Hi Gardeners
 |
| Hibiscus 'The Path' |
My own garden resolutions are to downsize a bit. The
vegetable garden is going to get smaller. I plan to rework the raised beds to
make 2 taller beds from the four I have, so it’s easier for me to weed and care
for them. I have decided not to grow corn this year. I love sweet corn from the
garden, but it is a deer magnet, and it takes a lot of space.
But the downsize will take some work. Making raised beds is
pretty easy, filling them is not. I am also considering redoing the garden
space between the house and my husbands handicap ramp. It used to have more
sun, but the oak tree has gotten larger and the area now is pretty shady.
Lilies aren’t doing as well there, and I need to move what’s left of them.
Indoors I have been making some changes too. I moved most of
the plants I had on the unheated porch inside this past week. We are having our
roof replaced and I think I mentioned that the roofers broke a window on the
porch. Its patched with plastic and cardboard but still lets cold air in.
Then they removed the soffit and fascia around the house and
left for the holidays. On the porch that left cold air pouring in under the
eaves and since there is no dropped ceiling there, right into the porch. I had
to move pots of plants to where it was warmer. The problem is I probably won’t
be able to move them back since they will have adjusted to warmer temps.
It’s amazing how one can shoehorn plants into tight spaces
when needed. But it’s really, really crowded in my house right now. Plants are
sitting on the laundry room floor and on top the microwave and freezer.
Even though it’s been cloudy and gray here almost everyday I
have had a lot of plants in bloom inside. My hibiscus’s have been blooming like
crazy. I had 7 blooms on my braided
trunk hibiscus one day this week and one hibiscus, named ‘The Path’ had a bloom
the size of a dinner plate. I have gerbera daisies, geraniums, fuchsia,
Christmas cacti, begonias, and streptocarpus in bloom too.
For me, houseplants that bloom are necessary in winter. My
resolution next year though is to try and have fewer plants inside or to add
some more windows. LOL-
Garden
trends 2021
Food gardens soared in popularity during 2020 due to
the pandemic and there’s every indication that food gardens will again be
popular. Many new gardeners are ordering vegetable seeds and if you need seeds,
I suggest you order early, as there were shortages last year. People were
hoarding seeds, as if in the future seeds would not be available. That fear may
have eased a bit. But if you are someone who likes the rare or unusual varieties
it would be prudent to order early.
Food gardens in the front yard is an ongoing trend
but before you decide to do this check with your local government to see if it’s
allowed. Don’t put time and effort into a garden that you may have to remove
before you harvest it. If you do it keep it neat and orderly and add some
flowers for color.
Houseplants are once again a hot trend. Plants
that are fuzzy, or have beautiful foliage patterns are in. Succulents are still
a hot item but beware- there is a lot of fraud from sellers of succulents right
now. Remember succulents include plants from a wide variety of plant species
and they don’t all require the same care, nor are all of them easy to grow.
These houseplants are considered to be among the top 10 in
2021- Fishbone Cactus or Ric Rac cactus (Cryptocereus anthonyanus (syn.
Selenicereus anthonyanus), Bunny Ear Cactus
(Opuntia microdasys), Blue Star Fern
(Phlebodium aureum), Mistletoe Cactus
(Rhipsalis baccifera), Velvet Calathea
(Calathea rufibarba), String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii),
Happy Bean Plant (Peperomia
ferreyrae), council tree, (Ficus altissima), monkey tail cactus
(Hildewintera colademononis) and African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona
String of hearts- from Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/753556911/
Native plants are starting to wane in popularity a bit but are still quite popular. The native plant fad has always been marred by people not quite understanding what constitutes a native plant. All plants are native somewhere. Not all plants considered wildflowers are native to your area. And being native to North America doesn’t mean a plant can be considered a “native” species in your area.
Don’t feel guilty if all the plants in your garden are not
native. Adding even some native plants helps and there are many non-native
plants that are excellent for pollinators and wildlife.
Bundling (several different species for the
same environment) of plant types and collections (various
cultivars of one species or family) of various species of plants are very
popular. Instead of having to find and choose plants with similar needs,
growers are bundling up collections of plants for new plant aficionados to buy.
Succulent collections are one of the most popular but technically might better
be called bundles since they encompass a variety of species.
Make sure to check and see if collections and bundles
specify how many different species/cultivars are included. Check to see if
plants purchased separately might actually be cheaper.
In mentioning collections and combos, I need to mention the
new seed pellets which combine several colors or varieties in pellets
that you sow in pots or beds. You can have a beautiful basket of color
coordinated petunias or a patch of garden greens without buying a number of
different seed packages. Many seed companies are offering a variety of these
pellets now.
