The Passionate Shepherd to His Love - CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

Come live with me and be my Love.
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dales and fields,
Or woods or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,
And see the shepherds feed their flocks
By shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies;
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle.

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair-lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold. 

A belt of straw and ivy-buds
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my Love.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning;
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my Love. 

CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

Problems with your Tomato Plants?

Why are the Leaves of My Tomato Plant Turning  Yellow?

The leaves of a tomato plant turning yellow at the bottom of the plant means these leaves probably aren’t getting the nutrients from the soil or it could be that the bottom leaves are not getting enough sunshine.   Tomato plants love warm weather and warm soil.   A test of the soil, should be your first step in finding the answer.

Other reasons for yellow leaves: 

1.   Lack of nitrogen in the soil is a typical problem.  If this is the case,  you will be able to add nutrients to the soil and your leaves will green up. 

2.  A fungus or bacterial problem can also turn leaves yellow.   If this is the case, you will want to treat or remove the plants to protect the rest of your garden.  The farmers almanac is a great resource to help you diagnose your problem @ http://www.almanac.com/plant/tomatoes,

3.  Pest problems can cause leaves to yellow.  You might have caterpillars or worms that are damaging the health of your plant.    An organic pesticide can help you here.  

4.  Lack of Water can also cause the leaves to yellow.  A drip hose is an excellent source of water.  The soil should stay damp.  2 inches a week is a good rule of thumb.  Planting impatiens in your tomato bed can help you to gauge the water.  When impatiens need water; it is a good sign that your tomatoes do also.

 

Decorating your Garden with Tiki

Tiki pots are ornaments are often seen in gardens: 

Tiki refers to large wood and stone carvings of humanoid forms in Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean.

The term is also used in Māori mythology where Tiki is the first man, created by either Tūmatauenga or Tāne. He found the first woman, Marikoriko, in a pond – she seduced him and he became the father of Hine-kau-ataata. In the Māori language, the word "tiki" was the name given to large wooden carvings in roughly human shape, although this is a somewhat archaic usage.The carvings often serve to mark the boundaries of sacred or significant sites.
From Wikipedia

Plants on the Porch - Ideas for Decorating

In the southeast US, porches are just as important as the interior rooms during spring and through the fall of the year.  


The colors matter.   We have a beautiful big porch with a stone floor.  If I did not have stone, a dark wood or a dark paint would be my choice.  The ceiling color is important too.  A light blue is a nice choice.   In Charleston, SC tradition is blue ceilings and it is said that it repels insects and scares away the ghosts too! 

Soften the light.  Candles or a lamp are a nice addition.

Mix up the choice of seating.  A two seat swing or glider are a must.  A wicker rocker is the finishing touch.  Spend a little extra for thick, quality pillows and cushions in colorful designs. 

Add plants in pretty antique pots.  Ferns, and Rosy begonias are my favorite.  

French Hydrangeas - how to make a color change

For blue hydrangeas - soil should be acidic (pH of 5.5 or lower).  This allows for the plant to utilize the aluminum in the soil producing a blue color. 

To get blue, you can acidify the soil by dissolving 1 tablespoon of aluminum sulfate per 1 gallon of water.  Drench the root zone in April/May time frame.

To get pink, you can dissolve 1 tablespoon of hydrated lime per 1 gallon of water.  Drench the root zone in April/May.

If you want white, certain types of hydrangeas will stay white regardless of pH.  Example is Madame Emilie Mouillere. 

A Poem for Spring

For Winter's rains and ruins are over,
And all the season of snows and sins;
The days dividing lover and lover,
The light that loses, the night that wins;
And time remembered is grief forgotten
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten,
And in green underwood and cover
Blossom by blossom spring begins!

Algernon Charles Swinburne 1837-1909

A Beautiful Spring Morning at SLG Home

Helping Your Pansies Last Longer

Helping your Pansies Last a Bit Longer

Pansies like the cool temperatures, but they do look beautiful in the spring.  Here are a few tips to help them last a bit longer: 

1.        Cut them back 1 or 2 inches when you notice that they are getting leggy.  Deadhead as needed. 

2.       Don’t over fertilize.

3.       Provide a little shade.  If your pansies are in containers, move to a part shady area.  

4.       Pull them out and replace them with warm weather annuals when the weather reaches about 80 degrees.   

Garden Gnomes

A garden gnome is a figurine of a small humanoid creature, usually wearing a pointy hat and produced for ornamental purposes and has long been known to decorate gardens througout history.

