Sunday, April 2, 2017

Weeping Maple garden



Rhododendron stenopetalum (macrosepalum) 'Linearifolium'

http://www.rarefindnursery.com/index.php/all/r-azalea-evergreen-macrosepalum-var-linearifolium-sold-out.html

Image result for rhododendron stenopetalum

This azalea is strikingly unusual with its long narrow ( 1/8 inch x 2 inches) hairy leaves and strap-like flowers of similar proportions. The flowers look like lavender-pink spiders at the branch tips.
The odd Spider Azalea, native of Japan, is a pleasing addition to any collection of rhodies & azaleas, for it is so "different" that many people would not even suspect it is an azalea.

The skinny strap-like crinkly leaves are matched by the strap-like lavender-pink (or rose-lilac) flower petals. Hardly a guess why this is called a "Spider."

When first introduced to western gardens in 1980, it was known as Rhododendron macrosepalum 'Linearifolium.' That is now ammended to R. stenopetalum 'Linearifolium.'

Spider Azalea We procured our first small specimen at the Rhodododendron Species Foundation annual spring, when it consisted of hardly more than three stems with two branchings.

At that time it was only about eighteen inches tall, but already eager to bloom, as shown in a May 2002 photo above. In May the little shrub had already been blooming a full month, & the flowers took a full eight weeks to wear out.

A year later (as shown in the second photo shot in April), it had considerably bushed out, though still & always destined to remain a dwarf. To see more of this specimen, see the Spider Azalea Page of the Rhodies & Azaleas Blossoms Gallery.

Though small, it almost qualifies as a big shrub compared to the groundcover rhody visible in the lower right hand corner of the second photograph. That tiny thing is R. keiskei var. cordifolia 'Yaku Fairy,' by far the smallest of the dwarf rhodies we possess.


It likes sun to part shade & our first one grows under a Paperbark maple at the edge of the shade-line where I hope it is getting enough sun. In 2004 we added a second spider azalea in a raised patio-edge garden, shaded by a Diablo Ninebark. A spider azalea is easily harmed by winds, so finding it the perfect location where it is protected by larger plants, but not too deeply shaded from the sun, can be quite the balancing act. http://www.paghat.com/spiderazalea.html

Veronica Gentian Speedwell

Veronica Gentian Speedwell

Finally found the name of this beautiful plant. It only shows up in the spring. The only light blue flower that I have.



http://www.perennials.com/plants/veronica-gentianoides.html
Also called Gentian Speedwell, this has a fairly compact habit that makes it of great use towards the front of a border, in the rock garden or even in tubs and pots. Plants form a low rosette of wide leaves, with upright spikes of powder-blue flowers appearing in late spring and early summer. Trim off dead flowers in late June to tidy plants up for the summer. Contrasts beautifully with other flowers in hues of bright golden-yellow or orange, or mix with other pastel shades for a softer effect. Easily divided in fall or early spring. Evergreen in mild winter regions.

Further details for
Veronica gentianoides


Optimal Growing
Conditions
Appearance and
Characteristics
Sun Exposure
  Full Sun or
  Partial Shade
Soil Type
  Normal or
  Sandy or
  Clay
Soil pH
  Neutral or
  Alkaline or
  Acid
Soil Moisture
  Average or
  Moist
Care Level
  Easy
Flower Colour
  Light Blue
Blooming Time
  Early Summer
  Late Spring
Foliage Color
  Deep Green
Plant Uses & Characteristics
  Accent: Good Texture/Form
  Border
  Containers
  Cut Flower
  Deer Resistant
  Edging
  Rabbit Resistant
  Evergreen
  Massed
Flower Head Size
  Large
Height
   30-40 cm
   12-16 inches
Spread
   30-45 cm
   12-18 inches
Foot Traffic
   None

