Vickery Gardens

Introducing Tiger Lily

2013-07-12T09:36:00.000-04:00

I recently joined our neighborhood's social networking site on Nextdoor.com. Lost pet notifications are very important. Suspicious activity? It's good to be informed. Mechanic recommendations, sure, good to know. But a resource for plant swaps too?! YES!

Through our site, I have met a couple new gardening friends that live right down the street. A nice lady that I had never met before, Judy, posted that she was giving away free tiger lilies one day. I thought 'for real?' Tiger Lilies have been on my get list for years, and now they have come right here to me? Sure enough, I headed directly to my new friend's house (with an exchange gift in hand). I was not a greedy gus; I only took two little 8 inch stalks. I decided not to clip these babies. I planted them immediately, and I watered them in well. I do not like babying plants (over-tending kills more plants than neglect), so I got them started and let them go. Viola! My first ever Tiger Lily bloom opened about eight weeks later (around Independence Day). Here she is!

Her botanical name is Lilium lancifolium. This mezmerizing flower blooms off of a 4 foot stalk and shows about 5 or 6 blooms per plant, this year. The blooms are downward-facing, and the petals are bright orange, curled back, and covered with little brown conspicuous spots. Only one of the stalks is revealing bulblets in the leaf axes so far, but I intend to harvest/plant some in a different location of the garden this year. Tiger lilies are bulbs that spread via rhizomes, so I am looking forward to a larger clump of these exotic-looking beauties next year.

Thank you again to my new plant-swap friend Judy! This was quite a gift.

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Flowers in Art Series - Soda Pop

2013-06-23T10:20:00.003-04:00

Since the very first paintings over 700 years ago, flowers have had been present in art. They began as decoration to portraiture, scenes, and other main subject matter. They quickly evolved into accents that expressed symbolism. The red rose symbolizes love, the white lily for purity, and so on. Flowers then started to be shown on their own in still life's and vase arrangements as decorative artwork. They were finally represented as living plants that deserve the spotlight around the time of french impressionism. van Gogh's irises and sunflowers stand out from the post-impressionistic era, and O'Keefe's close-up moderist selections move us forward.

I have become fond of flowers in art where they take center stage. I am not as particular about the form or style of the art, and I don't require symbolism, so it is all interesting to me. I found this piece for sale on a wall in a sandwich shop in downtown Ellijay, Georgia while I was having lunch with a good friend. It caught my eye because the blossoms are 3-D and are made from cut soda cans. It is almost 3 feet tall, and is sprinkled with glitter. A super fun and striking piece, and the sentimental value is always a plus!

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How Every Iris Should Bloom

2013-06-22T14:36:00.000-04:00

Let's face it, I am lazy when it comes to dividing irises. My neglect combined with the voles feasting on the rhizomes, I am lucky to have more than one bloom on each variety of iris in the yard. This tall, brick-toned bearded beauty, however, has somehow just decided to power through the obstacles and make a great show year after year. I don't know her name, but she displayed over a dozen blooms for me this year. Bravo!

And so, let me set a simple goal for this fall. Divide the irises. I have a particular two-toned plant that is sentimental, and she barely bloomed this year; Stephanie gave me a knockout white iris that has a purple beard. It's not nice to neglect gift plants, and so I promise to do my duty. Dividing them is easy, super easy, work. Cut the foliage back to around 4 or so inches tall, dig up the whole clump, and just start working the rhizomes apart with your hands. Replant, and watch for spring appreciation!

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

2013-06-21T12:23:00.000-04:00

I have a mild obsession with the collectors greenhouse at Plant Delights Nursery, and the nurserymen warn that most of the selections are for 'advanced gardeners only'. While I am an advanced gardener, I still kill plants, so I show caution and respect when making a purchase from this particular conservatory. However, the absolute coolest and easiest plant to grow is the white-balled Arisaema sikokianum 'Silver Center'. This plant does not bloom for long, and you need more than one (at a hefty price of $30 each) if you want more than one bloom. I just purchased my second one this spring, so I am really hoping for several blooms next year. This particular cobra blooms above the leaves, which makes it extra showy. And the white ball in the center is a stunning contrast against the black pitcher. The foliage stays tall and full all summer, and has a striking silver center for added interest after the blooms have long since slept. A super hardy and showy winner!

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To Keep the Hornets Nest or To Not Keep the Hornets Nest?

2012-08-13T11:22:00.000-04:00

European Hornets are not as frightening as they look. They are less aggressive than most of their relatives. It is popular to believe that (all) hornets will attack, sting, even kill humans, but that is just not the case with these hornets. Naturally, they will defend their nest if approached.

