What's in Bloom - April 2012 - Wildlife Area

We hope to bring you a regular feature of "What's Blooming" in the various Demonstration Gardens throughout the year.  Jane Krumpe took these pictures last week from the Woodland, Meadow, Native Habitat Garden, otherwise known as the Wildlife Area.

Native Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens

Our native honeysuckle vine.  Other common names include Coral honeysuckle and Trumpet honeysuckle.  Early nectar source for hummingbirds, which are its main pollinator.

Gelsemium sempervirens - Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens - Carolina Jessamine

Carolina Jessamine is South Carolina's state flower.  We're stretching its northern hardiness border at Zone 6b - usually described as a zone 7 plant.  It's considered toxic to livestock, but supposedly has some medicinal qualities.

Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia

Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia

Red Chokeberry is a common upright, open shrub with white flower clusters in spring and red fruits in fall and winter. The University of Connecticut lists it as one of the best shrubs for fall color, with foliage having an intense, shiny, raspberry to crimson color, with purplish highlights. Can also have some orange mixed in, especially in shady sites.  And of course the berries will provide food for wildlife.

Rhododendron calendulaceum - Native Flame Azalea

Just getting ready to bloom - one of our native deciduous Azaleas, the Flame Azalea.  Azaleas like acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0.

Carolina Sweet Shrub - Calycanthus floridus

Carolina Sweet Shrub - Calycanthus floridus

Crush the leaves of the Carolina Sweet Shrub to get a spicy, sweet aroma.  Also called Sweet Betsy in North Carolina.

Halesia tetraptera (Halesia carolina)
Carolina Silverbell

There seems to be one of those taxonomic changes going on, since multiple sources list both Halesia tetraptera along with Halesia carolina interchangeably with the common name Carolina Silverbell.  The University of Connecticut describes the fruit as interesting, four-winged (tetra - ptera), and oblong that changes from green to tan and persists into the winter.

Woodland Poppy - Stylophorum diphyllum

Woodland Poppy - a must for any shade garden.  Also forms an interesting seed pod.

Redbud - Cercis canadensis

Cercis canadensis, Redbud in Eckhart Landscape

I enjoy driving to work this time of year since parts of my route take me through Michaux State Forest and I can observe the leaf out of the trees, as well as the spectacular blooms of our native Redbud, Cercis canadensis.



The pictures are from my landscape - specimens acquired 7 years ago from the Franklin County Conservation District's annual tree seedling sale.

Redbud blooms also have a professional interest for me, because their bloom time coincides with the hatch and emergence of the destructive forest pest, the gypsy moth, or Lymantria dispar. Next week's news column talks about gypsy moth, as well as the start of the mosquito season.

Cercis canadensis, Redbud in Eckhart Landscape

Another common name for a Redbud is The Judas Tree, acquired from the legend that Judas hanged himself from a similar Middle Eastern species Cercis siliquastrum.

Alternative reasons suggest that the flowers and seed pods resemble a tableau of Judas hanging himself, or, more simply, that 'Judas' is merely a corruption of 'Judean', as the tree was once common in the Judean hills.

The generic name, Cercis, comes from the Greek ‘Kerkis’, a weaver’s shuttle, which the fruits are said to resemble.

According to Wikipedia, "In some parts of southern Appalachia, green twigs from the Eastern redbud are used as seasoning for wild game such as venison and opossum. Because of this, in these mountain areas the Eastern redbud is sometimes known as the spicewood tree."

Redbud is an understory tree and it is one of the the larval host plants for the Io Moth, Automeris Io.

Cercis canadensis, Redbud in Eckhart Landscape

The redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma and is a legume belonging to the pea family, Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae.

Besides all that - it's just plain pretty,and that's enough for me.

Birch Tree Pix

My birch tree is leafing out - it gives me a chance to watch nature at its most fascinating.

Day 2 - Not Much Action...

Day 1

Day 3 - Some green!

Day 4 - why does it all twist up?

Day 5 - Almost a leaf!

Day 6 - Leaf is there!

Day 7 - All done!

Spring 2012 Vegetables

Rhubarb

Lest you think I've somehow given up on vegetables, and totally gone over to the ornamental side, rest assured.







Here are some pictures of my edible stuff

Peas Sprouting

The warmth, and lack of moisture allowed me to work the soil early this year, so I was actually able to plant peas on St. Patrick's Day, something that I have only rarely been able to do. Usually, it's not until the Easter weekend that I get enough time, or energy to get going in the garden.

