Critters (Friends) We Have Loved~

Cooler Weather... and Pansies

Thank God the heat dome finally moved... we have survived! For the first time since the weather events began in May, the weekend surprised us with cool, crisp mornings which were perfect for outdoor coffee and a leisurely walk to see the state of the garden. To say it has been a stressful summer is truly an understatement... it has been devastating.

In viewing the garden it is obvious that many well established shrubs were lost. The combination of months of relentless high temperatures and the blazing sun proved too much for many of them despite Herculean efforts to water. No amount of artificial watering could overcome the cloudless overhead heat. To test to see if there is still life in a leafless apparently dead shrub, break off a small twig and look to see if there is any green within it. If there is a little green and the branch has a slight springy feel to it, the shrub has gone into survival mode and dormancy. It is saving its energy... resting and recovering until spring and time to wake again. Unfortunately the conifers and evergreens that have turned brown do not have the ability to go dormant so they will not return and must be removed and replaced.

However Oklahoman gardeners are such survivors that comfortable daytime temperatures cool evenings will provide collective amnesia and plans for fall gardening will emerge. The wild violets have sent forth tender new leaves signaling it is time to plant the earliest spring bloomers. Their relatives, the precious pansies, have begun arriving in the nurseries and if planted now will survive nicely over the winter.

Originally a common viola growing in fields and hedgerows in England they were cultivated by William Richardson, gardener to Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennett I in the early 1800’s. Despite his efforts their first noted appearance was on the estate of James, Lord Gambier. His gardener, William Thompson, began to cross various viola species with a viola tricolor in an effort to achieve a round flower of overlapping petals. In the late 1830s he found by chance a flower that no longer had narrow nectar guides of dark color on the petals but a broad dark blotch instead; from this pansy came the future ‘flowers with a face’. Released to the public in 1839 with the name "Medora," this pansy and its progeny, including "Victoria", rapidly became popular with gardeners and breeders throughout Europe.

Planting some now will give stressed gardeners a much-needed thrill and the baby pansies will have a head start next spring. With their stunning color options and delightful smiling faces, these cheerful little flowers are always welcome guests at the garden party!

I'll plant them around my Caddo Maple like I did last year~

Know Your Plants~

Plants have been source of fascination since the beginning of time. They have provided a plethora of benefits to mankind and use of them has evolved over hundreds of years. However as all gardeners know, there is a dark side to the plant kingdom and many common plants are extremely toxic causing complaints which range from indigestion, to hallucinogenic visions, and possibly even death. The science of using dangerous plants reached a zenith during Medieval times when dispatching an enemy was as simple as brewing a tea! Today, for the well being of children and pets, it is wise to know which common plants impose significant dangers.

Almost all flowering bulbs are toxic in some manner so do not ingest any of them. Many plants contain dangerous compounds which are removed by cooking. Our own Poke Weed, found in early spring, is toxic unless the leaves are prepared in a specific manner. The roots, leaves, and flowers of Taro, a wild Elephant Ear, are staple foods in some tropical countries, but they too must all be cooked before eating. Some plants have parts of them which are edible while other parts are toxic. The Rhubarb, used in flavorful jellies and pies, has poisonous leaves but the stalks are not.

The following plants are listed as fatal, making them of particular import. Bunny Rabbit flowers aside, the lovely Larkspur is so toxic that it was used during the Revolutionary War as a pesticide. Soldiers stuffed their boots with it to repel mites and ticks. Oddly, the green berries of the lovely and prolific Lantana are fatal in small doses as are those of the Wisteria, Jasmine and Mistletoe. All parts of the Azalea and Rhododendron plants are deadly as well. The popular house plant Dieffenbachia is called dumb cane for it’s affect on the mouth and throat if ingested. The instant swelling not only renders the individual dumb, but may cause air-blocking swelling.

