Spotted: Front yard rock people in East Sacramento
Now you see ’em…
‘Sungold’ tomatoes in November
… soon you won’t. As November weather goes, this has been a warm one. In fact, I haven’t even pulled some of my summer veggies yet. See my ‘Sungold’ tomatoes? They’re still tasty and going strong, even though I’ve switched to cool-season crops and frost will come. Soon, I must remind myself.
Persian shield, coleus, cuphea, cyclamen, etc.
I planted the same plants in these front porch pots, but varying sun exposure favored the tropical looking Persian shield on the left and coleus on the right. I love both heat lovers and am happy to have memorial photos because soon they will be nothing but a mushy memory.
Dahlia imperialis
My tree dahlias– which I’m renaming two-story dahlias because they’re 20 feet tall– have a chance to bloom if these warm temps continue!
The garden is pretty much taking care of itself right now. It has to because I’m busy with Thanksgiving plans and other stuff.
Impatiens balfourii seed collecting
The last of my Impatiens balfourii plants, commonly called Poor Man’s Orchid, are going to seed. This somewhat obscure Himalayan annual has seed pods that, when ripe, explode when touched. That makes for some pretty challenging and often comical seed collecting.
My friend Weeder gave me seeds a few years ago and because I. balfourii is a reliable reseeder, I haven’t had to replant. Her mom planted seed many, many years ago on the family ranch in Carmichael and Weeder has cultivated them– or they’ve cultivated themselves– since taking over the property after her folks were gone. Since she took over the property, not the seeds. Now that she’s in the process of selling the place to a developer, we’re both collecting seed to save and share around.
I’ve gotten pretty good at catching seeds in my left hand while gently pinching a pod with my right hand at the point where the pod connects to the stem. That seems to be the trigger point. Weeder reported that she caught a fair number of seeds recently… in her hair. The rest made it into a paper bag.
I’m playing around with making custom seed packets using coin envelopes (Office Max, Office Depot, etc.) and printing my own labels.
I wondered if it would be easy to find I. balfourii seeds online and it’s not! Select Seeds doesn’t have them. Annie’s Annuals sells the plant, but not at this time. Thompson & Morgan? Nope. Johnny’s? Nope. J.L. Hudson? Nope. Hortus Botanicus? YES! I shouldn’t be surprised. This super coolest of nurseries in Fort Bragg, CA has lots of amazing plants.
On Dave’s Garden, two DG members want it and one has it for trade. I’d be interested in knowing if other garden bloggers are growing it and where they obtained seed. Did you buy it? Was it passed along by a friend or family member?
I suppose Poor Man’s Orchid could become invasive under the right circumstances, but unless you have nothing but shade and moist soil, it should remain a well-contained and welcome rarity. The plants are easy to pull but are so pretty that you won’t want to.
Meet one of my new favorite plants– Cuphea melvillea
Weeder gave me this Cigar Plant (Cuphea melvillea) for my birthday in July of ’06. Look how well it’s done in dappled sun next to the house. I love its tubular pinky yellow flowers and so do hummingbirds. I also love its height range of 4-6 ft. It’s kinda floppy and not at all formal which just makes me love it even more. We’re pretty sure it came from Windmill Nursery, but which grower? Annie’s? Blooms? Proven Winners? Where’s that damned plant tag?
January 16 edit: I now think this is C. micropetala.
Tree dahlia bud watch, 2007
My tree dahlias (Dahlia imperialis) have grown taller and taller each year. Yikes! Of my three main canes, one snapped but two remain. Threats against this November bloomer include wind and frost. Both fingers way crossed.
I’d like to train them to bloom a little lower to the ground, but I’m not sure of the best time to head them back.
Wish me luck!
Angela’s Stock Photography
