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Iris reticulata is now included on ArtistGarden.net
They are the first irises to open in my garden.
The last are the ensatas.
Iris Reticulata Update
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Author Archives: Joanne
Shrub protector
Winter Protection
Lee Valley Tools now offers Shrub & Potted Plant Protector.
This tent-like cover is made of thick, breathable synthetic fleece.
A two way zipper lets you open the cover to ventilate on sunny days.
This makes it ideal for the fluctuating high and lows of spring.
A drawstring cinches the bottom snugly.
I probably still will use a few garden staples to keep it from being blown off by strong winds.
Last winter, the Nu Vu covers were not quite tall enough for the Arctic Blue hydrangea.
A few tall outside branches needed to be pruned off to fit inside.
The Protector comes in two sizes, 59″ x 29″ and 78″ x 39″.
Plus, you get free shipping if you order between September 16 to 26.
Not a bad deal all around.
I’ll let you know next year how well they’ve done.
Peruvian Daffodil Update
Summer Bulbs
Like the dahlias the Peruvian daffodils were potted up later than usual.
I missed having the fragrant white blooms decorate my garden.
However, the Ismene festalis will bloom indoors.
Native to Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, they adapt well to indoor conditions.
The Peruvian Daffodil can be treated the same way as an Amaryllis.
They are from the same family.
Mignon Dahlia Update
Dahlias from seeds
I kept seeds as a back up for the Mignon White Shade dahlia.
They grow well in containers, but I prefer planting them directly in the ground.
I started the seeds indoors, and they sprouted very well.
Last fall I ran out of storage space and needed to discard them.
They are easy to start from seed, but they are not always easy to find.
So I’ll save at least one clump of tubers at the end of next season.
Thomas Alva Edison Update
Dinnerplate dahlia
Thomas Alva Edison is one of the dahlias I managed to save.
To be on the safe side, I also bought more tubers.
The new roots did produce blooms, and the old ones are about to start.
This photo was taken last year.
The rich purple shade is very impressive.
Dahlias
Summer Bulbs
Last spring I needed to make a difficult decision.
Chores were piling up, and the weather kept me indoors on too many days.
Renovations kept my potting area cluttered.
When I finally could plant and pot up the dahlias, some of them had dried too much to be rescued.
To avoid the same problem next year, the dahlia beds will be prepared this fall.
A mix of shredded leaves and straw will protect the surface from weed seeds.
This should give me a good head start next season.
A few tubers managed to survive the long wait and new varieties were added to replace the lost ones.
The Lavender Perfection is blooming well and so are the Bishops.
Teasing Georgia Update
English Rose
Sadly, my garden was not yet ready for Teasing Georgia.
I planted this award winning rose in a raise bed built over an old compost pile.
It received full sun and survived the winter without problems.
In the same season, I discovered that currants make a very bad companion to roses.
To solve the problem, the small fruit shrub was relocated away from the garden.
When the currant sawfly larvae emerged in the spring and found no currant leaves to munch on, they moved on the rose.
I tried handpicking, soap sprays, and it wasn’t enough.
Next I tried moving the rose but by then it was too weak.
I would like to try growing this rose again in the future by itself with a pillar for support.
LD Braithwaite Update
English Rose
‘L.D Braithwaite’ English rose performance in my garden is exceptional.
I first saw this rose in the Explorer garden at the Ottawa, Experimental Farm.
When I found one to buy, there was no mention on the label about being an English rose from David Austin.
I discovered the information when I did my usual research before planting.
One major asset for my zone is that L.D Braithwaite can withstand some frost.
I did cover the plant for winter with a garden blanket.
The cover came off when the spring days were hot and the nights still cold.
This change in temperature killed off my hybrid tea and floribunda roses.
Topaz Jewel
Rugosa Rose
Topaz Jewel is the only rose I found created from a cross with a miniature rose.
The pollen parent, Belle Poitevine, is a rugosa I intend to add to the garden at a later date.
Thérèse Bugnet, a rugosa added in late spring has not bloomed.
All roses are getting an extra layer of compost mixed with lime this week.
Those showing more black spots are also mulched with coconut husks.
Mothersday
Polyantha Rose
‘Mothersday’ polyantha rose is tougher than I first estimated.
So far, this little rose survived two winters and one move.
In early summer, I noticed it was getting crowded by one Husker Red, a penstemon.
I waited for a cloudy, cool day to move it closer to the edge of the bed.
The week that followed turned out to be one of the hottest of the season.
Not the best time to move a rose.
I kept it well watered and checked for rose slugs daily.
Now the shrub is covered with small globular flowers.
This rose is well covered during the winter months.