Gardening... With Chocolate?

Have I mentioned the word "Chocolate," yet?

Chocolate flower  Berlandiera lyrata

The photo at right and description below were taken from the Plant Encyclopedia at BHG.com   "You'll be searching for a chocolate bar after catching a whiff of chocolate flower. A fragrant North American native perennial, chocolate flower blooms with gusto nearly year-round in warm climates and from May to October cool-climate regions. Its small daisy-shape flowers exude a fresh-baked-brownie fragrance. At home in meadows, wildflower gardens, and beds and borders, chocolate flower grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It prefers slightly dry soil and will flop over if the soil is too moist or rich with nutrients.

Note: While chocolate flower is hardy, gardeners in the Midwest, Northeast, or Northwest may have trouble overwintering this plant if it stays too moist and rots.

Light:  Sun,Part Sun; Zones:  4-10; Plant Type:  Perennial;  Plant Height:  To 2 feet tall;  

Plant Width:  To 2 feet wide;  Flower Color:  Yellow/Gold;  Bloom Time:  Spring, Summer, Fall;  

Landscape Uses: Containers,Beds & Borders,Slopes;  Special Features:  Flowers,Fragrant,Drought Tolerant"

My sister, sister-in-law and I each purchased one from Peterson's Greenhouse in Swaledale, IA last year.  Here's what mine looked like last Summer...

 

Chocolate Cosmos Cosmos atrosanguineus

  The photo at left and the following description were taken from The Garden Helper.com   "Chocolate Cosmos can also be grown in containers provided that a high quality planting mix is used.  The dark maroon flowers appear on wirey 18 inch stems from June until frost and produce a pleasant chocolate scent, especially on warm evenings."

"Growing Requirements for Chocolate Cosmos Plants:  The Chocolate Cosmos plant is a tuberous perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 7-10, but with excellent drainage and heavy winter mulching it will often survive the winters in zone 6.

Chocolate Cosmos should be planted in full sun, in rich well draining soil.  Apply a good all-purpose fertilizer when new growth appears and again at mid-season.  Always remove the spent flowers promptly for continued blooms.  If you have doubts about the plants survival, you can dig the tuber just as you would with Dahlias.  Once the foliage has died back, carefully dig the clump, cut the stems back to within 2 inches
of the tubers, and store them in slightly moist peat moss in a frost free place.

Plant Propagation:  Chocolate Cosmos can be propagated by division of the tubers.  To produce a new plant, each tuber must have an eye (the new growth bud) which appears at the point where the tuber connects to the main stalk.  Using a sharp clean knife carefully separate tubers.  Discard any damaged tubers and any that don't contain an eye.  Place the tubers in a bed of sawdust or vermiculite, inside a cardboard or wooden box. Store them in a dry area where the temperature will remain at about 40 degrees F. 

Check your tubers periodically during the winter for signs of shriveling (moisten the storage medium),
or for mildew treat with a dry fungicide.  Replant Chocolate Cosmos tubers 6" deep and 12" apart in the spring."

While I've never tried this plant, I believe this should be on my "2013 Wish List!"  I'd probably try one in a pot and another in the ground.

Rodgersia  Rodgersia pinnata 'Chocolate Wings' 

Information and photo (at right) was taken from a site called Perennials.com.  "With its bold, divided leaves this forms an exotic-looking clump that adds a unique foliage accent to any moist border. It produces big plumes of deep-pink flowers in early summer. Leaves begin deep cocoa bronze in spring, later changing to dark green. Plants prefer a moist, dappled shade setting, but will grow in full sun at the waterside or any other constantly moist site. Useful as an architectural specimen plant. Water during dry weather. USPP: unlicensed propagation prohibited.

USDA Zone: 4-9;  Sun exposure:  Full Sun or Partial Shade;  Soil type:  Normal, Sandy, or Clay; 

Soil pH:  Neutral, Alkaline or Acid;  Soil moisture: Moist;  Care level:  Moderate; Flower color:  Deep Pink;  Blooming time:  Early to mid-summer;  Foliage color:  Bronze;  Height:  27-35";  Width:  35-39"'  Growth rate:  Slow.   *Rabbit-resistant."

