Flower/Plant wish list for spring 2008

Hi NW clan,

It would be fun to post our wish lists for this spring/summer just in case some of us have things on others lists we can dig/divide. Or we could just get a B-day present for someone if we knew what they liked. I have sooooo many seedlings started I know I will have lots to share, I just hope there are lots of takers!

I think we could really have fun exchanging things during our work parties and outings. What do you all think?

Picture is last summer!

Spring is on its way,
Carla

Carla -

It's a great idea. Although I have so much stuff from other DGers right now that I need to get into beds. Haven't been home much in the last few weekends. LOL

I don't have much in the way of bulbs - lilies or dahlias. And I'd love some snowdrops or other small spring bulbs. So if/when anybody has some extra . . .

I sowed a lot of seeds this spring. So far, I have tons of wallflower, but don't know what else has germinated. I'll probably be a bit behind everybody as I'm at a higher altitude and have much shade. But I'll post when they come up.

Carla, you didn't post what you'd like.

Kathy

Yeah Carla, I know you've got some that you're dying to have; let's hear it.

I'm also looking for dahlias. I like the big gaudy dinner plate types. Would love to find some oak-leaf hydrangea, any type really, but especially 'Snowflake'.
Also tropicals of course, anything they say can't be grown here -- that's for me!. :^)
- Tom

I have a lot of Autumn Crocus and Sisyrinchum (sp?) probably a few rhubarb starts if anyone wants them.

I'd love any of all three, balvenie. Do you harvest the rhubarb or grow it for it's other features?

I grow it for the kitchen, there are two other Rhus varieties that are for show. Just noticed there are a lot of little plain purplish Hellebore seedlings that can go too. Funny what turns up when you start to tidy up the garden.

I saw an incredible wild rhubarb flower last year as part of a garden at a nursery on Woodinville/Redmond road, but couldn't find it anywhere. It took me about 1/2 hour to find someone at the nursery who knew what it was. Apparently it had been planted in that spot years before and no one paid it much attention.

Sounds like there's lots of fun stuff happening in your garden.

A series of Clematis, dwarf Rhodies and Ferns are in the offing for this Spring. The fountain and colonnade may even be done this year. Hope springs eternal, they say, somebody said, or maybe I just imagined it.

My problem is I love all perennials...lol
Daylilies, Dahlias, Salvias, Agastache, Hellebore, Coneflowers,TB Iris.
Things I want to definately add... Brunnera Jack Frost, a couple more Sarcococcas, more Sedge, a blue Corydallis, various columbines and another Japanese Maple or two... Mostly I need to concentrate on the shade plants.
I am growing so many right now if I get one of each kind I planted I will have to much sunny garden items and I will have to make new gardens...(sigh)...lol that was added in case the DH is watching... I have him talked into another 10' of that corner, the grass is shrinking....

Daylily Zimbabwe Sunset

The fountain and colonnade? You have me intrigued . . .

That's a good list, Carla. Excellent that you've taken over more of the yard for your garden.

Look at the agastache here . . . www.highcountrygardens.com.

I have Agastache "Tutti Frutti", "Apricot Sprite" and "Blue Fortune" plants from last year. I just started from seed Agastache "Purple Pigmy", "Apricot Sprite", "Rupestins" and a fragrant mix...lol maybe I have enough???

Wow, Carla! What gorgeous daylily! Not too many plants, just not enough garden space. You have the right idea expanding it.

Ooooh, Carla. You make the butterflies sooo happy.

I am pretty new to DG, just joined last summer to try to learn about all the plants in the yard of my new (yet very old, almost 100 years) house here in Everett... and am very new to gardening, but have been trying to learn as fast as I can. We just built a garage in our backyard, so it got fairly demolished during that process, and now I am trying to completely overhaul. Anyhow, long story short, I have a few plants that are getting pretty bushy that probably need to be divided/thinned, and I don't know really the proper way to do it, so if anyone wants to do it and let me look over their shoulder then they are welcome to take what they like! But I know all of you do, so if anyone is in the Everett area and has some time to come take a look, here is what I have:
Columbine (unfortunately I don't know what types)
hostas (again, don't know what kind)
cranesbill geranium
Yucca (at least I think it is a yucca... might be a sedge... lol)
Whitestripe bamboo (I just don't want these plants anymore)

I also am starting some veggies and herbs indoors (a few different types of tomatoes, some sweet peppers, parsley, basil), and have overestimated the size of my veggie bed outside, so I will have extras of those, if I can keep them healthy and going. :) Perhaps now is not the time to thin/divide some or all of these plants... I am obviously a newbie!

