The Versatile Impatiens

By: Pamela Nobles

9/25/08

With the change of the seasons, one of the most tropical hybrids that are low maintenance with nonstop blooming from spring until the first frost, is the Impatiens group. These luscious plants come in more than 15 different colors-from shimmering whites and pale pinks to vivid purples and bright oranges. They are by far America’s best-selling bedding plants. There are so many hybrids and varieties with double blossoms that it is hard to believe that I have not mentioned them previously in my writings. So, let me share with you some fascinating thoughts about these awesome plants. To beginner gardeners, planting impatiens can be a great confidence builder as they are inexpensive transplants which when set out in spring and summer can grow to be knee-high mounds of showy flowers in a virtual rainbow of colors. They require little care and make excellent container plants. Placed in pots, they can brighten an entrance, deck, or patio. Any impatiens becomes brilliant waves of color in window boxes, and hanging baskets as they cascade over the edges. Because they are quite showy plants, why not select the white blossoms to plant by themselves as they will enhance those high-traffic areas where they may be enjoyed during the day and then at night, their flowers will glow like little stars. Impatiens are known as shade lovers, even so, traditional impatiens can take some sun when given enough water. Their stems are liquid-filled vessels, and these plants wilt when low on water, making it easy to tell when they need a drink. The best way to keep these plants happy and stress free is to maintain evenly moist soil at all times. Many times, I have pinched the stems back 5 to 6 inches to find in no time they have doubled in size. Another demonstration of their virility is when I’ve pinched them, I have accidentally dropped some clippings in nearby flowerbeds by accident and found them growing profusely. Surprisingly have even found them in the cracks of my front porch. New Guinea Hybrids will tolerate bright light, and unlike the traditional kind, they are grown more for their colorful dark variegated foliage, bigger cheerful blooms and the ability to tolerate more sun. Large lance-shaped leaves may be bronze, purple, or green and splashed with cream, white, yellow, or red. Helpful Tip – Shade or partial shade, moist soil, mulching, feeding every two weeks with a 20-20-20 fertilizer.

Til next time, blessings be multiplied to you, Pamela.

Wire Hanging Baskets Continued from Last week

By: Pamela Nobles
8/14/08

Continuing from last week, before rushing out to purchase these wrought-iron hanging baskets, you’ll want to determine the size for spacing in the area you choose to hang it. And, too, remember that only a large container, generally 16 inches in diameter or more, can readily sustain a large and dramatic collection of plants. Be careful not to overwhelm smaller baskets with a nursery cart full of plants which is a very common failing and is very easy to do! Containers less than 14 inches in diameter should only host a handful of your favorites. Maybe two or three of the same variety, however; using different types will enhance your container. To provide texture and visual contrast you might want to include some trailing foliage plants, like ivy or asparagus fern. Even smaller pots might only support a single plant, so pick something exuberant and colorful. For example, by combining a long-blooming period variety with a cascading form, such as variegated ivy geraniums or trailing verbenas, like the aptly named ‘Babylon’ variety creates a great display. For larger containers, select a "portfolio" of plants with similar requirements for sun, moisture, and feeding. Your hanging basket is a community, and no one plant should dominate the others or exhaust all of the water and nutrients. Shady locations should get shade-loving plants, sunny site, sun-lovers. And think of your hanging garden as a living floral arrangement. Depending on your taste and personality, you might choose a harmonious grouping of plants, such as soothing lavender and purple, blended with vines and foliage of green and silver. Or you might like the energy of contrasting a variety of hot, bright colors bursting out in all directions, and uniting the red, orange, yellow, and white blooms with gold, grey, and green foliage plants, such as the variegated Swedish ivy, and pineapple mint, or lacy leaves of Artemisia. The arrangement you ultimately decide on should also favor blends of textures and growth habits, such as taller geraniums and salvias, mounding petunias, annual vincas, begonias, and cascading multi-hued million bells, blush-purple Scaevola, or tried-and-true lobelia and sweet alyssum. You may also choose coleus and caladiums, since they come in such wide variety of colors. For any questions, feel free to contact me at 592-2522 and I will gladly assist you. Til’ next time! Be blessed, Pamela

