tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43186779226416037632010-06-29T10:25:46.431-04:00Tips, triumphs, struggles and resources from a true Raleigh native.rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125RaleighGardenGirlhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-5421770187949955872009-05-11T07:03:00.003-04:002009-05-11T12:33:08.737-04:002009-05-11T12:33:08.737-04:00

So its Spring time in my new yard and I'm surrounded by plant books trying to figure out what everything is as it peeps up from the ground. From what I can tell, I'm not the first plant lover to live in my house and I think I'm in for an education on new varieties and cultivars. The great thing about the house (in addition to some wonderful plants) is neighbors who've been here since the 70s and

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I have a Cameilla Japonica that just didn't perform this past season. Despite being loaded with blooms, they just turned brown and fell off. The leaves have recently become a coppery color and I was beginning to think that it had suffered some several wind damage, until today. I took a leaf to Logan's and they've diagnosed it with Camellia gall. The good news is that its not fatal and should

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I've decided to keep a diary of what's blooming in my yard in order to help me know where I have gaps in color and what to look for specifically when I shop. I seem to forget the order of things from one year to the next. Might be helpful for area newcommers or others as forgetful as me! I'll keep this updated throughout 09.Bloomers before 4/6 - Red Bud, DaffodilsApril 6 - Soloman's Seal, Tulips

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2009/04/09-bloom-tracker.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-55528161918138737632009-04-17T06:41:00.000-04:002009-04-17T08:04:35.013-04:002009-04-17T08:04:35.013-04:00

I've always loved one plant especially that blooms this time of year, but I've never quite nailed down what it was. This year, I've figured it out....its a Snowball Virburnum. In Raleigh, you can see them at Millbrook Exchange Park and North Hills. In fact, this weekend, while playing tennis at Fred Fletcher Park, I couldn't help but gaulk at the blooms at the expense of my game.Fully grown,

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Here is this Spring's listing of garden events and tours.April 11 - Rita's Garden Tour (Apex)April 18 - 19 - Plant Sale (Raleigh, J. Raulston Arboretum)April 18 - 19 Gardener's of Wake County Azaela Sale (Raleigh, State Fairgrounds)April 18 - 10 Raleigh Garden Club Spring Plant Sale (Raleigh, State Fairgrounds) - Check out the available plant list online! More info hereApril 25 - Raleigh

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Last weekend, the whole family (sans my bro) turned out to work on my sister's patio. The plan settled around a few choice plants and minimal pots that would require watering. We also fenced in an enormous a/c unit.Here's how it went down. In a small 11' by 14" bed that get flooded by a downspout, we placed large flagstones interspersed with ground cover such as Creeping Jenny. The limey green

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2009/04/design-for-small-spaces-in-process.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-76065757900668633642008-12-17T03:13:00.009-05:002009-04-05T07:02:58.299-04:002009-04-05T07:02:58.299-04:00

This fall, in my state of "gardenlessness", I decided to take on some pro bono work. Actually, my sister's townhouse garden was in desperate need of attention and I in need of a design challenge.Here's a before photo of her space in all its white-light no-makeup glory:While the design and implementation plan is still in progress, here's been our design process thus far:Flagged, clipped and

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The unplanned hiatus on blogging and gardening is over... Fall is for planting after all and there are only a few days left! You should know that our Fall has been a little tumultuous as we sold our house and have been in limbo for quite some time looking for something new. The good news is we're moving soon into a new home that boasts a "victorian garden". I'm not sure exactly what that means,

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/12/hiatus-has-ended.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-55083027694732881072008-09-22T22:17:00.004-04:002009-04-05T08:04:40.624-04:002009-04-05T08:04:40.624-04:00

Most of my yard is tired this time or year. My herb garden, however, is still thriving.I cut some herbs tonight for a fall arrangement. I'm thrilled to have some color in the house in the form of fresh flowers this time of year. It included:tansy (the yellow button-like form)pineapple sage (the red spike)st. john's wart (the variegated greenery)licorice (silvery foliage)chives (rounded white

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com1http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/09/cut-herb-arrangement.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-91633233387665357092008-09-22T12:15:00.011-04:002009-04-05T08:05:06.244-04:002009-04-05T08:05:06.244-04:00

This weekend granny and I headed out to the garden tour.First stop, The Shupings, a gorgeous garden on West Lake Drive in Raleigh (right next door to a childhood friend's home whose yard I spent hours playing in growing up).The Shuping's also boasted the best use of a mum I've never seen (I'm not a fan or mums: they just don't last long enough!) Mums tucked in a brick wall: great splash of color

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com3http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/09/garden-conservancys-open-days-garden.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-79031180368773279682008-09-13T11:08:00.004-04:002009-04-05T08:05:28.442-04:002009-04-05T08:05:28.442-04:00

Ok, so its not quite Fall yet, but who say's a girl can't dream??Two upcoming gardening events to take note of:Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour - September 20 - 21Tour six Wake County gardens and see what's blooming this time of year while getting design ideas for Fall planting. Tickets are $25 for all 6 gardens or $5 for entrance to each garden and can be purchased in advance or at any one of

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"A 50c plant in a $5.00 hole" is a saying most gardeners have heard. When you are planting its extremely important to amend your soil.I like to think of it is a "soil cocktail". Given the amount of clay in my yard, area adding organic material to the soil is essential to the health (or life) of my plants. For every plant or shrub I install, I add a mixture of top soil, mushroom (or homemade

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/08/soil-cocktails.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-73859657704381004522008-08-12T23:01:00.002-04:002009-06-01T09:37:29.243-04:002009-06-01T09:37:29.243-04:00

