen hedge, and various mature maples and conifers, nothing that you now see - was here.
There were no fences and the back of our property was a wild woodland of junk trees and scrub. We began our landscape design by laying out garden beds that were visible from key viewpoints in our house. As new gardeners, our interest was in perennial plants, particularly peonies , siberian iris and daylilies. Our property had a variety of sun and shade situations and we dove into researching the vast world of Zone 5 -hardy perennials. We joined the Mass.Horticultural Society and The Garden Conservancy, subscribed to Horticulture and Fine Gardening magazines, attended many classes and workshops, and visited as many gardens as possible. And we learned volumes from garden owners, teachers, classmates and vendors.

After three years of intense garden development, our gardens were awarded the "Best in Show" prize in an amateur gardeners competition sponsored by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and Boston Magazine. For our prize, we were sent to Holland, where, at Trompenberg, we discovered the wonderful world of conifers. This life-changing experience took us out of our perennials focus and raised our vision, literally and figuratively, so that we began to emphasize the 'bones’ of our gardens- with conifers, shrubs and trees. Visiting private and public arboreta and gardens in New England, the Pacific Northwest and England- we further developed our passion for these plants, particularly for Japanese maples, dwarf conifers and variegated trees and shrubs.Ever aware of the peaceful influence of running water in the garden, we put in a number of fountains and built a series of waterfall/ponds- to mask the traffic noise and provide some quiet sitting spots. Over the years, various pieces of garden art, quirky, beautiful or funny, have found their way in and taken up residence.

If this is your first visit, you will be surprised how different the gardens look from one week to the next. In the spring, perennials are short, there are many empty spots, and the gardens have a much more open feeling. You can see from one area to the next. In the summer, plants grow taller and fill in so that the various gardens become their own ’garden rooms’. Fences disappear and flowering vines ramble over railings,walls and obelisks. By September, the plants are at their tallest,highlighted by the many ornamental grasses.

Things we hope you will notice: The role of purple foliage , yellow foliage and variegated foliage in keeping your eyes entertained; The role of varying heights in a garden bed; The role of hidden elements and glimpses of vistas - in drawing you into the various garden areas; The role of water elements; The roles of garden art and architecture. We are so glad you have come to share our gardens. Please bring friends and come back often. **And remember- When you see a gate, open it and explore!!**

August 2009
The Way To Have What We Want Is To Share What We Have

THE COTTON-ARBO RETUM WOULD LIKE TO THANK
THE FOLLOWING VENDORS AND FRIENDS FOR OUR PLANTS:

Massachusetts:
Mahoney’s Rocky Ledge,Winchester,Ma.
Tranquil Lake Nursery, Rehoboth
Stonegate Gardens,Lincoln
Katsura Gardens ,Plymouth
Cavicchio Greenhouses, Sudbury
Allen Haskell , New Bedford
Seawright Gardens, Carlisle

Leo Blanchette, Carlisle
Sylvan Nurseries, South Dartmouth
Avant Gardens, South Dartmouth
Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton
Newbury Perennials, Newbury
Russell’s Garden Center, Sudbury
Corliss Brothers Nursery, Ipswich
Garden in the Woods, Framingham
Longhill , Ipswich
The Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain
New England Nursery, Bedford
Northeast Nursery,Peabody
Completely Clematis, Ipswich
Lexington Gardens, Lexington
Doran’s Greenhouses,Lexington
Windy-Lo, Wayland
Betsy Ewing, Bonnie Brown, Judy Brain, Byron Getchell,
Carolyn Ward, Mary MacIntosh, Thalia Avila,Susan Dumaine,Mrs.Stanford Durand
Sue Webel, Wendy Coughlin, George Lotkin, Marie Tulin

New England:
Lake Street Garden Center, Salem,N.H.
Broken Arrow Nursery, Hamden,Ct.
Oliver’s, Fairfield,Ct.
Variegated Plants Nursery,Eastford,Ct.
Twombly's,Monroe, Ct.
Perennials by Susan, Amherst,N.H.
Rocky Dale Gardens, Bristol, Vt.
Cady’s Falls Nursery, Cady’s Falls, Vt.

