Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Prickly Pear Plant Profile


 The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa or Opuntia compressa) is the only cactus native to the Mid-Atlantic and, though it looks like a desert dweller, it is perfectly hardy here. It is closely related to the Fragile Prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) from the Great Plains and Drummond’s Prickly-pear (Optunia pusilla), occurring in the southeastern United States.

It prefers rocky or sandy soil with good drainage. Plant it along a sidewalk edge, slope, or retaining wall.  It also grows well in containers. It needs full sun and to be kept relatively dry. Prickly Pear forms clumps and spreads slowly. It can be propagated by seed or by breaking off a pad and sticking it in the soil cutting-side down.

The plant is hardy from USDA Zones 4 to 9. It can survive freezing temperatures, though it may look a little sad when it dehydrates and wrinkles during the winter months.

The plant has beautiful yellow flowers in early summer, which are then followed by red fruits. Prickly pear fruit is edible as are the cactus paddles also called nopales.

Wear thick gloves whenever handling any part of the plant. The brown bristles and spines are easy to see and avoid, but the fruits are also covered in small, hair-like spines that can get under your skin like splinters.

Prickly Pear is a fun plant to grow that is a great conversation piece in the garden. It also beneficial for pollinators and the fruit is eaten by various wildlife.

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio and Text by Kathy Jentz
Video and Editing by Melinda Thompson

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Monday, September 27, 2021

Saturday, September 25, 2021

GardenDC Podcast Episode 76: Horticultural Therapy


In this episode, we talk with Hannah Berisford, CPH, HTC, Owner/Plant Nerd of BotaniGal, LLC, all about Horticultural Therapy. The plant profile is on Castor Bean Plant and I share what's going on locally and in my garden.


BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! See how at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/support.

EPISODE LENGTH: 53:28 00:41 Meet Hannah! 03:47 “My entire backyard growing up was a state park” — Hannah, on growing up with a green thumb 04:16 “I actually remember the day, the moment, that I fell in love with plants” — Hannah tells the story of discovering her passion for horticulture 07:34 Hannah explains how she got horticulture therapy-certified in Chicago 08:56 Hannah defines horticultural therapy for us and talks about its growth in popularity 12:15 Growing from seeds, cuttings, plugs, and more at her business 13:42 “It’s unreal” — Hannah, on seeing the impact of horticultural therapy on clients with mental health difficulties 15:46 “I felt like my job wasn’t done” — Hannah explains why she expanded beyond her job at Emerge to serve different populations 17:21 Hannah tells a story about an elderly man with dementia who was able to recall memories while doing horticultural therapy 19:01 Did you know there’s a bacteria in soil that causes the release of serotonin? 19:49 Horticulture therapy is based on “biophilia principle,” which says humans are innately drawn to green spaces 20:44 Kathy and Hannah discuss how the pandemic showed people’s need to be in the natural world, not shut out from it 22:27 “Once you’re a plant parent, you can’t go back!” — Hannah 22:42 Hannah reveals her favorite plants: Hoyas and Ceropegia 24:43 Hannah talks about having a garden on a seven-acre property — most of it belongs to her horse, though! 25:08 Growing a peony collection isn’t just a coincidence for Hannah — It’s linked to a childhood memory 27:33 Although Hannah is a horse person, she hasn’t crossed over to the equine therapy world — “It’s a whole other ball game.” 28:39 How to create your own at-home healing garden 29:48 “It’s important to plant things that you can interact with” — Hannah 31:00 Hannah discusses her talk titled “When Did My Plant Become a Therapist?” that she gave during the AmericanHort Cultivate event this year 32:54 Different types of horticultural therapy gardens: enabling gardens, rehabilitation gardens, and restorative gardens 37:15 Kathy and Hannah talk about their experiences going to the Chicago Botanic Gardens 40:11 Sensory gardens, where you get to touch the plants and experience a variety of textures, are another way to practice horticulture therapy 44:21 You can contact Hannah at botanigal@yahoo.com, on her business line at (443) 300-7733, her website, her Instagram (@BotaniGal), or Facebook! 46:02 Hannah talks about the “greatest compliment” she has ever received professionally, and why she encourages anyone to pursue horticultural therapy 48:08 Learn about the “exotic-looking” castor bean in this week’s Plant Profile! 50:10 Garden updates: cooler temperatures and planting more seeds in the community garden 
50:44 Upcoming events: Fona Bulb Sale, Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale, Homestead Gardens talk, Harvesting History’s Bulb Sale, Brookside Gardens talk
Episode Credits: Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz Interview Edits: Charlotte Crook Show Notes: Melena DiNenna

