Balloon Flower

This is one of my favorite flowering plants. When we were at the nursery pointing out our landscaping preferences, this little beauty grabbed my attention. When it first begins to flower, a pale green balloon appears at the end of the stem. It eventually turns to purple and then bursts open into the star shape seen in the photograph below. To see the balloon and the other anomalies with one of my plants, stop by my photography blog – just click the “Picture This” tab at the top of the page.

Without further ado, I present the Balloon Flower

Category	Perennial
Common Name	Balloon Flower Chinese Bell Flower Campanulaceae
Formal Name	Platycodon grandiflorus
Description	This heavy bloomer gets its name from the way each flower bud swells before its starry petals unfold. As one of the easiest perennials to grow, they bloom in profusion in mid to late summer, when many other perennials are beginning to fade.

Uses	Borders Containers
Light Requirements	Full Sun Partial Sun Partial Shade
Soil Requirements	Well drained, slightly acidic
Water Requirements	Moderate drought conditions are ok, but deep watering is preferred.
Height	12” – up to 36” Generally smaller than 36”
Spread	12”
Growing Zone	3 – 8
Manicuring or Pruning	Remove dead branches in early spring. Balloon flowers are late bloomers, coming up long after most other perennials have begun growing. It is best to mark their position so you do not accidentally pull them out as weeds. Pick dead flowers as they begin to fade to encourage more blooms. Be careful about it as the next bloom is coming in right behind it.
Fertilization	Slow-release in the Spring
Growth Cycle	Late Spring through frost
Bloom Time	Early summer through the next two months after the first blooms appear
Bloom Color	Purple (most common), White, Pink
Propagation	Seeds – germinate 2 –3 weeks at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, then plant in the fall. Will not flower in the first year. Basal cuttings from non flowering shoots, with about 1/2” root attached. Push soil back to reveal the spot where the stem meets the root. Cutting should be 2” – 4” long. Dividing – dig deep to to avoid root damage – not the preferred method
Maintenance Level	Low
Special Features	Drought tolerant once established
Known Issues	Generally pest-free & easy to grow
Planting Instructions	From seed: Press lightly into soil, but do not cover. From cuttings: Immediately plant in a good potting medium.

Rainbow Lewisia

Category	Perennial
Common Name	Rainbow Lewisia Rainbow Mix Bitterroot
Formal Name	Lewisia cotyledon-hybrid 'Regenbogen' (Rainbow)
Description	This little evergreen is a compact, heavy bloomer.  Star shaped flowers bloom for several weeks upon succulent foliage that has a rosette appearance.

 

Uses	Borders Rock Garden
Light Requirements	Full Sun Partial Shade
Soil Requirements	Well drained is a must.  Gritty and sandy is good.
Water Requirements	This is a succulent so it is drought tolerant.  Do not let it sit in water or it will get root rot.
Height	8” – 10”
Spread	10” – 12”
Growing Zone	5 - 8
Manicuring or Pruning	No pruning, but dead-heading will promote continuous blooming.
Fertilization	Once a year with slow release fertilizer.
Growth Cycle	Slow to moderate growth rate.
Bloom Time	Early to late spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Purple, White, Orange & Yellow
Propagation	Seeds
Maintenance Level	Low
Special Features	Evergreen Rock Garden
Known Issues	Sharp drainage a must.  Susceptible to root rot is it is watered too much.
Planting Instructions	Plant in sandy, gritty soil with the crowns high to help prevent root rot. If planting from seed, the seeds do need to be frozen at some point in order for them to grow.  It is suggested that an entire seed packet be planted in one hole 3/8” below surface in a pot (let it winterize).  Leave in the pot for an entire season.  The next year, the sprouts can be separated and planted individually 8” – 12” apart.

Delosperma ‘Stardust’

I didn’t plant any petunias this spring.  I can’t stand the amount of maintenance they require! 

When you deadhead petunias, they leave behind a sticky substance on your fingers.  I inevitably wipe it on my pants.  Did I mention I do most of my quick plant maintenance right before I leave for work in the morning?

Along the lines of deadheading, petunias require so much pinching – DAILY – in order to get a bushy flowering plant.  If you don’t pinch, you end up with stringy vines with sparse flowers – very unattractive. 

It was a little bit of a bummer having to wait a bit longer to plant my annuals, but it was worth it to avoid the summer long aggravation. 

In order to remedy this problem for next year I’ve decided to plant Stardust Ice Plant.  It blooms early and requires almost no maintenance.  I don’t even have to plant it each year – it’s a perennial!

I now present, Delosperma ‘Stardust’

Category	Perennial
Common Name	Ice Plant Delosperma
Formal Name	Delosperma floribunda ‘Stardust’
Description	A really cute plant with 2” purple blooms with white centers growing on dark green, succulent foliage.  This drought tolerant ground cover is great for those dry areas of your landscaping.  A hardy plant with blooms from spring to frost make this a beautiful addition.