Growth Rate
   Medium

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Pathway slope in back yard

Podophyllum pleianthum - Chinese May Apple. Usually the flowers on this plant are hard to see but for some reason (probably all the winter rain) it is taller than ever. You can tell by the character in one of the photos how tall they are. The foliage is usually what people really like.
Facts:
Common Name: Chinese May Apple
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Berberidaceae
Native Range: Central and southeastern China, Taiwan
Zone: 6 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Maroon red
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Heavy Shade
Culture
Easily grown in moist, acidic, organically rich, leafy, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. With consistent and even moisture, the leaves of this mayapple usually remain attractive in the garden until first fall frost (unlike P. peltatum of eastern North American which goes dormant in summer). Avoid dry soils. Plants will spread by rhizomes over time. Plants may self-seed in the garden.
Podophyllum pleianthum, commonly called Chinese mayapple, is native to central and southeastern China. This is a shade loving, clump-forming perennial that typically grows to 3' tall. Each plant bears a single stem crowned with one or two, large, very glossy, umbrella-shaped leaves. Flowers are quite showy, but unfortunately are usually hidden beneath the large leaves. Flowers give way to berry-shaped fruits that mature to yellow or red.



Common Name: dysosma
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Berberidaceae
Native Range: Central and southeastern China, Taiwan
Zone: 6 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Maroon red
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Heavy Shade

Culture

Easily grown in moist, acidic, organically rich, leafy, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. With consistent and even moisture, the leaves of this mayapple usually remain attractive in the garden until first fall frost (unlike P. peltatum of eastern North American which goes dormant in summer). Avoid dry soils. Plants will spread by rhizomes over time. Plants may self-seed in the garden.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Podophyllum pleianthum, commonly called Chinese mayapple, is native to central and southeastern China. This is a shade loving, clump-forming perennial that typically grows to 18-24" tall. Each plant bears a single stem crowned with one or two, large, very glossy, shallowly-lobed (6-10 lobes each), umbrella-shaped leaves (to 12-16" wide). From the crotch (leaf axil) on two leaved plants, a pendulous cluster (5-9 flowers each) of large, nodding, bell-shaped, malodorous, maroon-red flowers blooms in spring (May). Flowers are quite showy, but unfortunately are usually hidden beneath the large leaves. Flowers give way to berry-shaped fruits that mature to yellow or red. Synonymous with and at one time know as Dysosma pleiantha.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Protect from spring frosts. Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.

Garden Uses

Shady areas of borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens and woodland areas. Elevated plantings, such as along a bank, permit easier viewing of the flowers and fruits.

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Hydrangea - PeeGee Pink
Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandifora' produces white blooms aging to pink from July to September. Performing best in organically rich well drained soil. Rapid Grower.
Full Sun to Partial Shade
4 - 6 feet
Blooms in summer
Size: 2 years
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new plant

Cardiocrinum giganteum

Common Name: 

Giant Himalayan Lily

Season: 

Spring
Summer

Location: 

Station 2 - Olmsted Drive
Station 9 - Tennis Court Green
Cardiocrinum giganteum, a lily relative from Western China, is always a show stopper in the garden. This photograph shows the plant in active growth. By June the plant has reached six to eight feet in height and the flowering commences. While the individual flowers are short lived, two to three weeks of bloom time is typical. The white flowers (maroon interior markings) are beautiful and fragrant. After pollination the petals fall off and the swelling ovary lengthens and turns upright from its formerly pendant position. The flower stalks age beautifully in the fall and on a dry day, the seed pods split open and shimmering drifts of delicate seed float down to the ground. This year, for the first time, we have some seedlings coming up. In another seven years these seedlings should flower and start the cycle over.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Backyard - by the pond

Arisarum proboscideum
MOUSE PLANT

Outstanding Qualities

Arisarum proboscideum is an herbaceous woodland perennial that flowers in April, amusing adults as well as children with its whimsical flowers. Maroon and white flowers with tail-like tips hide under the leaves, resembling the back ends of mice. The flowers are long lasting in indoor arrangements. Mouse plant’s glossy spade-shaped leaves make a low groundcover until going dormant in midsummer. The early foliage makes a nice foil for spring-flowering woodland bulbs.

Quick Facts
  • Plant Type: perennial
  • Foliage Type: deciduous
  • Plant Height: 0 ft. 6 in. (0.15 meters)
  • Plant Width/Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 meters)
  • Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 to 9
  • Flower Color: purple, white
  • Sun/Light Exposure: light to open shade
  • Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established - rich moist soil best
  • Flowers: Spring

Colors & Combos
  • Great Plant Combinations: Waldsteinia ternata, Asplenium scolopendrium, Cyclamen coum, Dryopteris crassirhizoma, Anenome nemorosa
  • Great Color Contrasts: blue, silver, white
  • Great Color Partners: Green, brown

A woodland aroid native of Italy & Spain, Mouse Plant, or Mouse Tail Plant (Arisarum proboscideum), is a small cousin to Jack-in-the-Pulpit.