Mail-Order:
Heronswood Nursery ,
ForestFarm, Greer Gardens, Gossler’s
Plant Delights Nursery , Fairweather Gardens , Collector’s Nursery, Ferncliffe Gardens
Kurt Bloemel ,Carroll Gardens, Roslyn Nursery, Big Dipper Nursery, Klehm’s ,
Karchovsky Cannas ,Avant Gardens, Joy Creek Nursery,Lazy S, Garden Crossings,
Scheeper’s, Van Bourgondien, Van Engelen

A VERY PARTIAL LIST(needs updating!) OF OUR FAVORITE Z.5-HARDY DECIDUOUS SHRUBS- AND THEIR SPECIAL VALUE

VIBURNUM SARGENTII ‘ONONDAGA’ lg. Shrub, wonderful maroon bracts and maroon tinged spring foliage
VIB PLICATUM VAR. TOMENTOSUM SHASTA layered branches,lg wh. flat flower heads
and SHOSHONE (like small Shasta)
VIB. SUMMER SNOWFLAKE blooms all summer, flat white flower heads
V.DILITATUM ERIE and IROQUOIS
V. PINK DAWN v. early small pink blooms

CORNUS: all are large shrubs except the mini
C. ALBA AUREO MARGINATA VARIEGATA- great bold med dk gn leaves w/ bold wide white edges
CORNUS MIDWINTER FLAME stems coral to flame in winter; fall fol. Color warm yellow/suffused w/ coral
CORNUS AUREA yellow summer foliage
C. GOUTCHALTII med dk gn leaves w/ wide bold yellow edge
CORNUS MINI VARIEG like alba aureo marg. var. but small- 2’globe.

CLERODENDRUM TRICHOTOMUM VARIEG. lg. shrub,
lg. heart shaped med gn. leaves w/ clean yellow edge, stay on late in fall.
Dies to ground and sprouts anew every yr.

DAPHNE X BURKWOODII CAROL MACKIE small shrub, small dark gn lves w/ cream edge, sweet smelling spring pink bell flowers

DEUTZIA GRACILIS NIKKO small compact shrub
covered w/dainty white spring bells
ELEAGNUS UMBELLATA -lgshrub, silver foliage

FORSYTHIA x INTERMEDIA AUREA- small fountain of small bright yellow foliage through season
F. KUMSON - med.gn.foliage w/ strong white veining

BERBERIS HELMOND’S PILLAR - small ( to 4’hx12"w) columnar , burgundy foliage
B. RUBY GLOW - burgundy foliage med globe
B. AUREA - medium, SLOW growing compact globe , yellow leaves

COTINUS COGGYGRIA GRACE lg. Shrub, smoky blue- green- plum foliage
C.COG. ROYAL PURPLE med to lg shrub, burg. foliage, likes dry, exc. drainage
C. COG. AUREA yellow leaved, slow growing.

PHILADELPHUS AUREA - med. size shrub, small yellow foliage all season
PHIL. DOUBLEFLOWER

PRUNUS X CISTENA - med to lg shrub,small maroon leaves

DISANTHUS CERCIDIFOLIUS -med to lg shrub .heart shaped leaves,
wine red fall foliage

CARYOPTERIS _DARK KNIGHT - small loose fountain of deep blue racemes_

BUDDLEIA ELLEN’S BLUE -med to lg shrub, good saturated blue/lav.flower wands
BUDDLEIA DARK KNIGHT - dk. ppl. wands

HYDRANGEA TOKYO DELIGHT flat pink flowers
HYDRANGEA QUERCIFOLIA SNOWFLAKE flat dbl. blossom heads of
wh. flow. w/ yell. centers
HYDRANGEA KYUSHU - V. late blooming, loose white flower heads

