Finding Design with Chloe

For those who think a rose is still a rose...

Last week, I installed a rose trellis for a client.  She wanted an everblooming climber.  Now, Knock-out roses are definitely the most maintenance free, everbloomers on the market, however, they are not climbers.  So my search began.  

I found this rose (pictured) called "Fourth of July" and it boasts the same effortless habit as knock-out roses.  They are also continuous bloomers.  As it turns out, there are many other roses on the market that boast the same attributes. Yay! The hybridizers are listening to their consumers.   No one wants to spend their time spraying, treating blackspot and other diseases and having their roses give them one time only blooming per season.  This particular climber is also fragrant, bonus, huh?  Its scent is similar to apples.  

Be on the lookout for these fuss free varieties.  Now if we could only find a way to keep rabbits from eating our plants.  At least with a climber, eventually they will be too high for them to reach.  You would think the thorns would be a deterrent.   Pesky Wabbits!

I leave you with a little Queen of Soul: duh do do do do do da do!

 

Cosmos, not just a great martini!

Cottage gardens ... I adore them.  They tease your eye with staggering heights of blooms that wave in the wind.  From pristeen gardens to the relaxed informality of a haphazard design, Cosmos are the most maintenance and fuss-free flower to grow.  Put this one on your must have list!

Cosmos Facts: 

Common name(s): Cosmos, Mexican Asters

Family name: Asteraceae

Common family name: Aster Family

USDA hardiness zone(s): 7-10

Perennation: annual

Light level: sun

Flower color: red, orange, purple, white, pink

Plant height: 12 inches - 4 feet

Plant spread: 9 inches - 12 inches

Deciduous: deciduous

Growth form:

Leaf color: green

Range: Mexico

Habit: herbaceous

Special characteristics: Water-Smart Plant, Drought Tolerant

Zones 8-10

Cosmos are one of the most popular of all flowers grown in North America.  They originated in Mexico and South America. In Mexico, priests grew Cosmos in their mission gardens. The perfectly placed petals prompted them to name the flower "Cosmos", which is a Greek word meaning harmony or ordered universe. The flowers are sown easily in well drained soil after threat of frost.  Prolific self seeders, Cosmos are effortless. So once the flowers are spent and go to seed, they are easily scattered in the garden by wind and birds.  You can also save the seeds to spread in the spring. 

Dwarf, hybrid varieties of Cosmos can be grown in containers.  The taller specimens look better towards the back of the garden, so as to not shade other companion flowers.  They are exquisite additions to the cutting garden.  Their appearance is also likened to colorful, painted daisies. 

So there you have it... the easy way out!  Spread seed in a sunny location and look like the gardener extraordinaire!  Voila!

Sit back and serve Cosmos!  Yum... isn't that more fun?

 

Larkspur: July's flower

 

On a lark, I thought it apropo to write about the annual, Larkspur.  It just so happens, according to the florist industry, to be the flower for July.  This flower's appearance is very close to the perennial, Delphinium and is in the genus Delphinium consolida.  

Now this got me thinking... how many things on the web can I find about this plant?  There just so happens to be everything from towns to songs entitled Larkspur.  The plant originated in Europe and the Mediterranean.  It is prolific in zones 3-8 and it generally will reseed itself.  

Larkspur is also poisonous to both animals and humans.  I read that it is one of the largest causes of wiping out cattle in the  Western United States.  This is surprising to me because Foxglove is also toxic and so are daffodils.  Poisonous plants usually are not bothered by animals in my garden. Bunnies and rodents instinctively stay away from them.  Then it occurred to me, how stupid are cows?  You would think their brains would be so much bigger and smarter than Peter Cottontail and his Mickey Mouse rodent friends.  Huh, so much for brain size matters... which also took me back to the mouse trials in pyschology 101.  Guess I should have paid more attention in class.  

Larkspur comes in a variety of colors and is beautiful in cut flower arrangements.  It is said that they got their name because of the spur on the end of the flower and  the part that attaches to the stem looks like the tail of a lark.  Hmm... and you thought they were just pretty!

 

Growing Larkspur

• Sow Larkspur seeds directly in garden in the spring.
• Sow them in the location you want them to grow as Larkspurs do not like to be transplanted.
• Larkspur plants should be spaced about 6 to 8 inches apart.
• Level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in and firm the soil gently.
• Water the Larkspurs deeply to encourage root development, but be sure the roots do not stand in water or they will be at risk for root rot.

Larkspur plant care

• Larkspurs are best started from seed in spring or fall.
• Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds on Larkspur beds.
• Water Larkspur plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week.
• Soil should never dry out for the Larkspurs.
• Stake tall varieties of Larkspur to prevent hollow flower stalks from snapping in the wind, and deadhead after flowering to encourage rebloom.
• After the first killing frost, cut the Larkspur's stems back to an inch or two above soil line.
• Divide plants every three to four years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants and dividing them into clumps.
• Remove spent Larkspur flowers as needed. Trim back to the ground in late fall after foliage dies back.

Now for a little larkspur music!  Hit it boys!  The Larkspur Song