Many toxic plants incur cult followings among ill informed youth and the exotic Moonflower is no exception. Called forth by the light of the Moon, the large trumpet shaped creamy white flowers are highly scented and bloom all night. Unfortunately the Moonflower produces seeds that possess hallucinogenic powers… the plant made national news last fall when high school students chewed seeds in class!

Salvia Divinorum contains a property which is a potent naturally occurring hallucinogen when smoked. The leaves were used in traditional spiritual practices by the Mazatec people of Mexico however due to it’s ‘popularity’ among non-native followers, it has been banned in twelve states including Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Delaware, North Dakota, Illinois, and Ohio as well as all of Australia.

There is a simple common sense rule to follow in dealing with the Plant Kingdom: Do not graze in the woods or garden chewing or smoking what abounds unless it is something that you know and recognize... and as Fall cleanup commences, monitor small children and pets.

Some Poisonous Plants Residing in My Garden~

The Heat Dome

The Heat Dome
The phrase 'heat dome' is casually tossed about by meteorologists every day now; it has become part of our vocabulary and seems to be the word of the season. The dome is part of a summer weather pattern wherein a large high-pressure system... essentially a huge mound of stagnant hot air...arrives to park itself over at least one region of the country and the South Central region is the most popular for it. This hot air keeps out the rain and allows for a slow broil underneath it.

Until 2007, the last memorable heat dome was in the year 2001 in which we had day after day of searing temperatures over a 100 degrees. We were caught on the North Canadian Bridge in an accident that year so I will never forget it. Michael had stopped to take a dead cat off the road or we would have been the people hit by a diesel truck which had barreled down on a red Jeep, smashing it and forcing it to dangle precariously halfway over the guard rail. The truck had been reported five separate times for erratic driving for over two hundred miles before the accident, and yet continued racing towards destiny. The young couple in the Jeep were uninjured and managed to crawl out but the diesel had spilled everywhere. It took four hours for the cleanup and the bridge was loaded with cars... all heating up as the drivers of the 18 wheelers kept cool and the rest of us boiled. The temperatures was 105 that day but reached 140 on the bridge.

As we waited the boom of the adjacent gang bangers CD mirrored my heartbeat, a lady had a panic attack then one had a heart attack.. it was entirely too hot and we were trapped! After an hour and a half, I decided I had to get off the bridge... Michael could fend for himself. I got my umbrella out of the trunk and took off to walk the mile and a half off the damn bridge. At our road, I flagged down a pickup to drive me the two miles back home. I stripped in the yard and flew to the horse tank to immerse myself in the cool water. It took hours for me to finally cool down!

For the next three years whenever the temperatures got above 98.3 (body temp) I would get spacey and oddly, I didn't sweat anymore. I still don’t do over 105 degrees well. This year Oklahoma has had the dubious honor of mention on the National News as temperatures continue beating out Death Valley for the record.

As the hot conditions prevail, the National Weather Service has issued numerous heat advisories which are indicative of a ‘heat storm’ and should be taken as seriously as a tornado watch. I believe that anytime the outdoor conditions are above average human body temperature, extended exposure is extremely dangerous. If a person’s body temperature reaches over 106 degrees, they may become comatose so this kind of heat may cause higher than average fatalities, therefore basic safety rules must be followed.

Statistically in a normal year an average of 175 people will succumb to summer heat waves in the United States, but any given year can vary dramatically from the norm. For example, one of the worst periods on record was the disastrous heat wave of 1980 which claimed more than 1,200 lives. Equally devastating was the summer of 1995 during which more than 1,000 people died of heat-related causes.

To protect yourself you should:
Stay indoors (preferably in air conditioned space) as much as possible.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Drink plenty of water and natural juices.
Avoid alcohol and beverages with caffeine which could increase dehydration. Eat small, light meals.
Avoid strenuous activities or at least reschedule them for early morning or late evening hours.

To protect others you should:
Never leave children or pets in a closed vehicle where temperatures could soar to 190 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
Check on elderly neighbors.
Always protect small children from the sun.
Provide shade and cool water for pets.