SYRINGA VARIEGATA - med. to lg size, green foliage splashed w/yellow
SYRINGA SENSATION - (flowers of dk.ppl.rimmed w/white)

CALYCANTHUS - small sweet smelling maroon flowers

CALLICARPA PROFUSION - med to lg shrub,fall wands of small med ppl. berries

CLEMATIS

CORYLOPSIS SPICATA v early spring light yellow bell flower racemes

VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS lg shrub, similar to buddleia in habit, blooms V.LATE(oct/nov); v.wonderful fragrant foliage. Dies to ground in winter and resprouts from base in spring.

WEIGELA FLORIDA VARIEGATA lg shrub, med gn leaves w/ wide bright yellow edge
WEIGELA FLORIDA MIDNIGHT WINE – mini, varieg.burgundy foliage

KERRIA VARIEGATA - small fountain of serrated green leaves w/ white edge

NEILLIA SINENSIS -a fountain of coral flower racemes in e.june,
delicate serrated leaves

CHAENOMELIS -bright cup shaped salmon,orange or pink spring bloom

HAEMAMELIS late winter small raggedy blooms- yellow to orange/red

ILEX WINTER RED profuse red berries in fall/winter

PHYSOCARPUS OPULIFOLIUS DIABLO (dk.ppl.leaves) and
AUREA (yellow foliage)
AESCULUS PAVIA lg shrub w/handsome 5 part leaves and
large bright salmon flower panicles

FAVORITE Z.5-HARDY EVERGREENS- (TO BE COMPLETED)

CHAEMY.OBTUSA NANA LUTEA
CH. PISIFERA SNOW
CH. OBT.

2007-04-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

2007-02-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

WELCOME

WELCOME TO THE
COTTON-ARBO RETUM;
PLEASE DO STEP INSIDE.
HERE YOU’LL FIND
A PEACEFUL RESPITE
AND A FEAST
FOR WEARY EYES.

WEARY FROM A WORLD
THAT’S BECOME
PLENTIFUL WITH NEON SIGNS,
BLARING OUT
WHEREVER YOU GO,
UP AHEAD AND
FROM BEHIND.

NOW, THE CHAOS OF
A CROWDED GARDEN,
OVERWHELMING SEEMS TO BE,
BUT ONCE YOU
CENTER YOUR ATTENTION,
FOCUS ON THE
TRUE BEAUTY,

OF A TREE’S
BRIGHT LEAVES OR FLOWERS,
OF A WATER FALL’S
GREAT POWER,
SOON YOU’LL FIND
YOUR VISION SHIFTING,
AS THE MINUTES
ROLL TO HOURS.

AND TO UNWIND YOU BEGIN,
LIKE PLUMING GRASSES
IN THE WIND,
AS A BREEZE
CAN COMFORT YOU
AND HELP YOU SEE
THE WORLD ANEW.

THE WAR WITH LIFE’S
RESOUNDING DIN
CAN SOUND LIKE
RAINING ROCKS ON TIN.
THIS BATTLE
WE HOPE YOU WILL WIN;
SO TAKE THE FIRST STEP,
PLEASE COME IN.

– Mindy Arbo 9/12/05

2006-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

Garden Touring: Valuable Lessons Learned

I have recently both hosted numerous tours of my gardens AND toured a number of others’ gardens. In the follow-up internal conversations that have ensued, I realized that there are a number of observations I would like to share.

