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GWA in Raleigh: The Movie(s)

post from Cold Climate Gardening on 03 October 2009 09:08:55 PM. © Cold Climate Gardening

One noticeable difference between this Garden Writers Association Symposium and the one I attended in 2007 was the increased presence of video recording. Not just the movie function on the ubiquitous digital camera, but more sophisticated set-ups were also used. Here’s a sampling of what’s been posted on the web:I just happened to be nearby [...]

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ColdClimateGardening/~3/d-Pwn2Yz_ig/

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Thyme Grows On.

post from About.com Gardening on 03 October 2009 09:01:27 PM. © About.com Gardening

If I had to pick just one herb to grow, it would probably be thyme. Thyme is a hard herb to describe taste-wise, because it can mimic and complement so many other herbs. But there's no mistaking that almost crisp, refreshing quality it adds to all types of foods. That's probably why it's so popular, no matter what the season. The fact that thyme is evergreen and can be harvested all year long, even during the holidays, does't hurt either. I've brushed aside light snow to snip some branches.

Most thymes are incredibly easy to grow. How many other herbs can handle being stepped on repeatedly, and still go on growing strong? The trailing varieties soften containers and rock walls, the prostrate creepers soften walk ways and pavers and they all attract lovely pollinating bees to your gardens. The only times I've had a bit of trouble growing thyme were with a few of the "flavored varieties" and trying to grow it indoors. It grew indoors, but it wasn't happy. And the flavored varieties were hit and miss. Lemon is a double delight to grow, but lime was very temperamental. Maybe it will do better in your yard. You should at least give it a try. And if you have it in your garden, don't stop harvesting. It's a great seasoning, from soup to nuts.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.

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http://gardening.about.com/b/2009/10/04/thyme-grows-on.htm

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Plant Catalog Exaggerations and Hyperbole

post from All the Dirt on Gardening on 03 October 2009 07:26:00 PM. © All the Dirt on Gardening

Doonsbury summarized a lot of our feelings about plant, seed and bulb catalogs on 9-30.

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http://muskogeephoenixonline.com/blogs/MollyDay/2009/10/plant-catalog-exaggeratio
ns-and.html

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More Garden Trails

post from Barbara's Garden Chronicles on 03 October 2009 04:43:00 PM. © Barbara's Garden Chronicles

I had the distinct pleasure of visiting one of the crown jewels of the North American nursery business - Plant Delights. In addition to the obscene number and variety of plants for sale, they have display gardens where you can see how the plants will perform. In Canada there are very few specialty nurseries, and certainly none of those I've visited have come close to what I saw on display there. It is absolutely worth it to rob a bank, boost a big truck and have wonderful day of shopping.

Just to give you an idea - I adore Epimedium. I have 5 or so different varieties. This is their Epimedium hoop house.

Here they are growing plant tags:

My first Muhly grass in the flesh in one of the many demonstration gardens.

More of these mind bending Zone combining combinations that you can do in Raleigh.

I wanted to take some of these Agave home as pets:

Agave 'Kissho Kan'

Agave parryi var. huachucensis 'JC Raulston'

Specialty Agave bovicornuta

A small section of the retail benches:

Part of the fun of this nursery is reading about the plant you might like to buy:

I think he's right, they did need a higher number.

Here's something I'd never seen before:

The description sounds so cool. However, it's hardy in the Mexican mountains - a Zone 7B. I don't even think my living room is 7B.

This big long row is just Salvia....beautiful, gorgeous, too-hot-for-here-Salvia. (and my husband Kevin in the purple)
After looking at all the marvelous temptations (looking for me - purchasing for many) we headed off to the Raleigh Farmers Market. And, for those who still had money in their wallet, there were many smaller growers with all kinds of interesting oddities on offer.

Great to see such a vibrant market & to see so many farmers growing unusual fruit and vegetable varieties. I had a delicious Black Arkansas apple, small with dark red skin and a sweet crisp flavour. I only wish I'd had more time to sample even more of what the market had to offer.

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http://barbarasgardenchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-garden-trails.html

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Crown of Thorns

post from Cactus Blog on 03 October 2009 12:55:00 PM. © Cactus Blog

Euphorbia milii (Thai Hybrid)

These hybrids are usually cultivated for the flower colors and huge sepals and year-round blooming, but this one has amazing wavy edged leaves, and is more vertical, less sprawling, than most of the milii’s. And what about those orange tinged spines? A very beautiful plant indeed.

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http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/2009/10/03/crown-of-thorns/

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Art Preview

Coming this November to a Cactus Jungle Nursery near you.

Lipson Robotics! You may ask what this has to do, thematically, with cactus. Well, let me tell you, robots and cactus have a long history together in the science journals from the turn of the 18th century, and if you don’t believe me, check it out. Primitive, for sure, but still quite remarkable.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/2009/10/03/art-preview/

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