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Succulent in Seattle

Fern — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:29:21 +0000

Five Things Friday: Citrus

Fern — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:45 +0000

I’m starting a new series called “Five Things Friday.” Each Friday, I’ll share links to five articles all curated around a theme. This week, all of the links will be related citrus trees. Growing them. Eating their fruit. The pests that bother them. Etc.

While I have your attention, I want to invite you to send in your own themed lists. Here’s the rules: (1) the list must revolve around some sort of container gardening theme, (2) each link must be to a different website, and (3) the list must contain one link to an article on LOTB. Sound like fun? Shoot me an email with your Five Things.

How to Grow Citrus Trees in Containers - I have had several citrus trees, including blood oranges and tangerines. Though one of the professors that taught my master gardener class would disagree, they make great container plants. Here’s how to grow a little bit ‘o sunshine on your balcony or patio.
Citrus-Pomegranate Quinoa Salad – One thing I like about this recipe is that it is healthy while still delicious. It’s also nice that it only calls for one orange, one lemon, and one lime. When you only have room for one tree of each variety, you might not have a ton of fruit all at once, so I’m always on the lookout for recipes that call for a small amount of the fruits and vegetables I like growing. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, “quinoa” is pronounced “keen-wah.”
Lemon Chex Buddies – Much to my mom’s dismay, my favorite type of dessert usually involves lemons not chocolate, though I think they combine together fantastically. This is a sweet-sour take on chex party mix. Yum!
Grow Citrus Trees as Houseplants – I didn’t know this was possible, but the folks at Fourwinds Growers say it is. Check it out if you want to have an indoor citrus tree.
Citrus Pests - In this article, Arizona master gardeners introduce you to the pests you are most likely to encounter on your citrus tree. YUCK! But important to know about so you can take appropriate measures.

Grow Some Tangy Citrus in Your Container Garden

Fern — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:29 +0000

This post has been rumbling around in my head for quite some time. Citrus trees are among container gardeners’ favorite victims fruit trees, so I don’t know why it has taken me so long to put my thoughts down in a blog post. I have had several citrus trees, including blood oranges and tangerines. Though one of the professors that taught my master gardener class would disagree, they make great container plants. Here’s how to grow a little bit ‘o sunshine on your balcony or patio…

Suitably Small Varieties for Container Gardening

Like all trees you plan to grow in a pot, you should always, always, always select either a natural dwarf or a tree growing on dwarf rootstock. According to Sunset’s Western Garden Book of Edibles dwarf citrus trees are usually grafted on to one of two kinds of root stock. If given a large enough pot or grown in the ground, trifolate orange (Poncirus trifolate) will produce a 10 foot tree in 15 years, while ‘Flying Dragon’ trifolate orange produces an even shorter 7 foot tree in that time period. Either rootstock variety will sufficiently stunt the growth of your tree to make it happy to grow in a container.

Kumquats

Kumquats produce fruit that look like tiny, oblong oranges. They are usually tart, and the fruit is eaten skin and all. You don’t need to select a variety growing on dwarf rootstock because these citrus trees are naturally short. Kumquats do best in areas with warm summers and chilly fall/winter nights. They’re hardy down to 20F if the pot is protected. Kumquats can usually be brought indoors in cold winter climates and still produce a good harvest.

‘Fukushu’ produces sweeter-than-normal fruit and the tree is thornless
‘Meiwa’ is the sweetest, and least-seedy variety of kumquat. Trees are nearly thornless.
‘Tavares Limequat’ is a cross between a kumquat and a Mexican lime. The tree is attractive and compact (less than 6 feet tall at maturity)

Lemons

Lemons are a great choice in areas with summers that aren’t hot enough for other types of citrus. They especially enjoy coastal areas, and will produce fruit year round near the beach.

‘Improved Meyer’ is the best variety for container gardeners. It is a disease-free version of regular ‘Meyer’ lemons (which cannot be sold in some states, due to the virus the trees carry). The fruit is sweeter with thinner skins thanks to the fact that is actually a lemon-orange hybrid. Can be brought indoors during the winter without sacrificing fruit production.
‘Sungold’ and ‘Variegated Pink’ both have green and yellow variegated leaves.

Mandarins

Some varieties of Citrus reticulata are called tangerines, while others are called mandarins. If you choose a variety that produces seeds, get only one citrus tree. It will produce more seeds if the tree has a friend to cross-pollinate with.

‘Gold Nugget’ was one of the favorites of the citrus expert from University of California that spoke to my master gardener class. It’s fruit is seedless, very sweet, and easy to peel.
‘Seedless Kishu’ was another favorite. The flavor of the fruit is very complex and delicious

Oranges

Oranges need hot summers to produce sweet fruit, they do not do well in coastal areas or in northern climates with very mild summers.

‘Washington’ and ‘Robertson’ are nearly identical varieties of navel oranges. ‘Robertson’ produces fruit two weeks earlier than ‘Washington.’ Growing one of each prolongs your orange harvest.
‘Tarocco’ is a blood orange that has red flesh and a complex flavor with raspberry overtones. Makes an excellent espalier.
‘Trovita’ has thinner skin than navel oranges and has no navel. It also requires less heat than other types of oranges.

One Tree or Two?

Because fruit is the result of plant sex (I kid you not), many kinds of fruit trees produce the best harvest (fruit are the resulting offspring of the plant sex) when they have a similar type of tree near by to cross-pollinate. Most citrus varieties, however, are self-fertile. Which means they don’t need a partner to produce offspring. I’ll leave the weird mental images to your imagination, but this is good news for small-space gardeners because it means you don’t need to waste space with a second tree if one tree will produce all the fruit you need.

Choosing the Right Pot

Citrus trees need a pot that is at least 18 inches tall and wide. I have grown a dwarf mandarin in a pot that was not 18 inches wide, but it was stunted and fruit production was not as good. This is because citrus trees have roots that spread out close to the surface. In a citrus grove you’ll often find tree roots growing in the leaf liter below the tree. Select a pot with thick walls, glazed ceramic is ideal. I learned the hard way that citrus do not like the super-heated soil found in metal pots.

You’ll need to gently root-prune and repot every 5 years or so.

Watering Your Citrus Tree

You should water your tree often enough so that the soil only briefly dries out between watering. This may be every day in the summer. Withholding water for the week or two before you harvest will help sweeten the fruit.

Harvesting Your Fruit

You must, absolutely must, allow the fruit to ripen on the tree. To tell if the fruit is ripe, pick one and taste it. You can’t tell if the fruit is ripe by rind color, as most varieties color quite some time before they are ripe.

How to Prune Your Citrus Tree

Simply put, you don’t need to prune your tree at all. Pruning will not improve your harvest. Lower branches produce the most fruit, so definitely don’t cut those off. Prune lightly for aesthetic reasons and to remove any dead or diseased branches.

The What and When of Fertilizing

Nitrogen is your citrus tree’s best friend. Fertilize monthly from February to November with a high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer according to package instructions. In frost-prone climates start fertilizing later and stop earlier. If the leaves are deep green with burned tips, you’re fertilizing too much. Citrus are also very sensitive to soil that is too alkaline, a problem for those of us with hard water. If you see light green leaves with dark green veins, you most likely need to re-acidify your potting soil with some soil acidifier (sometimes marketed as a hydrangea blueing agent).

How to Make This Stylish Fall Windowbox

Fern — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:07 +0000

While taking a walk around the Queen Village Neighborhood of Philadelphia I spotted this super gorgeous windowbox jam packed with interesting foliage plants perfect for fall. Black Mondo Grass and ornamental cabbages? Yes, please!

