Oooops! Here is the picture of the mouse ear hosta.
Your Neck of the Woods Chat- Memorial Day 2012
What is everyone doing up this late? LOL Ric
donner---
I think I saw that Hosta at HD yesterday....seemed very compact and bluish.
It had tight, little bloom stems with still-in-bud blue flowers to be.
It was sitting on the big rack mixed into all the other Hostas. Just a few of them...
I did look at the back of the tag and it said they grow tall. Lookedd for the name--but there was none.
And I was caught by their compact look.....may just be a regular 'blue" Hosta....
Will try to remember to bring my camera Wed. Gita
ten bucks for slug food LOL
Ha, I had just gone to bed after slaving on an article- I missed the afterparty LOL
Donner, it was me who "resold" blue mouse ear hosta at the swap. When HD had their small potted perennial sale I bought all their blue mouse ears at 2.50 each and passed them on to Aspenhill and Ruby. I felt it was unusual for HD to carry them and a good price, too. The ones I kept are blooming just now. They look like they will be similar size wise to the tiaras (gold, emerald and diamond) which I love but have lost most of. Great to use as an edger but these blue are also intriguing on their own.
Gee, I could have up potted mine and made a tidy profit...er, seed money for another plant buy that I can share! Let's all hope that our local hosta are all HVX free.
Okay, I'm turning off my computer and going off line to garden to my hearts content in this gift weather. Must have been heard on my personal Garden Prayer request! See you all when I come up for air.
Judy
Here to happily report that one of the Blue Mouse Ear Hosta is blooming with a very pretty blue color. We haven't determined where these lovelies will be planted, but rest assured it will be a place of honor and a place that is easy for me to access, because these guys are really gorgeous.
On another thread I was happily mentioning some other lovelies which are currently in bloom at my home and I couldn't be more thrilled. I can't explain, but you all know what I am saying when upon seeing something in bloom, such a great feeling washes through our minds and bodies. Shoot, I don't necessarily need to see blooms on something to feel such delight. Seeing green growth on anything gets me excited. John is the sort who needs to see blooms and cannot understand my love for mere foliage. I can't explain it either.
Anyway...I feel as though I am in good company here and I also enjoy reading about everyone elses delight when it comes to the world of plants. Happy Gardening All.
Ruby
I have a couple of the Blue Mouse Ears, not big enough to share many of them yet. I had one to give away last year and two to share this year. I really love them. I have a couple of them in my living wreath and a couple in the wall bed. They stay very compact and nice. Have to go and check to see if they are blooming yet. I haven't seen blooms yet.
Chantell: Re Hardy Gardenias: I just looked up your "approved" cultivars on Lazy S's site, and they have the following to say: "Those gardener's in colder zones that dream of having a Gardenia in Zone 6 have a few more choices than in previous years HOWEVER, please know that they still take proper siting in a protected spot, protection from wind (maybe burlap or shrub coat - which gives another 1/2 zone of warmth and protection), adequate mulching, proper soil pH 5-6 (Acid), VERY well-drained soil, planting early in the planting season so they're well-rooted and prepared for winter. Planting in Fall in marginally hardy zones will almost surely bring failure. Plants need some shade, even in winter. I see these plants 'bashed' on Forums because they didn't survive and invariably they were planted in Fall, in clay, etc. and as the kids say, "Well duh!" And for our quart size plants, maybe a winter indoors until they get some size although that also takes skill. You can grow these in Zone 6 BUT you must take the care and time to give the plant what it needs. Site properly, out of the wind and against a foundation or a stone wall or so that a large evergreens shade them from PM sun and mulch well the first season or two. DO NOT fertilize in Fall but in March and June if using time release fertilizer but NOT FALL. Gardenias, in all honesty, are probably not for the beginning gardener unless you can be meticulous to detail. But when grown properly they're amazing!"
I personally have broken more than one of these rules. But I'd like to get a few more hardy Gardenias -- next time maybe I'll know what I'm doing!!!
Fringe tree... I noticed that fragrance this spring, too... in some parking lot! LOL
This was the swap for cool fragrant plants, for sure... Chantell, your PB "toddler" looks great, in a nice big pot with a *bamboo* stake. :-)
Who picked up those cool "buttered popcorn" cassias? I was doing a tag for mine and could not remember who brought them... shame on me... I just remember how we were all ooohing and aaaahing and sniffing LOL.
I know Vickie (CricketHillCt) and someone else made a run up to the Flea Market to pick up some more after Buttoneer showed them around. Not sure how many Buttoneer had.