It is said that the garden gnome originated in 19th century Germany, where they became known as Gartenzwerg or "garden dwarf ".  Garden statuary has been common in Europe at least since the Renaissance during the 15^th century.  

It has been suggested by some scholars that the garden gnome is a descendant of the Greco-Roman fertility god Priapus whose statue was found in ancient gardens.

Plants by the Pool

Here are a few suggestions: 

1. Perennial Red Hibiscus – We are in North Carolina and grow our hibiscus in the ground near the pool.  Each year we have a plant that grows 6-8 foot tall with striking red flowers.   This is an easy care plant.   The beetles do like this plant so will need to use preventative here.  
2. Plumeria. Like Hibiscus, there are many varieties and lots of colors. They love the sun and will grow dormant in the winter.  Plumeria’s like to be fed; routinely feed every 2 weeks during the growing season with a 5-30-10 fertilizer.
3. Canna, Tropicana or Bengal Tiger variety. Place them in containers by the pool and water regularly.  They will produce flowers until frost.  
4. Bougainvillea. Inexpensive and fast growing.  Do not over water as these plants like a little stress.   Great for pots by the pool.

To Daffodils

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
   Has not attaine'd his noon.
       Stay, stay
   Until the hasting day
       Has run
   But to the evensong;
And, Having pray'd together, we
   Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you,
   We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
   As you, or anything. 
      We die
   As your hours do, and dry
      Away
   Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
   Ne'er to be found again. 

ROBERT HERRICK

Foxglove - Beautiful Shade Plant

FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae)


One of the loveliest of shade plants.   The flowers are numerous, on a spike, and range from a deep purple to lilac with conspicuous spots interlining the throat of the tubular flower. As a biennial, the leaves form a rosette the first year followed by the flower spike the next year.
Height: 2-4 feet

Blooming period: June-September

Foxglove is a source of digitalis prescribed by doctors to strengthen the heart and regulate its beat. It is extremely poisonous.  Enjoy, but do not eat!

A poem for our precious little cat who passed away this week; 

To Dale,



What will I do without you,

My precious little friend.

Part mischief but all blessing,
I loved you to the end. 

A few short years is all we had,

Then one evening we had to part,

You will always be my loving friend,

And forever have my heart.  

Poem from:  http://www.etchedinmyheart.com/

Growing Herbs

The key to a good herb garden is drainage and lots of sun.  Raised beds are an excellent place to grow your herbs because you can mix the soil with a sandy soil mix and allow for better drainage.   Do use your fertilizers sparingly because high levels of fertilizer can reduce flavor.  

Among the easiest perennial herbs to grow are rosemary and chives.  Tips: 

1.  Rosemary can grow 4 ft high and can be cut back and used not only in cooking but can be placed in the house around your pet area or trash can to freshen the air.
 



2.  Chives are much smaller, tubular grass-like plants that can be diced and used as an ingredient for fish, potatoes, soups and other dishes. Chives have insect-repelling properties that can be used in gardens to control pests

Oregano and Sage are also perennial and easy to grow.  Thyme does not tolerate the summer humidity and may need to be replanted every few years.

Mint is another perennial option but it is very invasive and should be planted in a contained area such as a planter or large pot so that the spreading roots will be contained.  

Basil, dill, parsley and cilantro are annual herbs.   They will live one season and need to be replanted each year.  Tips:

1. Basil is our favorite herb to plant and will thrive in the warm weather. We use basil all summer in bruschetta and then freeze the leaves in snack bags to use through the winter for soups, stews and Italian dishes.  
2. Dill, parsley and cilantro grow best in the spring and fall.   If you are trying to grow them in the summer, place in a pot so that you can move them out of the full summer sun.  

Coral Bells

If you don't have Coral Bells  (Heuchera) in your gardening repertoire, you are missing out on a vast palette of purples, chartreuses, grays and oranges in your yard. Also known as Alum Root, Heuchera (pronounced HEW-ker-uh) is a beautiful genus of perennial foliage plants that will add a punch of color to any spot in your garden. Heucheras come in all sorts of colors, shapes, sizes and growing needs. Some do well in shade; others can thrive in full sun. They are drought tolerant, very cold hardy (Zone 4), and many of them will even stay evergreen through the winter. Here is a brief overview of some Heuchera cultivars you might want to try.

Chartreuse

Nothing beats a bright, limey colored foliage plant for contrast in a drab garden corner.