If you want to recreate this look, here’s a container plan and plant list:

Black Mondo Grass
Fern
Ornamental cabbage
Wire vine

You may have to really squeeze the plants in, but the strappy leaves of the ferns and mondo grass look best when they comingle with nearby plants. I’ve found that it’s easiest to start from back to front, putting in the larger plants first, and then following with smaller plants.

Get your DIY on with “Concrete Garden Projects”

Fern — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:00:39 +0000

While emailing recently with my publisher (Timber Press), I discovered they had just published a new book called Concrete Garden Projects by Malin Nilsson and Camilla Arvidsson. The cover had such cute star-shaped containers planted with spring bulbs that I knew this was a book I wanted to read. Luckily Timber was willing to oblige my book lust and sent me a copy to review.

I’ve written about many ways to convert found objects into containers (flour sifters, wine boxes, portable BBQs…), but I don’t think I’ve ever tried making my own container “from scratch.” Enter Concrete Garden Projects. Though the book isn’t limited to containers, authors Malin and Camilla also have ideas for making your own built in BBQ tables, potting tables, water fountains, and more.

The majority of the book is filled with “inspiration,” lots of different ideas to get your creative juices flowing. The authors introduce the concrete object, give you a brief overview of how to make it, tips for customizing it, and ideas on how the piece will weather outdoors. Each idea is accompanied by at least one large, beautiful photo. Many of the author’s ideas have several photos or a two-page spread. They also share different techniques for adding texture, color, or embedding little treasures in your concrete creations.

The last quarter of the book shows you how to work with concrete to make the ideas in the first part of the book. The “how to” section has lots of step-by-step photos to help you understand how to complete each project.

I am definitely going to make the shoe scraper door mat. I’ve long needed something near the door from my balcony into the condo, but I could never find something the right size. Now I can make one that is to my own specifications. Of course, I also plan on making several of the different pot ideas, as well as some stepping stones for my work garden. It’s hard to keep the list of projects I want to try from the book realistic (unless I want to dedicate every weekend of 2012 to concrete casting–which is sounding better and better). I really like several of the bird bath ideas and the modernist bench. The tea lights are cute, as are the tic-tac-toe board and hanging garden ornament. Ugh. See why I’m already blocking out weekends in 2012?!

All-in-all, this is a great book. I have only two tiny quibbles. The authors recommend making holes in containers meant for plants, but suggest that it’s possible to create a pot without a drainage hole and merely put some clay balls in the bottom to keep the plants in the pot from rotting. In my opinion, all pots must have drainage holes unless they are the self watering variety. My second gripe–and again, these are such minor issues–is that there is a photo with a hens-and-chick (Sempervivum) succulent cutting floating in a bird bath. It looked adorable, but why would anyone float a drought tolerant plant in water?

Anyway, don’t let these two little complaints from me prevent you from enjoying this book, I’m just trying to keep it real. I know my copy will be well used and probably covered in flecks of concrete.

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I received Concrete Garden Projects for free to review from Timber Press. To read more about my review policy, click here.

Three ways iron planters can improve your small-space container garden

Fern — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:01:00 +0000

I’m embarassed to admit that Outdoor Iron sent me this planter to review quite some time ago. As you can see from the photos, it’s a very cute planter. I used colorful pots and succulents to add a little interest to a small, narrow space in my parents’ side yard. It sits right under my mom’s craft room window. She has mentioned a couple of times that the planter really makes her happy, and I do think it looks pretty nice. So, why the delay in reviewing it? I kind of felt stumped because, well, what do you say about an iron planter? The design is charming, the packaging properly protected it during shipping, the owner of the site seems like a really nice, hard-working guy…and?

I assume you guys expect more than a sentence from me, so I thought I would use the Shasta Metal Planter as an excuse to chat about how you can incorporate an iron planter in your garden.

You can fit more plants in the same space

When you have a small space, there are only so many plants you can fit into a single space. Or not. When you use a multi-tiered planter like this one, you can fit twice as many plants in the same space by putting plants in both the lower shelf and the main planting area up top. Thing about all the herbs you could grow in the relatively small space this iron planter takes up!

One small tip: if you want to use pots whose base is narrower than the space between the iron slats, you can weave thin iron rods (look for them at hardware stores) between the slats so that your pots have a firm surface to sit on.

Direct foot traffic

At my last apartment, there was a decorative piece of woodwork that hung down low, right next to my front door. If someone tried to make a beeline for my door, they’d whack their forehead on that piece of wood. That is, until I put an iron planter very similar to this one underneath the spot, forcing people to walk around it and avoid the decorative woodwork. Problem solved! You could also use a planter to block off an area with style.

Create privacy (or hide an unsightly view)

In many apartments and condos, your living room or bedroom window may look out onto a walkway that your neighbors use to get to and from their units. You could use an iron planter planted with tall, dense plants like horsetail can obstruct passersby view into your apartment. Same thing if your outdoor space is a little too exposed for your taste.

The opposite problem can also be solved by an artfully placed planter full of tall, dense plants. Let’s say that your problem is not people looking into your space, but something ugly you can see when you look out. Maybe it’s an ugly panel of utility meters. An iron planter is perfect because you can block your view, but it can easily be moved aside when a meter reader needs to take a look.

Do you have an iron planter in your garden? How are you using it?

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I received iron planter to review from Outdoor Iron. To read more about my review policy, click here.

FleurChat: Gardening in DC With Kathy Jentz

Fern — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:00:01 +0000

Here is the transcript of our Fleur Chat held on October 13, 2011. The chat was moderated by yours truly (@lifeontheblcny). Our guest was Kathy Jentz (@WDCgardener), the publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine. We discussed flowers for the mid-Atlantic region, collecting seeds, and joining garden clubs.

Q1 – What is your favorite flower and why?

Q2 – How do you decide whether a flower’s seeds are worth saving? Which seeds are you saving this year?

Q3 – Is there a flower you often seen grown in your area, but think it is not well-suited to the region and not worth the trouble?

Q4 – What are the benefits to a flower-lover of joining a gardening club?

Q5 – What’s your favorite plant combo?

@FleurChat: Q1 What is your favorite flower and why? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @LifeOnTheBlcny: Garden in the mid-Atlantic region? Head on over to #fleurchat to pick @WDCGardener’s brain. She’s editor of Washington Gardener Mag!

@jchapstk: @WDCGardener glad I saw this tweeted. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: A to Q1: My favorite flower is peony. I just love their full, luscious look. Just wish they rebloomed throughout the season. #fleurchat

@deltagardener: Q1- roses, roses and more roses #Fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @LifeOnTheBlcny: Garden in mid-Atlantic? Head to #fleurchat, pick @WDCGardeners brain. Shes editor of Washington Gardener Mag! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener how are you doing? Let’s talk plants #fleurchat

@tinakoral: My favorite too! Hi all. I am embarrassingly new to fleurchat and twitter! #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Yeah @jmarkowski0! So glad you made it! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener early, late, double, tree peonies? #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: Fave flower is wild lupines #Fleurchatnn #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener early, late, double, tree peonies? #fleurchat

@flowercents: I can’t decide my favorite flower, way too many favorites! Needs fragrance though. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: A to Q1 cont.: I’m really partial to the old-fashioned heirloom peonies – http://t.co/6DVXnIwr #fleurchat

@jchapstk: I’m with you. 2many choices. RT @flowercents: I can’t decide my favorite flower, way too many favorites! Needs fragrance though. #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: @WDCGardener So jealous that you can grow peonies. In much of the west we don’t have enough cold. Tho they grow great in PNW. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @tinamoral it’s OK, just hit 10 month anniversary for me and twitter- easy to catch on #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: @flowercents it is hard to choose just one……..#fleurchatn #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Hi @jmarkowski0 @tinakoral! #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: Q1 – Fave flower is viburnum (‘Aurora’ a fave), sweet scent, early in season when dying for color #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: I am know for hardy hibiscus (hibiscus moscheutos) but I have many I can’t live without #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: A to Q1 cont.: Festiva Maxima peony was one of first plants I got as division from my mom’s garden and love to divide/pass it on. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener :-) Hard to beat Festiva Maxima. We also like Msr Jules Elie. Can only grow early here, hot summers, dry air. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat I am partial to flowers with fragrance. Love roses, and peonies.