It does well in dryish shade, though if the soil entirely dries out at any time in spring, it may go prematurely dormant. Persistant moisture in extremely well-draining soil will suit it best.
Its gorgeous green arrowhead leaves form a low, spreading carpet beginning late in winter. It would be a pretty plant even without flowers. But it is the strange flowers that lend it its name. The long tail on each fat little spathes lends the flowers the appearance of a family of mice, enhanced by the chocolate-maroon coloration of the upper portion & tail. The lower portion of the spathe is white like a deermouse's belly.

Mouse Plant leaves These flowers appear in mid to late April but are entirely hidden in the leaves, so that to appreciate the plant fully requires some interaction with the plant. If a gardener never thought to part the leaves, the flowers might well come & go never seen.

I sometimes suspect our gardens are in places way too "introverted" rather than showy, and visitors might not appreciate as much as we do such things mouse plants and; asarums with interesting blooms invisible beneath leaves, or hellebores with their showiness completely facing the ground. Fortunately we're not alone in liking introverted things. When four of Granny Artemis's out-of-state relatives came to town in April, we were delighted that everyone got down on their knees to part the mouseplant's leaves and; many oohs and ahs were shared.

For our two clumps, the leaves are fully developed by the time the mice appear. In colder zones the leaves start later in the season, and the mice may appear before the leaves entirely hide them immediately, but the leaves will soon enshroud the mouse family.

These ultra-charming blooms are not quite entirely hidden because the tails make them six or seven inches long, so that either the maroon tail, or occasionally a portion of the main body of the mouse, will poke out of the shiny green arrowhead foliage.

The mice are most numerous in April but may persist to the start of summer. The creeping clump of leaves outlast the flowers by quite some while, but will be dying to the ground by August, sooner if its essential well-drained humousy soil completely dries out. Be sure to mark the location well in order to not accidentally dig them up while they are dormant.

Hardy and easily grown, the main risk is excessive dampness rotting the tubers during autumn/winter dormancy. They do well in either sun or shade, but prefer bright shade. It grows from a tuber that develops rhizomes which develop more tubers and offsets, for a slowly expanding clump, never invasive but may after many years need to be lifted and divided.

I have wondered if this aroid shouldn't be regarded as partially carnivorous. The "tail" has a mushroom odor which is known to attract female fungus gnats as mouse tail pollinators. In the process the gnats lay their eggs in the mouse tail. These eggs hatch but the larvae fail to develop, having no actual fungus to eat. Possibly the fly larvae, starving while in pursuit of food inside the spathe, are also needed for full pollination. If the mouse plant happens to gain any degree of nutrient from the eggs and the dead larvae, that would qualify as carnivorous behavior.

But I've never seen this aspect of the Mouse Plant discussed in any detail, so perhaps it gets nothing from having the eggs left by its pollinator. I've wondered about this because it seems to me nothing is done for no reason by nature, and the Mouse Plant would seem to want those gnat eggs for some actual purpose. The reason the Mouse Plant blooms so early (sometimes ahead of its fully developed leaves) is it wants to get ahead of the actual mushrooms that will soon be attracting the same gnats. If not to any degree carniverous, the Mouse Plant is at least parasitic, in that it attracts pollinators it in no wise provides an exchanged benefit.
http://www.paghat.com/mouseplant.html
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Arisaema taiwanense

  • common name: jack-in-the-pulpit
  • flowering season: mid spring to early summer
  • height: 30 - 36 inches
  • Light requirements: filtered light, or morning sun and afternoon shade
  • Soil requirements: average to rich and well drained
  • Water requirments: average water requirements, weekly deep watering is recommended to keep it from going dormant before summer's end
  • Growth habit: a slowly expanding colony
  • How to propagate: divide in mid spring
  • Leaf type: leaves divided into three large leaflets
  • Ways to use it: grows well with other flowering perennials in the garden; in time its grows into a large group
  • Special characteristics: dark red, almost black, hooded flowers have a long, thin tail trailing down off the front of the flower
  • Other points of interests: one of the easiest of jack-in-the-pulpits to grow


