The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Author Archives: jmarkowski

Narcissus (Daffodil) ‘Mount Hood’

Posted on by Posted in Bulbs .

Everyone loves the daffodil.

They are the ultimate sign of spring after a long cold winter. A promise of better things to come if you will.

But yours truly is completely indifferent to the narcissus … with one exception. I dig the white ones.

A few years ago, I did my homework and determined that the best white daffodil available was ‘Mount Hood’. I can tell you from experience, they rock:  

I have always had a soft spot for white flowers (one of these days I will create a moon garden filled with only white flowers, but I digress) and Mount Hood fulfills that need.

What is interesting, is that when these daffodils first bloom (late April here in zone 6B) the trumpet is a pale yellow color:

And eventually transforms to a pure white (as seen in the two photos below):

And when the pure white state is reached, it is nirvana:
I planted a few clumps of these a few years ago and while they reliably come back and bloom each year, I haven’t seen them multiply as much as I had hoped for:

Some other nuggets of info before I get out of here:

  • Each bloom is about 5″ in diameter
  • Survives in zones 3-8
  • They reach a height of about 14″ to 18″ 
  • Prefer full sun but have thrived in partial shade for me 
  • The foliage is a fantastic blue/green color
  • As with all daffodils, they are deer resistant 

Have you grown this? Dig it? Would also love suggestions for other ‘whites’.

John  

Time to cut back the ornamental grasses

Posted on by Posted in How-to, Ornamental grass .
I don’t give a flying fig what Punxsutawney Phil said, Spring officially began this past Saturday, February 25th. 
According to MY calendar, Spring commences when I cut down the first ornamental grass. This normally occurs around the second to third week of March, but to celebrate this mild Winter (and to take advantage of a window of free time between dance class and a basketball game) I headed outdoors, battery powered hedge clippers in hand and went to town on the OG’s. 
First up, Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’:        

This is my largest ornamental grass so the “cut-back” was the most difficult. But with my pure brute strength, I laughed at the challenge.

I do worry about the big hole that is left as a result, but hope the emerging daffodil bulbs will help hide the carnage for the time being:  

Next, we move on to the Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’. These grasses collapsed in an ugly pile in late October, after an out of nowhere snow storm, and never recovered:

I couldn’t wait to slice and dice these puppies so the ugliness of fall/winter could be forgotten:

Since ‘Karl Foerster’ is a “cool season” grass, I knew it would show signs of new growth already … and it didn’t disappoint:

I also chopped back another Calamagrostis (‘El Dorado’) and was greeted with new growth again:

I even cut back a few small newly purchased clumps of Calamagrostis ‘Avalance’ (a variegated form I’m super psyched to watch mature) and yes my friends, more new, green growth:

Like Leatherface from “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” I slaughtered this Sorghastrum ‘Sioux Blue’ without missing a beat:

And boom, whacked back Carex ‘Kaga Nishiki’ and was greeted with this delicious foliage:

Northern Sea Oats was cut back in mid Fall in hopes of managing the reseeding, so no need to touch them:

Finally, I was able to contain myself and allowed this Carex ‘Cappuccino’ to remain as is because she still looks damn good:

That’s all for now.

There are still quite a few Miscanthus and Panicum in need of a haircut and I can’t wait to chop away soon.

John

Miscanthus Variegatus

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .
As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing my garden photos from the past year as I map out my big plans for this year. In a lot of ways, the photos tell a different story than what I experienced out in the garden – a welcomed different perspective. 
 
One plant I’ve come to appreciate even more through photos is Miscanthus Variegatus:     

This ornamental grass, with it’s variegation (equal parts white/green), is a welcome foil to all of the surrounding green foliage. I had no idea how many photos I had snapped of this beauty over the past year until recently. Before I share these with you, some bits of info on Miscanthus Variegatus are in order:

  • Mature size falls in the 5′ to 6′ range (a little taller when in bloom)
  • Survives in zones 5-9
  • Prefers full sun
  • Seems to be OK with most soil types including my poor draining clay
  • Is a “warm season” grass meaning the foliage starts to grow when the temps warm up later in spring
  • Flowers in mid to late September here in zone 6B. The blooms are reddish and tassel like.
  • Flopping over later in the season is a known problem due to its large size but one I’ve yet to experience.

