From Summer to Fall

What a summer in Texas this year. Hot and dry, and well, down right miserable. It was even too hot for the mosquitoes, a fact they are not letting us forget now by making up for lost time.

Very fortunate to be close to Thanksgiving, and the garden is still lush with many things blooming. The Hawaiian woodrose I grew from seed, beat the odds and flourished blooming for the first time this month. Typically a tender tropical, and a winter bloomer I had my doubts. The problem is that the vine is too successful, and in fact is quite the monster. This is one experiment that will have to be removed, just too aggressive.


I have had great luck with the blue ginger this year, it has bloomed for several months. The secret? Leave it alone, and keep it in a dryer bed, it prefers less water than most gingers.

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For the most part, the garden didn't seem too bothered by the heat, as the garden slave kept busy with the watering, often twice a day. The Papaya tree continues to grow so tall, that I must now retrieve the fruit by ladder. I'm also waging a war with a few possum snackers, that have found papaya rather pleasing. I grew these trees from the seeds of a papaya I bought at the grocery story. They turned out to be a hybrid species, which was fortuitous for me as all of the trees bear fruit. The younger trees produce seeds, so I've been able to grow more should I need to replace any fallen trees over winter. An interesting note however, is that the tree in the photo here is 6 years old, and the fruit have stopped producing seeds, a feature that was designed with this particular hybrid.

My favorite, the tree fern has had some revelations as well. A couple of gardeners from Australia have identified this fern as C. Australis, not C. cooperi as was labled. This turns out to be a good thing, as the fern is a bit more cold tolerant (down to 0F). It continues to grow about one foot per year.

Alocolosomaroidiums

No, it's not a new plant type, only my conglomerate attempt to describe Elephant ears, also known as , Ears, EE's, Aroids, Alocasias, Colocasias and Xanthosomas and last but not least, Caladiums

It's that time of the year again when the heat is cranking up. We know it not only because of the sweltering afternoon heat that compels us to take mid afternoon naps to escape the heat, but familiar summer sights and sounds. I heard the first cicada call the other morning as I was checking out the nicely developing Elephant ears through out the garden both summers signature of hotter days to come. EE's seem to be the easiest thing for me or my fancy melded term Alocalosomaroids to describe the 'ears'. What is the difference anyway!? Of course the answer scientifically can be quite detailed, and so in time of need I turn to the expert and friend at Daves Garden LariAnn Garner, Research Director, Aroidia Research, Florida USA email AROIDIAN@att.net website http://aroidiaresearch.org who is always quick to come to my rescue in the aroid arena! When asked for general explanation she provided the following exquisite answer

"In general most of the familiar Alocasias, especially the large terrestrials, hold their leaves closer to parallel with the petioles, while Colocasias hold their leaves more or less perpendicular to the petiole. That being said, there are a number of examples that contradict this. For example, the lowii/longiloba Alocasia hold their leaf blades near perpendicular to the petiole.Another general rule of thumb is that the overall look of Alocasia leaves is glossy or shiny, while Colocasia leaves have a matte look (no gloss or shine). Again, there are exceptions to this rule as well.The blooms, of course, are the most definitive way of distinguishing them, but to do so requires a technical expertise (and available blooms, too).The overall leaf texture of Colocasias is softer and thinner than it is in most Alocasias. One exception to this rule is Alocasia hypnosa, which has leaves of a thin texture, but which I believe might be a natural hybrid between Alocasia and Colocasia"Thank you LariAnn for coming to the rescue in explaining the differences! To simplify the explanation further the Colocasias and Xanthosomas have leaves that face you, or the tips of the leaves point downward like an Elephants ears. The Alocasias leaf tips point outward, upward or horizontally, but as LariAnn stated, there are exceptions.

Borneo Giant Alocasia macrorrhizos

Metalica Crispa Plumbea

The Metalica Crispa Plumbea, Alocasia or Colocasia? The original plant was given to me on my birthday several years ago this coming weekend. It has never failed to please in the garden. Large dark leaves, seem to thrive in the hotter temperatures. Most winters the plant dies back to the ground, but occasionally will make it through the entire year. Usually lasting until late fall and early winter, it re-appears around March. Pups, or new plants appear in late fall, spring and occasionally during the summer.