As a visitor to a garden, you can often be as valuable to a garden host-as they are to you. Garden hosts (i.e. the people who have created the garden you are touring) are most often passionate gardeners who are keen to keep learning. They are often extremely busy with their gardens, careers, lives, and not able to keep perfectly au courant with plant introductions, nurseries and other impressive gardens or collections. You would be surprised. Sometimes a very common piece of information to you- can be new and extremely helpful to them. While it surely makes them feel good to hear “What a beautiful garden” for the zillionth time, what might really make them feel good is learning something new that they can use.
Case in point: George Schoelkopf’s garden- Hollister House- in Washington Ct. A well known and well established striking, romantic ‘cottage’ garden, with some unusual plants.When I visited this exceptional garden Saturday, I noticed that George liked to use purple and black foliage plants, and I noticed that he did not grow Anthriscus Ravenwing- so I asked if he knew of it. He did not and was very excited to hear of its deep black ferny foliage and of some of the specialty nurseries IN HIS OWN STATE where he might find it.

The sharing of your observations and feelings can also be valuable for a garden host. Recently, a non-gardener approached me at the end of her thorough investigation of our gardens. She didn’t want to know the names of anything, nor did she want to talk specifics. Instead, she spoke to me about many of the general things that she had observed and particularly appreciated- the use of water, the foliage colors and textures, etc. Well, she just MADE MY DAY!! because she grokked what I was doing. She got it. And she happened to like it. And it sounded like she might use her observations in whatever gardening she might do ‘down the pike.’

I have a kind of unwritten rule for myself, a modus operandi, if you would, that I approach a garden host at, or near, the end of my tour of their garden( and preferably not when they are surrounded by visitors and feeling a bit pressured.) I introduce myself, thank them and ask my questions [yes, they’re like potato chips for me; I cannot eat (ask) just one.]
As I shake their hand, I give a two sentence introduction of myself including my name, where I garden and its zone (unless it’s in the same town), and my particular interests or affiliations that might mean something to the host. In so doing, I figure that , as all that info about THEM- is already known by me- through the literature about them, and the viewing of their garden- I am giving them the opportunity to know “who they are talking to” before I ask questions or engage them further. I usually end up observing/ complimenting something(s) specific, and asking questions about that or something else.
Over the years, I have heard or overheard many garden hosts exclaiming how much they learn from their garden visitors.

SO!.... Talk to your garden host. If they have chosen to actually be present when you tour their garden, and if you will bring yourself out of your reticence- and engage them- even for a few moments- you may be able to give them a ‘ gift ’ of information-either factual or observational - in return for the gifts they have given you. And it’s likely that you’ll both feel better for it.

Best,
Mindy

2006-07-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

2006-07-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

2006-07-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

2006-07-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

2006-07-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Lessons Learned from Some Great Ct.Gardeners

Thu, Jun 29, 06 at 22:05

Just returned from Ct. nurseries/gdn tours Bday trip. Saw many beautifully grown plants and beautifully designed gardens , of both GW members and Garden Conservancy Open Days tour gardens. Wanted to share a few unrelated high points/notable lessons learned -from these great Ct. gardeners: George , Ego 45, grows lilies up through shrubs like rhodos. No need to stake them, as the shrubs hold up the tall lily stems! Have a row of dead or unwanted yews or other shrubs? He has cut down a row of dead yews and left 3' of their height. They now supply the framework/support for a row of shizophragma hydr. moonlight which he is training up them to form a floral wall.
Sue W, VTSKIERS, shows how unbelievably- happy- hostas can be rhodo substitutes in the garden! hugest i've ever seen.she also has a hakonechloa aureo marg. growing in a 3' fully circular mound- another elegant rhodo stand-in!! Faithfully keeping current with her membership in the Zone-Denial Club, she is successfully growing her banana tree in a hot pocket created by her garage wall and her full-sun heat-reflective patio.
Monique has clematis growing up every type of deciduous shrub, and though they are planted near the very core/trunk of the shrub, they still come up through the shrub and flower like crazy. She and Les have concocted a BRILLIANT technique for hiding an ugly chain link or woven vinyl fence. Over the internet, they ordered fake xmas tree branches and they wove them vertically into the fence. seen from a distance as it is, you have no clue what you are looking at, only that there appears to be an attractive green backdrop to their amazing garden beds! They have also made a handsome 'trough garden' out of the bowl of a cement bird bath that broke off below the bowl.
Ellen Sonnenfroh has changed my way of thinking about designing with hostas. Her extensive rural property is filled with many LARGE hosta sweeps of ONE CULTIVAR each.The visual impact of just ONE leaf pattern- is stunning.Even though my property is miniscule in comparison, I plan to replant all my hostas in patches of one pattern whenever possible. no more 'Pot 'n Dot' for me. She also demonstrates that sometimes plant happiness makes absolutely NO SENSE- as when you see her very healthy happy patches of sedum autumn joy, hostas and astilbes- all growing right next to each other!!! in a solid-packed bed mulched with wood chips and under a deciduous tree.with no in-ground watering system. go figure!
Linda Allard's garden designer has interplanted climbing roses with clematis- up pergola columns.
In the Brush Hills gardens of Charles Robinson, he has ingeniously "hidden" garden sprinkler heads on top of 10-12' tall homemade plant obelisks made from steamed oak lath that is painted with protective coats of fiberglass.