From chocolate flower farm.com came this information:  "New & exciting Rodgersia with ever changing moods, as its foliage emerges brown and goes through stages of green and bronze to return to chocolate-bronze as the season progresses.  Plenty of pale pink flowers deepen gradually to burgundy-red, adding another dimentions to the intrigue.   Cultivation:  Partial Shade in moist, well-drained, fertile soil.32" High with 30" spread.  Hardy to Zone 4." 


I planted Rodgersia 'Chocolate Wings' Sept. 13, 2008 (photo at left).  I cannot believe it's been that long ago, already!  It did pretty well, however by the end of August last summer, it'd "had it" with the dry, hot weather and lack of constant moisture!  He didn't show up this Spring. 

I never experienced the deep coloration described in the chocolate flower farm article, but my plant was in dappled to shady conditions.

I'd love to try again, if I can work it out!!!  Moist is not good enough... it seems, from further reading, it loves to be moist to boggy.  I continue to struggle with my ligularia plants... especially during the drought-like conditions we've experienced beginning with last summer!

Lastly, have you tried cocoa bean hulls?  They're not so good in shady areas, unless you spread a very thin layer... just so you can have the chocolate aroma!  ;-)  They're great in sunny spots, as they'll dry out after a rainfall and/or watering and not mold or mildew.  They're a rich addition to the soil, as well.  They break down fairly quickly.  Try it!!   You might like it!!  lol.

Gardening has not been very rewarding (or beautiful or fun) once summer arrived.  I continue to envision very dry soil with deep-down parched roots...  I'm doing my best to keep everything limping along, but it's not really enough... and the water bill was high this past month!  I did appreciate the two recent rainfalls - 1/10th and 2/10ths of an inch, a few days apart.  They filled my 3 rain barrels each time, so that was well loved.  :-)

SG

Perhaps I just need a chocolate bar?  ;-)

Central Gardens, Clear Lake, Iowa

(The photo above was taken last summer)

On July 17, 2012

I visited Mom in Clear Lake, Iowa.

These are some photo highlights I took while visiting Central Gardens.

They began these gardens "from scratch" several years ago 

with advice from Reiman Gardens (Ames, IA) staff.

Central Gardens, from what I understand, is run by a huge staff of volunteers.

Enjoy!

These are some plantings inside the front gate.  I believe the hydrangea, behind the hostas, 

is the one planted last year in memory of my dad.

The garden fairy below was created two years ago from bicycle parts.

There were creations all over town made from bicycle parts,

in honor of RAGBRAI*

(Des Moines Register's-Annual-Great-Bike-Ride-Across-Iowa...

check it out.  Here's a link!)

Did you finish your piano lessons?  Here's an opportunity to play in public!  :-)

 

Enjoy the next few photos!

See the "circle" in the background below?  It's a great space for public gatherings...

You can see people in the right corner - just for perspective on the distance.

 I love these sunny-looking daylilies!  

Do you know what they are??

 Ever been to Clear Lake, Iowa?  It's worth a trip!
SG

We Received 3/4" Rain Last Night!

 

It makes a person SOOOOO happy!

The * rain barrels * are again full!

I hope it happens again soon.

Thanks for the prayers.

Thank you  LORD!!

Amen!

:-)

Lions and Tigers and Bears? No Way!

It's HEAT (106 or 109 degrees F today, depending on who you talk to), and DROUGHT, and STRESS - Yes, Way!

And it's not pretty.  Beginning with August 2011, we received Very little rain - true drought conditions in this little part of SE Iowa.  With our mild winter and lack of precipitation (3 light snowfalls), we entered into Spring 2012 severely behind in ground moisture.

We haven't had more than 3/8" of rain during the past 4 weeks!  And very little before that.  We've been watering, and watering, and watering.  I'm happy that I have 3 rain barrels.  Three times they've been full and I've been able to use the 150 gallons nicely.  But when it doesn't rain, I water a LOT... and I'm not sure I can continue.  It's still only July.