Wire Hanging Baskets

By: Pamela Nobles

7/31/08

Hanging baskets have come a long way since the plastic potted geraniums which were traditionally sold outside supermarkets. Many of the exclusive garden centers now display wrought-iron or light and elegant moss-filled wire baskets filled with foliage plants that are absolutely breathtaking. Surely you have said to yourself, " I wish I could do that". Well, you can. Choosing your style of hanging garden will depend on your location and desired effect. They can often be used effectively even in a very small space. For some people their choice is plastic, however, nothing compares with the natural beauty of baskets filled with moss or, more commonly coir-fiber. Environmentally, they are made from recycled coco fibers, rather than sphagnum moss, which are sometimes mined from sensitive bog areas. Fiber and moss liners look great, but they do dry out quickly. There is a new option, though, that is called capillary matting. This material is sold by the roll and can be easily cut to fit inside your containers. These highly absorbent mats can store and release water to root systems for days. Manufacturers suggest that they might even reduce watering requirements by up to 80 percent. Your planting mix should be customized for these types of hanging baskets, being both lightweight and porous to provide good drainage and aeration, while retaining moisture. Some container mixes are actually soil-less, and blend together peat moss or sphagnum moss, sand, vermiculite and/or perlite, and often include slow-release fertilizers. To one of these mixes you might consider adding one of the water-absorbent gels produced from polymerized potassium. These crystals are touted to act as reservoirs for water, holding up to 200 times their weight in water.

Will continue next week on this topic. ‘Til next time! Be blessed, Pamela.

Container Gardening Maintenance

By: Pamela Nobles
7/17/08

After many hours of preparation and gathering plants together for that container, it is essential to maintain them. The end results can be breathtaking and quite showy. After planting and watering them all each day, you might say " that’s it". Well, that is far from reality as the scorching heat along with humidity and the winds of the summer play heavily on the plants, as by now I’m sure you’ve noticed. The best way to care for a container garden is to water often and feed freely. Containers dry out quickly, and water requirements for plants in pots are different from those in the ground as I’ve mentioned before in previous articles. On hot sunny days, you may have to water twice. A rule of thumb is to test the soil by inserting your pointer finger up to the second knuckle, whereby, if the soil feels dry, it needs water. Remember that no matter what kind of potting soil you use, constant watering will leach all the nutrients out of it. Plants need to be nourished with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. In my containers, back in the spring, I used a timed released granule fertilizer. However, even that will not last through summer. In the latter part of May I begin to fertilize every week outdoors and every other week indoors with a water-soluble fertilizer. These are bottled fertilizers that are quite simple to use by attaching them to your garden hose. It is very rewarding to watch the transformation as your plants are revitalized within a few days. Next comes the deadheading or pruning which is essential for many of your plants, particularly the Coleus, Impatiens, Sweet potato vines and verbenas. The first two varieties can grow quite tall and leggy, so pruning will enhance their growth towards becoming fuller and showy. The Impatiens and Verbenas will produce more blossoms if pruned. Sweet potato vines are rapid growers and will need to be trimmed, especially when in hanging baskets or pots. By the way, when the sweet potato vine is cut, you may toss them in a flower bed where there is ample mulch and watch these cuttings grow. Till next time, May Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, Pamela.

Spillers, Thrillers and Fillers Continued from last week....