I should probably add what I am interested in adding to my beds:
jasmine or other non-invasive, fragrant climber
fleabane
catmint
crocosmia
pieris
lobelia
clematis
autumn crocus
almost anything non-agressive and interesting!

I guess I am just a new gardener who would love to trade some of a few plants I have around here for information, guidance, and maybe a few interesting seeds/plants that I don't have that someone might have a surplus of. :) Thanks!

This message was edited Mar 7, 2008 9:20 PM

Hey catgal. Welcome!! So glad you posted.

With most of these, I don't think you can go wrong, although I don't really know about Yucca. New Zealand Flax is pretty popular up here - do you think it could be that, rather than Yucca?

I'll leave the advice to the people who know for sure. Hostajim can tell you what to do with the Hostas. Neat that you have good germination on the herbs. We have a couple of get-togethers scheduled in April - maybe you can come to one of those?

It could be new zealand flax.... I have attached a picture of it, I am just so clueless on this stuff! But am better than when I first moved in I guess. I would love to attend the get-together(s), if they are anywhere nearby. Would be fun! If I can figure out how to properly divide I will come with plants in-hand! :)

I have the never ending list of wants , needs and OOOHHH whats that!!! I am also new to DG catgal, and like anything else in life, it's what you make of it. Been gardening a long time, but never ran into such giving and helpful people as I have hear. Added anouther podophyllum, 'spotty dotty' to the collection, but there are always more!
I have cannas on the way so will have some to trade!

I think it is, but will wait for the experts to confirm.

We have set up a thread for events - so be sure to check the calendar that is in the first post. You just missed a plants swap. Tomorrow is a work party at rachierabbit's in Olympia. But there is other stuff planned for April.

If only I didn't have a truckload of topsoil being delivered tomorrow. :) I will shoot for April, sounds great to me! I was just reading of one in Newcastle I believe, that sounds perfect, near my in-laws place on Mercer Island... will drop off the kids on the way!

Awesome. We'll look forward to meeting you. Enjoy your topsoil. Hope the day is good for spreading.

I saw that at Flower World, and it's a yucca but I can't remember which one. But it is very nice! I live in Snoho, so if you want we can trade!

cool, sounds good to me! Snohomish is very close, that is great! Its funny, I removed an old wood pot that fell apart when I touched it (left by the former owner), next to a couple of these yucca plants, and low and behold there were one or two baby yuccas under that pot... So I have one or two extra that I don't think I will keep. I'll have more plants I'm sure after I do a bunch of clean-up to our yard... eeks!

A yucca like yours will offset pups at its base. Just cut them off with roots, and pot them up. I like weird, but a yucca in the PNW is too much.

The DG GE got me so much, it seems like insanity to ask for more, but here goes:

rhubarb (if I could have a little piece balvenie?)
hardy cacti (I saw some at the Classic Nursery in Redmond today.
one of those giant artichoke? plants
Datura
and anything else, especially if it is weird. I like weird.

And I have several offsets I could share of Black Mondo Grass, and I still am raising Lavender 'Lady' and Kniphofia 'Red Hot Poker' which are currently cute little sprouts on my windowsill.








This message was edited Mar 7, 2008 10:26 PM

Oh man I will find you some cacti! Just save me some of those cute little black mondo grass! And its never insane to want more. That is how this whole thing started. My garden will get bigger till I can't do it no more!