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @WDCGardener Do peonies grow like weeds in your area, or are there special things that they need? #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: RT @WherePlantsRock: I am know for hardy hibiscus (hibiscus moscheutos) but I have many I cant live without #Fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener I am a fan og the singles and love those Itoh crosses #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener Did you read Tasha Tudor’s book with the peonies chapter? #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: @jchapstk I love my roses, Lilacs and Wisteria #Fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: @WherePlantsRock Ooh. Have any pics handy that you can share? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @LifeOnTheBlcny Peonies are very easy here – only problem is by late summer foilage looks like crap but other than that no fuss. #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: @LifeOnTheBlcny have you ever gone to Julian for the Peonies they grow there used to have a festival years back? #Fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter no, will have to look for that book.n #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: Ooh, Festiva Maxima is gorgeous! RT @WDCGardener: Q1 Im partial to the old-fashioned heirloom peonies –http://t.co/MZqZtjMK #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @Gardner_Bloome just shot ‘cranberry crush’ with Cotinus ‘golden spirit’ this morning #FleurChathttp://t.co/jnQHQLw5

@WDCGardener: I never have to stake my peony blooms either – think no fertilizer, no mulching, and full sun is the key. #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: RT @WDCGardener: A big “Hey!” to @DaffodilPlanter @deltagardener @whereplantsrock @greensoil @flowercents #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q2 How do you decide whether a flower’s seeds are worth saving? Which seeds are you saving this year? #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: @WherePlantsRock I don’t think I’ve ever seen a deep red hibiscus like that… Very pretty! #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q2: For seed saving, I put a ribbon or twist-tie flowers that I especially like so I know which seeds to go back and collect. #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: WOOT now we have #fleurchat #hobbyfarm and #dadchat all going good thing I’m not a Dad <|;-) 3 chats be way to many #hobbyfarm

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener Tovah Martin’s book, Tasha Tudor’s Garden. A nightstand regular for me. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q2: For seed saving, I put a ribbon or twist-tie flowers that I especially like so I know which seeds to go back and collect. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q2 cont.: This year, I’m saving seeds from a few African Marigolds that won me first and second prize ribbons at the county fair. #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: RT @WDCGardener I never have to stake my peony blooms either – think no fertilizer, no mulching, and full sun is the key. #fleurchat

@realmattdaddy: Moms are welcome too! RT @GreenSoil: WOOT now we have #fleurchat #hobbyfarm and #dadchat all going good thing Im not a Dad #hobbyfarm

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter I enjoy Sarah Raven’s books #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: Good idea: RT @WDCGardener: Q2: …I put a ribbon or twist-tie flowers that I like so I know which seeds to go back and collect. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat my marigolds tend to self seed. I don’t have to save them.

@GreenSoil: @realmattdaddy hay thanks for the invite <|;-) #hobbyfarm #fleurchat #Dadchat #hobbyfarm

@WDCGardener: Q2 cont.: Mostly, I save seeds from easy annuals like cosmos and cleome aka spiderflower. #fleurchat

@GwenMcCauley: RT @peggycoonley: Fave flower is wild lupines #Fleurchat >Rn’t they just gorgeous, esp on a nice foggy day nn #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock I’ll check her out! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @GreenSoil guess they want a hot mama at #daddychat #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @WDCGardener How do you know if a plant whose seed you saved will come true to form? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WDCGardener Do any seed swaps? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jchapstk I’m really fond of flowers that self-sow: Brazilian verbena and sunflowers. Very low-maintenance gardening is the best! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: @jchapstk I’m really fond of flowers that self-sow: Brazilian verbena and sunflowers. Very low-maintenance gardening is the best! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @LifeOnTheBlcny: @WDCGardener How do you know if a plant whose seed you saved will come true to form? #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener Brazilian verbena? Verbena bonariensis? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @LifeOnTheBlcny If it is a hybrid, it likely won’t come true to seed. But most old-fashioned heirloom flowers do come true.n #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: @LifeOnTheBlcny If it is a hybrid, it likely won’t come true to seed. But most old-fashioned heirloom flowers do come true.n #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jchapstk Washington Gardener Magazine holds 2 Seed Exchanges each yr (both in late Winter) – 1 in Virginia and 1 in Maryland. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @WherePlantsRock yes, Brazilian verbena is Verbena bonariensis aka “Verbena on a stick” #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q2 cont.: I also save lots of seeds from my perennial flowers to share at our Washington Gardener Magazine seed exchanges. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener it’s friendly and not invasive- won’t crowd other plants out- I like it #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q2 cont.: I also save lots of seeds from my perennial flowers to share at our Washington Gardener Magazine seed exchanges. #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q3 Is there a flower you often seen grown in your area, but think it is not well-suited to the region and not worth the trouble? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Here is a video I made and posted this week on easy flower seed saving: http://t.co/xpx0VjWv #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: Here is a video I made and posted this week on easy flower seed saving: http://t.co/74QkMwUW#fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @WherePlantsRock totally agree – Brazilian verbena plays well with others and if in a bad spot is easy to pull and transplant #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @FleurChat: Q3 Is there a flower you often seen grown in your area, but think it is not well-suited to the region and not worth the trouble? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q3: I’d say in the Mid-Atlantic/Washington #DC region, the hardest flowers to grow are roses. We just have such high humidity. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: @WherePlantsRock yes, Brazilian verbena is Verbena bonariensis aka “Verbena on a stick” #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: I also save lots of seeds from my perennial flowers to share at our Washington Gardener Magazine seed exchanges. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: When I lived in the DC area I noticed rust on Alcea, blackspot on roses, and mildew on lupines #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q3 cont.: I would not say “don’t grow roses here” – just beware you are going to get black spot and need to learn to live with it #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: Q3 – Phlox paniculata is bane of my existence, flowers OK, foliage a mess always #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @WherePlantsRock Q3 cont.: Also hard to do here the Mid-Atlantic/Washington #DC region are phlox due to powdery mildew. #fleurchat