Colors also have trends. This year cheerful colors
like yellow and sunny oranges accented with deep blues, seem to be trending
both in plant color palettes and furnishings.
Vertical gardening and living walls are very popular.
Vertical gardening can be done with food plants or flowers. Vertical gardening
means growing plants up trellises or stakes or in a staggered system of gutter
like, long containers and is a good plan when space is tight. Garden supply
companies are now offering a wide range of supports and systems to make
vertical gardening easier.
Living walls mean different things to different people. For some it’s a decorative collection of containers secured to a wall and filled with plants. These are eye catching but can be a bit tricky to keep watered and looking good.
 |
| Living wall at the San Diego Botanic garden admissions booth |
For other people a living wall is more of a hedge, something
that creates the garden “rooms” or offers privacy. This can be done with
conventional hedge plants like arborvitaes, boxwood, or lilacs but people are
becoming more inventive and training vines or espaliering fruit trees to make
screens.
Outdoor living spaces were made popular by the
pandemic. They are places with comfortable furnishings like hammocks and
cushioned chaises. Firepits and patio heaters are warming those spaces. Outdoor
kitchens are included in many designs.
Outdoor rooms make entertaining safer in pandemic times. And
they can offer safe havens from crowded homes when someone just needs some time
alone. Some people are even setting up home offices outside in the garden.
Two types of garden styles are trending. Belgian design style is described as simplicity with a touch of luxury. Everything looks neat and orderly but inviting. Colors are muted and containers and art pieces sleek and sophisticated looking. Plants with braided trunks, bonsai, and topiary plants are often included.
 |
| Belgian design style |
Other people are turning to what is being called naturalistic design. For those who like native plants this is what many of you will prefer. Naturalistic gardens are a bit messy and disorganized, with plants being allowed to mix and mingle freely. There is an attempt to mimic a natural setting. Multiple colors and textures are mingled, and borders are soft and uneven. Furnishings and art pieces are rustic.
 |
| Naturalistic style |
Technology is present everywhere so why not in
gardens? All kinds of garden chores are being automated such as watering,
determining soil moisture and pH, and identifying plants. There are complex
hydroponic systems and timing systems for lights.
Many garden tools like pole pruners and edgers are now
battery powered and the newer batteries last longer and do a better job than
previous models. Battery powered tools are often quieter and cleaner.
And people are buying plant apps. There are garden planning
apps, identification apps, and care, instruction and pruning apps. (Personally, I haven’t seen a plant
identification app that’s accurate more than half the time). A few app links
are below.
GrowIt! Homegrown
GKH Gardening
Companion http://leafsnap.com/
http://www.iscapeapps.com/ Perennial Match app
http://gardenplanpro.com/ https://www.growitmobile.com/
https://gardenplanner.territorialseed.com/journal.aspx
Cameras are all over homes now and why should the garden be
an exception? New wireless, waterproof cameras are being sold specifically to
keep an eye on your garden, whether to detect pests or just to see how things
are growing. Some can take time lapse photos to watch flowers unfold.
Weather stations, battery powered plant pollinators, automatic mowers by Husqvarna similar to Roomba vacuums, sensors that you stick in pots that send messages to your phone when the plant needs water, (the Plant Link sensor can be programmed with the species of plant so that it supposedly judges when to water by that species preferences for soil moisture)and smart sprinklers are some other garden tech items.
 |
| Automatic mower |
A heavy-duty bag with a spigot that you put in a wheelbarrow
or cart and fill with water is low tech that could make watering containers
easier. Plastic floating “tiles” shaped like cobwebs that interlock and can be placed
in ponds to keep out pests are another new low-tech item.
Containers have also been modernized with flexible grow bags
becoming very popular. Air pots, pots which have tiny holes along the sides, are
being offered now for those growing plants that tend to have circling roots.
The side air holes help prevent that.
Ekkia water bag - Amazon
Plant of
the year awards -2021
The plant of the year for the florist/ houseplant group is
The red maranta prayer plant, Maranta leuconeura red.
Red prayer plant
Arium Botanicals
The Perennial Plant Association has chosen - Calamintha
nepeta ssp. Nepeta or Catmint as the plant of the year
for 2021.
The National Garden Bureau choses plants from five
categories and they have determined that it is the - Year of the Hibiscus, Year
of the Garden Bean, Year of the Hyacinth, Year of the Monarda and Year
of the Sunflower.
The International Herb Association has chosen Parsley -Petroselinum crispum as the herb of the year.