'Amber Waves'

'Amber Waves' is a popular cultivar, known for its striking chartreuse leaves which can also vary from shades of yellow to tangerine (pictured right). It needs partial to full shade, though tolerates some morning and evening full sun. 'Amber Waves' keeps its leaves through most of, if not all, of winter, remaining a bright spot for the colder months.

'Lime Rickey'

This bright green cultivar boasts leaves with deep serration and very ruffled edges. Lime Rickey blooms small white spires in late spring to early summer. 'Lime Rickey' is the result of a cross between Amber Waves and Huntsman.

 

'Dolce Key Lime Pie'

'Dolce Key Lime Pie' is a newer cultivar of coral bells. The "Dolce" series is a specially bred line of heucheras that can withstand more heat and humidity than most cultivars. 'Key Lime Pie' has beautiful chartreuse to yellow leaves with pink to white flowers. This cultivar can thrive in both full sun and shady locations.

Purple

'Palace Purple' (Heuchera micrantha)

'Palace Purple' is the most well-known cultivar of all heucheras. It has dullish purple, deeply serrated leaves with bright red undersides. 'Palace Purple' is widely available at big box stores and is a great introduction to the world of Coral Bells. A relative to the native American species H. macrantha, it can be grown in partial sun to full shade, but will do best with mostly shade. It is a fast-growing plant that is easy to divide. Most Heuchera aficionados will tell you if you really want to enjoy this genus, use this in addition to other cultivars.

'Amethyst Myst'

A nice alternative to 'Palace Purple', 'Amethyst Myst's' foliage can vary from a deep raspberry to an elegant burgundy. This one will do best in part-sun.

'Plum Pudding'

Plum Pudding's color can range from smoky gray to deep purple to a reddish plum color depending on sun exposure. It will, however, do best with mostly shade in more extreme heat. Well draining soil is necessary for all Heucheras to thrive, this cultivar included.

Orange/Burgundy

There aren't many other perennial plants out there that can provide bright, long-lasting burgundy or orange foliage. Try some of these for a warm-toned pop in your garden.

'Mahogany'

Mahogany is a new introduction from Terra Nova Nurseries, which is known for its cutting edge Heuchera cultivars. The foliage is deep red to burgundy with bright pinkish-red undersides. It can be grown in full sun to partial shade.

'Dolce Crème Brulee'

Also part of the resilient "Dolce" series, 'Creme Brulee' is a beautiful yellow-orange specimen. The leaves will take on a brown tinge as the weather cools.

'Crimson Curls'

'Crimson Curls' has unusual burgundy leaves that are extremely and strikingly ruffled. The leaves emerge in the spring as deep red and fade to dark green as summer progresses. It can be grown in full sun to part shade. Crimson Curls was developed in England by Ray Brown.

'Caramel'

'Caramel' is a beautiful, tangy colored plant that can vary from bright yellow-green to a tangerine color in the center where new leaves emerge. Caramel was discovered as a chance seedling (parents unknown) in 2002 in France. According to Missouri Botanical Gardens, "some nurseries are currently selling ‘Caramel’ as a cultivar of H. villosa, a southeastern U.S. native known for its tolerance to hot and humid summers."

Black/Silver

Black foliage creates a wonderful contrast to your everyday green foliage. The purplish tinge of most "black" plants compliments many different flower colors as well. Similarly, silver foliage is a nice change of pace from your everyday garden plant. Ever thought to try a "black and white" garden?

'Obsidian'

'Obsidian' is one of the darkest Heuchera cultivars. It is nearly pitch-black and provides a stark contrast to most any companion plant.

Obsidian also provides interesting fall colors. As the leaves begin to change, speckled shades of red and green emerge.

'Can Can'

'Can Can' has distinctively serrated silver leaves with ruffled edges and purple veining. It was introduced about ten years ago and has many awards to its credit.

Cinnabar Silver

A new introduction, Cinnabar Silver has beautiful silvery foliage with large, rusty-orange spikes of flowers in early spring.

'Hollywood'

Also recently introduced, 'Hollywood' has silvery leaves with a purple tint. The main draw to this cultivar is its bold, large red flowers. Whereas most Heuchera flowers are somewhat forgettable, this plant will stop you with its large mass of scarlet spires.

