A trip back in time with Amsonia tabernaemontana, starting with today and looking as far back as the middle of spring:
Monthly Archives: October 2013
Yes, I did it.
A podcast … about gardening.
Click on the link below … and listen … if you dare
 |
| Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ |
 |
| Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ |
 |
| Miscanthus ‘Variegatus’ |
 |
| Grass on grass action – Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ and Miscanthus purpurascens |
When I shop for shrubs, I have specific criteria that I cannot compromise on. The shrub must be deer resistant and tolerant of wet, poorly drained soil. Luckily, over the years I have found that my pool of potential shrubs is much larger than I ever originally imagined.
One of the shrubs that has joyously met my criteria and thrived for years now is Clethra Ruby Spice.
This deciduous shrub has become a personal favorite of mine as it consistently blooms like mad each summer and the scent of these blooms is other worldly. Some other tidbits on this shrub:
- Survives in zones 4-8
- Maximum size seems to average out at about 6 x 5. Mine is about 5 x 3 in year four
- Here in zone 6, the bottle brush-like blooms usually appear in early July and last until early August. The blooms are an absolute magnet to butterflies and bees, especially bees.
- This shrub appears to be cool with full sun to partial shade but from what I’ve read, can bloom in deep shade and that is all sorts of awesome
- Like all Summersweet shrubs, Clethra Ruby Spice will apparently sucker although mine has yet to do so
- Clethra are native to the eastern U.S.
Some photos of my ‘Ruby Spice’:
In bloom:
The shrub shape has been good for me and the bright green and lustrous leaves make this one look good from afar:
The seed capsules look good, post bloom period:
And fairly decent (don’t believe some of the hype), autumnal color:
Besides the somewhat underwhelming fall color, the only other possible negative is that this shrub is late to leaf out in spring. One would be wise not to place this shrub in too prominent of a location if one isn’t OK with the lack of green in spring.
Beyond that, count me as a huge fan of Clethra Ruby Spice.
What has your experience been like? Please, do tell.
I know that posting daily is a bit excessive, not to mention narcissistic, but I can’t help myself, and here’s why.
I had every intention tonight of taking photos of the newly emerging blooms on my numerous Miscanthus grasses for use in a future post:
I took this one pic and then headed in for dinner with the plan of taking some additional photos before nightfall took over.
Well that never happened …
For dinner, my wife put together a mammoth burrito for me – chicken, black beans loaded with lime juice, avocado and tomatillo salsa. Good friggin stuff. I then picked out a beer to go with it – a 750 ml (with cork) Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA. It was a trip to gastronomical and hops heaven.
Because we are enjoying warm temps for October (upper 80’s today), we were able to dine al fresco. Just my wife and I enjoying the outdoors … and a dog barking incessantly and two kids determined to break the Guinness Book of Records for annoying behavior. The more I ate, and drank however, the more I was able to tune the distractions out and simply enjoy the great outdoors.
After crushing my dinner and my fantastic brew, I felt a jolt of energy … a jolt of gardening energy. I had a pile of mulch and a pile of cardboard that has been sitting idly for weeks now, just begging to be used and tonight was the the night to finally do it. I helped clean up dinner (because I’m thoughtful like that) and headed out into the darkness ready to complete the task at hand.
It’s been a while since I “gardened” slightly inebriated and I have to tell you, it was hella fun. I literally sprinted from the pile of cardboard to the spot in the garden where it would be laid down and then back to the mulch where I then ran with the mulch filled wheelbarrow to my ultimate destination. I could barely see a thing in the darkness but I was having so much fun.
By the time I was done, I was covered in sweat and mulch and smelled like a brewery. But I was able to complete a task I’ve been ignoring for weeks now. I even planted three Itea ‘Merlot’ shrubs I “stole” from Lowe’s for only $3.99. The sense of accomplishment is unbelievable as I now sit here, showered and smelling like a rose. And I have a new found appreciation for IPA’s and gardening. I’m thinking we have a new blog idea here …
John
I have intended to get out in the garden and get my paws dirty within the last week or so but I can’t bring myself to do it right now. The onset of Fall and the fantastic coloring that goes along with it have me just staring in awe. All of the reds/oranges and golds contrast so well against the greens that are still holding true. It is such a fleeting moment in time and I want to soak it all in before it disappears in the blink of an eye. So please excuse the excess of fall foliage photos that I’ll be putting out there over the next few days.
My front bed has a great mix of all colors right now. I even enjoy the spent coneflower blooms and the few Catmint blooms that have held on for weeks now:
My entire property is blanketed by wild Goldenrod (just ask my allergy-filled wife) and they look fantastic along with the yellowing leaves on the trees:
At the back of the property, the coloring looks like rainbow sherbet and I have to admit I have no idea what is decaying perennials are providing such phenomenal color:
I love Amsonia and its phases of Fall color that start in late Summer and continue into October:
Incredible leaf color on the Hypericum ‘Albury Purple’ right now:
The Panicum (Switch grasses) are fading now but still look so damn good:
Sick of me displaying pics of Miscanthus purpurascens (Flame grass) yet?
The fading blooms of Hydrangea ‘Little Lime’ are almost better now than when they are in their “prime”:
