Viewing comments posted by dnrevel

I bought 2 tubers of this plant. One was mislabeled. The second appears correct, although in early fall bloom the colors are more coral, blush with yellow.

I wasn't sure how this would do in a bouquet, but it actually does very well even though it is quite large.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this cultivar, but now that I have used it in mixed bouquets, I see how versatile it is. The plant and dahlia bloom "paint" style & petal background colors are growing on me.

Having much better yields with this lovely, deeply lobed heirloom this year, even though tomatoes ripened quite late this year. I postd a photo of a basketful of this wonderful heirloom. Good soil, good sun, fertilizer, and enough water helps.

Purchased at Coleman's May 2nd. Planted in front yard gardens in pearl yarrow bed by peach & cherry trees.

Tag description: PERENNIAL
TWIZZLE CORAL PENSTEMON
Beautiful flowers spikes July-September. Attracts hummingbirds to the garden.
HOW TO GROW:
Plant in full sun 14-16" (36-41 cm) apart. Grows 28-32"
(71-81 cm) tall

Had trouble germinating this annual for several years, but this past year was the winner. I will try again using both Winter Sowing and greenhouse methods with collected seed. Hopefully it will also self-seed in SE Michigan Zone 6a.

This was a bit of a surprise. All green when ripe. However, the flavor is outstanding. Crisp tomato with a bit of a sweet lemon tang and tender skin. Will definitely grow more!

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Lavenize™ Silver Forever)

This plant is new to market in 2024-2025 according to the website. I bought 5 pots of it and am potting up.

Photo I've posted this summer is a pot of this lavender in my backyard, along with a photo of the cartload (5 pots) I bought from Costco. Dark blue flowers are borne on needle like, dark blue, silvery stems.

I cut it back after buying it and am getting a 2nd flush of blooms, but only about 1/3 of the beautiful display of the potted plants for sale in the store that were at the end of their first bloom.

I've paired them with G.F. Hemerick orange dahlias, landscaping style, doesn't need staking. It's a nice combo.

As shared by the Plantinova company, this is the LAVENIZE™ series which "was bred for improved branching and intense flower color that is fragrant all season long."
Hardy to Zones: 5-8 Height: 12-14" Width: 14-20″

Flower Timing: Spring to fall Sun: as a Mediterranean lavender cultivar, it will handle full sun to part shade

Patented: Brand Plantinova Uses: Containers, landscape

This rose will be an experiment for me this year in Michigan, zone 6a, in a somewhat protected area. I hope it will make it through our next Michigan winter. It is a more tender rose according to descriptions. I bought it because of the following.

It is:

* a is vigorous rose, blooming in flushes from spring to autumn.
* an excellent bedding rose. The rose was named an All-America Rose Selections winner in 1993.
* a tall, upright shrub, 5 to 6 ft tall with a 2 to 3 ft spread according to the package and online descriptions.
* a robust bloomer, blooms are 4 to 5 inches wide, with a petal count of 26 to 40. Bloom form is high-centered and cupped. Buds are long and pointed, with yellow petals edged in red.
* has flowers that are bright red and yellow,. The red areas remain, but fade as the flower fades.
* disease resistant.
* fragrant. Flowers have a mild fragrance in flowers borne singly or in small clusters.

Rosa 'Rio Samba', (aka JACrite), is a bicolor hybrid tea rose cultivar, developed in 1991 by William Warriner. It was introduced into the United States by Jackson & Perkins in 1992.

The shrub is thorny, and has medium, matte, dark green leaves.

It is disease resistant, and thrives in USDA zone 7 and warmer.

Looks like a beautiful stellar form. I will be interested in comparing to Leggs that I'm growing, in form and size.

Update: 2024, October, this dahlia is another level up! It's amazing. It deserves a primo spot in the dahlia garden. Bigger than Happy Butterfly. Not at all like Crazy Legs. Lovely markings! The deep burgundy purple is luscious.

This fragrant, highly disease resistant beauty is raved about in the cut flower circles online, a sought after David Austin variety. I've ordered 3 arriving today and will report back on how they do in SE Michigan. Characteristics include opening first with a slightly yellow tinge, then full open white & cream colors.

It is repeat flowering and is described on the website and elsewhere having a medium-strong, fruity, citrusy scent. The blooms are medium, shrub size 4ft x 3ft. Full, lush blooms, with a petal count of 80. I will be using it in a mixed border. It can also handle some shade.

I am going to try overwintering a few artichokes this year using the basket method and using a waterproof tarp. That may be the key addition:
Zones 6 to 7: After the last harvest, cut the plants down to 12 to 18 inches. Cover with organic mulch: leaves, straw, compost, and then cover the pile with a large basket. Mound more leaves and straw over the basket and cover everything with a waterproof tarp.

Heirloom, Small-Fruited. NOTE super early on compact plants. Comments about this plant include that it has sweetly flavored fruits, round, may have a few with pointed ends.

Developed for short season areas and for container gardening.
Disease Tolerance: V, F, N, FCRR, TMV, PL

Frilly double form. Original forms are native to northern Mexico, Texas and
Colorado. Note it grows in dry climate near water. Soil surface is dry but the taproots
have access to water below the surface.

Lots of good cultural info available from Sakata Seed America. Recommended light fertilizer for seedlings: 100-150ppm N from a balanced Calcium Nitrate based fertilizer. Maintain consistent temps for days 22-56, avoid temperatures over 75°F and under 45°F during active seedling growth period.

This gorgeous big dahlia, Camano Sitka, has been blooming all summer. It blooms early, it blooms late, it blooms all around the block (in my Johnson community garden.) Good stem width too. A keeper! I hope it makes good tubers. We'll see later this month or in early November.

Bloomed much earlier, and more prolific than another white collarette I grew, Cherubino.

First time growing this vine to replace a passion flower vine that wasn't producing flowers. The bees like it (huge bees too) and it is pretty on the garden fence. Will collect seed to grow again!

This pretty anemone dahlia is said to be a good producer of blooms on a tall plant. If cut early, it helps avoid petals shattering, and can be an good cut flower for bouquets and arrangements.

I wonder if this tomato is related to Cȃmpeni Market tomato, which I cannot find online anywhere. I'm using this listing as a placeholder for Câmpeni Market tomato; though it might be a Romanian Câmpeni tomato.

Description from the Project Grow Ann Arbor (Michigan) catalog:
(65-80 days) The seed originates from the Transylvanian town of Cȃmpeni. This heirloom variety is acclimated to cool wet summers and high elevation. The plants are vigorous and disease resistant. Ripening mid to late season yields deeply pleated, bountiful pink-red medium sized fruits. With intense earthy flavors and low acidity, it was a favorite at the 2017 Project Grow Tomato Tasting. Transylvania. Central Romania. Alba County. Campeni.

I had blossom end rot with this beautiful tomato in particular. I understand it is due to the vine's inability to absorb enough of the calcium that the fruit needs. There can be PLENTY of calcium in the soil, but for this plant, which was planted near cosmos and beans, it got a bit neglected, and therein lies the problem circa 2022. I also planted it on a very hot day in 2022.

THIS year, I'll pick my transplanting day better, and place it in better spots where it will get much better attention, deserving such a tasty beauty.

Notes to self:
* WAIT until the soil is CONSISTENTLY 70 degrees. Tomatoes love heat.
* During a dry spell, make sure to consistently water them
* The article mentions that too much fertilizer, quick growth can also "prevent the roots from delivering enough calcium fast enough to keep up with the growth."

Reference:
Gardening Know How: Blossom End Rot In Tomatoes – Why Is My Tomato Rotten On Bottom