Well, not much done garden wise yesterday, but it was a good day all the same. Had an impromptu day enjoying the pond when several different families stopped in. Two dads that Mike knows from the Moose Lodge, my BIL Richard and his girlfriend, and nine kids. Fishing, swimming, and paddle boat rides totally made the day for the kids. Had a cook out with hamburgers, corn on the cob, and watermelon - can't beat that!
Happy, great info on the gardenias. I want to try these at my place, and now I'm aware of the challenges - might have a better chance at success with this info.
I got three of the blue mouse ear hosta from coleup - they are doing well and have sent up bloom stalks. Great price at $2.50 each!
Love days like that, ASpenhill!!
Woot, woot!!! More rain and on the deck under the tree is wet.
More rain last night. only about 3/4" but enough to keep everything too wet to work the soil. We've had
3 1/2"s on the 30th, 4"s on the 1st, and more last night. At this rate I'll be sowing fall crops by the time the garden dries out. LOL I was already behind on my veggie garden preparing for the swap, but Geeez!
I guess the plants from the swap that have been placed are liking the milder, wet start though. No handling shock for them. At the least I am making progress on Alfie's fence. Ric
Isn't the rain pattern funny? I swear there was only a 10% chance of rain last night. I'm glad I'm not a meteorologist! I love when it rains every 2 or 3 days so I don't have to water....
Yes! Thank you! It was Vickie who gave me one. Please thank her for me! It's in a big pot so I can bring it inside this winter... will have to think of something appropriate to put around its base... maybe a few white & yellow Torenia... :-)
I will try to transfer all my Posts re the fencing issue from the "After the Swap" Thread to here.
I was dumping over there--and it was a terribly inappropriate place to do so. Wayyy off topic.
So--Here goes. Since anything goes here....Pictures won't transfer....
I am really, really upset right now!!...My Pakistani neighbor is having a 6' fence erected right along my property
edge behind my "YUK" bed and several feet past my house as well. There goes most of the sun...
She is being VERY thoughtless--as fencing in HER yard is also fencing in MY yard.
I though that maybe she would just do a 4' fence--but, NOPE! Six-footer going up right now.
Mostly--this is to keep her energetic, toddler grandson from running around. She worries too much!
A couple good whacks on his behind should remind him not to play games...He seems to run THEIR lives.
I love him--and he loves me. He always calls to me when i am outside. I guess that will end to some degree...
First these people cut off every bush and shrub and all the beautiful Hollies that were there.
Then, they have cut down all the trees in the back so she can have sun on her Pot-garden.
Seems that is how they live in Pakistan.
Now she is fencing in her back yard behind a 6' fence. Maybe they just like living in a "Boxed in Yard"???
My heart weeps for all this...Everything was OK until now.
Sorry to digress--but you all are my only outlet for things going on in my life. Thanks for being there!
#1--My Gooseberry bush.
#2--see the small bed to the right? That is what i am talking about.
#3--A solid panel of dog-eared fence awaiting erection.
Thumbnail by Gitagal Thumbnail by Gitagal Thumbnail by Gitagal
Happy---
NOT a chance! That was NOT a "gift" to me! I have NEVER EVER wanted a fence separating yards.
So far we have all dealt with friendly, split-rail fencing. Open areas---A few that had dogs--put up a 4' chain link fence.
Even Moma and little kid take daily walks through my garden. She says it is like a Park...
We have been friendly--shared plants and cuttings. I have taught her a lot. including how to speak presentable English.
I have been "observing" my neighbors....through my mini-blinds just now. They cannot see me...
They are all sitting--with sad looking faces and arguing about something....The little boy seems confused....
The older sister was angry at the mother and her sister. She had been away on a trip (work) and had
NO idea about this fence. I talked to her. She was upset too. We understand the "issues" behind this the same way.
She is the only one that acts lovingly towards --hugging and kissing him and sweeping him up in her arms.
Never seen the mother or grandmother do it. All they do is yell at him NO! don't do that!
NO! you cannot go in Miss Gita's yard...etc..."Come back home!"...etc. He never even looks at them--just keeps going...
In other words--he has never been given a chance to make his own choices of what is wrong or right.
They are all made for him. in a negative way. SO! Psychologically speaking---he continuously seeks attention--
the wrong kind--NEGATIVE attention.
"If I ignore what they are saying and continue going on in Gita's yard--or doing whatever-- will have their attention
in being followed and told NOT to. Children do this--they crave attention in many ways....not always the right ways...
SO! Now they are erecting a fortress to keep him in his own yard. I feel sorry for the kid.....He is 2.
I feel sorry for the Grandmother--my so-so Friend--as this has driven a wedge between us.
I need to be gentle to myself for a while--as I also feel violated....let it pass....let it all heal over....
Fences have different reasons....I cannot scale a 6' fence to make peace......time will tell....
