Lilies

by angela@diggingbliss | May 27, 2007 | Uncategorized

It’s hard to believe lilies are so easy to grow. The energy and beauty stored in their bulbs makes me appear to be a more attentive gardener than I am. I just plant and water and wait for the show.

Grow-off, Show-off Kitchen Gardening Contest

by angela@diggingbliss | May 24, 2007 | Uncategorized

Check out this contest sponsored by Kitchen Gardeners International (KGI) and Mother Earth News.

How to enter
Entries must be received by 5pm Eastern, November 1, 2007. All entries must be submitted using the official entry form and submitted either by e-mail to info@kitchengardeners.org or by snailmail to Kitchen Gardeners International, 3 Powderhorn Drive, Scarborough, Maine, 04074, USA. E-mail and early entries are encouraged.

KGI will be posting entries on their website as they receive them.

Red orchid cactus

by angela@diggingbliss | May 18, 2007 | Uncategorized

From a single passalong cutting (thanks, Cheryl and Cheryl’s friend), came this obscenely beautiful epiphyllum. I don’t know its species and/or cultivar name because it was given to me as “red orchid cactus”. Who cares, though, right? It’s just… wow.

Want to see how it looked last May, and want to see the Mother Plant? Click here. Mailorder sources for epis include:

Don’s Epiphyllum World

Also check Ebay sellers.

Calandrinia grandiflora

by angela@diggingbliss | May 18, 2007 | Uncategorized

Calandrinia grandiflora, commonly known as Chilean rock purslane, is one of my new favorites in the garden. It’s new to me, anyway. Last summer or fall, I spotted it in bloom in one-gallon cans at Emigh Hardware. The fleshy, silvery-grey foliage reminds me of sedum (another fave), but you will be pleasantly surprised by its delicate, clear pink poppy-like flowers, held on nodding wiry stems up to 2 1/2 feet tall.

Despite a few frosts and freezes here in Carmichael this winter, C. grandiflora wintered over nicely up against the southern side of my stucco house. It receives bright, lightly filtered light next to my lath patio cover. According to a Dave’s Garden member, it propagates from separated “rootballs” which should callus over for a few days before re-planting. Haven’t tried that yet, but I am experimenting with tip cuttings as well. Oh, and you can buy it at Annie’s Annuals.

Today’s bloom