Dirt Therapy

A Guide to Medieval Gardens - Gardens in the Age of Chivalry by Michael Brown White Owl Books, c2022 I would imagine that working as a garden historian would be a wonderful job. European gardens during the last few centuries would offer plenty of resources, records and physical evidence to draw from.  However, going way back in time to the medieval period, presents many challenges. As author Michael Brown notes, there is just not a lot of sources to consult. There are precious few books and records that survive (and probably not that much written in the first place). Archeological excavations are rare and what is discovered basically reveals only the framework.  The remains of the garden at Tintagel Castle near the village of North Cornwall. (Photo by Michael Brown) Most evidence of these gardens come from visual sources such as paintings and tapestries. And even then, only two survive that we painted in England. The Virgin Mary, baby Jesus and various Saints in "The Litt...

Cyclamen coum The snow and ice are history (for now) and the weather is a lot different this week. Yesterday was a balmy 50 degrees and sunshine. It was a great time to work in the garden and assess what the storm left. Whenever freezing conditions arrive, my mind always goes blank when it comes to what needs to be covered. I know I should make a list but of course I never do. A few plants automatically come to mind but there are those that have been in the ground for years and I assume they are safe. Here are some that I made note of after it was all over and finished. For the most part, I think most everything looks okay but of course, damage sometimes takes a while to show up. Illicium parviflorum 'Bananappeal' (Anise)- I just planted this last year and it isn't in a protected area with the exception of a fence, but it is on the south side. I covered it with protective cloth. I was very concerned about the other anise -  Illicium floridanum  'Woodland Red' - I no...

The snow and ice melt has been slow going but it looks like it might finally be out of here this weekend. There has been some sunshine today but temps are only 36 so the ground is still covered. Every time we have weather like this, the two plants that suffer the most are my favorites (of course!) - the Azara ( Azara microphylla ) and the Strawberry Tree ( Arbutus unedo ). I had major damage on the Strawberry Tree from the heavy snowfall we experienced in April 2022 . The poor thing has emerged from that onslaught nicely although it still looks out of whack. This time, there was no damage that I can see. The Azara had been staked with heavy-duty supports following that 2022 snowfall after it was literally laying on the ground. This time, it remained vertical. However, the long branches were splayed in every direction - I knocked the ice off the best that I could but was worried that the branches would break on Thursday night considering we were under the threat of yet another ice event...

Winter weather continues as the snow remains on the ground from the weekend. Last night, we got ice. Here is how it looks this morning - Today, we are finally climbing above 32 degrees after being below freezing for five days straight. Temperatures in the 40s are predicted today and it should be all be over for now. Alabama got some snow too. Although our winters are similar, snow is a rarer event there. A lot of times it is predicted and nothing happens. I can't tell you how many disappointments I had as a kid, waiting for that predicted snow and school closing, and waking up to bare ground outside.  In reading comments on social media, I find people's reactions amusing. First, there is excitement and anticipation. Then a day after it comes, they are ready for it to be over.  As long as I have power, food and books, I'm fine with it and I don't mind being cooped up for a few days. I'm like a cat, as long as I'm cozy, I'm happy. I'd prefer not to go out ...

We are in a prolonged freeze with snow cover (I am guessing 3-4 inches).  Thankfully, this was a dry snow. It all started on Friday night with the majority of it hitting us yesterday. The temperature plunged to 18 where it remained all day with a constant snowfall. Actually, I am appreciative of the snow since it will help insulate plants during this long cold spell. It may be Thursday before we climb above 32 and freezing rain is predicted for Tuesday. We had advanced warning and I covered some plants on Friday.  I was more concerned with the hummingbirds and it is an endless job trying to keep them unthawed. At present, we have six feeders in the garden. I brought four of them inside for the night and the other two, the ones that are the most difficult to access, I covered with fleece that Michael rustled up for me. The next morning, the two feeders left out were frozen the next morning, but not solid and the hummingbirds were using them. I've been following that same cycle ...

Growing amaryllis is easy and fun but every year it is a fight to keep them upright once they begin to bloom because the stems are too tall. I read about a technique, discovered by Cornell University, and it works. The trick is to give them a dose of alcohol. Any alcoholic beverage is fine - vodka, whiskey, etc., anything but beer. Wait until the stalk has emerged two or three inches and then water with a solution of 1 part alcohol to 7 parts water. You can also use regular rubbing alcohol, but the ratio is different - 1 part alcohol to 11 parts water. The alcohol limits the growth of the stem to one third of the normal growth and results is thicker, sturdier stalks. And, who knows, maybe it makes the amaryllis happier? Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

This unusual tree sat unnoticed at Yard N' Garden Land for at least two years before I finally rescued it and brought it home. I had admired it for a long time but knew nothing about it and found very few details about it online.  It is xSycoparrotia semidecidua - I have not seen a common name - and it is a cross between the Chinese Fighazel ( Sycopsis sinensis ) and Persian Ironwood  ( Parrrotia persica ). As the Persian Ironwood is one of my favorite trees in the garden, this looked promising.  During the growing season, the leaves are thick, dark green and glossy, very similar to the Ironwood. For me, the fall color has been bright yellow, but orange is mentioned in descriptions. The fall color arrived very late, well into November, and the yellow color has become brighter with time. The leaves are beautiful now, in early January, and brightens up the wooded border along the back fence. I have yet to see flowers,...

2024 has arrived and it was such an unusually sunny day. Just gorgeous! I stopped making resolutions years ago but one thing I want to do (I'm not calling it a resolution) is to do more walking. I've been walking around the neighborhood for the past few weeks but decided to try a nearby trail and so happy I discovered it.  Burnt Bridge Creek Trail is only 1/2 mile from our house. I've passed by the entrance a million times and never realized how beautiful and extensive it is. The trail actually stretches about 8 miles, all the way over to the east side of Vancouver with breaks along the way. I walked the first trek, which ends on Hazel Dell Avenue with a total distance of 1.5 miles. Turning back made a total of 3 miles so I felt pretty good with myself. The trail is fascinating because there are a number of varying characteristics along the route. It starts out at the Fruit Valley Road entrance where there is a boggy area that is populated with ducks. The paved trail leads ...