ARE THEY WEEDS

Weeds are plants which grow where they're not wanted. If this is a true definition, the six feet tall mullein in the midst of my garden is not really a weed. It's the tallest plant in this part of the garden, it adds definition. I think it looks exotic not weedy and is an enhancement. then there's the Queen Anne's Lace, so delicate, so beautiful. How could I consider it a weed! I have placed cut stems of Queen Anne's Lace in slightly diluted food coloring and watched the flowers turn colors. What an interesting little project to share with your children or grandchildren! Goldenrod grows along the roadside but I like using it as a nice backdrop for my containers. I introduced Joe Pye Weed, another roadsider, into my garden two years ago and I love it. Last year I posted about Evening Primrose, a "weed" and a thug. But watching its lovely yellow flowers open in the evening is as thrilling as watching 4th of July fireworks. These are just a few of the "weeds" that reside in my garden. They require constant monitoring but the extra work is worth it.

CONFESSIONS OF A PLANT ADDICT

I don't remember planting that. Whatever happened to ....? Where did I plant....? Those are my gardening season laments. Only a true plant addict could understand the planting frenzy that takes place in my garden between last frost in May and first frost in October.

There are the plants from the garden centers that I can't resist even if I have no room for them. There are the "pass-alongs" that I can't say no to. And the volunteers, who would toss out a plant that elected that special place in your garden to take up residence. Why can't I keep track of what's growing in my own garden and why don't I know the names of every plant.

I've tried keeping a garden log. That lasted about one day. I kept a journal for about one week. I tried taking pictures of each plant as I planted. Aha, I never matched the photos with the plant tags. I've come to the conclusion that I'm unable to keep track because knowing exactly what plants reside in my garden beds is just not that important to me. I love surprises. I have no interest in the predictable or the mundane. I don't mind (too much) if Black-eyed Susans pop up in the middle my beautiful pink Turkscaps. Do I need to know the name of a plant to appreciate its beauty. I consider it fun and a challenge to search out the identity of the inevitable mystery plant.

Added to that, I like wildflowers, Chicory, Queen Anne's Lace, Milkweed, Goldenrod . Weeds, maybe to some, but I like to include them with my cultivated plants. Oh, and then there are the exotics. I love Brugmansia, Banana, Canna, all of the summer bulbs, anything unusual. Of course the exotics and bulbs require handling and care after the outdoor growing season. And then there are the houseplants, some of which are cuttings from summer annuals. Would you believe I've even collected a few Orchids.

Oh no, it's now becoming clear, my passion for plants is getting out of control. I'm becoming a four season plant addict. HELP!!

WHAT'S IN A NAME

I just read an article about plant names. It wasn't about the fancy smansy or cutesy names hybridizers use to identify their new crosses. It was about the old fashioned names "just plain old folks " called their common, everyday plants.

"Kiss me over the garden gate"...how do you think Polygonum orientale earned that moniker! My research shows this plant is from China and was first grown by Thomas Jefferson in this country. Hmmm, is that a clue? Was Thomas Jefferson responsible for the name? The plant is described as having large, heart-shaped leaves and long, drooping spikes of rosy blooms that arch gracefully on stately, tall plants. Can you picture it draping itself over a peeling picket fence?


"Lady's Mantle", Alchemilla molis, was originally called "Our Lady's Mantle" because the scalloped shape of the leaves, were thought to resemble the mantle (cloak) of the Virgin Mary.


"Queen Anne's Lace", Daucus carota, is so called because the flower resembles lace; the red flower in the center represents a blood droplet where Queen Anne pricked herself with a needle when she was making the lace.


"Moon Flower", Ipomoea alba is so called because it blooms in the evening; the flowers open quickly at dusk and remain open til morning sun. The white moon flowers are pollinated by night-flying moths. A close relative of moon flowers are "Morning Glories" which open in the morning so they can be pollinated by bees and other day-active insects.


Then there are all the "wort" plants, such as spiderwort, lungwort, leadwort, St John's wort. The "wort" indicates the plant has medicinal/healing purposes for the condition or complaint mentioned in the first part of the name. If you're wondering about St John's wort, here is the explanation, it was used to ward off evil by hanging the plant over a picture in the house during St John's day.