Native to semi-tropical Taiwan, this unusual plant reaches 30 to 36 inches in height and is a member of the aroid family, Araceae. Its flowers open in mid spring before the leaves unfurl. Unfurl is s good word to use because the leaves are large and take some time to fully open. A leaf has as many as a dozen long pointed leaflets radiating from a centerpoint where they all attach to the leafstem. It is a dramatic event to watch this flower open over several days. The flower is a very dark purple-black hood with a long extended tip emerging from the front, enclosing within a white nobbin called a spadix. When pollinated the spadix turns later in summer into a larger head of red fruit, so heavy that it tips to the ground. It survives outdoors in USDA Zones 6b to 9a.
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Podophyllum pleianthum (Chinese Mayapple)

Hardiness
While the American mayapple is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8, its Asian counterparts can usually only be trusted in zones 6 to 9. Podophyllum hexandrum can, indeed, be considered one zone hardier (zone 5A), having been grown successfully in Palmer, Alaska. From personal experience, the plants with hybrid blood, especially with P. delavayii (such as ‘Spotty Dotty’) tend to be more vigorous and hardier. Hybrids with P. difforme (‘Kaleidoscope’) require a more protected position in the garden. I have seen new shoots tolerate mild frosts in the spring, but threats in the low 20s F may require covering the plants with some type of frost cloth for protection. I have also used large, inverted plastic containers to provide a few degrees of protection.

Water
American mayapple is fond of moist areas, and I have seen colonies thriving near a boggy area. The Asian species like a rich, moist soil, preferably acidic; while somewhat tolerant of drought, leaves will crisp along the edges or, in extreme cases, the plants will go dormant until the following spring.

Soil and Fertilizer
Soils with a pH of 5.8 to 6.3 (somewhat acidic) are ideal, with the characteristics of woodland loam (highly porous with no chance of compaction). This can be achieved in containers with a fifty-fifty mixture of peat or compost and pumice or perlite.
Too much chemical fertilizer can bring on leaf burn. These are slow-growing plants that cannot be pushed. While I have seen some great plants grown with time-release fertilizer, it must be experimented with for best results. Organics are preferable, especially compost tea or half-strength fish emulsion; foliar sprays of either can produce great results. Marietta and Ernie O’Byrne, of Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, Oregon, have received plugs of podophyllum and grown them to large plants in a single season using only compost tea. Like hosta, podophyllums do require two to three years to “settle in.” Most of the Asian selections will gently colonize.

Maintenance and Pests
Podophyllums are remarkably carefree plants. Watch for spring frosts and protect plants if necessary. They require no pruning, and the first killing frost will knock them to the ground. In mild areas like California’s Central Coast and the Bay Area, foliage may persist well into winter. It should be removed in spring when the shiny, mushroom-like new growth begins to emerge. Snails and slugs may take an occasional nip, but they tend to dislike these plants.

Propagation
While the wider distribution of podophyllums has been made possible by the advent of tissue culture, most can be propagated from sections of the rhizome, each with a visible eye. I have seen colonies of small plants sprout from pieces left after transplanting a large specimen. The seeds are large and quite viable. They require a warm, moist period for a month, followed by moist stratification (wet-chill)—similar to the conditions for germinating hellebore seeds. This can be done in a refrigerator (for about two months), after washing the seeds and placing them in a squeezed-dry ball of sphagnum moss. Once chilled in this method, the seeds can be sown without cover. Germination is erratic and has taken as long as five months). Keep a plastic bag over the pots of seeds or seedlings to prevent them from drying out.

