Commentary
CHRYSANTHEMUM
- Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Some trivia about our fall favorite - Chrysanthemum
Submitted by Jacki Brewer
Common name: Chrysanthemum, mum, tansy
Botanical name: Chrysanthemum, Dendranthema
Family: Asteraceae
The name 'chrysanthemum" comes from the Greek chrys (golden) and anthos (flower). The Mediterranean Chrysanthemum coronarium, from the Latin coronarius (used for garlands), was a golden-yellow flower from which garlands were made to protect against demons. It wa also called Dios ophrya (God'd eyebrows). The European feverfew (the medieval Tanacetum, or "tansie," now Chrysanthemum parthenium) was widely used as an antipyretic (an agent that reduces fever).
The Chinese chrysanthemum, originally a daisy-like wild plant, had been cultivated in Chinese gardens for more then twenty-five hundred years before it came to the west. Chrysanthemums include flowers we call daisies such as the ox-eye daisy, the painted daisy, and the Shasta daisy.
Chrysanthemum symbolizes a scholar in retirement but not necessarily a recluse. Mums were considered one of the four "noble plants" along with bamboo, plum, and orchid.
About 400 A.D. Zen Buddhist monks took the chrysanthemum to Japan where they became the symbol of the Mikado (Emperor). The first garden mum was exhibited in England in 1795. In Italy mums are associated with the dead and are unacceptable in any other use.
Chrysanthemums are short-day flowers so they are easily manipulated in the greenhouse growing industry to bloom anytime of year specifically as florist plants or cut flowers for arrangements. In the garden, Chrysanthemums bloom in the autumn, though, in milder climates some may come on in spring, too.
Information gathered from the book 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names by Diana Wells, copyright 1997.
MAKING A ROSEMARY GARLAND
- Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Here's a great way to use that prolific rosemary from the Herb'n Cowgirl, Ann McCormick. Click here.
NATIVE PLANT LIST
- Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Submitted by Chrissy Cortez-Mathis
Gailon Hardin did a wonderful presentation on the importance of using natives in the landscape.
Soil Chemistry Article
- Tuesday, May 03, 2011
"News From the Underground"
An article on soil chemistry featured in Garden Design Magazine by Michele Owens
Contributed by Mike Schmitt
Click here for pdf.
SHADE GARDEN SOLUTIONS
- Tuesday, April 05, 2011
The following information on shade gardening is provided to us by Master Gardener Judy Fender.
Judy can be contacted at
1. In looking at the area you want to change what do you see?
Straight lines? Over grown hedges? No grass because of too much shade?
2. What interests you when you consider what to plant?
Perennials, native plants. Remember many perennials die to the ground. Mix evergreen shrubs in with flowering plants.
3. Determine what type of exposure the area has.
Shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon is not a shade garden. Take note of how the seasons change in your landscape.
What may get sun in summer may be totally shady in winter.
4. Try to reduce the size of the lawn.
Berms help to accentuate large lawns. Enlarge garden perimeters to have less lawn to cut and water.
Limon talinum - Jewels of Opar or Flameflower
- Sunday, April 03, 2011
Limon talinum - Jewels of Opar or Flameflower
I found this plant at Lowes in Richardson last year and thought I'd give it a try. Wow, what a nice plant.
Not only do you get that nice limegreen foliage but then you get these wispy stalks topped with red buds that turn into
delicate, tiny, bright pink flowers all through the summer. It handles our hot, summer sun, too. I planted mine in a pot
with stick verbena and foxtail fern. When it got too leggy I cut it back and it came back up no questions asked. And it
re-seeds on demands almost. Mid summer I began seeing these little lime green leaves along the edges of the
garden and I had a bunch of new starts. And if that isn't a bonus, the original plant is coming back in the pot I
planted it in last summer. I gave the pot some protection over this past winter as I didn't want to loose my
foxtail fern but wouldn't you know- our sub-freezing temps didn't faze this beauty. I saved some seed and
planted them today to see if they will sprout for me. Maybe I'll have some for the babies for the plant sale.
Click here for picture and more info.
Jacki