@flowercents: A3 Hollyhock and any others that don’t tolerate rain and a lack of heat. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jmarkowski0 LOL jinx!n #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @WDCGardener Is there anywhere that’s ideal for roses? Too dry here, though ppl will heavily irrigate. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: I forgot about the phlox and the monarda #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @jchapstk: #fleurcaht I love my roses. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener Henry Mitchell grew roses in DC after all #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @LifeOnTheBlcny too dry? #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: There are some pretty good strains of mildew resistant monarda out there. A name is on the tip of my tongue…… #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @LifeOnTheBlcny I think England has ideal for roses – not too hot or humid, reliable moisture, no big pest problems <- jealous #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter LOL #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q3: I’d say in the Mid-Atlantic/Washington #DC region, the hardest flowers to grow are roses. We just have such high humidity. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q3 cont.: I would not say “don’t grow roses here” – just beware you are going to get black spot and need to learn to live with it #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: I have lots of roses, but I am “no spray” so they look ratty post-May thru the winter – I can tolerate it for April-May splendor #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @Gardner_Bloome gardenview scarlet #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardner I loved the lush gardens of DC/MD/VA. What do you plant with your roses? #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @WherePlantsRock Yeah. Not enough water. Lots of powdery mildew thanks to dry heat. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter planted with my roses at their base (to cover ugly legs) are catmint, salvia, and lots of other herbs #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: Glad I’m not alone RT @WDCGardener LOL jinx! #fleurchat

@flowercents: @WDCGardener I don’t spray my roses either, won’t grow any that need spraying #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @WherePlantsRock I also see lots of chlorosis, probably from our alkaline soil not mineral deficiency. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @LifeOnTheBlcny you’re in OC? My grandparents were in the Santa Ynez Valley- very different #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q4 What are the benefits to a flower-lover of joining a gardening club? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: I tried garlic at base of one of my roses this yr, but did not see much benefit to roses so moved garlic out to edible beds now #fleurchat

@h2oMatters: @wdcgardener Do systemic fungicides help/work for roses in Mid Atlantic? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q4: Benefits to flower-lovers of joining local garden clubs is first, pick one that does plant swaps = free plants! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener I like pinks and tall sedums near roses- sets off foliage #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q4: Benefits to flower-lovers of joining local garden clubs is first, pick one that does plant swaps = free plants! #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @flowercents Amen, I’m all about plant it and forget it – it better thrive and survive cause I’m not babying any plants – no time #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener Q4: Benefits to flower-lovers of joining local garden clubs is pick one that does plant swaps = free plants! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener I like pinks and tall sedums near roses- sets off foliage #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @whereplantsrock Yeah, that area is much cooler than most of OC. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @h2oMatters systemic fungicides may work for a season or two but nothing wins out in the end #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter and maybe one that exchanges seed among members? #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: RT @WDCGardener Q4 Benefits to flower-lovers of joining local garden clubs is 1st, pick one that does plant swaps = free plants! #fleurchat

@flowercents: @WDCGardener I SO agree with your philosophy, gardening should be fun, after all #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q4: Next benefit of local garden clubs is that many offer flower-arranging workshops, flower shows, and terrific garden speakers. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @LifeOnTheBlcny their roses, jasmine, and honeysuckle always seemed in bloom #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock For sure! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat There are also many specialized plant societies everywhere to get specific plants, rose clubs, daylily clubs, etc.

@WDCGardener: RT @flowercents: @WDCGardener I SO agree with your philosophy, gardening should be fun, after all #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: Our garden club has informative and fun educational programs. Teas, picnics and fieldtrips…….Now in it’s 83rd year! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q4: Next benefit of local garden clubs is that many offer flower-arranging workshops, flower shows, and terrific garden speakers. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: benefit of local garden clubs: many offer flower-arranging workshops, flower shows & terrific garden speakers. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Lots of clubs offer excursions to local/nearby spring flower shows.

@WDCGardener: Q4: Another benefit to local garden clubs is learning from veteran gardeners what plants and varieties do best in your area. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q4: Another benefit to local garden clubs is learning from veteran gardeners what plants and varieties do best in your area. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @jchapstk in large metro areas yes, but I am in a town of 20k and belong to Spokane and Portland clubs because there R none here #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @PeggyCoonley 83rd garden club anniversary is great – the club I’m president of will be 75 in a few yrs and we are planning big #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WherePlantsRock Isn’t the NW Flower show coming your way soon? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: benefit to local garden clubs: learning from vet gardeners what plants & varieties do best in yr area > Amen! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat some of our clubs rent buses to travel to the Philadelphia Flower Show every spring.

@WherePlantsRock: @jchapstk yes, almost 200 miles away….btw I am speaking this year! #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: @WDCGardener Great fun!n #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q4: Another benefit to joining local garden clubs is learning making friends who love flowers too! If none by you, start one! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock Did you see Keeyla Meadows speak at the Spokane club recently? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WherePlantsRock Cool! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: Q4: Another benefit to joining local garden clubs is learning making friends who love flowers too! If none by you, start one! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener all the veteran ladies who were in the club here became master gardeners and have pass on- information lost #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: RT @WDCGardener Q4 benefit to joining garden clubs is learning making friends who love flowers too! If none by you, start one! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener benefit to joining local garden club: making friends who love flowers too! If none by you, start one! #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q5 What’s your favorite plant combo? #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter I could not make it- I was there in July for Thomas Fischer from timber/ former editor of Horticulture #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: Q5: Favorite combo: I love chartreuse foliage and white flowers. For ex., ‘Alligator Tears’ coleus and ‘Serena’ white angelonia. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @FleurChat Fave combo: dogwood & spring bulbs #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Q5 sweet potato vine with anything dark purple or deep pink.

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter their meetings don’t get over till almost 10…hard two hour drive home #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @DaffodilPlanter: @FleurChat Fave combo: dogwood & spring bulbs #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock Sounds great too! #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jchapstk what color sweet potato vine? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: Green. RT @WDCGardener: @jchapstk what color sweet potato vine? #fleurchat

@Tootsie_Time: RT @jchapstk: Green. RT @WDCGardener: @jchapstk what color sweet potato vine? #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter nice – what spring bulb combos? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock Brutal in winter. Sounds more like an overnight stay. #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: Q5 – Fave combo dark red/scarlet foliage and purple/blue flowers #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WDCGardener #fleurchat one of my neighbors covers their porch with that every year. Lovely camouflage.

@WherePlantsRock: Favorite combo, margarita potato vine, cuphea little mice, and gild leafed pineapple sage #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jchapstk I like black sweet potato vine and bright tropical pink and orange flower combos like canna and new guinea impatiens #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WDCGardener sounds pretty. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter I may do just that #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Hey Ya’ll…. Joining late for #Fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jmarkowski0 do you have variety examples for your fave combos? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener white dogwood & white daffodils, or white/grn viridiflora tulips, or ANY spring bulb #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @RedneckRosarian welcome and you missed our rose trashing – LOL #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: @DaffodilPlanter Dogwoods are one of my favorites with all the spring bulbsn #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Downtown Baltimore must have got a special on green potato vine and geraniums. It’s very pretty, but it’s everywhere.

@RedneckRosarian: Awwww….. It happens! RT @WDCGardener: @RedneckRosarian welcome and you missed our rose trashing – LOL #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @RedneckRosarian Missed you! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @RedneckRosarian @WDCGardener She’s just bemoaning our humidity and mold and mildew problems. That’s just roses! #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter I love white daffs esp Sir Winston Churchill and Thalia #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @WDCGardener canna ‘intrigue’ may be more your style #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener Do they come back for you? #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: Heuchera/Campanula has worked well RT@WDCGardener do you have variety examples for your fave combos? #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: #Fleurchat love our sweet potato vine! http://t.co/MjHyiEx2

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @greensoil No! Didn’t know about that. Have only gone to Julian for the apples. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: my fave tulip is Angelique http://t.co/R0ZNqWc4 - how about all you? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat http://t.co/5pvr7XvD Check out the site.