Hornets primarily feed on insects, which is a great benefit. Apparently, they can also wipe out honeybee populations, but that is not a problem on our property.

Our resident hornet's nest is being built about 40 feet up off the side of a Tulip Poplar in our back yard very near our deck. You can see them busy working around the nest, but we never see them down where we live. Our handy-dandy wildlife and pest expert Tad told me that they will most likely never bother us at all, but that the nest is dormant in the fall if we decide to have it removed.

I first spied this nest above our house coming down the driveway one day. It is also easily seen from our back deck. There is no place in the parts of the yard where we live that you cannot see it; it is highly noticeable against the dark trunks and leaves of the trees. And it is very unattractive. If I decide to remove it, that will probably be why, because it is an eyesore. Does that make me shallow? It might be interesting to dissect!

Maybe it will grow on me before autumn, or Scott may feel strongly one way or the other, but I do wish I had seen it before it had gotten so large.

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Flames of Crimson Monarda

2012-07-20T00:30:00.000-04:00

This beautiful red Monarda (aka Bee Balm) is the prettiest blooming Monarda in our yard. When in bloom, it looks like a barely-contained red fire. It is an eye-catching plant in border plantings, in addition to being photogenic and stunning in vase arrangements.

To me, there are few flowers with an equally interesting bloom head. It blooms atop a 3 foot herbaceous stalk in the summertime. Ideally, this plant should be planted in the most blazing hot all-day sun you can find, and then it will certainly spread and bloom a healthy and impressive display for you.

However, as much as I love it in bloom, Monarda comes with a price; severe powdery mildew. Ultimately, I rather have a love/hate relationship with this perennial. Wholesalers, retailers, and fellow gardeners swear "this variety is impervious to disease in less than full sun", but do not believe them! Every single variety of Monarda (someone has given me) gets a real case of powdery mildew early in the season. Chemicals keep it from spreading to other plants, but the mildew hangs onto Bee Balm here throughout the entire growing season. The white dust of the mildew is so unattractive that once the plant is done blooming in August, I immediately lop it all the way back, and I look forward to the bloom time and loping season again the next year!

"Please come, you are welcome,

It's great to see you smile.

And it's time to go now, early goodbye,

I'll see you around another mile."

The Fox Family

2012-06-09T00:30:00.000-04:00

Oh, what to do with the fox den under the front porch.

First, appreciate. Nature is so amazing and wondrous. I find it remarkably easy and peaceful getting lost gazing at nature. I have seen so many species of flora and fauna through a life of hiking, camping, landscaping, paddling on the water, and just sitting outside, but foxes are one of those pretty little creatures that I have only seen once, and at a great distance. Until now.

Suddenly, we have a new family of grey foxes growing up on our property; they are living under the front deck. I first saw the mother scouting around our front yard during the day, likely due to eviction, about 8 days ago. Once she built a new home, the family started reverting back to their more dawn & dusk nature. But these first few days have been fun watching the kits play in the front yard. I have seen four kits, but only briefly together. It is most likely that I see one romping and exploring alone - the adventurous one. I have seen (her?) climbing the front dogwood tree and learned that the grey fox is the only member of the dog family that can climb trees. They are omnivores, and their main predators here would be hawks, owls, and coyotes.

Friends warn that we will be attacked and/or get rabies etc., but this nature girl does not think like that. We do not have children or outside pets. We don’t run up to wild animals and try to pet them or feed them. We live pretty harmoniously with nature here – a mutual 'live and let live' lot. However, I am not afraid to call Tad (our wildlife relocation specialist) if ever the time comes necessary. For now, I have spread blood meal in the house-adjacent perennial beds in an effort to move their foraging and play habits down to the lower unseen side of the property.

And to my little foxy friends; I imagine you won't be here long, so Thank You for coming, resting, playing, and letting me see you live like this, so close. Godspeed.

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God's Garden

2012-05-27T00:30:00.000-04:00

“The Lord God planted a garden
In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel warden
In a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,
That the hawk might nest with the

wren,
For there in the cool of the even
God walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden-closes
With their shade and their

sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,--
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.

For He broke it for us in a garden
Under the olive-trees
Where the angel of strength was the warden
And the soul of the world found ease.”

- by D.F.Gurney

Eastern Box Turtle

2012-05-19T10:58:00.001-04:00

Help me name my turtle!

As long as we have had Slender Deutzia in the garden, I have seen the box turtle resting here. Of course, that is a coincidence; I do not believe turtles seek out this particular plant.