AD, I have more kinds of datura seed than you can shake a stick at. Also interested in brugmansia? I have young plants of those. Brug on the right, datura on the left.
I also have large divisions of Red Hot Pokers if you want to get a head start.
- Tom

This message was edited Mar 8, 2008 12:05 AM

Catgal, welcome! Now is a good time to divide your hostas. You can't really make a mistake dividing them. If the clump is really, really large, just take your flat bladed shovel and cut straight down across it, cutting it in half. Then the other way, making 4 clumps. Leave one and transplant 3 to other places.
The very best book I've seen on plant division and propating is by Ken Druse and it's called Making More Plants. Photographs are great, great explanations. Best way to learn is to just do it. You will be able to tell by the roots of the plant how to divide it. Like with the geraniums, dig up a clump and wash all the soil off the roots so you can see them. You'll notice that the pieces will separate naturally and easily, each with a bit of root on it. Plant individually, or in smaller clumps (which looks better).
I don't think columbine really needs to be divided but if you want to make it smaller, this is a good time to do it.

The april swap at Jburesh's house will be perfect for new gardeners. I hope I can come, but my April is getting really booked already so I'm not sure.

Catgal Welcome
Have fun with us
That is a Yucca, I have one. How old is yours? and how much sun does it get?
This is a bloom off mine after 9 years planted, slow if not in the right place. Easy to divide, this one can to me as a little tiny clump its had one stalk of flowers for the last 3 years.

remember that the daturas are very poisonous to animals.

Hello Catgal,
Welcome! It is nice to have a few gardeners up in this neck of the woods. I am just straight north on 1-5 from you. I will have many seedlings and divisions to share, when things start popping out of the ground. I need to clear some areas for new plants! I have Nepeta Faassenii Catmint 'Walker's Low' you are more than welcome to some of it. When the sun is out I am in the yard, you are more than welcome to come up and have a look around.
I love kids bring them with you,
Carla

Analog, Unicorn grass is a weird plant. It lives in shallow water or bog.

AnalogDog,

I too would love some black mondo grass, just let me know some of the things you would like.

Thanks, Carla

Great thread!Sorry we missed you today, Carla. I brought you some plants, but I can get them to you another time. I have corydalis 'blue panda' for you, and also some primulas. Those are my last divisions of those plants for this year.

One thing I am looking for if anyone has it is Asclepias speciosum. I've tried growing it from seed, but somehow I overwater it every time. Bad mom!

That daylily is scrumptios!

Wecome, Catgal. Wish you lived closer. I generally have plants to share so if you are ever down this way, or are going to an event I'm going to, maybe I can bring some to you then.

Hi Balvenie and tom!

Pix's I havent look at the plants you gave me, Is my Panda in there?

Hello Pixy,
OOOOh thanks so much for the Corydalis 'blue panda', I can't wait to get it and get it in the ground.

I had my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed hoping the weather would stay nice through Saturday. I guess I crossed to many things...lol. So sorry I really wanted to come and work and socialize, I have so much fun just reading and listening to you guys! Sometimes my spine just says "no" and Friday evening it started by Saturday AM I knew I couldn't do the long ride sitting.

I will make it back down that way on a nice weekend, because DH just loves Cabela's, so do I (truth be known)... when we do I will stop in to each of your houses if you are home and at least plant some of the pot ghetto plants with you guys.

Even if I can't handle sitting I will make it to Heidi's no matter what. I will make someone drive and I will lay in the back seat if I have too. It is always the sitting that gets to me!

Thanks,
Carla

Carla,

I was sorry you weren't there yesterday, but I hope you are feeling better today! Maybe Dragonfly will be easier because of the time on the ferry boat in the middle, so you can walk around a bit?

Carla, what particular type of back injury do you have? If it is lower lumbar destabilization it may be due to sacroiliac joint injury. I know several effective exercises that got me functional again a few years ago. Many people who have this problem don't get diagnosed properly because many doctors are unfamiliar with it. Holly

This is long and windy and those of you who read it will understand. Do not feel sorry for me I can garden now and I am very happy!