*If one begins to feel faint or light-headed, immediately get into a cool place and possibly tepid water to quickly lower the body’s core temperature.

With the proper precautions we can beat this heat and look forward to Fall... and may my sweet Viburnum who died yesterday RIP.

A Theme Garden

Salvia

Scabiosa

One year on a whim, we had a South American themed garden and filled the kidney shaped bed on the upper level solely with flowers that had a Mexican flair and would attract butterflies. It seems flowers originating in South America have the brightest and deepest colors, the easy habit of drought survival and they all seem to shout Fiesta!

We planted Mexican heather, orange and yellow Nastursums, deep purple Petunias, scarlet red Chile Pepper Scabiosa, electric blue Salvia, scarlet and deep yellow swirl Zinnias, and anything else we could find that seemed fun. Everything was planted too closely and all with contrasting colors adjacent to each other. The result was intermingling of colors spilling out and over the bed in a riot of color by mid summer.

Everyone who saw it had a giggle… it was so over the top. Since annuals are not true garden guests, merely tourists passing through who last but one season, there are few rules in planting them. Allow the imagination to run rampant!

Old established friends I have lost...

Some of these friends were over 15 years old... photos are from spring 2010...
This year it has been over 90 everyday since May~

Collecting seeds

Many of the flowers in the garden are seeding now so it is an ideal time to collect seeds for saving and sharing with other gardeners. The importance of collecting ands saving seeds must not be underestimated for many species of plants have been lost over time. Also the seeds of flowers that have acclimated in your garden this year will fare better next for they created a DNA memory of the conditions where they resided. For example the marigolds saved this year will double in size and require less watering than those fresh from a packet next summer. Collect seeds when the sun has dried all the morning dew, which is mid-morning of late, and store them in a zip lock bag. Remember to keep the seeds at a constant temperature above freezing for optimum results.

When the great pyramids were opened, archaeologists discovered caches of seeds among other artifacts. Upon planting some of these seeds, stored for thousands of years, germinated primarily because of the dry and warm temperature conditions within the pyramids where they were stored. There is also an amazing report of lupine (Lupinus articicus) seeds over 10,000 years old sprouting as well. Discovered in the Yukon of Alaska they were found deep within the burrows of ancient lemmings buried in permafrost silt dating to the Pleistocene epoch. The tenacity of Nature’s plan is always inspiring.

However many of our heirloom varieties of seeds have been lost over time, and sometimes purposefully. From ancient times through the Greco/Roman days there existed many plant species that effectively acted as natural birth control. Although always a subject of religious discussion, birth control had been left in the hands of women and their midwives until medieval times when authority over it was suddenly was transferred to the church and male doctors of the day. Within decades of the 1869 edict of Pope Pius IX outlawing birth control for Catholics, most of the species of these plants had become extinct. In effect, the seeds of plants had been replaced by the seeds of men.

Although it is terribly hot, collecting and storing seeds is a way to preserve this year’s garden... so that it may be carried forth to next year through its offspring.

Dividing Amaryllis This Fall

This fall consider dividing overly zealous perennials. In particular, the lovely Amaryllis Belladonna need division occasionally. In making a new pathway it was necessary to move an established group and it was surprising to find their underground conditions were absolutely deplorable. The mass of bulbs had grown to the size of a large bushel basket, with both large and small bulbs growing sideways, downward and oftentimes strangled, covered by the roots and presence of other bulbs. Some were even growing into other each other! Overwhelmed with guilt I realized they had been left undisturbed over twenty years and the original six bulbs had morphed into literally hundreds that were choking each other! Poor bulbs! With little care they will bloom faithfully for over seventy years so they deserve decent lodgings.

