Begonias

Begonias are one of my favorite annual flowers because they are so versatile.  They can be used in flowerbeds, hanging baskets, and as indoor plants.  They do equally well in shade as in full sun. 

Begonias are native to tropical regions like Hawaii, South America, and China.  In these places, the begonia is a perennial plant.  There are over 1500 species of begonias, making it one of the largest genus of flowering plants.  Begonias can be recognized by their waxy green or chocolate colored leaves.  Their flowers can be pink, white, red, or yellow.  All have bright yellow centers.

Begonias like rich, loose, well-drained soil.  Remove dead flowers, leaves, and stems.  If you give them a little care, they will bloom from spring to the first frost.  Begonias do not like frost.  Even a light one will kill them.  So, if you want to keep them alive from season to season, bring them indoors before the danger of frost. 

Propagation of begonias can be done either from seeds or from cuttings.  I personally prefer to go to the garden center and buy the seedlings, rather than start them from seeds.

If you don't have a green thumb, but would like to grow flowers, these are pretty easy.  I think you'll enjoy them.    

Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden, located in Balboa Park of San Diego, California, originated as a tea house during the 1915-1916 Panama-California exposition.  It was named San-Ker-En in honor of the San-Ker-En garden in Yokohama, Japan. As the name implies, it is a token of friendship between our two countries.

The name, "San-Ker-En" means "three scene garden."  Those three scenes are water, pastoral, and mountain.

As visitors walk along the two acres of winding paths, they will see a Zen garden, an exhibit house, a bonsai exhibit, and the main focal point, a koi pond, stocked with several nice-sized koi.

  If you have a little time, there are some really interesting weekend classes available here.  These include sushi making, calligraphy, and conversational Japanese.

The garden is open  Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  The last admission is at 3:30.  Cost of admission is $4.00 for adults.

One last thing:  I am a guest at Virginia Wright's blog today. There's a chance for you to win a free copy of my book, That Mama is a Grouch.  Please stop by and visit!

Double Duty Plants

Last week, I posted about marigolds.  I mentioned that marigolds were useful in keeping away nematodes, worms that are harmful to tomatoes and potatoes.  They also deter squash bugs, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies.

Marigolds are not the only plants that can serve dual purposes.  Here's a list of other herbs and vegetables that can keep the pests out of your garden:

Peppermint:  This sweet smelling plant repels ants, white cabbage moths, and aphids.

Garlic:  It's stinky, but it discourages aphids, fleas, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.

Chives:  These plants help keep away aphids and spider mites.  They also help keep black spot disease off of roses.

Basil:  This popular Italian herb keeps away the flies and mosquitoes.

Radishes:  These plants discourage cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and stink bugs.

These are some pretty amazing plants.  Did you know they were natural pesticides?

Quailcrest Farm

Quailcrest Farm is located in Wooster, Ohio.  It's a nursery that was begun in 1975, but the neat thing about it, is that there are more than two dozen display gardens that visitors can enjoy.  One of my favorites is a Teahouse garden that surrounds an old school house.  The garden has lilacs, magnolia trees, and lavender.  If you'd like, you can go in the school house to view the collection of antiques. 

There's also an herb garden with mints and scented geraniums.

When you are finished enjoying the gardens, you can visit the greenhouse to buy the plants you have seen.  Probably the most popular plants are the roses and scented geraniums.  If you're looking for gifts, there's a Garden Barn where you can find all kinds of fun things for the garden.

Quailcrest Farm is open Tuesday - Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Admission to see the gardens is free.

Blog Simmering on the Back Burner

I have found it quite a challenge to maintain two blogs and still complete my other writing assignments and projects.  After a lot of thought, I have decided to let this blog "simmer on the back burner."  I'm not going to stop posting, but I am going to cut back.  I'll probably blog here once or twice a week. (At least that's my plan for now.  We'll see how it goes.)

I will however, continue blogging daily (or almost daily) on my other blog, Mama Diaries.  If you'd like, you can come and visit me there.

Sorry if any of you are disappointed with that news.  I hope you understand.

How to Make a Dried Hydrangea Wreath

A few months ago, one reader asked for information on how to make a dried hydrangea wreath.  I had intended to make one myself, and post pictures of how to do it, but alas, the time has gotten away from me, and my hydrangeas are all done blooming.  I still can tell you how to do it,though.

Here's what you do:

1.  Dry the hydrangea flowers by hanging them upside down from their stems in a cool, dry place.  It takes about a a week to dry.

2.  Get 3 willow stems from your local craft store.  These should be about 3 feet long.  You can also use grape vines.

3.  Remove any leaves from the willow stems.  Then twist them into an 8 inch diameter circle by weaving them over and under each other.

4.  Secure the wreath with floral wire.  Be sure to wrap it around the entire circle.

5.  Now you'll need the hydrangeas.  You should have 2-3 dozen hydrangeas.  They should have stems of  approximately four inches.

6.  Attach the hydrangea stem to the willow wreath by wrapping floral wire around it.  I do about three or four wraps.

7. Place another hydrangea stem right below the first, making the flowers as close as possible.  Secure with floral wire.

8.  Continue adding hydrangea flowers and stems until the wreath is complete.

9.  If you'd like, you can finish it off with a pretty ribbon.  Just tie the ribbon and attach it with some floral wire.

10.  If needed, make a hanger with more floral wire and attach it to the wreath.

Hang on your door and enjoy!  (By the way, these wreaths only last about a year or two, so you'll have to make a new one when your old one starts to look shabby.)

Marigolds

Did you guess the name of the flowers?  They're marigolds.  This cheerful little flower is classified as an annual herb that is native to South America and New Mexico.  It can be recognized by its round flower heads with frilly orange, yellow, and reddish petals.

Marigolds grow to be about 6 inches tall, but there are some varieties that can grow to 4 feet in height!

Marigolds like lots of sun, and moist, well-drained soil. Their seeds should be planted in March or early April, and it takes about 40 days for the sprouts to come up.

As you may already know, marigolds have a rather pungent odor.  This is useful in keeping away deer and aphids, so gardeners will often plant these near their vegetable gardens.  Marigolds also have a chemical in their roots that help repel harmful white worms called nematodes that can ruin tomatoes, potatoes, roses, and strawberries.

The petals of some marigolds are edible (hence, the reason they are classified as herbs).  The petals of the Signet marigold are sometimes used to add a little tang to salads.