Traditionally, the heat index waits to hit the high 90's to an occasional 100 degrees F (1-3 times at most?) during August.  Whew!!  We've been in an oven and I'm about ready to try that egg on the sidewalk soon!!  (I cannot begin the count the number of times we've been in the high 90's and 100's during June and July!  We even had a week of 90 degree F weather in March!!)

Everything has taken a hit, but the Raised Beds began Spring 2012 minus a few special plants...

July 26, 2009

Left forefront: Obedient Plant; behind: Rudbeckia; behind: Phlox;

right center: 'Jacob Cline' Monarda; behind:  white platycondon (balloon flower)

July 21, 2011

before last year's drought...

Phlox

  Rudbeckia

July 25, 2012

Here's the hardest hit area of my gardens...

but believe me, everything is suffering!

Phlox bed in the background with the rudbeckia bed on the left.

The forefront, left to right, shows a sad daylily, the balloon flower, the chelone (turtle head).

A person can only haul, sprinkle and hose water over only so long a period of time

before some choices must be made...

If it would only rain.

And here's where the guilt sets in:  Yes, I need rain.  But the farmers... oh, those farmers that produce so much food... need it so very much  more!

SG

Cultivating Friends, Making Memories

Cultivating Friends, Making Memories

  July 12, 2012

Gloriosa Lily -  Gloriosa supurba

If you were to ask me to name a few favorite plants in my gardens, I would say without reservation that many of the “Number-One-Top-Favorites” are those received from special people in my life. Gardening lends itself to the creation of memories: memories of “plant forays” to nurseries, trips to interesting and/or notable places, and most especially, cultivating relationships with friends and relatives.

For example, my parents have shared many plants (what about that large-flowered, pale yellow daylily my dad and I purchased in Mason City many years ago? Upon returning home, we divided the plant so we could share it!) Not only did I receive daylilies, phlox, Virginia Bluebells and several other herbaceous perennials over the years, but also raspberries, asparagus, strawberries and rhubarb.

My Aunt MEA also has shared many plants over the years including: two varieties of phlox, several hostas, lily bulbs, a fern leaf peony, two varieties of Ginger, Blood Root and Geum triflorum (commonly called Purple Smoke).

Following a quick walk around the yard last night, I found I’ve received daylilies from Joan, Clustered Bellflower from Marty, Ostrich fern from Chris, Bleeding Heart and Glory Lily Gloriosa supurba from Kris, Hosta from Neil, Gooseneck Loosestrife from the church, and Heuchera from Connie. I hope I haven’t left anyone out!

A few very special items have been received from fellow Garden Bloggers. Because I’ve maintained a garden blog for over five years, I’ve “met,” through our posts and communications, gardeners not only from many states, but also several countries. We share information, inspiration, seeds and plants (we trade!). I’ve received seeds for Tennessee Coneflowers from Gail (Tennessee resident), Ligularia seeds from Jim (Ohio), Queen-of-the-Prairie from Kathleen (Colorado), Monarda plants from IVG of Des Moines, and several unusual plants from Iowa Boy of Iowa City.

“Landmark memories” might include nurturing the love of gardening in a child, the year of hardscape and landscape improvements, memories may involve such things as weather conditions or a battle with “critters.” What about garden parties, birthdays, graduation and wedding celebrations?

Whatever your interests or activities, take a walk around your yard. Perhaps you’ll find you’ve already created some pleasant, long-lasting memories. Gather some friends, share some plants, and make a few more special memories.

Happy gardening!
(Article written for and published in local newspaper)

Speaking of Umbrellas...

... here are the beginnings of the "Great Artists of the Garden series!"

And the lengths to which we go to aid and abet our gardens in the extreme heat and dry weather!  ;-)

Perhaps I'll be able to provide photos of each of the finished products!

Perhaps a little "shady!"
SG

July "Jumped the Gun!"

These blossoms aren't used to 100+ degrees Farenheit for over a week in early July!!

So something else has "popped up" in the garden!

In Iowa, if we ever HAVE 100 degrees days, they happen in August.

LOL
Guess you might say this is a "shady" subject! 
SG