12 Container Gardening, Part 1: Containers
September 7, 2020
14 Ornamental Grasses
September 30, 2020
W oodlanders is one of my many online shopping addictions for rare, native and exotic plants.
Before online nurseries like Woodlanders, we had snail mail plant catalogs where—like online shops—photos and descriptions of plants were all you had to go by. I can’t remember the name of the first nursery catalog I bought from, but I do remember receiving the package.
Here I am with giddy anticipation, ripping open the box, expecting to see plants that look JUST LIKE their catalog pictures. And what do my eyes see? Twigs and clumps of dirt. "What in the hell am I supposed to do with these?"
Since this was back in my "stupid" years, naturally I took the twigs and went out and stuck them in the ground with absolutely no care in the world. Well, shockingly, one of them survived—a Weigela that lived for many years and grew to 5-by-5 feet before it up and died of root rot. The other plants in that box never had a chance. (Don’t ya' just love gardening?! So much potential death.)
I learned better (eventually) from that horrible experience, and now—those "stupid" years behind me—I have a pretty good survival rate with plants purchased online. Here’s why...
When I receive my happy package, I immediately pot-up (next pot size) the plants. Then I quarantine them in my holding area until the Fall or sometimes for one or more years. I'm patient.
I put them in shade first and then in whatever sun exposure they require. All this so I can observe them growing in my zone. Very seldom does a plant go directly into my gardens—except for Helleborus because I know for a fact that it will do what I tell it to. (Too bad I can’t say that about some people I know!)
As for my Woodlanders obsession, I can’t fit all my purchases from them in this post. But here are a few, starting with Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ with a stone girl I found at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.
Here is another ‘Hot Lips’ in front of an iron flower trellis I bought 20 years ago at the Amador Flower Farm. (By the way if you need a Daylily, that's the place! Hundreds upon hundreds of varieties.)
I bought this plant in my January, 2017, Woodlanders order. It came in a 1-quart and is one of my most favorite plants. Get this: in mid-August when most plants have had enough of summer heat and decide to say "screw it, I’m done being beautiful," Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ starts blooming!! It throws out amazing puffish (think lip injection!) pink blossoms against dark green leaves. It grows to 3-by-3 feet and definitely likes full shade—though I do have 2 in morning sun that do just fine.
I have the mother plant still in my holding area. I have divided its roots to create offsprings, some of which have not yet flown the coop.
Next is Bouvardia ternifolia ‘Scarlet Hummer’ (see...I have the label!!!), also purchased in 2017.
This plant lived in my holding area until just this year. I introduced it into my landscape sitting side by side with a Caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’ and Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’.
Its orange-red blossoms are stunning and, as you can see, look a little velvety. It grows to a nice 2-by-2 feet in full sun. The stems are erect with some arching towards the end of the season before it goes dormant.
Now that it's in the ground, I am hoping it will become more full next year and will compliment its neighbors.
Have a look at Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’ also purchased in 2017.
Like all my Woodlanders plants, I gave it the same procedure until spring, 2019, when I planted it at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden’s Perennial Garden. (Quite honestly, 'Storm Cloud' doesn’t do much for me, so why take up space in my garden!?)
Like 'Storm Cloud' not every online purchase turns out great, but every plant deserves a chance somewhere. For example another Amsonia—Amsonia hubrichtii ‘Hubricht’s BlueStar’—pictured below in spring/summer and in fall.
'BlueStar' is definitely the most awesome Amsonia. I bought it years ago—not online but at Lotus Valley Nursery. I tried to grow it in my landscape but the nearby trees got too big and it didn't get the full sun space it needs. So I planted it also at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden’s Perennial Garden. I don't jump for joy over its spring flowers, but OMG its fall colors are amazing! I love its light and airy foliage. It quickly grows to 3-by-3 feet and dies down to the ground in winter.
'BlueStar' will not disappoint you, but good luck finding one. LOL. (Actually, isn’t the hunt the best part?!)
Clematis hybrid ‘Stand By Me’
This Clematis came in my 2018 Woodlanders order. I kept it in my holding area until spring, 2019, when I planted it at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, again, because I had no room for it in full sun.
Clematis hybrid ‘Stand By Me’ is NOT a vine—shocking, I know—but so pretty. Just look at the blossoms which bloom in early spring and then repeat in late summer. Its season ends with creamy puffs of seed heads which I leave on for the birds and then cut halfway down. It does die back naturally for winter. Right now it is only 2-by-2 feet, but in another year, I expect it will grow to 3-by-3 or bigger.
Okay, here is the BIG REVEAL! Behold my holding area (sadly under smoke-filled skies lately).
What can I say, I love plants! When I am creating a design in my gardens, it is so satisfying to "shop" in my very own nursery. I like having inventory at my beck and call. Plants are so much more cooperative in this way than people...
...Which brings up this NEWSFLASH: We FINALLY installed a fence around my gardens!!! Only took 25 years because, in my vision of being in, walking through, enjoying my gardens, I don’t want TO SEE any fencing! So my husband and I—yes for 25 years—had "discussions" over placement. Gawd, so exhausting. But now, so well worth it.
The existing deer fence around my holding area will remain in place though, in case I can't get my gun quick enough. JK!
In other news, since I've mentioned the Sherwood Demonstration Garden (SDG) here and elsewhere, you deserve some background. The garden was built by The El Dorado County Master Gardeners, of which I am Chairman. I'm also chair of the SDG's Perennial Garden. When I don't have space in my own garden I donate plants there because at least I can still enjoy them.
I’ll be dedicating a future blog post to the SDG and will probably mention it throughout my blog adventure until I am on my death bed (thanks, Cheryl). Check out our website.
Here’s a peek at what we are building right now at SDG—an outdoor classroom so that our public education classes can be held right at the garden.
Speaking of public education, maybe Driving Miss Viola comes from the same place inside me where the love of Everything Plants has its own big holding area. Thing is, I can't hold it in! Makes me happy to educate—especially if I can help others get past their "stupid" years faster.
SAVE THE PLANTS!!!
P.S.: I'm happy to announce that Driving Miss Viola has been picked up by Feedspot for its "Top 15 Plant Nursery Blogs & News Websites To Follow in 2020" list!
Photos courtesy Sheri Lynn Burke. All rights reserved.
Photo of 'BlueStar' in fall by Pauline Atkins.
Photo of SDG pergola by Cheryl Turner.