I have 3 herniated discs in the lower lumbar caused by my undiagnosed scoliosis. I could have had surgery and a brace if it were caught in the early years. They are not willing to do surgery at this time (if ever) to fix the discs because of the domino effect with the twist and curve of the spine. This problem went undiagnosed for so many years (since 1990) because the Dr.'s assumed it could not be disc problems in someone so small unless I had been in a severe accident, so I would only say something when I was stuck in a bent over position because of overuse of the muscles. So each time I dared to complain out would come the pain pills and the muscle relaxers and off to the Physical Therapists. I was misdiagnosed with SI joint problems and the exercises prescibed for that caused more pain. Finally in 2006 I was again sent to a Physical Therapist this one knew backs, 4 weeks into therapy with rock hard abs and great back muscles from the years of exercise, he ask me if anyone had ever told me I had scoliosis, I said yes other therapists. He said have you had a MRI on your spine because I believe we (therapists) can do nothing for you. He said you need to see a specialist. I saw one who wanted to inject steriods into my spine without an MRI, I had a bad reaction to prednisone many years ago with a bout of pneumonia, I was temporarily paralyzed, so I sure would not let them shoot that into my spine when I told him to look at my records I cannot have steriods, penicillin or sulfur drugs he agreed that I couldn't have the injection either! I went to another Dr I had a surgery last year that at least could let me sit for a while, and I was sent to a pain management specialist. Because I do not want narcotics I had my nerves deadened in September so that decreased the pain too! But in all this time arthritis has set in, I have it very bad in my spine and hips, of course it is in other joints too but seems to be the worst in the load bearing (lol) areas...Some of these damp storms coming in set it in motion and once it is going that way it seems to take days to get back to managable pain. I take anti inflammatories daily along with 2 -3 non narcotic prescribed pain pills. I refuse to take narcotics and that has the Dr's upset at times, I am terribly afraid of addiction.
So I have a hard time committing to leaving the house because there are times I can't sit to travel and need to be walking or lying down. I have to find a way to relieve the compression and swelling that accompanies the arthritis. I just hate to committ and disapoint so I try not to. I am fine at home because I can get up and walk on the treadmill or wander in the garden, clean house or do whatever I can to keep the pressure off the nerves.
I will again have the nerves deadened when rejuvenation happens, I am 100 per cent better than two years ago so I am very happy. At least I can garden again! I had taken out most of my difficult plants (those needing attention) and cut my gardens back to nothing, last year I began building them up again and I am very happy just being able to garden again!!

Just remember I may want to go everywhere, just if I don't show up understand there is a good reason!

For what its worth Carla, I shared your aversion to narcotic painkillers till the spine Doc said using them to reduce the pain and only then, the chance of 'addiction' was nil. Do I believe that 100% ? maybe not, but it was the only thing that worked during those five painful months. My daily anti-inflammatories work most of the time, the arthritis is tolerable and there is the garden and hobbies to keep the mind confused. I think that perhaps the best 'medicine', at least for me, is to have my garden (and a couple other diversions) that requires my total immersion. The mental and physical activity overshadows the pain and discomfort. It is, unfortunately, something we have to live with. Your garden is beautiful and it appears it has taken you by the hand. My best thoughts and wishes for your continued success. Stop by for tea, or a Single Malt. DH is welcome too.
robert

Carla, I'm so sorry you have been through so much pain and difficulty with your back, but very glad you can garden again, because that will keep your soul alive even when your body can't do all the things you might wish. I totally understand your reluctance to use narcotic medications, since your physical challenges are not temporary. I hope you were not distressed by my above post. I only piped up because it took me so long to find the correct diagnosis and a solution for myself. Very few physical therapists were able to help at all and some did more damage. My belief at this time is:never do any exercise that hurts, because that means it is not the right one for you. I also have scoliosis as a complicating factor, though it is not severe. There is now screening in the public schools ( 5th grade usually) for the condition to catch it at a time when something can be done for it, thank goodness.

Robert,
I know you understand after meeting with you this summer and seeing the problems you were having with your back. Coming from a family with a history of addictions on one side has kind of made me a little over cautious but I do believe addiction is hereditary or more prone in certain nationalities.

Holly....Oh no not a stress, I know you were only trying to help and be imformative. It is just that those who do not have back trouble or arthritis have a hard time understanding how debilitating it can be at times. Then other times you are completely whole and able to do almost anything. I also think that is why it is hard for me sometimes...Days/weeks with minimal or no problems and then out of the blue a whammy! I have had to learn to deal with doing when I can and not worrying when I can't otherwise I would be beating myself up for something I cannot help! I am so glad they test in schools, two of my younger cousins (16yrs younger) have had surgery and/or braces to correct there scoliosis, both my boys have it and were diagnosed early so they can avoid some of the problems I have had. I worked for the Edmonds School District for many years and would always volunteer to help with the screenings, I know how important it is to be diagnosed early.