2006-07-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

New Thoughts about Coppicing

There are 3 woody plants with which I have practiced yearly coppicing: Catalpa Aurea, Physocarpus Diablo, and Cotinus Coggyria- GRace and Palace Purple.This year I did not coppice the cotinus or the catalpa, and I am thrilled with the results- for the first time- ta da!- FLOWERS!! and such striking ones at that! now, the plants are, of course, bigger than in coppicing years- but in their particular spots, this is fine.the plants each provide a strong color beacon that really pays off as you approach them.I have seen the handsome flowers that can result when physocarp. are not heavily pruned and I think I prefer the look to the no-flowers one.So I'm thinking that I will coppice my catalpa ,physocarpus and cotinus every OTHER year, so i get beaut flowers one year and still maintain for them a habit of dense tight growth.

2006-07-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

IMAGINE MY SURPRISE

So, my beloved partner in all things AND gardening, Dudley, and I , were sitting at late dinner tonight …after planting a few shrubs and trees and perennials … after Dudley had returned from a day of golf… after our morning spent planting. Just 10 days ago, we returned from our yearly nursery touring B’day trip to Ct. with a steamed-windows-van packed so full that pots were nestled on pots and the top 3’ of a 12’ tree stretched discretely between our seats so we could barely move, much less SEE out the rearview mirror. The past 10 days have flown by with a wide diversity of activities: thinking about where to put things in the garden, making lists of where to put things in the garden, researching the special needs of new plants to be planted in the garden, re-thinking where to put things in the garden, making new lists of where to put things in the garden, planting in the garden, digging up new plants just planted in the garden and rotating them or repositioning them in their holes and replanting them in the garden, digging up those things just planted and re-locating them entirely in the garden, digging up things that were planted earlier in the garden ( yesterday or last year or 10 years ago) and moving them to entirely new places in the garden, revising the lists of where to put things in the garden, planting in the garden, watering and staking what’s just been planted in the garden, and so many more varied activities. So, as Dudley and I were finishing our late night dinner, after I had finished telling him about the day’s plantings, imagine my surprise when he hesitatingly said, “Mindy, I think you need to get a little less intense about this planting stuff.” Now, tell me, dear friends, whatever could he mean?

2006-05-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

ANTI-FLOPPING CAGES we make for PEONIES/TALL PERENNIALS, AND CLEMATIS

we have over 120 peonies in our gardens, so we chose to make our own cages. here's what we devised: we buy the tallest 4- ring tomato cages and cut off the feet just ABOVE the lowest horizontal ring. we cut squares of 2" grid wire fencing big enough to just fit over the circle of the top rung on the tomato cage. then we bend the 4 corners of the fencing square over/around that same top ring of the tomato cage. we push down the tomato cage low enough that the peony's new foliage begins to grow up through the cage.(often you have to help weave the peony stems
up through the square holes of the fencing). we then lift the cage to its tallest appropriate height after the peonies have max'd their height. we also use these cages for other perennials that flop- like clematis integrifolia, veronicastrum, cimicifuga and eupatorium. the short,narrow cage that is left after you've cut off the bottom of the tall cage- you can use for veronica crater lake blue, nepeta,or any shorter sloppy perennials, to keep them from flopping.