I know the Eastern Box Turtle can live longer than humans and that they have a home range, so I am convinced the turtle I see in this same spot in our yard every spring and summer is the same one that revisits year after year. This turtle is slightly smaller than average, which makes me think she is female.

I do not know much about these critters. She just appears in her little spot under the Deutzia after long rains beginning in April. Though I know it is during the long mating season when she comes, I never see her come or go, and I do not know if she is nesting here. I know she digs herself far up under the plant and leaves in the evening hours, but I have never seen more than one turtle at a time, and I have never seen eggs or wee turtles. I can not say how long she stays, but I am committed to observing more closely.

I do my best to leave her alone. I do not want to scare her, pick her up, investigate, or otherwise do anything that would prevent her from returning whenever she likes. I love my resident nature, and this gentle little turtle may have lived on this property far longer than I have. Wouldn't you like to help me name her?

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Spiderwort Morning vs. Afternoon

2012-05-06T23:30:00.000-04:00

Scott and I were given our first Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) from an accountant friend of ours, Mike Taylor, who was delightfully more so a perennial plant enthusiast. It gave us something more pleasant to talk about than numbers. Mike dug up a clump of this pretty purple-bloomer from his yard for us and it continues to spread and show off for us year-after-year. Tradescantia virginiana foliage varies from bright yellow to blue-greens, but the flowers mainly range in varying shades of purple.

Spiderwort is a diurnal perennial, meaning the blooms open early in the morning and close again by mid-afternoon everyday, which is the most interesting trait of this plant. Though it prefers more sun to stand tall in big clumps, it tends to look thirsty in the heat of the day when planted in super-sunny spots.

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Japanese Stiltgrass

2012-05-05T22:27:00.000-04:00

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), at first glance, is one of the prettiest groundcovers, so light and gentle blowing in the breeze. It is herbaceous and looks like a low soft bamboo. But do not be tempted to introduce this invasive annual grass to your yard. If you have a managed landscape, begin eradication at first sight.

Roundup kills the emerged plants, but the seeds form young and fly far, so hit it before it seeds and keep your eyes peeled.

Snapshot is a rather pricey pre-emerge herbicide, but it prevents the seeds from germinating in open spaces. Unfortunately, you cannot spread Snapshot in your perennial borders. The only way to remove the unwanted aggressor from your beds is to get down on your hands and knees and start pulling.

I don't have a picture for you because I killed it all (or so I think).

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Guacamole

2012-05-04T23:30:00.000-04:00

My Cinco de Mayo feature plant is Hosta 'Guacamole', and doesn't the blend of warm greens and yellows make it appear true to its namesake?

Like most Hostas, 'Guacamole' is super easy to grow in a part-sun/shade bed with rich, well-drained soil. This one appears thin because I separated it last year, but it still makes a beautiful display. 'Guacamole' makes an interesting choice for Hosta lovers also because of its' large rounded leaves. I spread a little blood meal to keep the deer at bay, and otherwise it is a no-fuss hearty grower.

I plan to celebrate this holiday commemorating Mexican pride and heritage with really great food in a festive atmosphere, so I better get to it!

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Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

2012-05-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

I grew up with two brothers, and we have all lived in different states all of our adult years. Needless to say, we don't see each other very often. For several years, all three of us were able to meet at my older brother's summer party. He called it a luau, and it was great fun. It's always a wonderful reunion when I get together with my brothers. We tell stories and reminisce and laugh well into the next morning. Other than my husband and sister-in-law, I barely notice the other thirty people that show up.

I had wanted a tattoo for a long time. When I was in high school, my older stepsister took me to see one of her friends, but it was a pretty scary scene to me at the time, so I did not get the undecided pretty (butterfly, heart..) I wanted on my shoulder. I ended up with a tiny blip on my finger that I later had removed. But I digress.

Fast forward 25 years, and I finally decided on the perfect first tattoo; I wanted a siblings tattoo (on my foot). Something reminiscent of all of the great times we have had and the love that I have for my brothers. I chose the tropical Hibiscus to represent our luau reunions, and the three buds represent each of us siblings. The tattoo artist designed it for me (Blue Flame in Raleigh hosts some real talent). It turned out to be significantly larger than I had wanted. My artist insisted on size to really showcase the details of the Hibiscus plant, and I don't argue with artists! Large or small, my tattoo gives me exactly the warm and happy thoughts I was looking for.

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Handsome Foliage Pairs - Green

2012-05-02T13:43:00.004-04:00

While striking and beautiful, you do not need whites against blacks, yellows against blues or the bright colors of the trees changing color in the Fall to see great foliage.