Alocasia or Colocasia? Names include, Black Taro, Black Stem Elephant Ear, Violet-Stemmed Taro 'Fontanesii'This guy is a runner, meaning that it sends out roots, and new plants will appear at the ends of the runners. It is the first of the EE's to appear, and in fact will grow year around in the Heights area.answer: Colocasia EsculentaThere are literally dozens of types of Colocasia Esculenta

alocasia argentea

The shiny leaf appearance would make this a....? no, Alocalosomaroidium doesn't count!

Amongst my favorites are these tender, but very jungle looking alocasia known as Alocasia 'Hilo Beauties'. These are more challenging for temperature and light, and one of the "exceptions" in the Alocalosomaroid descriptions.

Caladiums are also a hot weather lover, and who could ever be tired of the endless designs and colors these guys offer us!? This year, I finally had purchased my caladium bulbs early, and was able to plant them in the ground around the pond in March as I had promised myself to do so many years before. I have to say that I'm very pleased with the results as the caladiums seem to be thriving!

Growing in to Routine

At last the mad rush of spring is winding down to the blissful days of simple routine in the garden. My garden shoes await by the back door, and when the shoes go on, I disengage my mind, set it on garden pilot and proceed to task where the garden takes me.

After two weeks of July like weather and watering to match, I can hear all of the gardeners along with the plants in a collective sigh of relief. In fact during my phone conversation with my folks in Seattle I was espousing the fact that the temperature barely broke mid 70's.

Photo of Clematis, taken from behind the flowers


Thungberia shrub showing off

There was no sympathy from my Mother who informed me that our temperature was the same as it was in Hawaii where my sister lives. None the less, I could hear the smile in her voice as she was busy in her own garden. She is re-inventing her back garden, with stone pathways and has removed the last vestiges of grass in favor of total garden, and a happy husband knowing that the weekly mowing is now in the past.

Caladium bulbs planted in March are making their debut

These spotted leaf plants of pink, and white are volunteering in the gravel pathways.

Most of my bigger projects are complete now, spring cleaning, re-potted many plants, none to soon as many were one bunch of roots stuffed in a pot. I've tested a few shrubs and plants I wanted to plant in the ground by setting the pots in the selected location for a couple of weeks and observe happiness, or a move me now response. Nice layers of pine mulch are on the needed areas and a freshly applied round of alfalfa pellets were deployed after the rain Friday.

Preparing plants to ship to Daves Garden members that have requested goodies

I can tell the rest of the nation is finally warming up, as many of the Daves Garden's folk are making requests for plant trades. I have 4 or 5 plants to box up tomorrow that were prepared yesterday or earlier in the week depending on recovery time the request plant needs. Boxing up plants is probably the least favorite task and it shows by my procrastination. Speaking of boxing up plants, neighbor Wayne at Zone9tropicals.com had a open garden event this last Saturday, and was quite busy. I usually meander over to Waynes garden around noon, and help out with visitors questions, talk plants and whatever else needs to be done. We've settled into a routine of ordering lunch, and catching up on the happenings of the week during the lulls. Every event, I've ran into someone who reads our blogs, usually in a random flash of conversation. It's been a pleasure being able to see folks who read the blogs, because normally it seems that I'm just writing notes to a computer! This last Saturday I met one of our own, "Butterhummer". She was looking for a couple of plants, of which Wayne was out of and I had, so she popped over for a little tour and one of the plants she had on her list.