By: Pamela Nobles
7/3/08

Several plants come to mind when making your next selection for one of your containers. The first thriller is the Strobilanthes dyerianus. Its common name is the Persian Shield. It is a native shrub-like plant from Burma with striking silver-coated, variegated purple leaves. The leaves are broadly oval, pointed, 6 to 8 inches long. This plant will produce pale violet tubular flowers in the summer, but what is so remarkable are the rich, showy color tones that will cause you to take a second glance. It requires full to partial sun for this region with regular watering. The Persian Shield looks best with pinks, blues, and purples, such as the Scaevola, Dusty Miller, Helichrysum, or you might add a Licorice Plant, an ‘Escargot’ rex begonia, and a striking Coleus . Another plant would be a Bacopa that does best in full sun to partial shade. It is finely textured, ideal for the edge of the pot, as it is a trailer to 12 inches and 6 inches tall. It produces clouds of tiny blossoms, which will flower nonstop. Some breeds are yielding more low-maintenance selections. The Cannas have become increasingly popular over the years in containers boasting brilliant bold colors with the dramatic blossoms and foliage such as Tropicana Black (chocolate-colored tropical leaves); Pretoria (lime-green striped leaves) and many others. Cannas are perennials that require full sun to partial shade, plenty of water, fast growing and abundant fertilizing that are among the best thrillers your money can buy. Some dwarf varieties are excellent for your containers where most grow 5 to 6 feet tall. Center cannas in a container then add three or four plants, such as Coleus, Dichondra, Sweet Potato vine, Calibrachoa, or Scaevola. Tip of the week: Container plants purchased from your area nurseries have come from greenhouses conducive to that environment. They have been potted with fertilizer that should last up to 2 months, so with that in mind, do not fertilize for at least 4 to 6 weeks. General care such as size, watering, pruning, light exposure, etc. is usually not given, so be wise to get the names before leaving. Till’ next week….Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, Pamela.Continued from last week.... Several plants come to mind when making your next selection for one of your containers. The first thriller is the Strobilanthes dyerianus. Its common name is the Persian Shield. It is a native shrub-like plant from Burma with striking silver-coated, variegated purple leaves. The leaves are broadly oval, pointed, 6 to 8 inches long. This plant will produce pale violet tubular flowers in the summer, but what is so remarkable are the rich, showy color tones that will cause you to take a second glance. It requires full to partial sun for this region with regular watering. The Persian Shield looks best with pinks, blues, and purples, such as the Scaevola, Dusty Miller, Helichrysum, or you might add a Licorice Plant, an ‘Escargot’ rex begonia, and a striking Coleus . Another plant would be a Bacopa that does best in full sun to partial shade. It is finely textured, ideal for the edge of the pot, as it is a trailer to 12 inches and 6 inches tall. It produces clouds of tiny blossoms, which will flower nonstop. Some breeds are yielding more low-maintenance selections. The Cannas have become increasingly popular over the years in containers boasting brilliant bold colors with the dramatic blossoms and foliage such as Tropicana Black (chocolate-colored tropical leaves); Pretoria (lime-green striped leaves) and many others. Cannas are perennials that require full sun to partial shade, plenty of water, fast growing and abundant fertilizing that are among the best thrillers your money can buy. Some dwarf varieties are excellent for your containers where most grow 5 to 6 feet tall. Center cannas in a container then add three or four plants, such as Coleus, Dichondra, Sweet Potato vine, Calibrachoa, or Scaevola. Tip of the week: Container plants purchased from your area nurseries have come from greenhouses conducive to that environment. They have been potted with fertilizer that should last up to 2 months, so with that in mind, do not fertilize for at least 4 to 6 weeks. General care such as size, watering, pruning, light exposure, etc. is usually not given, so be wise to get the names before leaving. Till’ next week….Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, Pamela.

Spillers, Fillers and Thrillers

6/26/08
By: Pamela Nobles

One of the choice, bold plant selections used in many of my containers is the Ipomoea Batatas, which is better known as the Sweet Potato vine. This is not the edible variety of sweet potato, but an ornamental tuberous root that produces bold foliage and is quite colorful. This unique perennial is a rampant grower that produces sprawling vines with a trailing habit creating rigorous intertwining in hanging baskets, container pots, window boxes, and is sure to accentuate your flower beds as well. The fancy-leafed forms vary in size from 2 to 4 in. long, ranging in shape from heart shaped to deeply lobed. These plants are easy to grow and prolific with color choices that is sure to wet your appetite; Sweet Caroline, green yellow; Margarita, lime green; Sweet Caroline, red; Tricolor, predominantly green with white and pink edges. The Ipomoea is truly a spiller and filler to any mixture of plants for any container. Let me give you several ideas. Harmonious color is the foundation for contrasting forms by selecting the Purple fountain grass, ‘Blackie’ sweet potato vine, Verbena hybrid (pink), and a Persian Shield placed in a large pot. This combination will do well in a partially sunny area. Another combination shows versatility of the Kong Scarlet coleus standing out as the thriller connecting to a ‘Religious Radish', with its burgundy hues, then adding the contrasting ‘Chartreuse’ sweet potato vine as the spiller. Now add a Golden Creeping Jenny, all put into a pedestal container for a partial shade area and you have another spectacular container plant. You need to be aware that these plants attract some tiny round gold looking bugs that will chew little holes in the leaves, so you will need to select an insecticide that will work specifically for your needs. My expertise is not in the area of those pesky varmints, however, your nearby hardware store will be delighted to steer you in the right direction. I will continue with more on this topic next week. Till’ next time, Blessings unto you, Pamela.

Metal Wonders Continued from Last Week

By: Pamela Nobles

6/19/2008

Last week I shared with you one of my trials with a metal plant container. So to continue in that vein, let me give you some more ideas that might catch your attention. Any metal object that can hold soil and provide drainage can be put into service. Locating recycled metal containers can be as simple as shopping curbside on trash day. Try shiny galvanized cans, flashy metallic buckets or you might want to utilize a giant metal ladle that can be hung from a tree that can hold a trailing plant or possibly a birdbath or bird feeder. For that matter, you may try an old salvage yard or at your next adventurous Rummage Sale for the unusual.

