June 14, 2013

The result is that those three stems did not die back and once I took the bubble wrap off in April, within a few days new leaves emerged from the top of the stems.  As I write this in mid June, those three stems have leaves reaching 12 feet and are still going strong. Plus there are many new ‘pups’ or new plants coming from the base of the stems. This is exactly the effect that I wanted, some tall plants and many smaller ones to make my mini banana grove!

Tags: In The Garden, Mike Darcy, Hardy Banana, Musa Basjoo, Bananas

June 07, 2013

Tags: In The Garden, Mike Darcy, Agapanthus, Gold Strike

May 31, 2013

There has been a great deal of garden talk resulting from the damage lace bugs are doing to rhododendrons and azaleas.  This is a pest that has exploded in the last few years and has, and it, causing much damage to rhododendrons and azaleas.  It seems to be rather host specific to these two groups of plants, and home owners can now visually see they have a problem with their plants.   

Lace bugs cause damage by piercing the leaf tissue and removing the chlorophyll.  The leaf surface then becomes bleached, silvery or chlorotic.  The adult lace bug can lay 300 eggs, which hatch in 10-20 days.  It takes the eggs 3-6 weeks to develop into adults and there can be two to four generations per year. 

My guests on Saturday, June 1, at 10am, Mike Stewart and Dick Cavender have both been very active in the Portland Rhododendron Society and have grown and sold rhododendrons.  They are both very knowledgeable people and discuss the issue and what steps homeowners can take to prevent and eliminate lace bugs.

The photo showing both sides of a leaf was submitted by Dick Cavender. The photo with the infestation was submitted by Rich Baer.     

Tags: In The Garden, Mike Darcy, Mike Stewart, Dick Cavender, Lace Bugs, Rhododendrons, Azaleas

Memorial Day Weekend Garden Trip

Here are three wonderful display gardens all within an easy drive from Portland or Salem.  They are relatively close to each other and can all be visited in a day.  All three gardens are quite diverse and many plants are at their peak at this time of year.  The display gardens of all three are open to the public at no charge.   

3625 Quinaby Road, Salem,

www.schreinersgrdens.com

Display garden hours, dawn to dusk.  The largest bearded iris grower in the United States, Schreiner’s not only offers views of the iris growing fields, but has a spectacular 10 acre display garden for viewing.  The display garden is not just iris, but includes many other perennial and annual plants that compliment iris.  Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day) is the Annual Chicken BBQ served from 11:30am-4pm.  For $11.00, this includes chicken, coleslaw, baked potato and beverage.  You are welcome to bring a picnic.  The Capital City Jazz Band provides entertainment from 1pm-5pm.

Adelman Peony Gardens

5690 Brooklake Road NE, Salem,

www.peonyparadise.com

Open Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend from 9am-6pm.  The bloom season is progressing rapidly and this is an ideal time to visit.  The display garden has over 200 varieties of peonies to view with the midseason and late season peonies in bloom now.  This is a great opportunity to see peonies growing as they would in a garden setting.  The indoor showroom has vases of peonies on display and cut flowers of peonies will be available this weekend. 

Sebright Gardens

7185 Lakeside Drive NE, Salem,

www.sebrightgardens.com

Hours are 10am-5pm and there is no charge for visiting the display garden.  Specializing in shade plants, the display gardens here are wonderful and I never cease to be amazed at how well everything all flows together.  There are several hundred varieties of hostas available and 800 varieties on their website.  They also have over 100 varieties of hardy ferns and 65 varieties of epimediums.  Plus you will see many companion plantings of other shade loving plants. 

Tags: In The Garden, Schreiner's Iris Gardens, Adelman Peony Gardens, Sebright Gardens