Hybridizing
At Terra Nova Nurseries, we have successfully hybridized a number of species of Podophyllum, even crossing the American and Asian species. Most podophyllums are self-incompatible; if you want seeds, try to have several clones or species nearby. Pollinating is an easy task as flowers are quite large. Pick the fruit only when it softens, and wash it thoroughly.
- See more at: http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/podophyllums-the-mayapples-of-asia-and-america-2/#sthash.TiuwmLnh.dpuf
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ABUTILON - Tiger Eye

Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abutilon
Common Name: Flowering Maple, Chinese Lantern (not to be confused with Physalis), and Indian Mallow
  • Origin: Species come from South or Central America, Australia, and Africa.
  • Culture: This genus enjoys having light shade to full sun. Its bell shaped flowers range in color from white through pink, and from yellow to orange all the way to a deep bronzy red. Its leaves are palmate like a maple hence the common name 'Flowering Maple'. In our climate it is mostly grown as an annual but it is possible to over winter them in a protected spot like a porch or by bringing them inside during the colder months.
  • Maintenance: Give plenty of water especially on the hottest summer days. Provide good drainage. Fertilizing once a week, during the growing season, will extend the blooms. Plants can be pruned to desired shape and even cut back hard in early spring to control size.
  • Pests & Diseases: Aphids and slugs can be a challenge for these plants outdoors. When brought indoors they can be susceptible to houseplant pests such as whiteflies, spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. These can be treated with insecticides. Common diseases include root rot, rust, Alternaria and Cercospora leaf spot. These can be controlled by providing good air circulation, keeping the leaves dry and if necessary using a fungicide.
  • ______________________________

Rogersia podophylla 'Braunlaub'

An asian native perrenial used for it's bold lines and large serated leaves - dark bronze as they emerge, fading to dark green in summer, and turning to a copper and red tone by fall. Good choice for pond and stream edges. Prefers a sheltered spot with cool moist soil,, part sun.
Zone 5

Native to China and Japan, this spectacular genus will grow in ordinary garden soil, but give it rich, moist soil along a pond, stream or marshy area and it will thrive. Rodgersias are fine architectural specimens characterized by bold textured leaves that can spread to a foot across, originating from brownish black, fleshy rhizomes. So be sure to provide plenty of space. The numerous unpetaled flowers, colored by intriguing creamy salmon sepals and stamens, are borne on large panicles, and when in bud look almost like miniature cauliflowers.

A topnotch foliage plant selected by Ernest Pagels, ‘Braunlaub’ delivers stylish bronzed leaves. Loose ivory-colored panicles rise high above the striking textural clump composed of prominently veined compound leaves divided into 5 to 7 lobed leaflets with sharply serrated edges. Becoming dark green by midsummer and later transmuting brilliant copper and red autumn hues, this Rodgersia’s large richly colored foliage offsets fine textured plants like Carex ‘Oehme’ and Thalictrum ‘Elin’.

Blooms June – mid-August.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


  • Chinese rhubarb in whiskey barrel
    ornamental rhubarb
    see more
  • FamilyPolygonaceae
  • GenusRheum are robust rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with large, simple or palmately lobed leaves and tall leafy stems bearing large panicles of tiny flowers
  • DetailsR. palmatum is a clump-forming perennial. With large, lobed leaves up to 75cm long and panicles of pink or creamy-white flowers that rise on 2m long stems in early Summer, this ornamental rhubarb is an architectural plant that demands space

Friday, April 24, 2015

In the very front of my house

I have a fence in my front yard. The cars park on the other side and I don't have to look at them. It also provides a feeling of privacy to my front yard.

I didn't want the fence to seem bare so I made a small bed on the street side. It has 'Stella d'Oro' Day lilies, 'Amethyst Myst' Heuchera and 2 'Pacific Sunset' Maples.

'Pacific Sunset' Maples -
Glossy dark green foliage, fine fall color and improved adaptability to heat and drought are features that distinguish Pacific Sunset® Maple among the many maple cultivars. Its performance in the Pacific Northwest has earned this medium-sized shade tree a place on the 2003 Great Plant Picks list. Adaptable to varied growing conditions, Pacific Sunset Maple performs well in many areas of the country, including regions that are considerably warmer and drier in summer and colder in winter than the maritime Northwest.

Pacific Sunset® Maple (Acer truncatum x A. platanoides 'Warrenred' P.P. No. 7433) is a hybrid of Acer truncatum and Acer platanoides that combines the best characteristics of the parents in a medium sized shade tree. Dark glossy leaves, drought resistance, orange to red fall color and a smaller ultimate size are inherited from Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum). The Norway parent (Acer platanoides) contributes faster growth, caliper development at an early age, larger leaves and adaptability to varied growing conditions. Its fine textured branch structure evolves to a rounded crown and a mature height of about 30 feet and a spread of about 25 feet. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4b.