All American Selections gets more complex each year but here are the Gold Medal picks Celosia Kelos® Candela Pink, Leucanthemum Sweet Daisy Birdy, Zinnia Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor, Echalion (shallot) Creme Brulee (BGS-270) F1, Pepper Pot-a-peno F1, and Squash Goldilocks F1.
 |
| Pot a peno pepper |
The American Gardens Rose Selections™ (AGRS) testing
program has announced its selections for 2021. The AGRS™ testing program
recognizes roses that are easy to care for, disease-resistant and suitable for
different regions of the country. In addition, awards are given for fragrance
to help guide consumers who desire roses for their fragrance.
The 2021 AGRS™ winners are:
• Brick House™ - Regional Choice Award Winner in the
Northwest, Northeast, and South Central Regions. Bred by Meilland®. Introduced
by Star Roses & Plants.
• Brindabella Purple Prince™ - Regional Choice Award
Winner in the Northeast, South Central, and Southwest Regions. Bred by Sylivia
E. and John C. Gray. Introduced by Suntory Flowers in partnership with Dig Plant
Company.
• Easy to Please™ - Regional Choice Award Winner in the Northeast, Northwest, South Central, and Southeast Regions. Bred by Christian Bédard. Introduced by Weeks Roses.
 |
| Easy to Please - Weeks Roses |
• Sweet Spirit™ – Regional Choice Award Winner in all
regions and Fragrance Award Winner. Bred by Meilland®. Introduced by Star Roses
& Plants.
• Top Gun™ - Regional Choice Award Winner in the North Central, Southeast, and Southwest Regions. Bred by Tom Carruth. Introduced by Weeks Roses.
 |
| Top Gun- Weeks Roses rosette disease resistant |
• Tropica - Regional Choice Award Winner in the
Northwest, North Central, Southwest, and South Central Regions. Bred by Ping
Lim. Introduced by True Bloom™ Roses.
The Proven
Winners National Plant of the Year program highlights a hydrangea
of the year, a rose of the year, flowering shrub of the year and
landscape shrub of the year, in addition to its perennial and annual Plants of
the Year.
These are Hydrangea of the Year: Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha® Hydrangea
serrata, Rose of the Year: Oso Easy Italian Ice® Rosa, Flowering
Shrub of the Year: Pugster Blue® Buddleia and The 2021
Landscape Shrub of the year is Kodiak® Orange Diervilla.
Kodiak Orange Diervilla
January Almanac
January’s full moon, which happens on the 28th is
called the Wolf Moon or Old Moon. It’s late because the last full moon was
December 29th. Moon perigee is the 9th. Moon apogee is
the 21st.
The perigee is when the moon is closest to earth in a
monthly orbit cycle. There is a slight
increase in the moons gravitational pull at this time. Apogee is the farthest point the moon is in
its orbit from the earth. Research has
proven that there can be slight influences on earth’s weather near these moon
events. When either a new moon or a full
moon occurs near perigee the chances for seismic activity, (earthquakes or
volcano eruptions), increase. Eclipses
or other planetary alignments occurring near this time increase the chances of
earthquakes and volcanoes even more. The full moon also looks slightly larger when
it occurs close to perigee.
The January birth flower is the carnation. In the language of flowers, the carnation is supposed to portray love, fascination and distinction. If you send a striped carnation to someone it means your regret that the love isn’t shared. A white carnation means pure love, a red carnation “carnal” love. A pink carnation means friendship and a yellow one means rejection. An alternative birth flower is the snowdrop. It has a lot less colors to worry about. The birthstone is the garnet.
January is National Blood Donor month, National Hot Tea month, National Oatmeal Month, and National Soup Month to name a few. The 10th is Houseplant Appreciation day, the 13th is International Skeptics day, the 15th is National Hat day, as well as Penguin Awareness day and National Buttercrunch Day, the 18th is Winnie the Pooh Day, the 19th is National Popcorn day, the 21st is Martin Luther King Day, the 22nd is National Blond Brownie day and the 23rd is National Pie day. Chinese New Year is the 25th. The 27th is National Chocolate Cake Day and the 28th is Fun at Work Day. The 31st is Backward day and Inspire Your Heart with Art day.
"January brings the snow,
Makes our feet and fingers glow."
―Sara Coleridge
Kim Willis
All parts of this blog are
copyrighted and may not be used without permission.
And So On….
Find Michigan
garden events/classes here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/118847598146598/
(This is the Lapeer County Gardeners
facebook page)
Newsletter/blog
information
If you have a comment or
opinion you’d like to share, send it to me or you can comment directly on the
blog. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly blog
if you email me. You must give your full name and what you say must be polite
and not attack any individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t
match mine, but I do reserve the right to publish what I want. Contact me at KimWillis151@gmail.com
Thank you for featuring National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections! We appreciate the support!
ReplyDelete