More Peas Sprouting

 This year - the peas are up for Easter weekend.

Lettuce and Radishes

And I seeded some lettuces and radishes the same weekend, seen here coming up in a hastily created raised bed.

Horseradish

Asparagus

Perennial plants Rhubarb (top of the page), Horseradish, and Asparagus.  All of these were planted 6 years ago and will provide bounty practically forever.  I need to divide the Rhubarb and Horseradish. 


Self Sowed Cilantro

 And here is some self-sowed cilantro.

Garlic

Last fall's planting of onions and garlic is doing well.

Multiplier Onions

The many leaved ones are the multiplier onions.

2nd Year Garlic Clump (Unharvested from 2011)

Given where it's growing, I must have missed harvesting this garlic clump last year.   I googled around trying to learn what to do about it.

This Mother Earth News article  offers one possibility - Garlic Greens:

To grow garlic greens for cooking, plant whole bulbs 12 inches apart in the fall. In spring, when the greens are 10 inches tall, grab them with one hand, and use your other hand to lop them off with a knife. You should get two more cuttings before the plants give out.

Another article suggested digging and dividing them for a regular, but later, garlic harvest.  Me - I'm gonna leave them alone and see what happens.  I'm not sure if the clump is a soft neck or hard neck variety, or if it matters.  From what I've read, there will be multiple, smaller heads, with smaller cloves.  We'll see.

Garlic is not biennial, like regular (not the perennial, multiplier) onions.  Regular onions will flower and produce seeds the second year if you missed harvesting them and left them in the ground.

Betty and The Girls

  

Girl Magnolia 'Betty'
Picture by R.K. Parisien

Jill's post below on Magnolia stellata prompted me to research the Magnolia specimen in my landscape. I got the plant from fellow Master Gardener Iris Masters when it outgrew the space in her garden. It bloomed beautifully this year, as you can tell from the pictures (taken at various times throughout March). Googling around, I narrowed the identification down to a Magnolia liliforum, but wasn't sure, so I enlisted the help of Linda Secrist, Kathy Engle, and Jill Hudock, to see if we could positively identify it before creating this post.

With that team working on it, we were settling on a cultivar of Saucer Magnolia, or Magnolia x soulangiana, but weren't sure which cultivar. At some point, it dawned on me to ask Iris (Duh! moment) and she came through beautifully, identifying it as a Magnolia Kosar De Vos Hybrid from the Little Girl Series.

From Iris:  "Deciduous, 12 ft H, 15 ft W.  Bloom at age 4-5 years.  Colors range from deep to pale purple (sometimes pink or white inside) Bloom in spring before leaf-out. Sometimes sporadic rebloom in summer. Hybrid between M. liliflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’, bred to bloom later than M. stellata to avoid frost damage. Erect shrubby growers bearing girls names: Ann, Betty, Jane, Judy, Pinky, Randy, Ricki, Susan. This specimen is Betty."

Girl Magnolia 'Betty'
Picture by R.K. Parisien

Girl Magnolia 'Betty'
Picture by R.K. Parisien

Girl Magnolia 'Betty'
Picture by R.K. Parisien

From the National Arboretum web site:

The U.S. National Arboretum presents eight hybrid magnolia cultivars affectionately known as ''The Girls.'' These selections offer a spectacular floral display approximately two weeks later than M. stellata and M. x soulangiana, thus decreasing the possibility of spring frost damage. The flowers are doubly delightful! They welcome spring in shades of pink to purple and later surprise you with occasional summer blooms. Plants grow as multistemmed large shrubs or small trees bearing slightly leathery leaves that stand up well to summer heat and drought. Winter reveals the plant architecture highlighted by smooth grey bark and fuzzy flower buds. In every season "The Girls'' embellish the landscape.

''The Girl Magnolias'' are selections resulting from controlled pollinations of Magnolia liliflora 'Nigra' by M. stellata 'Rosea'; M. liliflora 'Reflorescens' by M. stellata 'Rosea'; and M. liliflora 'Reflorescens' by M. stellata 'Waterlily'. The crosses were made at the U.S. National Arboretum in 1955 and 1956 by William F. Kosar and Dr. Francis de Vos. All are F1 hybrids and reported to be sterile triploid selections. These plants were selected and named by William F. Kosar. Released 1968.