Now on to the photos:

Here she is (far right) at about three feet tall in July:

The variegation shining through the Panicum blooms:

The foliage of Miscanthus Variegatus contrasting well behind a Viburnum and amongst a sea of green:

Glowing in early evening:

Looks fantastic back lit by the sun:

Contrasts so well with the early autumn foliage of Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’:

 

And Miscanthus Variegatus looks even better later in the fall:

 
The blooms emerge in late September:

And finally, like most ornamental grasses, Miscanthus Variegatus provides winter interest:

So what do you think? Are you a fan? Is staking a necessity?

Let me know already, won’t you?

John

I am one happy SOB

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .
Oh baby! I am getting way friggin psyched!
I love this time of year when it takes just a little bit of investigative work to find signs of spring. To the “normal” person’s eye, it’s the end of February and winter is still in session.
But to the wacky gardener’s eye, spring has fought it’s way through and there is no looking back. 
Here are some recent photos from THIS “wacky gardener”:     
The Summer Snowflake bulbs are peeking through:

And will soon look like this:

The buds on the Viburnum ‘Aurora’ are oh so subtly transforming:

Will soon look this this:

And then BOOM, you get this beauty:

The Iberis ‘Snowflake’ (Candytuft) is just starting to show it’s new red growth:

Which will explode into this in no time:

The Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Blue’ (Creeping phlox) is also now showing its new reddish growth:

Soon to be followed by this:

And ultimately this:

This pile of green mush means little now:

But it foreshadows the beautiful blooms of the Lobelia siphilitica:

And finally, I can spot the buds forming on the Crataegus ‘Winter King’ (Hawthorn):

And cannot wait to see the blooms up close and personal for the first time in a few weeks (I had this tree planted last spring).

Ladies and gentleman, the end is near. Be very excited.

John

Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ (Summer snowflake)

Posted on by Posted in Bulbs .
I have failed miserably trying to grow tulips.
I have never been able to successfully get a hyacinth to bloom … even once. 
Even daffodils have been a bit of a challenge for me. 
I was ready to throw in the towel on bulbs all together a few years ago, considering my growing conditions – poor draining clay soil, numerous rabbits and deer. 
But after a Google search on “moisture loving bulbs”, I finally found a bulb that has survived for multiple years for me, the Summer Snowflake:

To actually see a bulb peaking through the soil in early spring is a thing of extreme joy for me:

Here is some information on the Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’):
  • Size – about 18″ tall by 24″ wide
  • Survives in zones 4-8
  • Prefers full sun to partial shade
  • Typically blooms in late April here in zone 6B
  • Has been deer resistant to date

Some additional photos: 

The leaves are strap-like and glossy and form a vase shaped clump: 

As the blooms appear, the leaves and flower scapes take on a bit of an arching shape:

As for the actual blooms, each “bell” is made up of six equal petals each marked with a green dot at the tip:

While most of my bulbs are relatively young (3 years), I expect them to multiply as the years progress so I will soon be looking at some serious drifts each April/May.

The foliage has already emerged here with the warm temps and I am pumped to see how they perform.  
Now it is time to get out of here and do a Google search for some more wet tolerant bulbs …

John

Two year blog anniversary for ONG

Posted on by Posted in Uncategorized .

It has been two years since I started this blog and I thought now would be a good time to look back and reflect on all that I’ve learned (or not learned or even unlearned) since it’s inception.

  • When in doubt, leave it out. I’ve become much better at self editing but maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll include the deleted scenes on the DVD release.
  • It is impossible to take too many photos of your garden as many of my favorites have been rediscovered at a later date.
  • Ignore your neighbors when taking photos. They will eventually catch you in a compromising position and there is nothing you can do about it.
  • There is no more precious resource than time.
  • I enjoy bulbs and understand their impact more than ever.
  • What I say on this blog and what I actually do is not one in the same (see “pruning”).
  • I have become pretty damn good at making my garden appear a lot nicer than it truly is. The power of the photograph is beyond whatever I ever imagined. 
  • There is no better editor than my wife.
  • I’m too old to use the word “awesome” so much but I do need to use the word “friggin” more often.  
  • It IS possible to take too many photos of emerging spring foliage. Looking back, I even put myself to sleep.
  • I’ve learned more from your comments than I have surfing the ‘net in search of information and education.
  • You’re never as funny as you think you are.  
  • This gardening passion ain’t slowing down so get ready for another year my friends.