First 8' fence panel is up. This was out usual walk-through between our yards.
Just heard Gandma going "Oh, my God!--Oh, my God" as she walked her back beds which now have
3' deep holes dig into them for the posts. Hmmmmmmm...wondering if this, maybe, was her daughter's idea?????
The plot thickens.....
Will be taking pictures to show you. And--I TRULY apologize for posting this here--but it had to be aired--somewhere.
Thank you all for your understanding. Gita
This message was edited Jun 4, 2012 9:51 AM
I'm so sorry Gita; it sounds awful.
I'm so glad my neighbor's are far enough away from me...sorry for all the troubles, Gita, our old neighbor's were the WORST, just cut down and dug up everything in their entire yard,so they ended up with weeds and dirt...ruined my shade area I had...so glad we moved
I'm sorry for you.. and also for your neighbor-friend... it doesn't sound like this was her idea of a "nice fence" either.
Who knows? maybe it will end up solving your "yuk" bed issues by providing a backdrop to something really lovely... a water feature, a shady container garden (containers in the shade don't dry out nearly as fast), a little sitting area...
Meanwhile, though, it sounds really dreadful, and I'm sorry you have to deal with it. Phooey.
Double phooey!!!
I bet it sems really ut of place, as the yards around Gita are all blended together (until now)
We got a new privacy fence behind us last year too. It surprised me because , what the heck do they need to be private FROM? there are only a couple houses that can see their yard, and I almost never have seen or heard then using the yard anyway! And WE are very quiet. All this privacy...what for? I really like that my one neighbor can pop over once in awhile. If there was a privacy fence, we just would never see or talk.
Jill--and others---
If you want to see the previous pictures I posted--please go to the "After The Swap" Thread to do so.
I forwarded the posts where i was venting re all this fence stuff to the "What's going on in your garden in
May to June" thread--but I could not transfer the pictures...Do not feel like re-posting them....
From now on--I will post any future pictures re the fence issue over here....not to hijack the previous Thread.
Jill--I do not do "Features" of any kind in my garden. I am NOT a "features" kind of a gardener.
They DO look lovely--but they cost a lot of $$$. I have NO Need for these kind of things...
I just have a GARDEN....and flowers are my "Features"....
I do not have any space to "play around" with for such frivolous things. They all DO look great in other
people"s gardens.. Money is, of course, an issue. I can only afford the basics that I need.
I shop for a few things at HD--but, more often, at "Good Stuff Cheap" and--for plants--at the local
wholesale grower-- "Maryland Flower and Foliage". They know me by name there....
In the long run---I do not hold any plants up to the status of importance to spend $$$ for them.
I have plants. I propagate plants. I pot up seedlings of plants to share. I take cuttings and root them.
I share them--along with all the knowledge I have on them. I collect seeds and do the same.
That fulfills my soul as far as gardening goes. Satisfaction in introducing people to something new...
IF i had endless gardening areas available, I would probably feel different, but i do not...
Gita
Neighbors, whether in a neighborhood or with country acreage, have the potential to do things with their property that will have an effect on yours. Several years ago, one of the adjoining properties to mine went up for sale. The people who bought a log cabin on 10 acres of woods decided that they wanted to have horses and a riding rink, and proceeded to clear cut a large percentage of those acres. Loudoun county has a lot of open land for horse enthusiasts - I'm never quite sure why they bought forest land in the first place. The property is above the pond, and the run off from the clear cut has caused sediment fill in issues. I was irritated, but didn't feel like pursuing official grading complaints - it was easier on me to just deal with it. All other neighbors have been wonderful, but this one has been a constant source of aggravation in one way or another since they moved here. I ignore them as best I can and dwell on their thoughtlessness as little as possible. Oh well, no matter how much you'd like to, you can't always get along with everyone. Sorry Gita, hope things work out in your situation...
This message was edited Jun 6, 2012 8:33 AM
I spent the day finishing Alfie's fence, this darn thing would contain bison or wrecks at Indy. So much work for 1 little dog. :-} xoxo. I then took a nap and awoke to the sound of rain *^&%@$%#! I waded to the garden to check the rain gauge and found another 1 1/2"s in it, and it's still coming...
Does anyone know where I can get a load of gopher wood, and exactly how long is a cubit?
Did anyone know hosting swaps causes monsoons? LOL Ric
Gita, I can't remember if you saw my "bubbler bog" in action last fall... I'm still messing with rocks, trying to get the "perfect" waterfall, but it's certainly not a high-ticket item. Got the round liner on clearance, didn't need much of a pump (also on sale), and a lot of the interior water reservoir space is created by old plastic pots, etc, with a thin "decorative" layer of gravel on top. I'm sure you already have everything you'd need for a recirculating "water feature" except the pump, and you're creative enough to put together something really cool.