 

 

Uses	Landscaping Groundcover Containers (it’s a spiller) Rock Gardens
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Soil Requirements	Tolerates almost all types of soil.  Sandy, clay, loamy – it doesn’t care!
Water Requirements	From dry to moist & well-drained.
Height	About 6”
Spread	About 12”
Growing Zone	5 – 8
Manicuring or Pruning	Cut back the dead stuff from the prior year in the spring.  Otherwise, leave it alone.
Fertilization	Early spring, then again in mid summer
Growth Cycle	Spring to frost.  Semi-evergreen in very mild climates.  Perennial that remains healthy with occasional division.
Bloom Time	Early spring thru frost
Bloom Color	Purple with white centers
Propagation	Seeds Cuttings Division (early spring every 2 - 3 years)
Maintenance Level	Low maintenance.  Baby it in the first year by making sure it has a good amount of water and fertilizer in order to get it well established.  Subsequent years require almost no maintenance.  That’s my kind of plant!
Special Features	Pest Resistant Disease Resistant Drought & Heat Tolerant Attracts Butterflies
Known Issues	Unknown
Planting Instructions	Surface sow seeds in moist soil.  Germination will occur after about two weeks as long as the temperature remains above 65 degrees.  Can be transplanted to 3” pots until they are ready to be planted directly in the ground.  Plant 12” to 15” apart.

Albion Strawberries

So, we went to the Pleasantville farm this past Saturday. It's pretty cool to live in a town with an organic farm less than a 1/2 mile from our home.

They are renting out planting beds for a pretty good price. Our yard consists of 4.5' X 108' on either side of our house. The 20X14 courtyard is completely patio'd over. We don't have room for a garden.

We're going to rent a 39" X 24' bed for $200 a year and it includes irrigation and a community shed with tools. Compared to other places in the area this is a really good deal and we can't beat the convenience. The closest place we'd be able to rent a bed otherwise is at least 25 minutes away.

Since we love strawberries, we've decided it's a plant we definitely want in our beds. More to come as we decide on other plants.

I now present, The Albion Strawberry

Category	Edible Fruit
Common Name	Albion Strawberry
Formal Name	Fragaria X ananassa cv. Albion
Description	This neutral bearing strawberry plant provides a continuous supply of strawberries throughout the growing season. It is resistant to root rot and Verticilbium wilt. This strawberry is distinguished by its long, conical & symmetrical shape. It is known for being a firm fruit with excellent flavor.

Uses	Raised planter beds Container gardens (they don't do as well as in planter beds)
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Soil Requirements	Loose & loamy; Slightly acidic (pH of 6 - 6.5)
Water Requirements	1" of water per week (drip system preferable)
Height	6.5 to 8.5 inches
Spread	12 inches
Growing Zone	3-ish year perennial through zone 5
Manicuring or Pruning	Prune the runners in the first part of the growing season (These can be put in pots to root & re-plant later). Pinch the first flowers to encourage leaf growth which leads to more fruit.
Fertilization	Top quality compost encourages beneficial bacteria & earthworms. Fertilization beyond this is generally unnecessary.
Growth Cycle	Begins to fruit in June and should continue through Fall.
Bloom Time	Flowers shortly before first fruit
Bloom Color	White
Propagation	Seeds Cuttings (Runners)
Maintenance Level	Constant weeding is necessary as the shallow root system does nothing to compete with weeds. Weeds can be minimized by mulching and/or straw.
Special Features	Attracts Birds Produces Berries Produces Fruit
Known Issues	Birds love the berries and will pick them off faster than you can unless you take measures to scare the birds away. This can be done with flash tape or by simply putting bird netting over the top (recommended). Fruit will rot when it ripens in contact with the ground because of excess moisture. Straw will help prevent the fruit from touching the ground and act as a protection from the excess moisture. Slugs & snails are attracted to the plants. Keep them away with traps or copper strip barriers.

I'm The Goofy Gardener

Welcome to my new blog!

I want to have a nice garden like those I see in the neighborhood. I'm petrified I'm going to plant something that is going to overtake the entire landscaping bed - either by being a "creeper" or it will just grow up huge and block all the other plants.

Also, I can't seem to find all the information I'm interested in on any one site. I figured I'd use this blog as a place to combine and present all my research and acquire tips from more experienced gardeners.

I also like to tell stories so it won't all be this is this and that is that. As it says over in my sidebar, I will also share my success stories and my adventures. If you've read my other blog (http://www.lifemakesmelaugh.blogspot.com/), you will get a good taste of my sense of humor. I'm sure I'll have just as many stories about my gardening adventures.


Here's my first "plant" entry:

Category	Grass
Common Name	Monkey Grass Lily Turf
Formal Name	Liriope Muscari
Description	The muscari species appears as a grasslike clump, which can either be solid green or verigated (my preference). In late summer, stalks of showy flowers begin to appear with berries following.

Uses	Edging in planting beds & walk-ways
Light Requirements	Full Sun Partial Sun (preferred) Partial Shade (preferred)
Soil Requirements	Well drained
Water Requirements	Regular watering is necessary
Height	12 to 18 inches
Spread	about 12 inches
Growing Zone	5+
Manicuring or Pruning	Mow or clip plants close to the ground in early spring before the first new sprouts appear.
Fertilization	Does not need regular fertilization
Growth Cycle	Can be evergreen in the south. In mid US, shoots begin to appear in April and look pretty nice thru September. That first frost makes the leaves fall flat (like a really bad hair day).
Bloom Time	August & September
Bloom Color	Stalks of purple, lavender, blue, white or pink
Propagation	Divide in early spring
Maintenance Level	Low
Special Features	Produces Berries
Known Issues	Rabbits think it is candy