For Clematis Vines that are not TOO huge-growing, we use the same tallest tomato cages, but this time, we turn the cages on their heads- over the clematis crown. and then we use staples
and/or stakes to pin down the cages. we gather the legs together through a washer or bolt or some decorative ball with a hole drilled through it.
the cages eventually rust and blend in with the ground. nice cheap obelisk for places where you want your attention to be on the flowers and not the architecture of the obelisk.

2006-05-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

THE GLORY OF THE GARDENS : WHAT'S PEAKING/BEGINNING/ENDING 5/29/06
(severely heavy rains week of 5/8; v.hot 5/27-29)

PERENNIALS:
GERAN: MRS AT JOHNSON ,WOOD GERAN,
PPL GERAN-CB , SAMOBAR
ARISAEMA
BRUNNERA
WILD FORGET- ME- NOTS
CELANDINE POPPY
CANAD ANEMONE
PEONY-PEACH-HOUSE CORNER
CLEMATIS- NELLY MOSER? DELL//
LG BLUE LP FENCE LIRIODENDRON
END OF PULMONARIA
AQUILEGIA
POLEMONIUM- DRB
CENTAUREA LC, SHB
EUPHORBIAS CB, LC,SB
VERONICA GEORGIA BLUE EYES- CHASM
DICENTRA
LAMIUM ORVALA SILVA BEGINNING
ANTHRISCUS RAVEN WING
ELIJAH BLUE FESCUE
ORANGE POPPIES BEGINNING
POLYGONUM BISTORTA SUPERBUM
SOLOMAN'S SEAL- VARIEG

BULBS:
ORNITHOGALUM MAGNIFICUM
ALLIUM CHRISTOPHII, BULGARICUM
SCILLA HISPANICA

SHRUBS:
DAPHNE CAROL MACKIE
DEUTZIA NIKKO
ARONIA- HB
DR- RHODOS
AESCHULUS PAVIA
END OF BERBERIS ROYAL CLOAK
TREE PEONY LP
RHODOCHITON AND KERRIA AUREA GONE BY
KERRIA VARIEG
LILACS
NEILLIA
SAMBUCUS BLACK BEAUTY (MAYBE BEC. NEW AND IN POT)
WEIGELA
SORBUS SB
VIBURNUM SHASTA, SHOSHONE, SUMMER SNOWFLAKE,
AUREUM,TRILOBUM, ONONDAGA
ORANGE AZALEA BEGINNING
LONICERA :VESICARIA,
AND VINES BEGINNING

TREES:
CORNUS KOUSA- FR Y, HB
SAMARAS OF THE VARIOUS ACERS
CONIFERS' 'FLOWER-LIKE' NEW GROWTH- ABIES AND PICEA
NEW '05 AESCHULUS NO BLOOMS ST EDGE