I know you're not in the mood for making lemonade yet... stupid fence is worse than lemons!
Gita, so sorry to hear about the fence situation. That tall fence must look very odd and out of place in your open backyard.
I never seem to buy ornamental' features' either, no matter how much I admire them elsewhere.
Poor Ric...bison problems and that darn ark to build...
I agree, aspenhill, why the heck buy forest so you can cut it down ?!?
That is the question of the day.
Don't tell me about get togethers causing monsoons,i might change my mind. Naaaaa that's not going to happen. I also mentioned it in the NE forum and there is lots of interest, so we are gonna have one big party next May. Whoopee!!!
Jan, I am so glad that you are going to host a swap, It will be so nice.
Sure hope so. Oh, I know it will be, cuz of all youse gardeners. This is quite a great group. Such caring, interesting, fun souls.
Oh yeah.......neighbors....even though one of my closets neighbors is my brother, I have a complaint to air also after seeing evidence of something pulling several plus of my favorite flower stalks out of the ground two days ago. Seems that the cows my brother runs on our property are not satisfied with the forty or so acres they have to graze on. They want to stick their necks through our wire fencing and eat out of one of my beds. This week they got a good mouth full or two of my Gladiolus. That has gone too far. I stuck them back in the ground yesterday after while being rained on and thinking to myself, well dang it, they will just come back by and pull them out again.
I remember a couple of years ago giving Wind a great big laugh on one of the threads when telling of huge cow teeth munching on some of my plants in the front yard. That little problem was resolved for the most part by John installing a sheet of lattice behind the damaged plants. Suppose we are going to have to invest in some more lattice work soon.
Gita, I am not making light of your current situation and sense that it is causing you great distress. So sorry that you are having to deal with this.
Ric, thanks for the laughs. Sounds as though you are trying to battle Mother Nature, and sorry to say, I believe I know who is going to win, and it won't be you. I know we need all the rain we can get, but I too was a bit upset upon going out to re-plant my Glad stalks and getting soaking wet. It wasn't raining when I left the house to do it, but I came back in so wet that I had to towel off and change clothes.
Speaking of rain, we have had two showers since I woke up this morning. Not sure what the rest of the day will bring. Good thing that I have lots of projects going on so that I can stay busy whether inside or out.
Happy Gardening all.
Ruby
The factoid on the bottle cap of the Snapple Tea I'm drinking while eating my lunch says that it is illegal in Texas to put graffiti on cows - Ruby, it doesn't say anything about it being illegal in VA LOL - could be a gardner's revenge?
I can hear Ruby's brother telling her about somebody sneaking into the pasture and marking up his cows and Ruby nodding her head in comfort and saying there, there, I'll help you find out who did it while inside she is chuckling to herself.
Jan, I'm really looking forward to a swap at your place. Sally's in the fall, yours in the spring, and a craft get-together at Jill's - YAY.
Astilbe 'Bridal Veil' is blooming right now. The astilbe blooms are short-lived, but so pretty while they last.
Edited to add, I wish I was a better photographer and knew what to do with all the options on this point and shoot camera - lighting and focus on this one just don't do the blooms justice :(
This message was edited Jun 5, 2012 6:46 PM
Terri, bring your camera the next time you come by (I still have a clump of siberian irises for you!), and we'll play a little. White flowers are always tricky, I think, although sometimes you can improve the contrast afterwards with a photo program.
Busy bunch, we are.! Lots of opportunities to get together.
We have a dog named Blue, because he has one blue eye. Over the years he has proven to live up to his name due to his personality....we sometimes compare him to Eeyore of Winnie The Pooh fame, because he seems to uninterested by anything going on around him and just doesn't seem to have much zest for life.
There is one thing that will bring him running and barking every single time.......a cow in the vicinity. Even though he is very overweight and waddles usually, he can run with the best of them when chasing cows along the fence line. I wonder what he would do if he were ever to catch one? When trying to think of diet and exercise plans for him we have talked about purchasing a mechanical bull to see if he had the same interest in it. hahaha
Anyway.....folks not exposed to cows as I have been my whole life find them a lot more interesting than I do. I do love to see the day or few day old calf because that is truly something very interesting to me.
Yep, busy bunch and I too would like to see more opportunities for getting together with this lovely group of fun folks. Have the fun is the posts leading up to the get togethers and the posts after the get together. So much fun staying in touch with so many of you.
Ruby
Couldn't have said it any better, Ruby!!
If we don't get more rain before tomorrow I may actually get some of the garden planted. As I was typing this I just realized that rain is a four letter word. LOL I really need to get more plants out of the greenhouse and into the ground. Ric