Maybe memories of Grandma’s old teakettle could be utilized, an old bicycle with a wire basket, a colander, an old washtub, or maybe an old worn out discarded chicken feeder that will start up a conversation with friends and family the next time you break bread together. By the way, I’m eyeing an old one row Coleman planter that a man close to my heart just might let me use. Potting soil, slow-release fertilizer, and plants are all you need to turn your containers into classy plant pots. Let me enlighten you on the fact that metal absorbs heat when exposed to sunlight, so your plants will appreciate the addition of water-absorbing crystals (available at many plant nurseries) to the soil. Be sure to drill drainage holes into the bottom of solid metal containers. When choosing perforated metal objects, such as old strainers or metal baskets, line them with cocoa fiber or sphagnum moss before filling them with potting soil.

Sun-loving herbs; succulents; and drought-resistant plants whether annuals or perennials, such as Lantana, Verbena, Portulaca (rose moss) are excellent plant choices for metal. Gray and silver foliage plants, such as Lamb’s-ear, Wormwood, Dusty Miller, or Common Sage are especially eye catching in gray containers.

Till next time, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, Pamela

Metal Wonders

6/12/08
By: Pamela Nobles

While there are many containers out there available for purchase for your special plants, there are probably some containers that many of you may have never considered that are right in your own back yard. That being said, I found one that really captured my attention. Being gifted with creativity in many areas, particularly with this container plant business I’m fascinated with any unusual items that might be used to place many of these plants in. Since I especially love my herbs I needed something special for them. After ardent convincing, my husband Glen approved of my wonderful idea so I began browsing through the barn where I soon found an old watering trough he had used for his livestock. This trough became my next experiment. My plan became a reality as I set out to gather pine cones from the adjacent lot next to the house. Several five gallon buckets, was what I planned to place in the bottom of this trough to hold the plants. Thinking this might work, I then proceeded to take the potting soil, which by the way turned out to take more than anticipated, filling it to roughly 5 inches below the top. With much anticipation and filled with adventurous thoughts, I was eager to see the end results. I began to place some of my herbs (Bee Balm, Oregano, Sage, Parsley and Orange Mint) in the prepared soil. With our hot summers and strong winds, the soil tends to become dryer requiring daily watering and that in itself can become tedious. Nevertheless, it was all quite rewarding. Then I began to notice the sinking of the soil and plants lower and lower until they finally dropped another 5 inches. I was initially very concerned. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with joy, His joy unspeakable and full of His Glory. Laughter began to bubble up out of my belly. It was literally tears of joy that filled my heart at that moment with an experiment I will never forget. It was merely the pine cones settling under the soil. So keep that in mind for your next plant project, when you choose such a large container, by using more pine cones then letting it settle after watering the soil before planting. I will continue next week with ideas for plants using metal objects. Until next time, may Grace and peace be multiplied to you. Pamela.