@RedneckRosarian: @jchapstk @WDCGardener when you said humidity mold and mildew, I thought you were talking about Alabama! Ha #Fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @jchapstk more like the ordered it as a theme- a lot of municipalities do-I tried to interest our town in staggered combos- no go #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @RedneckRosarian lol. MD, too. #Fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jmarkowski0 yes, Heuchera and all the new colors are terrific in combos now #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: I think they still have it if the do it’s a fun day go drive great people I see if I can find info @LifeOnTheBlcny #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter hi, yes, daffs return and multiply reliably here in Mid-Atlantic as do most minor bulbs – not true of tulips #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: my fave tulip is Angelique http://t.co/zQpwVrtC - how about all you? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener do your white daffs return as well as the others? some say not. #fleurchat

@BG_garden: RT @WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter I love white daffs esp Sir Winston Churchill and Thalia #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: @DaffodilPlanter Ice Follies is a great naturalizer for white #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @DaffodilPlanter yes, white daffs have returned-even a dozen I planted in a big container-that was a surprise thought they rotted #fleurchat

@BG_garden: “@DaffodilPlanter: @RedneckRosarian Missed you! #fleurchat” < I missed you guys?! I love #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @PeggyCoonley Yes, it’s so reliable! Always happy to see it! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: Cuphea little mice and margarita sweet potato vine #FleurChat http://t.co/i5MHNX4Y

@WDCGardener: @PeggyCoonley agree, Ice Follies is reliable returner for me and I see it in local parks here and I know they are not re-planting #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat The WAshignton Gardener FB page http://t.co/uLkpaAYh

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Washington, fingers not working. Sorry.

@FleurChat: @WDCGardener Thank you so much for being our #fleurchat guest! Great info!

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @jchapstk: #fleurchat The Washington Gardener Mag. FB page http://t.co/EdB7lDsJ > Like! #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @jchapstk thanks – also catch Washington Gardener Magazine in print and online at out blog: http://t.co/gUdfV7d6#fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WDCGardener: @jchapstk thanks – also catch Washington Gardener Magazine in print and online at out blog:http://t.co/gUdfV7d6 #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WDCGardener: @jchapstk thanks – also catch Washington Gardener Magazine in print and online at our blog:http://t.co/9y14dRGK #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: Thank you Kathy, always s pleasure to chat with you…it’s been awhile #fleurchat

@jmarkowski0: @DaffodilPlanter @WDCGardener @PeggyCoonley Mt Hood white daff has been reliable here in NJ #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @FleurChat loved being a part of it – glad you all made it too #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Hey Bren! RT @BG_garden: “@DaffodilPlanter: @RedneckRosarian Missed you! #fleurchat” < I missed you guys?! I love #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @jmarkowski0 Good to hear! Thx! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Thanks, Kathy @WDCGardener Thanks, @LifeOnTheBlcny for the great chat.

@PeggyCoonley: @jmarkowski0 Yes, Mt Hood works in the my area too! #fleurchat

@GreenSoil: RT @jchapstk: #fleurchat Thanks, Kathy @WDCGardener Thanks, @LifeOnTheBlcny for the great chat. #Fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: Thanks all……..Good night!n #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WDCGardener @Fleurchat Thanks! A lovely hour of info & gardeners. #fleurchat

@WDCGardener: @PeggyCoonley @jmarkowski0 ditto Mt Hood is a relaible white daff here #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Goodnight all.

@WDCGardener: Good night – see you on Twitter soon. #fleurchat

Fleur Chat: Daffodils with Charlotte Germane

Fern — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:42:09 +0000

Here is the transcript of our Fleur Chat held on October 6, 2011. The chat was moderated by yours truly (@lifeontheblcny). Our guest was Charlotte Germane (@DaffodilPlanter), the blogger behind the fabulous blog Daffodil Planter. We discussed growing daffodils, daffodil companion plants, daffodil clubs, everything daffodils!

Q1 – If you could grow only one daffodil, which one would you grow?

Q2 – Are there any special tricks for growing daffodils?

Q3 – What/Where are your favorite places to find daffodil planting inspiration? Any really good public gardens?

Q4 – Are any/all daffodil’s suitable for growing in containers?

Q5 – What’s your favorite companion plant for daffodils?

Q6 – Are there any daffodil clubs? If yes, what are the benefits of being in a specialized daffodil group?

@FleurChat: Welcome everyone! Tonight’s #fleurchat topic is daffodils, and we have @DaffodilPlanter here to share her love and knowledge with us!

@DaffodilPlanter: @FleurChat So happy to be here with other daffodil lovers! Curious to hear what are your faves. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @fleurchat: The easiest way to participate in #FleurChat is to use our Tweet Chat Room: http://t.co/nMAhxTfZ

@DaffodilPlanter: Looks like the Chat Room is working quickly tonight. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Hello, everyone.

@WherePlantsRock: Hello- glad I could make it #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: Trying this from iPhone – havent tried tweetchat from it before #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WherePlantsRock I loaded that yesterday, but not using it now. Still learning. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Favorite daffodil would be King Alfred, I believe. I bought pink daffodils, but they were enormous yellows instead. Loved them

@FleurChat: Q1 – If you could grow only one daffodil, which one would you grow? #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @daffodilplanter I have too many favorites #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Q1 Passionale a pink large cupped daffodil is my fave. http://ht.ly/6PXYq #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @FleurChat: Q1 – If you could grow only one daffodil, which one would u grow? #fleurchat rijenvelds early sensation Jetfire or Stainless

@DaffodilPlanter: @jchapstk I think I’m bored with King Alfred but then am excited every yr when they come up! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @gardengeri Agree, rijnvelds is a MUST for first blooming yellow cheer #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @DaffodilPlanter I moved. Left them and have never gotten that same bulb since. Never that large, that yellow. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter tazettas and poeticus varieties are exciting me this year #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat I like that you can have a very, very long daffodil season if you plan it right.

@vagablonde515: #FleurChat joining u and Chris as well from the I40 near Gallup NM no flowers here just scrubby brush and a tumbleweed or 2

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock So elegant and fragrant! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @jchapstk or is that ‘plant’ it right- how are you? #fleurchat

@deltagardener: Almost forgot about #Fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @jchapstk Definitely get early, mid and late for weeks of bloom. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @vagablonde515 Hi! Do you plant in containers? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WherePlantsRock plan it right. choose a variety of different daffodils, some early, some middle, some late. long season. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WherePlantsRock I’m good. tired. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter I like the fact that daffodils ‘shine’ in the spring garden #fleurchat

@deltagardener: Love daffodils but lose a lot to narcissus bulb fly. #Fleurchat

@gardengeri: #FleurChat trying pure white Stainless this fall – anyone have experience?