Sun: Upright-growing 'Blue Point' Juniperus chinesis stands tall and conspicuous against a backdrop of the leathery leaves and fragrant delicate flowers of the Confederate Jasmine climber (Trachelospermum jasminoides).

Shade: Shady Hosta beds are so calming to look at, especially the varieties with large, somewhat smooth leaves. This 'Blue Mountain' variety stands about 18" tall and 2 ½ feet wide on May 2nd. I paired it against Pachysandra’s low, comparatively miniature, and serrated leaves for eye-catching contrast.

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Hardy Heucheras for Contrast

2012-05-01T11:13:00.002-04:00

Aren't burgundy Heucheras pretty on a breezy day in May? The range of colors you can see is more interesting than the bloom spikes to me.

Heucheras are one of the most essential plants for providing contrast in the garden, especially the purple or speckled varieties. Contrast is an essential element in creating depth, interest, and direction for the visitors eye. This darker Heuchera gives a nice color contrast against the bright greens of the grass and perennials. It also provides size, shape, and textural differences as well. They even come with their own color contrast; you can see the shades of burgundy on the back side of the leaf is much darker compared to the tops of the leaves.

Heucheras are more commonly known as Coral Bells. They come in a wide variety of foliage colors. Heucheras are best used in mass plantings for front borders. This patch started out as three 4" plants about three years ago. They are in bloom now and will remain in bloom for a couple months. Though they like sun, they are happy growers in shady, well-drained gardens as well.

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What Zone Am I In?

2012-04-28T11:43:00.000-04:00

Know what you are planting, and where!

Birds of Costa Rica

2012-04-25T16:05:00.003-04:00

pictures from web

And then there were the super-exotic birds we saw on our only trip outside of this country. Wow! We spied the Resplendent Quetzal on a walking tour of the rainforest (my trip goal fulfilled). Scott spotted the Blue-crowned Motmot in the tropical foliage in front of our hotel in Manuel Antonio and the Blue-grey Tanager from the pool. We also saw the Orange-bellied Trogon hiking the peaks and hanging bridges of the mountains. We saw vibrant hummingbirds (Violet Sabrewings), Emerald Toucanet's, and Parrots living in a field of Orchids. We saw so many exotic species of birds, plants, and mammals. If you love nature, it's worth the trip.

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Feathered Residents

2012-04-25T15:22:00.003-04:00


pictures from web

We have lots of birds coming and going, but the wrens, cardinals, titmice, and chickadee's never leave. The Carolina Wren is a longtime favorite of mine. They sing the most recognizable songs to me. The Northern Cardinal is our beautifully vibrant-colored state bird, the Tufted Titmouse seems less than noteworthy but they are always gentle little souls at the feeder, and the Carolina Chickadee always appear in flocks around trees in berry. I love having all of them as frequent visitors and permanent residents here. It requires little effort to keep them fed on a wooded lot, but I keep a couple seed feeders and suet cakes hanging around to make sure they are extra happy.

It is about that time of year to start seeing more woodpeckers, finches, towhee's, robins, and so on. And I will be watching for them all, with my Stokes Field Guide and binoculars always handy.

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El Presidente from the Captain's Wife

2012-04-25T14:26:00.005-04:00

My mother-in-law bought me this GORGEOUS Clematis ~6 years ago and it is an early-blooming stunner. I am going to try like the dickens to propagate this one (from cutting) so all 30+ feet of fencing we have near our driveway will be blooming with the same plant she gave me.

She picked this one for two reasons; 1) she is LSU's #1 football fan - GEAUX Tigers! 2) she liked the importance the name gave it.

This Clematis does not need to be babysat. It gets a couple hours of sunlight per day and water when it rains, for the most part. Crowding the crown with too much mulch will cause rot, however.

Thank You, MommaKin! I can count on this climber year after year.

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Microclimate Illustration

2012-04-25T11:40:00.004-04:00

I brought home several 2" Aloe Aristata plants from the nursery last spring, and I planted them in different locations. I I planted them all on the same day. This is a neat little illustration of how micro-climates affect plant growth.

Plant #1 was planted in a little pot and left in our house. It is 72º in our house, sometimes colder, and the plant gets indirect sunlight all day long. It has grown over 4" in 12 months. Rather gangly, but growing.

Plant #2 includes 3 plants in one concrete pot. They have been living, for the most part, in full shade, neglected, and outside throughout the winter. They are happy plants, but you can see they are struggling for room. The burgundy leaves are a result of extreme cold against the concrete in the winter. They have grown approximately 1/2"-1" in 12 months.