In this photo, there are 5 different types of Rubber trees. Until recently I had no idea there were so many

Finally, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures, and the vacated Blue Jay nest, I've brought out the clippers, trimmers and all things pruning and have begun taming the jungles recent meteoric growth spurt. It is a bit early in the season to be doing this task already, but know that this will be one of the continuous routines for the next few months. I take advantage of the pruning to set a few cuttings of the more popular things to give away. In between the routine pruning and watering my eye catches a picturesque view of parts of the garden with just the right lighting and before I know it I've snapped a hundred photos. Guess I'll just have to change the pond filter tomorrow! Ah yes, the garden routine is now in effect!

Rj- Jungle Heights

2008, Plant Swaps, Hawaii, Ike and Snow

Over all, 2008 was pretty good. Second annual July Plant Swap was once again successful, with Wayne from Zone9tropicals.com co hosting. Had a great trip to Carol's in Hilo, truly a private Botanical Garden they live in. Could of done without IKE. We were holed up for over 12 hours. Usually Hurricanes don't last that long, but this one was the size of the gulf and was like the ride to grandmothers house that would never end. Garden looked like it was a tossed salad. Fence down, and roof is needing replaced.

Pictures of 2008

Tripping the Garden Lights Fantastic!

With the advent of LED lighting, Garden lights are arguably about to experience a revolution limited only by your imagination. Low in voltage, inexpensive to operate and no heat emission opens new windows to the creative mind in an exploration and experimentation of merging LED string, light bulbs, fluorescent and spot lights with ordinary household items to produce some fantastic results. In truth, I had expected that we would have experienced sweeping changes already with LED lighting by replacing the standard light bulb, but has only just begun as indicated finally by the Christmas light selection this year which far surpassed the regular Christmas lights, and lowering their value by half as oppose to barely having 20 percent of last years selection being LED. As a result Asian countries like Thailand and China have taken the lead in LED technology and all that comes with it including house and garden, inside and out. Some of the garden light selection and the forms they come in have often left me drooling. For example, check out some of the lights on this site [http://en.cnledw.com/p26_5.htm]

In this photo, the greenhouse is illuminated by fluorescent colored lights, which I usually change to different colors during the different seasons. In front are some flower lights that were attached to threaded steel rods about 10 feet long. The flexibility in the rods, makes the flowers bob around in the wind just like real plants do. String lights of dragonflies, flowers and butterflies decorate the threaded steel rods.
All sorts of accessories are now coming out as fast as the different lights. Fluorescent light bulbs for example now have attachments to use the light bulbs to spot light. You can save some significant dollars by buying led and fluorescent lights on line, and....if your really handy, all of the parts to build your own led lights , led bulb by bulb are out there. This site offers some explanation that's worthy of a look. [http://www.ledlightbulb.net/]In the meantime while we wait for the availability, prices and kinks to play out, there are a few combinations of string lights and glass objects such as vases that produce some garden accent lighting that will raise the curiosity of your garden guests. Fiber optic, or Led string lights stuffed in a cobolt blue vase either turned over or capped off, will give the appearance the vase is filled with fluid.Florescent tube protectors have all sorts of possibilities. They come in color too! Pictured, are clear fluorescent tube protectors, with rope or string lights inside, topped off with theme string lights such as flowers and leaves. An LED garden globe with changing colors gives the appearance of a moon in the back ground.

An old glass elephant a friend of mine was desperate to get rid of, found it's way into the garden, atop a clay vase with and led spot light inside.

Clear LED string lights from Big Lots seemed boring, so after a trip to Houston Art Supply and a purchase of glass paint, transformed the lights to something more my taste. Because LED lights produce no heat, the paint ticks like a charm.
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As more on line LED businesses open, prices are becoming more competitive. Like anything, it can be pricey, but with the right combination and lighting subjects, you can make a couple of effects go a long way.

The Art of Garden Art

The videos at the bottom of the page try to demonstrate the flow of art from the inside, out. While, there are virtually no plants inside the house, the use of windows are like changeable portraits of the garden and art with the seasons. The Garage, with a few modifications was turned into the "Tiki Room" a favorite with friends. Nothing stays the same, the art and plants get moved, new garden rooms are created which continuously inspires endless creativity.

