October Red

Carolina Rose seems like a strange name for the New York State flower but that is the reality.  Now more than ever before the actions undertaken by politicians seem to be devoid of logic or general benefit.  Monetary donations to campaign funds appears to be the ruling force.  How that factor influenced the selection of our State Flower remains a complete mystery.

We found this native plant growing along the fence line separating our land from our neighbors.  We secured his permission to dig on his land if necessary.  As it turned out, the desired plant was totally on our land.  A single pink flower carrying a deliciously sweet scent is this rose's claim to fame.  We are pleased to have it in our garden but it deserves a better location.

This close up shows both the prickly surface of the red rose hips and the long thin sharp thorns that line the stems.  These thorns pass through gloves or sleeves with ease delivering a painful stab.  We need a location for this plant that is far away from routine cultivation.  Hand weeding under this plant is always painful.  That is why that task is seldom completed.  We are still searching for a good spot for this plant so it remains in a nursery bed.  Actually, most of the original plant has spread into the nearby stone path where it attacks lower legs.  Beauty often comes with a price and in this case the price is pain.

Sumac is a more docile plant that is held in general disregard.  These trees are short lived and messy.  We have this trash tree defining our shade garden near the road.  At this time of year its red leaves are stunning.  During the summer they provide a shade cover that appears to be tropical.  Soon both the leaves and the stems that hold them will drop to the ground.  The fallen leaves are not a problem but the tangle of cast off stems is messy.  Since we plant under these trees raking up the mess is out of the question.  What is required is some quiet time under the trees picking up individual stems.  That is not a bad way to spend some quiet outside on warm blue skies days.  We also get to check on the progress of recent transplants.

Nothing But Good News

With nearly all of the snow melted, a garden walkabout was necessary.  We focused on plants that had done well under the snow.  It never fails to amaze us that plant life goes on under the snow in the dead of winter.  I'm dressed in snow pants, a head hood, an insulated hoodie and gloves and it was necessary for me to go inside after a very short time outside.  That makes me feel weak by comparison.

My Great Grandfather gave me a clump from one of his chrysanthemums when I was about 13 years old.  His garden was located in southwestern Pennsylvania while I lived in upstate  New York.  The difference in climate zones and the inattention typical of young boys combined to end the special gift.  Now that I am older and slower, chrysanthemums continue to present problems.  They simply prefer warmer conditions.  Mammoth pink is the name of this plant.  We nearly lost it last year but it is still here.  A loose mulch applied now would vastly improve the likely hood of survival.   After my hands warm up I should go and do that today.

Pinxter is a native shrub whose scientific classification remains muddled.  This plant was taken from the wild here while most plants that are written about were found well south of the Mason Dixon Line.  Its Latin name may be in doubt but as a garden specimen it is wonderful.  The open and empty seed clusters point to seed production and natural dispersion this year.  Come spring we will be cautious when weeding in this area.  New plants from seed would please us no end.  We believe that the buds contain next year's flowers.  We eagerly await the chance to wrap ourselves in their sweet scent.

Blue Lobelia exists in our garden because it is a close relative of Cardinal Flower.  Blue Lobelia grows like a weed here while Cardinal Flower needs our help to just hold on.  This clump of the blue was levered out and thrown to the side awaiting removal.  I did not get back to finish the job and this clump just continued to grow and flower totally on its own.  It needs to be moved to a larger and wilder location.

This clump of Cardinal Flower grows inside of the stone square.  Early this spring this clump will be dug and divided.  Each plant will get its own pot which will be moved into the basement when frost threatens.  The difficulty associated with keeping this plant alive is part of its appeal.

The red hips mark the location of our Carolina Rose.  This is a native wildflower and is the New York State flower in spite of its southern name.  We found it growing along the fence line and moved it into the garden.  It spreads freely by long underground runners.  This plant also needs more room to grow.  We are preparing a place down by the road where our New England Asters, Black-eyed Susans and this rose can freely grow.  But now I need to place mulch over the chrysanthemums.