The Show-Stopping Bougainvillea

By: Pamela Nobles
June 5, 2008

Memories of this exuberant vine still capture my thoughts as I think back to my childhood years. We lived in a beautiful brick home on San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville where I remember how very breathtaking it was to see this Bougainvillea meandering up the brick wall of my parent’s home. The sprawling, long arching branches held sprays of delicate raspberry-pink bracts that were absolutely show-stopping. Now if you were to ask my sisters, Jacque or Deborah, they might challenge me, we’re somewhat older now, with a magenta-red or purple-red, whichever, we girls looked forward to eyeing the beautiful display of those strikingly vivid, flower clusters growing rampantly up those walls even over the windows. I’m reminded of the last months of my mother’s rich life. She was bedridden at her home and in a hospital bed, where, my sister Deborah (and husband) stayed with her till she went to her eternal home. She turned the bed to face the huge windows where she could view and enjoy her Bougainvillea in her last days. The Bougainvillea was named for Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French navigator who discovered the plant in 1768 in Brazil. The first specimen was brought to France in 1800, and then to England and beyond. So from these species have come numerous hybrids, from two-foot dwarf cultivars that enrich balconies and patios to rampant climbers that can exceed thirty feet. Bougainvilleas are versatile, exuberant subtropical and tropical vines that flower almost all year long in warm regions. They can be grown all year long in certain zones, however, in the colder climates they would need to be protected from the cold and frost by growing them in containers. However, as mentioned above, my mothers Bougainvillea came back each Spring due to the fact that she had lots of trees in her yard whereby, those leaves were used as a compost to cover the woody base to protect from the cold winters. Most Bougainvilleas have spiny thorns, but some of the newer varieties are nearly thornless or have such insignificant thorns that they are not a bother. The actual flowers are delicate, paper-thin bracts, which grow in clusters Colors of these magnificent flowers may be pure white, bold pinks, dark reds, orange, lavender, magenta and gold. There are many varieties of the Bougainvilleas such as Tahitian Dawn, Texas Dawn, Purple Queen, Don Mario, Oo-La-La, Camarillo, Scarlett O’hara, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. The last one mentioned lives up to its name with profuse bloomers that opens deep violet, turning to light violet, then white, and all in three days. Doesn’t that just inspire you to go out and purchase one of these? Some of these varieties may not be found in your local nurseries, so please call if you are interested and I’ll gladly share where you may obtain one of these beauties. Bougainvillea requires full sun, and regular but not too much water as they will cease flowering, even to losing leaves and wilting. To maximize flowering, you will need to prune the vines to promote new growth, just as He does us since He is the vine and we are the branches. Discarding the old branches will enhance the flowering to bear much more fruit, blossoms and awesome clusters making new stems. In the fall, again prune to shape by removing unwanted shoots. Vines can be trained to stand alone as a sprawling shrub, or allowed to grow naturally where it will quickly cover fences or climb up into trees. Soil tolerances; clay, sand; acidic; slightly alkaline; loam. Drought tolerance is high. Tip of the week: For your next outdoor gathering put together a unique centerpiece that will surely catch the eye of your friends & family and, too, you can snip & use these herbs in your meats and vegetables. Fill a terra-cotta bowl 13 inches wide by 4 ½ deep with potting soil and plants; two 4-inch pots each of lemon-lime thyme and a six-pack or two of common thyme. Before planting set a candle (light citrus scent) with a hurricane glass in the center. Til’ next time, blessings be multiplied to you, Pamela.

Water-Wise Gardens

May 29, 2008
By: Pamela Nobles

Using water judiciously does not mean having less greenery, but it does mean putting more thought into plant selection and garden design. Fortunately, giving more consideration to what and where to plant can result in an even better garden than might be imagined. No longer are water-wise gardens considered lesser landscapes; these days gardeners know that the desire to reduce water usage can inspire fabulous plant combinations, year-round interest and gardens that people want to live in. Strategies that can lead to a beautiful – and water-conserving – landscape are three-fold: group plants with similar needs; use compost to help retain soil moisture; and use water judiciously. There are many plants that absolutely can be less work for the gardener with more compliments from your neighbors, friends and family. So for those people that don’t always have time with their busy schedules to water you can still come home from work after a long day and find your yard just as beautiful as the day before without all the fuss. After years of gardening, intense preparation of the soil, adding the needed nutrients for those plants that I surely thought would survive without water made me know that I needed to delve into this gardening more seriously after spending all that hard earned money. I’m one of those visionaries with a creative mind, so I’m always looking for ways to enhance the beauty of my yard whether it be a sunny or shady location. This also keeps me challenged, as well as, my husband and too, it means less area to mow! Living out of town in the country on one of those dusty roads during those dry seasons, can be a bit unsightly. However, the first area you’d see coming into my driveway is the mailbox as the house sits back off the road. So I set out to capture ‘the eye of the beholder’ by choosing to make a large oval garden area that would do just that! I chose the hardy, vigorous, sprawling Lantana (many varieties) and the Mexican Sage bush (both perennials) that were mulched with the proper nutrients where the water does not evaporate from the soil surface as quickly. Now there are many others to choose from, such as; the Buddleja (butterfly bush), Gaura bush, Coreopsis, Verbena, Russian Sage, Lavender, English ivy, Achillea (Yarrow), Bee Balm, Coral Bells (Huechera), Hosta to name a few where you can design and landscape an area close to the home, along the driveway, or around some of your favorite trees. Now let me say this, don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because the above mentioned plants are considered "drought tolerant plants" means they can survive without water. No plant can survive without getting them established first. Give them a few weeks to get acclimated to the soil by saturating those thirsty root systems with a drink of water. Sun on windy days will dry out and scorch leaves, whereas plants may easily tolerate the same sun without the winds. Either way when the heat index is high you can be sure that it will zap the moisture out of the plants much quicker. Also, if you choose to put these plants in containers, whether it be terra cotta, plastic, wood, or wrought iron using sphagnum moss, they will require watering more frequently due to evaporation. There are great benefits to gardening in containers because you have the ability to move them around and be versatile. Tip of the week: Cover the holes of your container with window screen wire to prevent your soil from escaping through when watering. If I can be of any help to you, please feel free to call me at 592.2522. Til next time blessings be multiplied to you, Pamela