Green/Variegated

'Green Spice' (H. americana)

'Green Spice' has striking bright green leaves with red-tinged veins. It almost looks like a zonal geranium with its broad, variegated leaves. 'Green Spice' is another cultivar relative to a native species to the United States. If you are looking to start a wildlife or native garden, H. americana, H. richardsonii, and H. macrantha are excellent choices. As DG subscriber Equilibrium vouches, "I specifically chose straight species Heuchera to provide habitat for small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. They are full and lush and the little creatures of the woods can often be found under and around my heucheras." She also finds them effective protection for animals from wind, sun, and predators. One more added bonus Equilibrium notes is their attractiveness to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Native Heuchera species are definitely a worthwhile addition to your garden for their aesthetic appeal and as well as their benefit to wildlife. They are harder to find commercially, but are worth the search.

'Champagne Bubbles'

Champagne Bubbles has bright green leaves with delicate, irregular white marbling. Unlike most Heucheras, this cultivar is sometimes grown only for its blooms which are tall (30 inches) spires of pink and white flowers.

'Firefly'

Very few Heucheras have such impressive flowers as 'Firefly' does. The foliage is more or less forgettable, but those flowers are anything but. Tall, bright red spires stand tall over smallish green leaves.

This is only a scratch on the surface of the many beautiful and useful Heucheras that exist. Use this list as a jumping off point to start a Heuchera addiction all your own!

From:  http://davesgarden.com/

Spring Phlox

Care for your Spring Phlox

• If you receive less than 1 inch of rain a week, remember to regularly water your plants throughout the summer.
• Each spring, put a thin layer of compost and a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist and control weeds.
• Remember to remove the dead/faded flowers so that your plants can rebloom.

If I was a Tulip

If I was a Tulip
And you were wind's-wings,
I would not count
My broken dreams,
But bless the coming spring.

I would be happy
To know that you would
Touch my face
When the sun sets in.
I would feel you in full force,
Gently from within.

You would come to me
Each day-
Again to disappear,
But when the sun's-rays
Touch at noon-
Again I would feel you near.

I would let you see me
In colors-
Pink, yellow and red.
You'd find me blooming
By the riverbed

Or, down in the valley
By the little creek,
To make proud
The water falls,
To make you feel meek.

But strong winds
Of late May
Again could make me weak.
My petals scattered
On the ground
And gone in a week.

But I will come again
To let you see...
Life is but a circle,
I will bloom
Again next spring.

Anonymous

Plants that Voles Do Not Like (?)

Adding a natural vole deterrent to your yard and garden:   

Daffodil

Voles don't like daffodils.Daffodils contain a chemical toxic to herbivores, including voles. These alkaloid chemicals, found in each part of a daffodil, will work effectively to deter voles from hanging around your garden. Planting these bulbs in your garden, 6 to 12 inches apart, will keep voles away from your garden year-round, including the winter months when they seek underground vegetation.

Ornamental Onions

Nearly any plant included in the onion family will work to effectively deter voles from eating your plants. Ornamental onions feature a chemical compound that causes other plant tissue to have a bad taste so the voles will avoid areas where ornamental onions grow. Ornamental onions add a unique splash of color and variety to your garden, enhancing the beauty of the area even if you do not choose to eat the onions yourself.

Mountain Mint

Commonly found in Illinois, mountain mint, although attractive to bees, flies, beetles and butterflies, features a scent that voles and other herbivores find repulsive. This perennial stands up to 3 feet in height and has a branchy appearance. If the foliage becomes damaged, a strong mint fragrance is released. This plant, easy to grow and hardy, may be subject to rust if the plant becomes stressed.

Sweet Goldenrod

Sweet goldenrod, although attractive to ladybugs and bees, remains a hardy perennial that voles avoid. This plant, typically found in dry, sandy soil, blooms during the latter part of the summer. Sweet goldenrod, one of 130 species of the goldenrod plant, is made into medication and teas. Most goldenrod features heavy pollen known to cause allergies.

 

Grape Hyacinth

Voles enjoying dining on bulbs, including tulips, but adding grape hyacinth bulbs to your flower garden will deter them from entering your garden and destroying other plants. When included in a garden featuring daffodils, you will ensure your plants' safety. Grape hyacinth rate at the top of the bulbs that voles show no interest in. They will stay away from your garden when you use grape hyacinth as a border plant. This method works effectively around your vegetable garden as well.

 

Crown Vetch

A member of the legume family, the crown vetch features a flavor not preferred by voles. When planted around orchards or used as boundaries, it will effectively control the vole population in the area. Crown vetch spreads quickly and will destroy other plants with its creeping stems that can grow up to 6 feet in length. If allowed to invade natural areas, it will climb trees, shrubs and other vegetation native to the area.