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September Surprises

It is always a thrill to stumble across a plant that I may have forgotten about or one that does something unexpected. That has happened several times over the past weeks.  First, the vine pictured above is the Eastern Prince Schisandra vine ( Schinensis chinensis ), also known as "Magnolia Vine".  I purchased it in May of 2023 from One Green World in Portland. I don't know what attracted me to it, other than the fact that I'd never heard of it before and the description sounded nice.  I didn't forget about this plant; in fact, it has grown quite vigorously up an archway at the entrance to our woodland path. It shares space alongside the rose 'Lamarque'.  I did forget that it produces berries, so I was surprised when I looked up and saw them dangling over the top of the arbor.  The berries are used in Chinese medicine. They are called the "Five Flavor Berry" and said to have five flavors in one - sweet, salty, bitter, tangy and sour.  Chinese le...
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Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby - a book review


Publication Date: April 12, 2022 (Cool Springs Press)

In his first English-language book, Danish floral designer Claus Dalby shares his passion for creating colorful containers. 


Dalby's containers are simplistic in design. He uses minimal plants per pot and often only one plant species. When massed together, however, his displays create a stunning effect. 
 
 
His garden in Denmark encompasses fifteen hedged garden rooms themed by color.  Large groupings of pots are positioned in tiers in displays by walls, fences and doorways. The pots change with the seasons and tulips, dahlias, daffodils and annuals are central players. He covers every color theme and notes some of his favorite plants.

 

  
Although the "how-to" aspects of planting and maintaining a container are not in-depth (his potting soil mix is a professional blend not available to the average customer), the photographs are beautiful and reason enough to recommend the book.



 

Photos courtesy Cool Springs Press
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