Garden Art and landscaping are like hairstyles, and as such reflect a wide array of personal taste in the garden landscape. As Autumn fades into winter, the leaves fall, the usual blended garden art and artifacts suddenly become more visable.

Like "fusion" quisine, creating a seemless transition from inside, to out and back again is important. I spend alot of time in both places, and if I can't be poolside at a resort in a tropical country, then I'm going to creat the resort right here the best way I can. Windows become, Picture frames, inside and out, so that a picturesque view is possible as your walking out of the house into the garden, and visa versa.

A few folks have suggested that I should landscape for a living - after they see The Jungle in the back garden. My usual reply is that landscaping with garden art is a very personal thing. While some folks react with delight, others are dismayed. Much like interior home design it is reflective of the tastes and influences that person experiences. I have been on a journey of learning and morphing with mother nature- evolving and incorporating a wide aray of art ideas dreamed up by what ever influences me during various periods of my life. Some creations in the garden I would probably not do today, however the experience lends itself to future designs. Like the seasons, it is changing all of the time. I see garden art in broken pieces of chandeliers, possibly even forming a new lamp out of the remnants. Sometimes it is going off the beaten path-trying new things...being different. I will put items in the garden, that wouldn't even occur to most people. I've had Tiffany lamps, mirrors, furniture pieces all out in the garden, looking beautiful. After all, it is my outside room, and spend a great deal of time out there, whether it's relaxing, entertaining or dreaming up a new ideas.
My mind frequently wanders outside the box, to visualize or make connections between ordinary items to create the most unusual, fun art and accents. We as gardeners begin this process the moment we fall in love with a great statue, or garden decor at the nurseries and perform that exploratory price tag flip.
I usually save most of the things that break in the garden which is bound to happen at one time or another and at one point created the "Broken Art Garden, with items arranged to look as if they topled over with time.- . Assembling the look, feel and art of the garden - is a very creative process. I have an old carosuel horse, that positioned in the right place gives a feel of enchantment. Never does a piece stay in the same place, but finds new places for a new pallet of creativity. Windows and french doors are perfect for themes, seasonal art and garden displays, much like a store front window
So how does one obtain nice looking garden art, and not pay the huge price tag? If I bought even a fraction of the garden art I wanted, I'd have no money left over for the garden itself! I really wanted a statue of David in my garden, and shopped around for a few months, but I couldn't justify the 300 or more dollars it would rob from my plant budget. It occured to me the large statuaries must have items that had broken, and sure enough there was an entire section full of broken statuary. Immeadiantly I spotted a statue of David that I liked above all of the others I'd seen. Closer examination revealed that the statues head had broken off, and it had been sealed back in place. A few words with the owner and a negotiated price of $100.00 left both of us happy!Second had shops often have great trellises, and metal art, and of course off peak season at Nurseries, or end of the year sales often yield some good deals.Big Lots often have terracotta items that I will buy, and then water proof with sealers and paint. I have a gryffon that I've had 3 years now, having only re-sealed it again last month, still in great shape, original cost $20.00 plus the sealers and paint.
Gardeners are easy to buy gifts for. We are happy to get anything related to gardening, as we surely are able to put the gifts to use. Thinking along this line, it can be a great way to get that expensive piece of art, much like folks register for a wedding at certain stores, you can have folks contribute to your piece of garden art when asked what it is you want for christmas!
Sadly, for those who live in neighborhoods where individuality isn't encouraged in the name of tidyness, you'll have to have to enjoy your creativeness behind tall fences!
In the end, I'm delighted when other people enjoy my garden and it's art, but it is designed for me, and take no offense when others do not share my view. Here are some of favorite places to find garden art[http://www.designtoscano.com/home.do]Design Toscanothis is where I buy my Greenman sculptures and faeries. You can't beat the price for the quality, and they NEVER wear out in the weather.LocallyMarshallsHobby LobbyBig LotsFor larger items, the broken statue section at Fraizers statuary.
If you would like more information about this blog feel free to email me at,
jungle.heights@gmail.com
JUNGLE HEIGHTS