The Desert Dome Continued

As promised the desert dome in the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin conversation continues. Despite the temperature in the dome being close to the cold outdoor temperatures we spent a fair amount of time in the desert dome. There is just something about arid plants that appeal to me perhaps because they are just so exotic.

Graham's Sage

Graham's Sage (Salvia microphylla [in US Salvia grahamii]) is a low growing perennial, evergreen shrub indiginous to southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico. It is a member of the dead-nettle Lamiaceae family sometimes referred to as blackcurrent sage. There are numerous hybrids and cultivars since the 1990s because the plant easily hybridizes. It is favourved for conservatory cultivation due to its long flowering season of up to 9 months outside and all year indoors. The flowers are arranged in whorls, with a wide range of color (magenta, red, pink, rose) depending on the cultivar. Unfortunately the Graham's Sage was not in bloom during our visit.

Palms

I fell in love with palm trees our first visit to Las Vegas that lined the streets and graced most landscaping. That love was reinforced through a few trips to Florida but my gosh where I really started to appreciate them was in Key West. The palms waved in the wind making a rustling sound while providing cooling shade in the heat of the sun. In the evening hours the shadows created by the palms were amazing then at night listening to the rustling in the deep darkness it was easy to believe the local ghost stories. Perhaps the local ghosts were actually visiting us!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Euonymus Bush

Euonymous
(Euonymous fortunei)
July 15, 2008

Euonymous bushes (Euonymous fortunei) are a common feature in many gardens here in Ontario. The two varieties I'm aware of are yellow and white edged both with bright green centres. These really are easy to grow shrubs with few problems. I had a small one at our previous house with the only problem being plagued by aphids but it was planted beside a rose bush so that could have contributed to the aphid problem.

Euonymous are really lovely garden bushes if you keep them trimmed. If you don't trim them they end up being scraggly or if the branches are tied together they tend to be simply over grown. We removed one what looked to be a large shrub about 4 - feet tall. It was overgrown and showed no signs of stopping. What the previous owners had done was tie the branches together to give the appearance of one shrub instead of trimming to maintain the shape. What essentially was left behind was one long rambling branch tied to look like a shrub. We decided to take that bush out but trim up the remaining euonymus as they were smaller and we could trim them with the electric hedge clippers.

Even though aphids were a problem on the euonymus bush at our previous house they do not seem to be a problem here and I have been watching for them. The standard methods of dealing with aphids are spraying with a soap solution and/or releasing lady bugs. Other than that the only real thing euonymus needs is annual trimming. They are beautiful shrubs for your garden, mainly maintenance free and well worth considering for your garden.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2008

English Boxwoods

English Boxwoods
(Buxus sempervirens)

English Boxwoods (Buxus sempervirens) are broad leaf evergreens. These are wonderful, easy to maintain shrubs that add a sense of formality to gardens. They line our laneway creating a welcoming entrance. These shrubs have densely packed light green leaves with a rounded, compact growth habit. They reach about 3 feet high at maturity.

We have a lot of boxwoods. Boxwoods prefer well drained soil to prevent root rot. While they will grow in full sun they prefer partial shade. Pruning is necessary to keep the proper rounded shape and formality. Pruning should be done at least once a year. Mulching is necessary because of their shallow root system. Mulching should be about 3 inches thick starting at the trunk then working outwards for about one foot. During the winter boxwoods may experience bronzing because of exposure to wind and sun. The leaves will turn from green to a reddish brown. To prevent this, spray the shrubs with an anti-desiccant in late November and again in late January. This will help stop water loss from the leaves. Any damaged (winter bronzing) foliage should be pruned out in the spring. Keep the shrubs well watered during the growing season.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2007