@DaffodilPlanter: @deltagardener Welcome! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @deltagardener what is your zone? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @deltagardener Do they have an insect predator? The flies I mean. #fleurchat

@deltagardener: @WherePlantsRock Zone 7a #Fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: Beautiful! Does it have a scent?RT @DaffodilPlanter: Q1 Passionale a pink large cupped daffodil is my fave.http://t.co/yUAnWgz8 #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @gardengeri I’ve heard whites do not return so well but I want to try stainless. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @gardengeri You will have to share how it goes. That is a new variety for me. #FleurChat

@gardengeri: #FleurChat I love that daffs r poisonous so critters do NOT eat

@deltagardener: @DaffodilPlanter Not sure. Best to plant them in amongst grass so as to disguise leaves. #Fleurchat

@vagablonde515: @DaffodilPlanter yes and we have 10 or so beds as well #Fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @LifeOnTheBlcny Mild to no scent, but beautiful #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @deltagardener hmmm #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q2 – Are there any special tricks for growing daffodils? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @vagablonde515 Your fave varieties or types? #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri I throw in a little grave or crushed rock in the holes before I plant anyhow #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Q2 Growing tips: Sun, drainage, no fertilizer at planting, no water in summer. http://ht.ly/6PY7i #fleurchat

@deltagardener: I love the smaller narcissus, tete a tete and February gold.n #Fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Dry summers is the best luck.

@RedneckRosarian: Hello! Dropping in for #fleurchat

@gardengeri: In #Atlanta late doubles don’t open well. #FleurChat #heatandhumidity

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock Brent & Ken Druse were just saying that, helps deter voles too #fleurchat

@jchapstk: May not be cold enough long enough for them. RT @gardengeri: In #Atlanta late doubles don’t open well. #FleurChat #heatandhumidity

@DaffodilPlanter: @deltagardener where do you plant the little ones? Path side? Container? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @RedneckRosarian What’s your fave daffodil? #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Pheasant eye is a favorite daffodil #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @RedneckRosarian #fleurchat

@deltagardener: @DaffodilPlanter Right along sidewalk to my front door. I want to see them easily. Always clean garden in January. #Fleurchat

@tylamac: @deltagardener Love tete a tete and February gold. This year I discovered Rapture a later blooming cyclemenius #fleurchat

@gardengeri: My pal added bonemeal 2 holes and critters came along behind and dug ‘em all up #FleurChat

@tylamac: Okay I’m finally in the right place. Hello,everyone! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac Hi to another card-carrying daffodil nut! #fleurchat

@tylamac: @gardengeri In my experience daffs do not like bonemeal. Kelp is key for me. #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter Hi Charlotte! Glad to be here. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: Too hot too humid too early 4 late doubles #Atlanta #FleurChat

@WherePlantsRock: @RedneckRosarian that is a lovely one- I am debating about ordering Angel Eyes #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @jchapstk: @gardengeri You will have to share how it goes. That is a new variety for me. #FleurChat /yes

@tylamac: Poeticus for Zone 7? #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @jchapstk I am high desert- I do well with daffodils #fleurchat

@tylamac: @gardengeri Try Bridal Crown,Sir Winston or Cheerfulness. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @tylamac: @gardengeri In my experience daffs do not like bonemeal. Kelp is key for me. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @gardengeri Thanks. #FleurChat

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac Actaea worked here in 7b for several years #fleurchat

@deltagardener: So many bulbs to choose from. I have hundreds already. #Fleurchat

@jchapstk: @WherePlantsRock city dweller. few critter problems. just the dry summers. can’t control the weather. #fleurchat

@deltagardener: @tylamac Cheerfulness is fabulous! #Fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: Good info “@gardengeri: Too hot too humid too early 4 late doubles #Atlanta #FleurChat”

@DaffodilPlanter: @deltagardener What % of yours return? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @jchapstk They really want a dry summer #fleurchat

@gardengeri: @tylamac In my experience daffs do not like bonemeal. Kelp is key for me. #fleurchat /kelp = good 4 daffs, bloodmeal repels critters

@deltagardener: @DaffodilPlanter I would say 60% at best guess. I have better luck with tulips and allium. #Fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter Anyone tried Ornatus? I’ve heard it does well thru Zone 8 but I can’t find it this year. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @DaffodilPlanter not happening here in the “land of pleasant living” (MD) #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter eremurus are the same way-hmmm, should order some of those too #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q3 – What/Where are your favorite places to find daffodil planting inspiration? Any really good public gardens? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Q3 Check your neighborhoods in spring. Keukenhoff park in Holland. Fave peeks in this link http://ht.ly/6PYmQ #fleurchat

@deltagardener: One year I planted 1200 different bulbs. Love planting bulbs under large trees. #Fleurchat

@tylamac: @FleurChat Abandoned gardens. I find all kinds of bulbs that aren’t sold retail. #fleurchat

@vagablonde515: @DaffodilPlanter roses do very well in Texas ~ I’ve tried hydrangea but failed we have terrible clay soil #Fleurchat iris short bloom time

@DaffodilPlanter: @deltagardener Wow, heavenly with the large trees and tall grass #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Love my Mount Good white daffodils. Mid season blooms #fleurchat

@tylamac: @deltagardener 1200! That’s a lot of bulbs! Under tress works well for me. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @tylamac have you tried @brentandbeckys ? Is that the correct user name? Brent and Becky’s bulbs #fleurchat

@deltagardener: @tylamac Got a great price I couldn’t refuse. #Fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: RT @tylamac In my experience daffs do not like bonemeal. Kelp is key for me. #fleurchat

@tylamac: @RedneckRosarian I love Mount Hood too but it’s finicky in my garden. Blooms heavily about every 2 yrs. #fleurchat

@deltagardener: Bulbs are costly here. 25 bulbs can run $10 #Fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat so many good established beds around here. arboretums, public gardens – National Arboretum, Cylburn, Dupont Gardens….

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac Love historic daffodils. Made a beeline for that table at the national show #fleurchat

@tylamac: @WherePlantsRock @BrentandBecky’s is my favorite. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: BrentandBecky’s is fave! #FleurChat

@jchapstk: Mine did too RT @tylamac: @RedneckRosarian I love Mount Hood too but it’s finicky in my garden. Blooms heavily about every 2 yrs. #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter The older the better for me.I’m sorry I missed that show.I have heard great things about it. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: My goal is 1,000 bulbs ea year #FleurChat daffs and all the rest

@LifeOnTheBlcny: @tylamac I’ve heard of people who have found fab “lost” varieties of plants in old cemeteries. #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: @tylamac mine do the same thing. Beautiful big blooms worth waiting for. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @jchapstk @tylamac National Show in MD in April 2012 #fleurchat

@tylamac: @LifeOnTheBlcny My local cemetery had all their old roses and daffs dug up so no go on that. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri 300 alliums this year alone #fleurchat

@jchapstk: Big smiles!! Looking forward to that. RT @DaffodilPlanter: @jchapstk @tylamac National Show in MD in April 2012 #fleurchat

@tylamac: @WherePlantsRock Love alliums but few do well in heavy clay. #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: Great places to see #daffodils – “@DaffodilPlanter: Q3 …Fave peeks in this link http://t.co/jI6eYqUJ #fleurchat”

@DaffodilPlanter: Am Daff Society National Show link http://ht.ly/6Q0zv #FleurChat

@jchapstk: RT @LifeOnTheBlcny: Great places to see #daffodils – “@DaffodilPlanter: Q3 …Fave peeks in this link http://t.co/jI6eYqUJ#fleurchat”

@RedneckRosarian: Very sad RT @tylamac @LifeOnTheBlcny My local cemetery had all their old roses and daffs dug up so no go on that. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Am Daff Society National Show link http://ht.ly/6Q0zv #FleurChat

@gardengeri: RT @WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri 300 alliums this year alone #fleurchat /wow!

