Saturday, September 8, 2007

Poncirus


This is Poncirus. Hard to believe we can grow citrus outside this far north, but this one is it. It is a small tree, though a bit irregular and untidy in its habit. Ours kind of rambles through other bushes. Probably about 8 feet tall at this point, though it has only been in 8 or 9 years and may get bigger. Partial shade seems to suit it just fine, though ours gets some afternoon sun. The thorns are an inch or so long and so even in winter this plant offers some interest in the garden. It blooms with sweet smelling white flowers in the spring, and if a late frost doesn't get them, they will produce fruits which ripen to an orange color and which, though too sour to just eat, make great marmalade. They're small, but very thin skinned, so they're easy to work with even though you need quite a few to do anything with. A highly recommended plant.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Orixa japonica 'Aurea' and friends

Orixa seems to be a relatively unknown shrub. The new growth on Aurea comes out yellow (no surprise here) and fades to green. It's best color, though, is in the fall when the leaves turn the color of parchment and rather translucent. It is definitely a contrast to all of the reds and golds on the other plants. This has been in the garden for a long time, but most people don't seem to notice it since most of our visitors are here when it is just another green bush. Those who do venture out to the country for a fall walk will definitely have a treat in store. The picture on the right is one we have just added, this week, a new orixa, 'Pearl Frost' which we just recently found out about and were lucky enough to find available after a bit of searching. We got two and they are still potted, but the holes are dug and when this heat breaks, they'll be in the ground. Orixa, oddly enough, is a member of the citrus family, even though it is thoroughly hardy here. More on another hardy citrus next time.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Polymultipetalicious


I've just sent in the registration papers for this daylily, Polymultipetalicious, which is, as far as I know, the first double polytepal. I wish it were other than yellow, but I've been working with it in my hybridizing program and so there may be another one in the future, maybe with an eye or ruffles, or ???? It is a fast multiplier and blooms mid-summer. No fragrance as far as I remember. The deer ate all of the scapes this year, so I didn't even get to see it bloom. Unfortunately, that was the case for a lot of our daylilies. Since the rains, the deer have been less obvious in the garden, but we still are getting some damage. Maybe they've just eaten everything they like so they've gone elsewhere. The Red Oaks seem to have made acorns even though the others didn't , so they will have something to eat this fall. That should help somewhat. They are still overpopulated around here. Thirty years ago it was rare to see one, but now it is a common occurrance, even small herds regularly graze across the road near the parking lot. I enjoy watching them but wish they would find somewhere else on these 100+ acres for their dinner.