PESTS:
LILY LEAF BEETLE DELETED W/DIAZINON AT BASE OF LILY PLANTS
LP ORANGE AZALEA LEAVES DEVOURED-WORMS

WINTER MOTHS DESTROYED JAP MAPLES RR P, VILLA TORONTO DELIV AREA, DESPITE 2 TIMES SPRAYING BY BOSTON TREE

BL APHIDS- CATALPA AUREA
W…CK HAS BEGUN PHLOX LC
TINY BEETLES ON SALIX SCARLET CURLS AND RAMS HORN

2006-05-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

ADAPTING PLASTIC BINS FOR HOLDING/ TRANSPORTING PLANTS

I am a 'mass-production' oriented gardener.For me, that means that when I do a task, like dividing plants, I like to do a lot of it at the same time.So last month,when I found myself dividing, for an upcoming plant swap and for our own gardens, I devised this method for retrofitting a LARGE bin that could hold-over/grow-on many divisions at once. We have a number of red BJ's rectangular bins (they come w/lids)approx.24"W x 32"L X 8"D?) that we had bought in the past for winter-holding cannas,dahlias,etc. in peat moss. I realized that if I drilled some small holes in those same bins,they could serve double duty- both in the winter AND during the growing season. the holes would provide drainage for holding large numbers of divisions in the growing season, and, because they were small, would not allow much, if any, peat moss to pass through during the winter tuber-hold-overs.
SO, I used a portable rechargable drill and drilled into the bin SIDES, about 1/2-1" above the bin bottom, a line of 3 holes (they are about 1/8"/1/4" diameter): one at each end and one in the middle- of each side.IT CAN NOW RAIN ALL IT WANTS (as it has done these last 2 days in the greater Boston area)and my wet-peat moss -or- potting- soil divisions will not drown.
We were easily able to peel off the offensive 'BJ'S' labels from these bin sides. A plus with this system is that the bins can be stacked, criss-cross-like, still allowing light in, if you temporarily need to save space .With the same idea in mind, but for smaller bins, I use what are called in the trade- 'Fish bins',rectangular white semi-opaque bins approx. 17"L x 12"W X 5"d . I have a catering business, so I get my fish delivered in these, but you can often buy them cheaply from fish-store vendors who always have way more than they need.
We no longer have stacks of round plant pots(we recycle them at the dump or give them away). Of course i still use SOME round plastic plant pots, but for me,the rectangular bins are just much more efficient for most things: carrying and filling, holding over/storing, transporting. They are also great for sturdily , efficiently and cleanly holding many nursery plant pots. I take empty bins like these on nursery-buying trips, leaving the newly-purchased plants in them for efficient storage.(Sure beats those flimsy plastic basket-weave-like plant trays)! And when i'm ready to plant those new nursery plants, or held-over divisions, these plant-filled bins are light weight and easy to carry out into the garden.

2006-05-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

A New Convert To Spring; May 4th 2006 in the Cotton-Arbo retum.
Z.5, Boston area.

It may seem strange to most of you, but as a lifelong gardener, I think I have just come, this year, to really appreciate Spring in the gardens. It must be the ‘glass half-empty’ syndrome, but previous to this year,I was always impatient for the “real” gardening season to get going. Maybe it’s the collective impact of a large and diverse finally-established collection, but I have finally seen the light. And like many types of converts, I want to Testify!! First of all, the visual field is not as dense as it is post-spring. Individual trees, shrubs, perennials, visually STAND OUT more. They haven’t yet been enveloped by the plantings around them.

Aside from the obvious bulbs blooming, here are most of the wondrous plants in which I am reveling. They are pretty much all about FOLIAGE. From the ground up to the sky, my eyes are filled with patches of yellow, purple, orange, blue, green, and variegation- in hundreds of different shapes, sizes, and permutations.

Trees: The Japanese Maples are the Queens- every possible color, and big patches of it. Even the green ones stand out beautifully because every green is different and also because of the hanging bright red seed/flower panicles that grace every Jap.Maple this time of year // Acer Negundo Kelly’s Gold simultaneously has its very yellow foliage and its drooping butter yellow flowers. And it’s right next to the deep Purple foliage of the Purple Leaf Plum tree// Prunus Kwanzan is just beginning bloom and Prunus Hallie Jolivette is still covered with long lasting dainty pendulous light pink flowers.The white and salmon Cornus Floridas have my very favorite of spring tree flowers.// Equal in my devotion are the Aeschulus Pavia. Their salmon red leaf sheaths, equivalent to a first flowering, are just fading as their stout upright salmon red flower stalks are getting ready to pop.// The dainty variegated foliage of Zelkova , Cornus Alternifolia and Liquidambar Styrac. Silver King, and the bolder splashy variegation and emerging flat flower heads of the Cornus Controversa// deep purple foliage of nascent Cercidiphyllum Red Fox and Fagus Sylv. Red Obelisk//Bright yellow of Metasequoia Ogon.