@tylamac: @RedneckRosarian It is sad. It’s a civil war era cemetery. They stole small trees too. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @tylamac I have a stange soil profile- I also have ‘endless’ manure, but inlet soil with manure rest 3 yrs before I attempt bulbs #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Am Daff Society National Show link http://ht.ly/6Q0zv #FleurChat

@tylamac: RT @RedneckRosarian: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Am Daff Society National Show link http://ht.ly/6Q0zv #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac Shocking #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q4 – Are any/all daffodil’s suitable for growing in containers? #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Old abandoned homesteads usually have an abundance of daffodils #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri 100 of the are allium bulgaricum nectaroscordum- I think they are lovely #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Q4 ALL are good in containers. Many show flowers grown in pots. Tips from the pros here http://ht.ly/6PYYM #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @RedneckRosarian: Old abandoned homesteads usually have an abundance of daffodils #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Q4 ALL are good in containers. Many show flowers grown in pots. Tips from the pros herehttp://ht.ly/6PYYM #fleurchat

@Gardner_Bloome: Daffodil growing tips: RT @daffodilplanter - Sun, drainage, no fertilizer at planting, no water in summerhttp://ht.ly/6PY7i #fleurchat

@tylamac: @FleurChat Last spring I grew Ice Follies,Rip Van Winkle and Topolino in pots. All did better than in the garden. #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: RT @daffodilplanter: Q4 ALL are good in containers. Many show flowers grown in pots. Tips from the pros herehttp://ht.ly/6PYYM #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @tylamac Sounds lovely #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac Esp. fun to see Topolino up close in a pot? #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: Just remember you pots are one zone lower than if bulbs were in the ground and protected. Zone 5=4 #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Might be fun to grow the hoop daffodils in pots & bring them up to eye level #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @WherePlantsRock: Just remember you pots are one zone lower than if bulbs were in the ground and protected. Zone 5=4 #fleurchat

@vagablonde515: @RedneckRosarian @tylamac @lifeontheblcny oh horrible #Fleurchat did they catch the thieves

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I was surprised at how lovely Topolino turned out. I replanted it and it multiplied very well. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter good idea #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WherePlantsRock: Just remember your pots are one zone lower than if bulbs were in the ground and protected. Zone 5=4 #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I was surprised at how lovely Topolino turned out. I replanted it and it multiplied very well. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @whereplantsrock allium bulgaricum nectaroscordum- #fleurchat Never had any luck w A. Caeurlea (sp)

@tylamac: @vagablonde515 Not that I ever heard. It was right after an article in the local paper about the old flowers. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I was surprised at how lovely Topolino turned out. I replanted it and it multiplied very well. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @DaffodilPlanter: RT @WherePlantsRock: Just remember your pots are one zone lower than if bulbs were in the ground and protected. Zone 5=4 #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter Actaea is going in a pot this year for sure. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Muscari in small pots is really cute too #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Muscari in small pots is really cute too #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: It’s hard to get people to understand that pots are exposed to so much change in the air #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter Love muscari. Plant them by the hundreds for an awesome display. #fleurchat

@hostageek: RT @DaffodilPlanter: RT @WherePlantsRock: Just remember your pots are one zone lower than if bulbs were in the ground and protected. Zone 5=4 #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @jchapstk You can see the crystally sparkles on the blooms that way. What’s the hort term for that? #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Muscari in small pots is really cute too #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter Love muscari. Plant them by the hundreds for an awesome display. #fleurchat

@HummingbrdGuide: RT @WherePlantsRock: It’s hard to get people to understand that pots are exposed to so much change in the air #fleurchat

@HummingbrdGuide: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Muscari in small pots is really cute too #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac What varieties? #fleurchat

@deltagardener: @tylamac Muscari is funny how it sends up it’s greens in fall. At least here it does. #Fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: How do you feel about fritillarias? @daffodilplanter #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Welcome @hummingbirdguide and hostageek! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @DaffodilPlanter no idea, sorry. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock Never tried but Dianne Benson has me wanting to. What are your picks? #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I planted a new muscari from @BrentandBecky’s last year. Can’t remember the name but it is true cobalt. #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q5 – What’s your favorite companion plant for daffodils? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @tylamac Oooo! Remember!! #fleurchat

@tylamac: @deltagardener Mine are sprouting now. The first time I saw that I thought I missed the blooms.lol #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Q5 I always plant with Grape hyacinth/Muscari armeniacum. M. Christmas Pearl is a bit early, blooms with midseasons in zone 7. #fleurchat

@tylamac: @FleurChat Pansies,violas and native violets. Also small bulbs muscari,crocus,scilla. #fleurchat

@SchoolmarmDE: My stream is full of #hschat #knitchat #fleurchat and #smms. You people are chatty. :p

@WherePlantsRock: @DaffodilPlanter I really want to do a bang out display of mixed fritillaria persica, but I plant f. meleagris in garden designs #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Some swear by myosotis/forget me not as groundcover/companion with daffodils #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @FleurChat: Q3 – What/Where r yr fave places to find daffodil planting inspiration? public gardens? #fleurchat /BBG 4 English Bluebells

@jencrutch: @SchoolmarmDE LOL & later I’ll be doing #TheBookClub. Feel free to mute me if you must. Or just jump in! #hschat #knitchat #fleurchat #smms

@ecokatLA: Soooo late #fleurchat : ( Browsing through, such great info!

@DaffodilPlanter: @SchoolmarmDE to say nothing of our pals over at #hobbyfarm! Welcome! #fleurchat

@deltagardener: @DaffodilPlanter The blue and yellows go so well together. #Fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Most of our daffodils are planted among roses and irises #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @gardengeri BBG? Brooklyn Botanical? Says this country bumpkin… #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I planted seeds of myosotis but they never sprouted.Probably not good for clay. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: I had a stand if f. pallidiflora at the other house- I should ask if could dig some @daffodil planter #fleurchat

@BG_garden: @deltagardener @DaffodilPlanter @ecokatLA @jencrutch @gardengeri @tylamac @jchapstk … hey everyone on #fleurchat !

@deltagardener: Having dinner. Thanks @DaffodilPlanter for great chat tonight. #Fleurchat

@Suburban_Farmer: @DaffodilPlanter Hi my friends!! #hobbyfarm #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @ecokatLA Welcome! Do you grow tazettas down in LA? #fleurchat

@gardengeri: Plant large daffodils in groundcovers #FleurChat

@DaffodilPlanter: @deltagardener Thank you for bringing your expertise! #fleurchat

@ShawnteleLouise: Wondering what I am missing out on! lol RT @SchoolmarmDE: My stream is full of #hschat #knitchat #fleurchat & #smms. You people are chatty.

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @tylamac: @FleurChat Pansies,violas and native violets. Also small bulbs muscari,crocus,scilla. > Mmm #fleurchat

@BG_garden: I’m in the process of planting over 200 daff. bulbs in a pine landscape area…. Sorry to have missed #fleurchat tonight ;-(

@tylamac: @RedneckRosarian I rooted some Cherokee roses to plant in the big bed. They should bloom with the late daffs. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: Companion plants- ajuga, gold creeping Jenny, hemerocallis ‘Corky’, aqueligia, hardy geraniums #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @DaffodilPlanter: @gardengeri BBG? Brooklyn Botanical? Says this country bumpkin… #fleurchat -that’s right

@gardengeri: @BG_garden hi Bren #FleurChat

@DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Hey! #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: RT @BG_garden: I’m in the process of planting over 200 daff. bulbs in a pine landscape area…. Sorry to have missed #fleurchat tonight ;-(

@DaffodilPlanter: @Suburban_Farmer Hi Chris! #fleurchat

@BG_garden: love this : @LifeOnTheBlcny: RT @daffodilplanter: Q4 Many show flowers grown in pots. Tips from the pros hrehttp://ht.ly/6PYYM #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri bbg- Bellevue Botanical Garden? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Some real hardcore daff people here tonight! Planting in sun between the pines? #fleurchat

@BG_garden: @DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Hey! #fleurchat < the photos of the daffs when they bloom will be awesome : very natural area / pond reflect!