Plants grow best in full sun to light shade; prefer loam soil with adequate moisture; tolerate poorly drained, heavy clay soils or dry areas.

Specimen plant or mass planting in open recreation areas, industrial parks, or in the home garden. Locate to accentuate floral display, silvery gray bark, multi-stemmed habit, and winter architecture.

Readily available from retail and wholesale nurseries.

Girl Magnolia 'Betty'
Picture by R.K. Parisien

In this picture, you can see suckers at the base of the shrub that were pruned away today, after Jill advised me to, to give strength to the main stem.

Another interesting fact about Magnolia blooms.  They lack nectar, but are full of pollen which attracts beetles:

Magnolia flowers are typically pollinated by beetles. Magnolias flowers do not produce nectar but they do produce large quantities of pollen. The pollen is high in protein and the beetles use it for food. There are many different types of beetles that pollinate the various species of magnolias located in southeastern Asia and eastern North America.

More on beetle pollination here.

2012 Victory Garden

Picture Courtesy of Joe Wirtheim

The 2012 Victory Garden program has been announced.

This is a season long, highly rated, weekly vegetable garden growing experience. Master Gardeners of Franklin County, led by Darl Hospelhorn and Linda Horst, will teach everything you need to know to grow great vegetables, beginning with spring garden preparation, and ending with the final fall harvest. Each Monday begins with a short class related to what is happening in the garden at that time.

Participants will then work in the garden and be rewarded with a share of the harvest.

Wear your garden clothes and bring your gloves. We will provide garden tools.

Class meets from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. every Monday from April 23rd to September 17th at the barn across the street from the Extension Office. The fee for the whole season is $35.00.

Call 263-9226 to register.  Class size is limited to 25 participants, so register early.

Nanking Cherry in Spring Bloom

Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa)

I talked about the virtues of Nanking Cherry, or Prunus tomentosa  in June, 2010 back at this post.  Here's what they look like in spring bloom.  The blooms don't last long - barely a week, but while they do, they put on a pretty good show.  The warm weather coaxed them out earlier than usual this year, and the recent low temperatures don't seem to have hurt them, but I won't know for sure until fruiting later in early summer.

Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa)

Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa)

UPDATE:  April 6th - I forgot to mention that there are two or three specimens in the holding area that will be available for the plant sale, plus I potted up three more to bring this year.

Guineas - Part 12 - Overwinter Report

Warren the Rooster - RIP

I'm down to four Guineas, and three Chickens.

Over the winter we lost Warren the rooster, one of the West Nile chickens and one of the Guineas.

The two chickens died, about three weeks apart, and the guinea just didn't return home one evening, so we're not sure what happened.

The remaining guineas are, conveniently, two male and two female, and have paired off.


First Guinea Egg

Today, I found my first guinea egg. The large brown one is from the remaining West Nile chicken, and the two large white ones are from the two leghorn chickens we rescued last summer.

Remaining West Nile Sentinel Chicken

The remaining small, brownish one is the guinea egg. I found it in the same communal laying spot that the chickens use. We'll see if the other female uses that area, as well. Besides size, there's not much difference between the chicken and guinea eggs, although the guinea eggs are said to be higher in protein, by weight, and their whites whip up faster for a meringue, supposedly, according to the book. And unlike chickens, they'll only produce eggs seasonally, now through September. I'll let you know if there is any difference in flavor. More here.

One Pair

Group Photo

Blondie and Her Mate

UPDATE: Sunday, April 1, 2012 - I ate the egg pictured above this morning for breakfast.  The shell is much tougher, and thicker than chicken eggs, and took a harder whack to crack.  Yolk was the same size as chicken eggs, but there seemed to be less white, and the yolk was a deeper yellow, almost orange color.  Tasted like an egg - no discernible difference in flavor to my taste buds.

The Star of Spring… Magnolia stellata, “Star Magnolia”

Master Gardener Jill Hudock tells us about Star Magnolias.


Magnolia stellata  'Royal Star'
photo by Jill Hudock

 Are you looking for a beautiful tree to add to your landscape? Then look no further. Magnolias, the “Aristocrats of Spring”, have a long history as magnificent additions to the garden. Discovered in the Orient, they were named in honor of the 17th century botanist Pierre Magnol and have graced western gardens in Zones 4-8 for more than 300 years.