Plant #3a is in a dry location and gets a couple hours of sun every day. The plant itself has tripled in size, and photo #3b shows it in bloom last August (4 months after planting).
I planted them in different locations.

Lesson learned: This plant thrives outside, in the ground. However, Aloe Aristata will grow any old place you feel like planting it!

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Phalaenopsis x's 4

2012-04-24T20:11:00.000-04:00

Basic instructions for growing re-blooming Orchids in your home:

1) I have found Phalaenopsis to be, by far, the easiest repeat blooming orchids in my home. Buy one that has plenty of unopened buds to assure longest blooms season.

2) If you don't have a wide window sill over your kitchen sink, build a shelf for the window over your kitchen sink.

3) The indirect sunlight and moist air from kitchen sink activity creates a wonderful environment for Phalaenopsis orchids. No misting necessary.

4) Water once a week or so. Fertilize per orchid fertilizer label instructions. Prune back stalks only after they are brown. Prune dead or dying leaves as you notice them.

I have four orchids in bloom right now, and 2 that have buds on them. I have had great luck with orchids re-blooming for me for 3+ years. After that, they start to thin. They continue to bloom, but they thin over the years. I have also had some luck with transplanting, but again, they always seem to remain thin after the 4th year whether transplanted or not. I know they like to dry between waterings, and I know they like some air on their roots, but I am not trying to dig too deep or discourage here today. I have a friend that just built a greenhouse, so I intend to winter my orchids there in upcoming years in hopes of keeping my collection full happy plants longer, and I will report back.

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Camellia japonica

2011-03-03T09:10:00.007-05:00

We have one of these double red Camellias on the left side of our driveway in the middle of a large wooded space. It is in full bloom right now, and it is the star of that whole section of our property. You can't miss it, coming or going. If I can identify exactly which variety it is, I would buy a couple dozen of them and fill that space completely. I love the red bloomer and I love the double bloomers. I think these 4 inch blooms look a lot like peonies.

A fellow landscaper tried to teach me a trick many years ago about how to easily identify japonica from sasanqua Camellias. Japonicas bloom in June (spring/summer), and Sasanquas bloom in September (fall/winter). But what season does March 3rd fall into? Technically, it is still winter, but my Camellia is undoubtedly japonica. The way I know certainly is by the size of the leaves. Camellia japonica leaves are 4 inches long, about twice the size of sasanqua foliage.

Whichever species of Camellia you might have, they are a beautiful shrub in any garden. Setting aside the eye-catching blooms, the plant itself is evergreen and present getting almost as wide as it gets tall while the foliage on both species is decidedly dark green and glossy.

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The Budding of Spring

2011-03-03T08:49:00.004-05:00

Oh boy, it is an exciting time of year in the garden! With the tulips and lilies emerging, the forsythia, early magnolias, ornamental pears, and fruit-bearing trees blooming, and tiny buds on all the permanent trees and shrubs, we know gardening season is upon us.

I start my job as a helper at Plant Delights Nursery this month, and let me say how thrilled I am about working outside all spring and summer at one of my favorite nurseries and alongside lots of plant-happy people. I do not have plans to make major changes in my flower garden this year, but I will keep my mind open to anything. That is the hope and joy that comes with each new spring.

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The Golden Glow of Autumn

2010-11-13T12:29:00.005-05:00

One autumn stands out particularly well in my mind year-after-year. Scott and I took a camping vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the fall of 2000. We hiked the days away amongst the golden glow of Birch, Beech, Maple, Hickory, and Oak cultivars, while their leaves also covered our path. In the middle of the day, deep in the woods, the glow was so bright all around us that we had to wear sunglasses. When I close my eyes, I can see our path as if it was yesterday.

Thanks to that one trip, I am forever grateful for the golden fall trees on our lot. Though we have some of the same trees as the forest, we also have many Poplars as well as hybridized specialty varieties that seem to be created especially for my enjoyment this time of year.

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Variegated Lacecap Hydrangea

2010-06-11T10:28:00.002-04:00

Is there any plant in a shade garden with a more romantic appearance than the periwinkle-toned Lacecap Hydrangea? I have mine paired with the contrasting lacy Sambucus and low-growing Helleborus.

Though you cannot see it in this picture, this plant was variegated when I planted it. I planted three identical variegated Lacecap's together. Some of the variegation remains at the base of one of the plants, but these plants have otherwise reverted back to their stronger straight species. They were so weak and spindly the first four years in the garden that, last year, I desperately planted several Mophead's amongst them. The Lacecap's are starting to thrive, but if you want them happier sooner, give them lots of morning sun!

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