Plant Type: tree
Foliage Type: deciduous
Plant Height: 20 ft. 0 in. (6.10 meters)
Plant Width/Spread: 18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 meters)
Plant Height-Mature: 30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 meters)
Plant Width-Mature: 25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 meters)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 9
Sun/Light Exposure: full sun
Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established
Seasonal Interest: autumn foliage color
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'Amethyst Myst' Heuchera
Dramatic, glossy amethyst-colored leaves with silver markings create a stunning mound for mixed containers and perennial borders. Provides rich contrast for combining with bright flowers and foliage.Offers year-round interest with stunning foliage and pretty blooms. Evergreen.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
Size: Foliage clumps 8-9in. tall, 18 in. wide. Flower stems 24 in. tall.
Light needs: Partial to full sun
Water needs: Moderate Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.
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'Stella d'Oro' Day Lilies
Sensational, award-winning selection that blooms with heavy clusters of 2-1/2 in. yellow blooms. Reblooms freely into early fall. This easy to care for plant forms neat, compact clumps. Herbaceous.

Light needs: Partial to full sun
Water needs: Low Once established, needs only occasional watering.
Average Landscape Size:  Foliage to 1 ft. tall, flower stalks to 2 1/2 ft. tall.
Key Feature: Waterwise Plant
Blooms: Early summer
Landscape Uses: Firescaping/Fire Wise, Seacoast Exposure, Very Wet Areas, Woodland Garden
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Euphorbia 'Blackbird'
Blackbird spurge
Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is an evergreen perennial with a compact, bushy growth habit.  It grows to about 18-22" tall and 22-24" wide.  Its outstanding feature is the exceptionally dark purple velvety foliage which contrasts strikingly with the large clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom in late winter/early spring.

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is an evergreen perennial with a compact, bushy growth habit.  It grows to about18-22" tall and 22-24" wide.  Its outstanding feature is the exceptionally dark purple velvety foliage which contrasts strikingly with the large clusters of yellow-green flowers that bloom in late winter/early spring.

Plant 'Blackbird' in a spot where it'll get sun for at least half the day.  If it's too shady, the leaves will turn dark green rather than deep purple.Blackbird's tolerant of most soils including clay, both dry and moist, as long as they drain fairly quickly.  It doesn't like being in waterlogged soils for prolonged periods.Blackbird tolerates the heat of California's central valley and will survive winter temperatures down to 0°F.

Once established, Blackbird euphorbia is fairly drought tolerant.  On the coast, it'll survive normal summers with no supplemental water, although it does look better with an occasional deep watering about every 2-3 weeks.  Inland, we suggest a deep watering every 2-3 weeks.  Blackbird will tolerate more frequent watering if necessary.  If you have hard water, try not to wet the leaves when you wateras it'll leave white stains on the dark foliage.

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is a hybrid and was discovered as a sport of Euphorbia 'Red Wing.'
Deer and rabbit resistant.Blackbird spurge

Growing and Maintenance Tips: When the flowers are looking messy, cut off the whole stem near the base of the plant.  Remember to wear gloves when handling this plant.  If you get the sticky white sap on your skin, wash it off straight away.  Don't touch your face if you get the sap on your hands.  Go the emergency room if you get the sap in your eyes.

Height: 16-18 Inches
Spread: 16-18 Inches
Spacing: 18 Inches
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7
Characteristics: Evergreen, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Cut Flower/Foliage, Cold Tolerant
Flower color: Green, Yellow, Chartreuse
Foliage color:  Red, Burgundy, Black, Purple, Almost Black
Growth habit : Upright
Exposure: Full Sun
Season of interest (flowering): Spring, Winter


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Gratitude

I am not one to jump on every band wagon, especially those from Facebook (It would take up all my time). But I really like the idea of a gratitude challenge except I do not want to post it on Facebook.
Day 1
1. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful partner that helps me by supporting me to grow and jump into the deep end of life.
2. I am very grateful to have such 2 amazing sons. I am so proud of them on their journey in this life. They are not only my children but my friends. Everyday I am so thankful they are in my life.
3. Got to go to Paris now... continue later