There are several well known species but one of the longest flowering and earliest bloomers is Magnolia stellata, the Star Magnolia.

Beginning in March, the Star Magnolia’s large, 3”-5” white or pink perfumed blossoms can last up to three weeks, before giving way to shiny 4” by 2” oblong-shaped leaves. Not all of the flowers open simultaneously which adds to the length of its show time.

Covered in pussy willow-like casings, the buds swell to release 12 or more tepaled flowers. These tepals give the Magnolia it’s “star” quality, resembling a starburst rather than the traditional 5 pointed variety. Pale yellow anthered centers hold the strappy tepals in place. When the flowers are nearing their “curtain call” they remind me of ballerina tutus from a Degas painting…a tree filled with nature’s dancers, “jete-ing” with the breeze.

Photo by Jill Hudock

Star Magnolia grows slowly to 20 feet high by 15 feet wide in full sun to part shade. Though preferring acid soil, it grows graciously in many soil types while thriving in both cold and heat. It’s a seasoned performer that knows the show must go on. Sadly, in our area its biggest nemesis is frost. Though its flowers don’t mind near-freezing temperatures, frost will stop the act briefly. Thankfully any unopened buds will continue to bloom. A full three weeks of Magnolia stellata is a sold-out event. We can count our lucky stars for that type of performance!

Star Magnolias are often grown as multi-trunked specimens, resulting in a densely branched canopy. Single trunks usually have low branches that can be easily pruned up. Pruning gives even more pleasure, as the cut branch releases a delightful lime fragrance. However, remember to prune in the dormant season or after blooming, as the Star Magnolia’s bark will “bleed” if pruned too early in the growing season. This usually doesn’t affect its health but it is unsightly.

By fall, they produce small, 2” fist-like capsules filled with orange-red seeds. While not a noticeable attribute to us, songbirds enjoy them for their high fat content. Star Magnolia leaves turn a butternut yellow before dropping.

I first became acquainted with this shrub-like tree about 14 years ago on a tour of Linda Secrist’s garden. Linda is our current Master Gardener Coordinator. She had planted it on a corner, very close to her home’s foundation and it was at least 15 feet tall. I don’t remember the month of the visit, other than it was very hot and this tree, with its glossy dark green leaves was stunning. Its smooth, light gray bark was a nice contrast to its dark leaves.

I couldn’t believe it was thriving so close to the house. Linda said she really didn’t give it any special attention. I knew then I would find a home for one in my garden. Had to have it, had to have it!! And this was without seeing any of its trademark flowers.

Finding a plant that’s appealing without flowers is exciting. And if it blooms, what a bonus! In a small garden, plants that look good during more than one season are a must. They have to pull their own weight and Magnolia stellata is certainly one of those.

Photo by Jill Hudock

And so, I too, planted my Magnolia stellata “Royal Star” (white tepals) on the north-west corner of my home where it has faced fierce westerly winds and scorching summer sun without a hiccup for over a decade. Even though it has a reputation for being a slow grower, mine has managed to be 12’ tall without interfering with my home’s structure. Its roots are not like most trees, as they are rope-like, splaying out from the center. They don’t form a dense rootball. It’s a perfect plant to soften a corner’s hard edge. Thank you very much Linda!

Placing it close to the house has many advantages. I enjoy its blossoms from my dining window when it’s too cold to be outside. I enjoy recognizing its scent, wafting through the garden while I’m doing spring cleanup. And I enjoy its glamorous good looks all summer long. Plenty of joy all the way around!

And, of course, Star Magnolia looks great planted as a single specimen to be appreciated from all angles. It’s also a wonderful visual anchor for a bed. In winter the branches will capture snow, creating a handsome silhouette. Wherever you plant it you will love it. Guaranteed.

So if you’re looking to add spring drama, summer performance, fall feasts for your feathered friends, and winter sculpture to your garden, Magnolia stellata can bring star quality to any seasonal event. And all for the price of one admission…a luminary not to be missed.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Horticulture Educator Steve Bogash provides tips for starting seeds indoors.

Here's a picture of the easy to build lighting system we did for the class a few weeks ago.

Lighting System

Plans for building the frame here.

Plans for making a heat mat from outdoor Christmas Lights here.

University of Maryland site for starting seeds here.

Free Natural Fertilizer!

Dr. Jeff Gillman of the University of Minnesota - one of the Garden Professors - provides a solution for folks looking for inexpensive, natural fertilizer that you make yourself. Literally.