Thank you all for reading throughout the past two years! I never thought I’d make it this far.

John                  

Browsing the “Klehm’s Song Sparrow” 2012 catalog

Posted on by Posted in Plant shopping .

Alrighty then … the kids are in bed, the coffee is made and this tired lump is ready to park his buttocks on the couch along with this awesome looking plant catalog from:  

I’ll admit, I have never heard of this specialty farm/nursery before but a brief glimpse inside the catalog and I’m instantly hooked. Time to go to work on what I want to order.

Just need to get a highlighter and open a few web browsers on my laptop for researching purposes.

All systems a go …

First up, an incredible number of Clematis. Hmmm … I’ve never attempted to grow one and don’t know if I’m ready now either. Flowers in sun and roots in shade; type 1 vs type 2 pruning, screw this, too much work and I some times think the blooms are too much for this understated gardener. Next …

Whoa! Stop the presses. I am liking this ‘Green Jewel’ coneflower big time:    

And Mother Mary of God, I think I need this Geranium ‘Midnight Clouds’ with the purple foliage and whitish blooms:

And look at this hot SOB, Monarda ‘Purple Rooster’, yet another Monarda I cannot resist:

Deep breaths, deep breaths. Let’s continue.

OMG, this peony selection is off the charts. It is time to add some more to my small collection:

But wait, they don’t ship their peonies until Fall. Time to move on.

Daylilies … next

Hostas … LOL …. ROTFL … LMFAO … I have virtually no shade and the deer will destroy them the first night. That laugh felt good.

Variegated Northern Sea Oats … stay calm … you know these bastards reseed like mad, are you ready to pull all of the seedlings in the spring? Hmmmm …

Are you friggin kidding me? Two full pages of Tree Peonies? I am going to give these a shot one of these years, but the price tag is a bit high. Pass … for now

Seriously? Interesectional Hybrid Peonies? Brain is on overload, will research these at a later date but damn, they look all sorts of awesome.

Now I am pissed off. The Japanese Maples in this catalog are beyond phenomenal. Just look at these:

  

I know I have nowhere to put these (and don’t have well drained soil) but maybe I can get creative? This sucks.

‘Little Lime’ Hydrangea … two please:  

Holy crap’n crap, check out this variegated Tsuga and the white new growth … sold:

Wow, that was an intense trip. Glad I powered up with all of the caffeine. I’ll need some time to narrow down my final choices before hitting the “purchase” button.

I’ll be sure to share my final buys with you and their planting in future posts.

I need a cigarette.

John

Oh yeah, winter

Dreaming of Spring

Plants that die well

Posted on by Posted in Ornamental grass, Winter interest .
When you dig gardening (pun intended) and you live in a colder climate (zone 6 here), you need plants that “die well”. It is a long stretch from November to March and the search for winter interest is always top of mind. 
To me, winter interest is all about subtlety and as is the case when gardening during any season, looking natural is the key. And I’m the first to admit that I have a long ways to go in mastering this practice. But that is the beauty with gardening – we will learn until the day we die. 
For today, I thought I would share some of my “good dying plants” and “not so good dying plants” with you. Shall we?:
One of the “winter interest” staples is the classic coneflower (Echinacea). Here it is in it’s decaying glory:              

Not bad eh? I should also add I love NOT cutting down the coneflower blooms in order to feed the birds (as seen in the photo of the finch above) and I enjoy the reseeding in all of my garden beds. Coneflowers for years to come.

We also have the mother of all winter interest, the ornamental grass:

Miscanthus (Maiden Grass)
Panicum (Switch Grass)
Carex (Sedge)

Chasmanthium Latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)

Also love spent Hydrangea blooms:

The color left behind by Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’:

The native Mountain Mint:

And even the ubiquitous Sedum:

And finally my friends, love me some spent Astilbe blooms:

Nothing that necessarily jumps out and grabs you, but they all add a nice cold weather/wintry vibe. Memories of what was and what soon will be. Sweet.

But I can’t leave it all positive. Not everything looks good dead. Some ugly examples:

Lobelia

Peony
Siberian iris
Hibiscus
Let me know some of your favorite winter interest plants. Lord knows I still need some guidance.
John