To divide use a garden fork which will not cause as much damage the roots as a shovel and dig at the mound-edge in a large circular pattern. Begin to gently lift, easing the mass from the ground, attempting to get most of the roots which are attached. Rinse the mass of bulbs off with the hose and begin by carefully separating the entwined roots. Once they are divided, separate the smaller bulbs from the larger by placing them in two piles. Trim off any yellow or unhealthy foliage but leave healthy, green foliage attached. While the bulbs are out of their bed, take the opportunity to turn the soil and incorporate some compost, rotted manure or peat moss to enrich it even if you are planting them back from whence they came. Do the same if you are planning a new bed.

Replant the largest bulbs and remember not to plant too deeply or flowering will decrease. Bulbs are generally spaced about 8 inches apart and show best in the garden when planted in clumps of three or more. Pick a new spot in the garden to plant the smaller bulbs and do not expect them to flower the first year for it will take a bit of time for them to grow and become flowering adults.

When next summer comes, keep in mind they produce seed pods at the end of the stalks if the flowers were pollinated. Unless you are breeding Amaryllis or just want to try your hand at growing them from seed, promptly cut the stalks back after the flowers fade to preserve the energy of the bulb for future flowering. Wait for Fall and have fun digging!

The Sun and Shade~

Shade, and lots of it, is the way of the future~

As we continue to experience the heat and drought, gardens and gardeners alike are becoming more stressed each day. Many gardeners are just trying to keep beloved plants and shrubs alive, which is proving to be a challenge. On Saturday afternoon, the temperature on the hill was 117 degrees and the Canadian River is dry, dusty sand. Optimistically, this heat will inevitably come to an end with seasonal change; this will possibly be the first time gardeners are eagerly awaiting Fall.

The nature of the Sun seems to have changed; it appears to be burning brighter and Swiss and German experts have agreed that it is the strongest it has been since weather records were first collected in 1860. According to Sami Solanki, director of the famed Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen, Germany, "The sun is in a changed state. It is brighter than it was a few hundred years ago and this brightening started relatively recently — in the last 100 to 150 years," Globally 1997, 1998 and 2002 were the hottest years, with this year breaking all global records.

So this year has left gardeners with the challenge of providing a future environment that is comfortable and shade is the keyword. When wandering through a park or woods, it may be noted it is cooler than the surrounding countryside... the canopy of the trees absorb the heat, never allowing it to reach the ground. Add the element of water and one has an Oasis. Oases exist on all continents and are simply a place in the desert with a water source; from this source plant life grows and flourishes and thus provides a refuge from the blinding heat at its borders. A shaded pond will cool the garden while giving the birds a place to bathe and drink.

If you do not have trees, plan to plant them in the Fall. There is a quite a nice selection of hardwood trees that will flourish here. The term hardwood comes from an old logging camp ‘rule of thumb’ where woods were often named by their resistance to sawing. Hardwood trees are usually those with dense wood, a long life span, and slow growth. They include our lovely Caddo Maple, Burr Oak, Cottonwood, Ash and Black Walnut. Elm is also among them, however with their numerous health issues, it would be unwise to plant one. Some of the ancient Burr Oak in my woods are of such age they possibly saw nomadic Native Americans camping beneath them. Not only will hardwood trees provide comfort and cool in the Summer, but they will also give a lovely foliage show in the fall. Softwoods are usually conifers and the ever-popular Bald Cyprus is among them. Not recommended by many gardeners, they leave an untidy mess as the needles fall and accumulate each Fall... and they also attract bag worms as no other tree!

Purchase an inexpensive mister, plan to dart from shade to shade, go inside for the mid-day heat, and simply endure... the heat dome will move!

Native Prayer...A Reminder As The Earth Suffers

This has hung in my Dining Room for almost 20 years...
As we continue to watch the Earth suffer, let us try to remember to thank her for her treasurers... and in the future, let us try to respect and care for them with love.

Chief Yellow Lark, Lakota

Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
And whose breath gives life to all the world...

Hear me! I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes
Ever hold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made.
My ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand
The things you might teach me.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
In every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother.
But to fight my greatest enemy, myself.

Make me always ready to come to you
With clear hands and straight eyes.

So when life fades, as the fading sunset.
My spirit may come to you without shame.