@gardengeri: RT @RedneckRosarian: RT @BG_garden: I’m in the process of planting over 200 daff. bulbs inpine LS #fleurchat /me too 1.000 bulbs pine woods

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @WherePlantsRock: Companion plants- ajuga, gold creeping Jenny, hemerocallis Corky, aqueligia, hardy geraniums #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri bbg- Bellevue Botanical Garden? #fleurchat sorry Brooklyn

@BG_garden: @gardengeri holy cow… would love to get a hold of 1,000….. I need a bigger budget! #fleurchat

@tylamac: @gardengeri Pines are deep rooted and the branches are high, Perfect for bulb under planting. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: @gardengeri you go hon- make a statement #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Q6 – Are there any daffodil clubs? If yes, what are the benefits of being in a specialized daffodil group? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @tylamac: @gardengeri Pines are deep rooted and the branches are high, Perfect for bulb under planting. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @BG_garden: @gardengeri holy cow… would love to get a hold of 1,000….. I need a bigger budget! > epitaph! #fleurchat

@LifeOnTheBlcny: RT @WherePlantsRock: Companion plants- ajuga, gold creeping Jenny, hemerocallis ‘Corky’, aqueligia, hardy geraniums #fleurchat

@BG_garden: Great Tip : @tylamac: @gardengeri Pines are deep rooted and the branches are high, Perfect for bulb under planting. #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @FleurChat access to older bulbs handed down through the generations but not for sale. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @gardengeri Holy moly! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat Q6, sorry.

@RedneckRosarian: RT @jchapstk: @FleurChat access to older bulbs handed down through the generations but not for sale. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Q6 Daff people are FUN & generous. In CA join this club http://ht.ly/6PYIG Natl is ADS http://ht.ly/6PYTp, links to other states #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat You folks need to borrow a scout troop. lol

@gardengeri: @tylamac Pines deep rooted, branches high, Perfect for bulb under planting. #fleurchat /yup. Perfect 4 dw conifers too Branches 40′ up

@tylamac: @jchapstk Check out abandoned homesteads in rural areas for great heirloom finds. #fleurchat

@gardengeri: RT @BG_garden: @gardengeri holy cow… would love to get a hold of 1,000 #fleurchat /2 words: buy wholesale

@jchapstk: @tylamac Good idea. Thanks. #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @gardengeri @tylamac Neat! Our Ponderosa pines have low branches, so I was asking. #fleurchat

@BG_garden: @DaffodilPlanter Now really…. have you ever met a true gardener you didn’t like !?! Q6 #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: Wonderful #fleurchat this evening. Plant more daffodils!

@BG_garden: RT @RedneckRosarian: Wonderful #fleurchat this evening. Plant more daffodils! < Totally…. get out and grow and make it fun!

@tylamac: RT @RedneckRosarian: Wonderful #fleurchat this evening. Plant more daffodils! #fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @RedneckRosarian: Wonderful #fleurchat this evening. Plant more daffodils!

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @RedneckRosarian: Wonderful #fleurchat this evening. Plant more daffodils! #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: Initiated The Daffodil Project for our village which began last year. Several thousand bulbs arrived today to plant! ) #fleurchat

@jchapstk: #fleurchat I envision some guerilla daffodil gardens in the future.

@Gardner_Bloome: RT @tylamac: @gardengeri Pines are deep rooted and the branches are high, Perfect for bulb under planting. #fleurchat

@RedneckRosarian: RT @PeggyCoonley: Initiated The Daffodil Project for our village which began last year. Several thousand bulbs arrived today to plant! ) #fleurchat

@gardengeri: Thank you @DaffodilPlanter Enjoyed #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Let’s say some plants attract odd folks? #fleurchat

@jchapstk: @PeggyCoonley Sounds like reat fun. Exciting. #fleurchat

@BG_garden: RT @DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Let’s say some plants attract odd folks? #fleurchat < OK strange … YES !

@DaffodilPlanter: ! RT @PeggyCoonley: Initiated The Daffodil Project for village which began last yr. Several thousand bulbs arrived to plant! ) #fleurchat

@BG_garden: I just want to grow HAPPY …. @DaffodilPlanter: Daffodils are HAPPY because they dance in the spring / and YELLOW is happy! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @jchapstk: #fleurchat I envision some guerilla daffodil gardens in the future. #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: RT @DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Lets say some plants attract odd folks? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Thank you too! @gardengeri: Thank you @DaffodilPlanter Enjoyed #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: @jchapstk It isreally fun & everyone loved it last spring when our first years bloom happened…#fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Nuthin happy or more cheerful! #fleurchat

@WherePlantsRock: Good night everyone- was nice to get away for a short time #fleurchat

@tylamac: @RedneckRosarian I just realized we are practically neighbors! #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @WherePlantsRock Yes, felt like springtime for an hour on #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: RT @PeggyCoonley: @jchapstk It isreally fun & everyone loved it last spring when our first years bloom happened…#fleurchat #fleurchat

@jchapstk: LOL. RT @WherePlantsRock: RT @DaffodilPlanter: @BG_garden Lets say some plants attract odd folks? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Great tip & use for those big ones RT @gardengeri: Plant large daffodils in groundcovers #fleurchat

@jchapstk: Pictures!! RT @PeggyCoonley: @jchapstk It isreally fun & everyone loved it last spring when our first years bloom happened…#fleurchat

@jchapstk: RT @DaffodilPlanter: Great tip & use for those big ones RT @gardengeri: Plant large daffodils in groundcovers #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Now I want to go order more daffodil bulbs #fleurchat

@tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I have websites open to order more bulbs tonight! #fleurchat

@PeggyCoonley: @DaffodilPlanter Do you have fave suppliers…..varieties?? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: Goody! RT @tylamac: @DaffodilPlanter I have websites open to order more bulbs tonight! #fleurchat

@tylamac: RT @PeggyCoonley: @DaffodilPlanter Do you have fave suppliers…..varieties?? #fleurchat

@DaffodilPlanter: @PeggyCoonley $cheepers (Van Engelen, split with a friend), Brent & Becky. Local too for the populars. Haven’t tried them all. #fleurchat

@FleurChat: Thank you so much for participating in tonight’s #fleurchat! Special thanks to our guest @DaffodilPlanter for sharing her expertise!

@DaffodilPlanter: @FleurChat I was very flattered and happy to be here, learned a lot with a great group #fleurchat

Photo by Scrappy Annie

Combine herbs with fall flowers for a beautiful autumnal container garden!

Fern — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:03:28 +0000

Violas, cyclamen, chrysanthemums and ornamental kale are mainstays of fall container gardens. But what if you’re looking for a different, more unique look this fall? Why not tuck in a few herbs—especially ones you can use in your Thanksgiving feast!—to add a little spice to traditional fall flower pots? Read More >>>

Ask Fern Richardson anything! (within reason)

Fern — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:00:44 +0000

Recently I went down to Mahalo headquarters and filmed a series of video answers to people’s questions about gardening. I shared my thoughts on everything from talking to your plants to pests to how to get a green thumb. Check it out!