He's written about this subject before, and now is marking new territory with this promotion of his new book, Decoding Garden Advice, co-authored with Meleah Maynard.

George Weigel has written about it, too, and there even are peer-reviewed studies touting its use in growing cabbage and cucumbers.

This BBC story on the subject tells us why it's mostly a guy thing.

Early Spring - 2012 - Siberian Squill

White Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica 'Alba') in Eckhart Rock Garden

Spring of 2012 is here.  Male carpenter bees started to harass me this weekend, so it must be time.  Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) blooms are one of the first indicators.  Siberian Squill is not native to North America, and according to this article from Rutgers University, they're not even native to Siberia:

...the plant is not native to Siberia, but to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia.  In its native regions, it grows in woods, scrub and in well-drained rocky terrain, tolerating winter freezes to 30 below zero!  In the garden, it prefers well-drained soils, but is very adaptable.

Blue ones adapted to that "Rocky Terrain"

What I love about these small flowering spring bulbs, is that they naturalize so readily - even in the grassy areas that I mow, since they emerge, bloom, and pretty much die back before I have to mow the grass.

Another feature:

Although Siberian squill requires sun to thrive, it is particularly attractive when allowed to naturalize under deciduous trees and shrubs. Leafless branches allow the bulbs ample exposure to the sun when they are actively growing. By the time the trees and shrubs have leafed out, Siberian squill plants are starting to go, or have already gone, dormant and thus do not require as much light.

Not only that, but they are unaffected by juglone, the poisonous stuff that Black Walnut trees produce to reduce competition, so can be safely planted there.

North Carolina State University warns us that they are:

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

So don't eat them.  Deer won't. Enjoy the rest of the pictures - all taken Sunday, March 18th, 2012:

Naturalizing in Eckhart "Lawn"

Growing Under a Cherry Tree

How to Plant Strawberries

The Pennsylvania State University ©2006
ondemand.psu.edu

Speaking of Strawberries - 'Purple Wonder'



'Purple Wonder' (left) strawberry's deep burgundy color extends throughout the fruit. Click image for larger view
Picture courtesy of Cornell University

I just read this press release from Cornell University on the introduction of a new variety of strawberry called 'Purple Wonder':

“Purple Wonder is sweet and aromatic, with outstanding strawberry flavor,” said Courtney Weber, Cornell small fruits breeder and associate professor of horticulture. “But the color is something you won’t be able to find in any grocery store.”

They'll be introduced to the public at the Philadelphia Flower Show this week.  You can buy plants from Burpee.

Much like the market in fresh tomatoes, strawberries have undergone a re-emphasis on breeding for flavor, not just disease resistance and ease-of-shipping characteristics, in recent years.  Here's an article from December, 2010 describing some of the science and history behind breeding strawberries for flavor, after having sequenced its genome:

The sequencing project was initiated at Virginia Tech, where researchers had already done genetic work on this variety of strawberry. The sequencing was done without national grants. Instead, funding came internally from the research institutions and the strawberry industry, and most of the researchers involved donated time, according to Folta, who said he acted as a coordinator for the project.

I'll probably wait a year or two for the price to come down, but the fact that 'Purple Wonder' lends itself to container growing, coupled with the decidedly different color, and touted flavor means I'll probably give it a try in my garden.

2012 Strawberry Plant Sale

The Franklin County 4-H program is sponsoring a strawberry plant sale. For only $5.83 (which includes tax), you get 25 strawberry plants. There are different varieties to choose from - early, mid, and late season, as well as day neutral everbearing varieties.  Strawberries are perennial, so you'll have several years of production from just one planting. If you're new to small fruit growing, you can sign up (call 263-9226) for the Small Fruit in the Home Garden class coming up on Saturday, March 24th to learn the best ways to grow strawberries, blueberries, and the brambles (blackberries and raspberries). Strawberries take well to container gardening and can also be used in an ornamental pyramid planting. Here are some fact sheets from Virginia Tech and the University of Arkansas.

Below is the order form. Click on it, print it, fill it out, and mail or bring in to the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office - 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA  17202. Orders and payment (checks payable to 4-H Development Fund) are due by Monday, March 26, 2012.

Plants will be available for pickup at the Franklin County Extension Office on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 after 1:00 PM.

Click on the form for a full sized copy.  Print it, fill it out, and send it in.