Composting is a secret of many a respected gardener. It's also a great alternate for those, unlike my friends in Oakwood with a chicken coop (and poop), who are looking for sustainable ways to fertilize their plants!Last year, we bought a composter from Neuse Works (unfortunately, they are closed currently, but some like models can be found at Logans and Atlantic Avenue Orchid Center). It was

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The July garden is typically kind of a bummer for me. In years like this one with all of the rain, weeds abound making weeding an all to frequent necessity. Its also usually blatantly clear by July which of my Spring and Fall plantings didn't work. Unfortunately, with the blistering heat its hard to do anything about plant casualties until the Fall. This year is no exception. I've had great

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We've all had the pot that wouldn't drain or know somone who bought a sensational looking pot that they didn't realize didn't have drainage holes until they'd already planted it. I frustrates me that they don't just pre drill holes in more pots!Drainage HolesA few weeks ago I burned my hand falling on a hot drill bit after drilling drainage holes in several pots: very smart! My dad gave me some

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/06/mastering-art-of-pot-drainage.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-27411632917994199912008-06-14T18:05:00.014-04:002008-11-13T01:09:53.999-05:002008-11-13T01:09:53.999-05:00

In the Fall of 2006, I bought 3 Penny Mac Hydrangeas from Home Depot. They were extremely healthy looking plants, however after some reading I regretted not getting not getting the Endless Summer variety. Nonetheless, they have performed excellently and I couldn't be happier with them. This year they've hit their stride and are blooming like crazy and hanging in there with the heat. Last summer,

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/06/hydrangeas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-17310683037572688652008-06-14T17:36:00.006-04:002009-04-05T07:59:28.531-04:002009-04-05T07:59:28.531-04:00

My husband is from Argentina and is a "foodie" if ever there was one! He loves to cook and to send me to the herb garden with my herb snips. Below are three of our staples! If we've had you over or taken you dinner, you've probably had one of these recipes.Zapallitos Revueltos (Scrambled Zucchini)One large onion (sliced long ways)2 tablespoons olive oil2 zucchini2 teaspoons oreganoSaltPepper2

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/06/what-to-do-with-all-those-herbs-oregano.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-28027281620805092962008-06-14T17:17:00.006-04:002008-06-14T18:05:13.433-04:002008-06-14T18:05:13.433-04:00

My herb garden has exploded: I've got blooming lemon balm, oregano, dill and cilantro. I did a little pruning last weekend and potted my "out of control" lemon balm in hopes of creating fuller plants and making my little spot a little less crowded. I decided to cut and dry some of my herbs for use in the winter. I've tried drying herbs by hanging them upside down to no avail, so this time I

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/06/drying-herbs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-68056543692265070712008-05-18T16:09:00.005-04:002009-04-05T07:59:42.661-04:002009-04-05T07:59:42.661-04:00

My sage (salvia officinalis) is growing like crazy. My friend, Susan, was telling me the other day that she wasn't sure what to do with all of her sage. Sage is a perennial herb that has a strong and earthy taste. It has light green almost velvelt-like leaves. Its a perennial in our area and is evergreen, so you can look foward to enjoying it year round!This recipe for Chicken and Proiscutto (

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com2http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/05/what-to-do-with-all-those-herbs-sage.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-67922604043908471202008-05-11T16:06:00.004-04:002009-04-05T08:08:30.883-04:002009-04-05T08:08:30.883-04:00

A few weeks ago, we returned to my grandmother's in Fuquay for some yard work. My husband commented that while we were working in her yard, that at every turn she has an unexpected focal point or creature peeking out at you. Its true and truly an amazing place! Here are a few more pics of her yard: Fortunately, her yard is suffering from being overgrown whereas mine is just getting started! So,

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/04/shopping-at-grannys.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-14751117339312866782008-05-03T20:05:00.002-04:002008-11-13T01:09:54.912-05:002008-11-13T01:09:54.912-05:00

I've gotten to know Hostas fairly well. They are a great perennial that thrive in the shade. Even though they are a perennial, they aren't evergreen, so don't be surprised when they die back and go underground in the Fall.Among hostas there is a ton of variety. Here are a few things I've learned to pay attention to:Size - some are nice and small and others are ginormous! Check out this hosta at

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I've had a few run-ins with poison ivy. In the third grade, I got it in my eye (it was very cute!) and 2 weeks before my wedding it covered my left hand! One would think I'd be better at identifying it, however I'm not. So, this post is as much for me as for anyone.This is what poison looks like.Avoid it at all costs! You've been warned!!!

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This one left me speechless.Hot pink wave petunias (a sun annual) in a cobalt blue planter.

rmtraleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622763692595583062noreply@blogger.com0http://www.raleighgardengirl.com/2008/04/killer-combinations.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318677922641603763.post-65034308125994473432008-04-22T17:36:00.020-04:002009-04-05T08:11:38.461-04:002009-04-05T08:11:38.461-04:00

My dad owns a local custom home building company, Tall House. Recently, he was working on a project and a camellia was in the way. Luckily, I was the recipient! I also was fortunate the plant still had the original tag on it and a lone bloom.Its a Frank Brownlee Variegated Camellia Japonica: a late blooming japonica with a double deep red bloom.Camellias are classic Southern (zone 7) waxy leafed

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Weekend Gardener is one of my favorite radio shows. The problem is that often I am either in the yard or at the garden center when its broadcast Saturdays from 8:00AM to 10:00AM. The good news is that they now make both hours of the show available on their Website via podcast. Don't worry if you don't have an IPOD: its not required. Anyone can play the recording directly from their computer. So

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