The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Episode-76---Horticultural-Therapy-e17ku61

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

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Friday, September 24, 2021

Fenton Friday: Carrots and Cover Crops

Carrot seedlings from a previous growing season
- we are hoping to have similar success this year. 

This week, we pulled the spent Zucchini vines and plant rows of carrots ('Orangesicle', 'Scarlet Nantes', and 'Little Finger' and a set of 'White Bunching' onions in their spot.

While the Mustard Greens cover crop is filling in nicely, we seeded in some 'Flat Dutch White' cabbage in any of the bare spots around them.

We had a storm dump several inches of rain on Thursday in a short period of time, so I am hoping the new seedling and seeds hung in there.

The cherry tomatoes, peppers, and cut-flowers are still producing well and are not slowing down yet.

How is your edible garden growing?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 8th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Win Passes to the Fall Maryland Home and Garden Show in the September 2021 Washington Gardener Reader Contest


For our September 2021 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away five pairs of passes to the Fall Maryland Home and Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds (prize value: $18).

   Exhibitors in more than 400 booths will be on hand with thousands of ideas. Whether you need to spruce up those well-used spaces, are ready for a complete remodel, or want to get your home ready for the holidays, you’ll find the experts and advice you need for indoors and out.

   Did you know fall is a great time to install your new backyard landscape? The region’s most-talented designers will show off the latest outdoor trends in patio gardens, complete with dining areas and water features. 

   The Fall Maryland Home & Garden Show runs Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17. See more details online at www.mdhomeandgarden.com/fall.

   To enter to win a pair of passes to the Maryland Home & Garden Show, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on September 30 with “Maryland Home & Garden Show” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the September 2021 Washington Gardener Magazine issue and why. Please also include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on October 1.

UPDATE:

Congratulations to our pass winners!
They are:

Selma W. Deleon
- Anne Hardman 
- Madeline Caliendo 
Kim Roman
- Robert Alonso


Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Plant Profile: Turtlehead

 

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra and Chelone lyonii) are native perennials to the Eastern seaboard of the United States. The common name describes the interesting flower shape, which resembles that of a turtle’s beak.

They are hardy to USDA Zones 3 to 8. Turtlehead prefer moist, rich soils in full sun to part shade. They need minimal care, but appreciate an occasional top-dressing with leaf compost.  You can also pinch them back in the late spring if the growth is too tall and leggy.

The plants spread slowly by rhizomes and eventually form large clumps. You can propagate them by division, cuttings, or seed.

Chelone glabra has white flowers, sometimes with a pink tinge. It blooms from August through October. Chelone glabra is a larval host and/or nectar source for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton).  Chelone lyonii has pink flowers and is in bloom a bit earlier in the season than Chelone glabra.

A popular cultivar of Chelone lyonii is ‘Hot Lips’, which is a deeper pink flower than the straight species with bronze-green foliage and red stems.

For more about growing Turtleheads, see our Going Native column by Barry Glick in the September 2018 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine (https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2018/09/fall-blooming-japanese-anemone-growing.html).

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio and Text by Kathy Jentz
Video and Editing by Melinda Thompson

Footage gathered in part at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.

 If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

 FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

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https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

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Monday, September 20, 2021

Monday Thoughts: There is no WiFi in your Garden... but the connections are better!


There is no WiFi in your Garden...
but the connections are better!

~ anonymous

Sunday, September 19, 2021

September 2021 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine – Castor Bean Plant, Great Blue Lobelia, Eastern Bluebirds, and much more

 

The September 2021 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out.

