For a list of pollinator-friendly plants, from the Penn State Master Gardeners, with some plants that will work in the Mid-Atlantic states, go to:


 http://extension.psu.edu/plants/master-gardener/counties/lancaster/pollinator-friendly-garden-certification/2013-pollinator-trial-results/at_download/file

Passiflora

Photo Credit: Scott R. Vrana, use by permission only.

As the readers of this blog know, I develop "passionate" (ha!) interests in a particular species or variety of plant on a regular basis.  One year, banana plants, the next year voodoo lilies, then cotton.  For a long time, I had a strong interest in passion flowers and I still enjoy them to this day.  I started planting native passifloras in the garden and non-natives in pots about 5 years ago.  They are strikingly beautiful plants, and I have written about them before.  But native passifloras are quite strong growers, at least in my climate and yard. In the heat of the summer, they grown quickly, and need to be thinned or removed before they smother other plants.  However, they are not too difficult to manage.  Keep them sheared back and pull volunteers that are unwelcome.  If they fruit, remove the fruits before they fall to the ground and set their seeds.  Easy-to-grow, and beautiful to the eye, they do need some maintenance.

Oh, for information about the name "passion" flower, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora   This plant is named for the passion of Christ...not for other...er...connotations.

Happy gardening! 

Spring?

Well, spring has sprung, but you would not know it (and last year, we never had a winter).  By this time of year (late March) I would have planted my peas, lettuces and other greens and they would have come up.  I am not sure how this spring will turn out. If we have longer-that-usual cool weather, I should be able to get a crop of these early annuals.  I did have some plants growing under row covers (bok choy, chard), but this winter was colder than my simple row covers could handle.  I hope by April 1 to have planted again, and will keep my fingers crossed!
Any successes out there in central VA?

Best Plants for Pollinators

Photos by S.R. Vrana, used by permission only.

The Penn State Extension Service has published a list of the best plants for pollinators.  Because many pollinators are in decline (and they are very necessary for human life!), it would be helpful for all of us to plant more of these species.  For the list, go to:
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/master-gardener/counties/lancaster/pollinator-friendly-garden-certification/2013-pollinator-trial-results/at_download/file

Also, contact your local Extension Agent for more information!

Field Trip Report: Philly Flower Show

I just got back from a quick trip to Philly for my first visit to the flower show. I had been to
smaller shows before, but this was huge! Held in the convention center, the show had
so many displays it is hard to describe. There were organic and "green" gardening
displays, full gardens and, of course, many vendors. This year's theme was Articukture,
the blending of art and horticulture. There were floral arrangements and displays
depicting works of art. I saw beautiful Ikebana, bonsai, terrariums and plants entered
into competition. There was artwork made from dried flowers and, of course, botanical
illustrations. Many of the displays were very clever and creative, for example, a sushi
bar with all the "ingredients" made of flowers and plant parts and a saguaro cactus
made of succulents! Some scenes from the show are below.

Top left, clockwise: Ikebana, desert plants, hanging floral screen, floral arrangement
interpreting art, "sushi" bar.

Clockwise from top left: creative display, mini-landscape of flowers and plant parts,
100-year old bonsai, Hudson Valley Seed Library original seed pack art, and large,
hanging, floral spheres.

Clockwise from top left: an interpretation of Christo's "The Gates" art installation in
Central Park, Wardian cases, true Philly art: a brick wall covered in a Philly tile and
mirror mural, complete with car tire ornamental planters and graffiti, an amazing and
subtle display of dried grasses and seed heads, a cactus made of succulents.

If you can get to this show, go! This weekend was crowded, so, if you can, try a weekday visit!

The Philadelphia Flower Show 2014

The Philadelphia Flower Show starts this weekend, March 1-9, at the Convention Center in that fair city.  Stay tuned for a field trip report, with photos, coming soon!  This year's theme is ARTiculture!  For more information, go to:  http://theflowershow.com

Spring is coming!

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

This week, the week of Feb. 23, is National Invasive Species Awareness Week:  http://www.nisaw.org/index.html

This event was developed and is promoted by The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.  For gardeners, be aware of what you plant!  Remove invasives like English Ivy!  What else to do?

"Eight Ways You Can Help

1. Learn about invasive species, especially those found in your region. Your county extension office (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html) and the National Invasive Species Information Center (http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/index.shtml) are both trusted resources.
2. Clean hiking boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location.
3. Avoid dumping aquariums or live bait into waterways.
4. Use forage, hay, mulch and soil that are certified as "weed free."
5. Plant only non-invasive plants in your garden, and remove any known invaders.
6. Report new or expanded invasive species outbreaks to authorities. (Seehttp://www.invasive.org/report.cfm for a state-by-state list of contacts.)
7. Volunteer to help remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas.
8. Ask your political representatives at the state, local and national level to support invasive species control efforts."