Conifers: how handsomely they stand out with their solid shapes of all versions of yellow, blue, and green.

Shrubs and Vines: Viburnums!!: Mohawk and Sweet Spice are blooming, Onondaga has outed its emerging maroon flowers; Aurea’s golden foliage is glowing.The tiny new Sino Calycanthus Hartledge Wine has it’s first maroon bloom. // Forsythias: assorted variegateds, and aurea, fully leafed out// Daphne Carol Mackie, my favorite but
most-often -lost shrub, all leafed out and beginning bloom// Spirea Gold Flame has its salmon/rust tinged gold foliage- so enjoyable without its later clashing fuschia flowers.//Pieris jap.Mountain Fire’s bright red new foliage and drooping ivory flower panicles// the glorious yellow foliage of that form of: Philadelphus , Physocarpus , Cornus Alba , Forsythia,Sambucus Sutherland Gold, Weigela, Berberis//gold- green leaved Kerria profusely blooming its single cream colored upturned flowers, in significant shade; the dainty leaved fountains of variegated Kerria with buttercup-yellow single flowers, in shade// the dainty pink pompoms of flowering Almond//
those high-impact large flowered salmon and multi-colored Quince with their month-long bloom period // the splashed yellow/green heart shaped leaves of Syringa Acubifolia Dappled Dawn// the small leaved, deep green/clear yellow variegation of Acanthopanix and Cornus Alba Goutchaltii, and green and white variegation of the red twigged Cornus Alba Ivory Halo and Elegantissima// the emerging light yellow/green variegation of varieg. mini and regular Weigela; the deep purple foliage of assorted Barberries, Weigela Summer Wine, Physocarpus Diablo , Sambucus Black Beauty, Purple leaf Sand Cherry,the just-emerging Cotinus Grace and Royal Purple// Vines: purple tinged Lonicera and deep purple emerging foliage of Clematis Recta Frieda; various yellow/green boldly-variegated Euonymus.

Perennials: The glorious aurea foliage of that form of: Dicentra, Centaurea , Stachys, Heuchera, Hakonechloa, Tradescantia , Carex Acorus, Lysimacia numularia.// brilliant blue flowers and silver spotted leaves in shade, of Pulmonaria HighDown? and Bertram Anderson? //Epimediums- thank heavens for these dry -shade tolerant dainties with their rust-variegated hearty shaped leaves and their shooting star flowers of white,pale yellow, cerise, etc.// various variegated silver and green leaved Lamium and Brunnera Jack Frost // Bright blue flowers of tiny mat-forming Veronia repens?Georgia Blue// large upright pink and white flower panicles of stately Dicentra// assorted white and red flowered Trillium, some with beautiful leaf variegation// felty green heart shaped foliage of Saruma Henryii with buttercup yellow flowers// the emerging salmon and white foliage of Fallopia Varieg.// purple-chevroned leaves of Tovara and Geranium Samobar// the emerging long-lasting yellow cushions of Euphorbia Polychroma// the deep purple foliage of Euphorbia Chameleon , Anthriscus, Cryptotaenia Jap. Atropurpurea, Cimicifuga Hillside Black Beauty,Lysimachia Atropurp., Eupatorium Chocolate,assorted Heuchera // the purple flush of emerging Japanese Painted Fern, Peonies, Astilbe// Yellow and green striped short Bamboo //the bold cream and green variegation of Liriope var., and the useful verticals of Hosta Fluctuans Variegata, Yucca Golden Sword, and Iris Pallida varieg.

So, I guess I have a lot to testify about. It is truly an eye- popping time here, and I am thrilled with Spring. Come visit! (See my Member page.)
Best, Mindy