Inside this issue:

·         The REACH, DC’s Newest Memorial Landscape

·         Cold, Dry Winter Predicted 

·         Attracting Eastern Bluebirds

·         Fall Lawn Care Tips

·         Phlox Plant Bug

·         Castor Bean Plant Profile

·         Great Blue Lobelia

·         Why You Should Protect Your Rare Plant Collection

·         Meet Karin Reber, Sustainable Landscape Designer

·         DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

·         Roadside Wildflowers Help Reduce Runoff

·         New Cascade Hydrangea

and much more…


Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the October 2021 issue are due by October 5.


>>  Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm



Saturday, September 18, 2021

GardenDC Podcast Episode 75: Versatile Viburnums

In this episode, we talk with Phil Normandy, the recently retired plant collections manager of Brookside Gardens, all about Viburnums. The plant profile is on Obedient Plant and I share what's going on locally and in my garden.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! See how at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/support.

The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Episode-75---Versatile-Viburnums-e17f7it

EPISODE LENGTH: 56:14 00:41 Meet Phil, the “horticultural rock star” 01:49 Four-year-old Phil holding a plant for a family picture was the “early warning sign” that he was born for gardening 03:06 As a kid, Phil was most passionate about trees 03:49 Phil talks about his education at NC State and how it led him to his current career path 04:53 “I was very fortunate to get into that program” — Phil, on attending the Longwood Program at University of Delaware 07:13 How COVID helped him refocus on what he enjoyed, horticulture, and helped the transition to retirement 08:59 Phil describes the 35-acre Brookside Gardens for those who’ve never been there 10:43 “Brookside feels like home” — Kathy 11:02 Phil explains how Brookside introduced people to certain plants, like the climbing hydrangea (Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight') and the variegated osmanthus 'Goshiki' 14:00 Phil’s personal affection for variegated plants shows in his home garden 16:51 Viburnum discussion starts here! 17:00 “These are large growing shrubs, and they do eat up a lot of real estate” — Phil, on determining if you have the right space for viburnums 19:14, 22:38 When you go to your local garden center, what types of viburnum varieties are you likely to see? 20:08 The “floral weirdness” of the similarities between viburnum and hydrangea flowers — two completely unrelated plants 21:58 The amount of sun viburnums need depends on how you get your shade 22:49 The Korean Spice Viburnum flowers are “intensely fragrant” 24:03 Native vs nonnative viburnums 25:18 Are viburnums deer-proof? Well, it depends. 26:16 The Mapleleaf viburnum “makes a lovely, handsome shrub” — Phil 27:28 Try to steer away from the linden viburnum and the doublefile viburnum 30:24 If you’re looking for a native viburnum, you could try the viburnum nudum 31:37 Be aware when considering viburnums: some species are “self-incompatible” 33:12 Phil lists other native options he likes, like the arrowwood and tree form viburnums 33:56 “That’s a heck of a muffin, there” — Phil, on the eight-feet-tall blue muffin cultivar 35:59 Did you know a plant name with “haw” in it means it’s an edible fruit? 36:34 Phil gives advice on pruning viburnums 43:23 “The Chinese snowball is a beast” — Phil talks about the different kinds of snowball viburnums 44:06 Word of caution from Phil: the European and American cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) are prone to diseases 45:43 A potential “player in our area” due to warmer winters is the ‘Chindo’ viburnum 47:51 To wrap up, Phil gives tips on culture, like fertilization, for viburnums 49:02 “There’s so much information on the web. You don’t have to have a plant book” — Phil, on caring for and researching viburnums 49:57 If you’d like to follow up with Phil, contact us through our social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) or our website and we’ll pass the message along! 50:30 Learn about the obedient plant, whose blossoms look like snapdragons, in this week’s Plant Profile! 52:38 Garden updates: peppers and ‘Sun Gold’ tomatoes still going strong and turtle head flowers opening 53:17 Upcoming events: Greenspring Gardens Family Fall Festival, Fona Bulb Sale at National Arboretum, Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale, and Harvesting History Bulb Sale Episode Credits: Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz Interview Edits: Charlotte Crook Show Notes: Melena DiNenna

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite platform so other gardeners can find us too!

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Viburnum carlesii photo source: 
Chrumps, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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