5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 28th Echinacea ‘Little Annie’

Another plant receives my “Show Me NOW” Plant (New Offering With promise) recognition during KTRS’s Inside Out Show’s Featured Plant of the Week segment making it the second plant I am planning on keeping a sharp eye on to see if it is worthy of “Show Me Star” status!

The show went well with the pleasant addition of Kim, manager of Sugar Creek Gardens.

Feeling very comfortable about having another green heart on air to banter with, I didn’t feel too foolish in closing the segment asking Kim to do me a favor and put a ‘Little Annie’ aside for me to pick up today. She did agree it appears to be a very worthy perennial for me to trial, so THANKYOU Kim, what a cutie!

Culturally speaking, this E. p. ‘Little Annie’ is touted to be as sustainable as any other purple cone flower. She is described as “easy to grow” and like the rest of her family, good with average soil with average moisture and average drainage.

Most frequently the species is found in the transitional areas between woodlands and open prairie also savannah type communities. This is often a full sun to part shade situation. Cone flowers also seem able to withstand light to moderate root competition-this makes her good for my little friend Florence and her little frount door garden "Re-Do"!

If this growing description fits your landscaping, I think you should have good success with E. p. ‘Little Annie’ too!

Cone flowers as in Echinacea purpurea, is commonly described as an adaptable plant “tolerant” of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. I consider all of these “normal stresses” that our plants are likely to encounter in an average home landscape so this “tolerance” is desirable as far as I am concerned!

Keep in mind, it takes most perennials at least one full season of monitoring and maintaining moisture establish.

Because ‘Little Annie’ is considered a dwarf selection, it is considerably shorter and more compact than many cone flowers, she will be perfect for small gardens like Florence's doorstep sanctuary garden.

The plant I have currently in my possession is also growing in a in a slightly smaller flower pot than most perennials. Therefore, once she is planted, I will be watching her closer than usual for early signs of drought stress. Water is likely to drain away from her relatively shallow, “petite” size root zone.

I will also be curious to see if she has kept her attractive qualities as far as food source for butterflies and song birds. I am not sure she can maintain this tight of growth habit over a three year period. Several earlier “compact” coneflowers outgrew their height description after only a few seasons. I will let you know!

Here are some great links along with some additional cone flower information:

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=E407
Cone Flower Plant Search MoBot
Proven Winner ‘Little Annie’

On a personal note:

All this talk about ‘Little Annie’ proving her worth makes me think about my own worth. I am humbled that God loves me, knows my heart and is holding my hand these days.

Despite my imperfections, Jesus saved me. I know I will never be “trial worthy” for His Kingdom.

I pray every day that I never forget to be aware of the pretty miserable results to be gained from my own human effort.

I thank God that He reminds me of this daily. He made me, knows my name and hears me when I call. He has put wonderful people in my path to "Re-mind" me as well!

Here is a pretty song that means a lot to both my friend Beth and myself-hope it plays well for you or that you know it too!

In His Hands...Re (MaryAnn)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 21st Viburnum 'Bulk' BRANDYWINE, “Show Me NOW” Plant (New Offering With Promise) recognition

Well, I minded my manners this week and didn’t get into a disagreement with Jim on air.
I do feel compelled at times to discuss new plants but I do not wish to overstate their greatness before they have stood up to my “Re”view for whatever I think is a comfortable length of time. Remember I am a Show Me Girl!

Inspired to share my idea on the show, Jim wanted me to give a plant my Show ME Star designation to V. BRANDYWINE before it has earned it.

Any plant I brag or blog about may end up with a “Show Me Star” designation but it needs to be a candidate first.

I have decided to go “out on a limb” and call Viburnum nudum 'Bulk' BRANDYWINE, my first “Show Me NOW” Plant (New Offering With promise.) It’s not like it’s the first fairly new plant we’ve talked about but I want to start here!

I am working on the criteria but for now I suggest go with all these compelling reasons as stated on these links to honor this shrub as my first shrub to “Re”-view. I hope to find worthy of “Show Me STAR” status!

Also more great news, I have been released from the extra burden of carrying the superficies, rather pompous sounding but temporary title of “Officer In Charge of Finding Great Plants to bring to our listeners (Note: I never asked for a change)

Jim blessed me on air Saturday by returning me to my previous status as “ Special Agent”. He did this without consulting with his co-host John Shea but I hope that doesn’t nullify his decision!

This could have been his plan, maybe even sort of a political maneuver on Jim’s part since he made this” executive decision” on a weekend when John Shea was “off duty”! How slick was that! (I warned you all awhile back it seems like they both are sometimes rather whim blown!

The job demotion is for the best for me. I again showed my inability to keep up with the current off topic innuendos that sneak into the shows between calls chitchat.

Its not that I don’t care but the “boys” are hard for me to follow sometimes. This time, I it was me! I listen to Christian radio mostly where I am reassured not to press my panic buttons. Also they seem able to refrain from making fun of those who need our prayers.
I was sad to know this prediction had received so much main stream attention, and even sadder when I think” the boys” might think we reach a main stream audience!

I confess these references had to be explained to me off air! (Thank you dear)
Now for a quick prediction of my own for BRANDYWINE Viburnum is likely to be very good in our region! (I guess I am saying I am willing to go out on a limb on this one! Ha ha)

This new cultivar of our native viburnum is already wearing a “proven winner” tag, but might it really be able to prove its self worthy of my new “status category” recently announced and discussed briefly on the KTRS 550 Inside Out show.

I guess I am interested in drawing attention to some of these “new” but already “proven” plant introductions that are reaching our Nurseries and Greenhouses in the St. Louis area. This is a tough market, especially when a plant is already burdened with a heavy “proof” requirement because of marketing, branding and actually great name appeal!

Jim wanted me to give V. BRANDYWINE my “Show Me Star” designation. I agreed I need a way to help our viewers know which of these new plants I am predicting “potential greatness”. I over road his decision because I am a Show Me first girl, and I control the blog!

Here are a few links so you can check it out yourself:
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=D495
My green hearted friend The Plant Hunter/ Tim Wood
Proven Winner Link

On a personal note:
All this talk about fruit has done two things, made me grateful that fruits have no point value on the new Weight Watcher program of which I am experiencing success and ….considering how important it is to me to keep praying for the fruits of the Spirit to be foundational in my life!
Here are the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Longsuffering
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control

Looks like I am still “a work in progress” with nothing to prove on my own!

Eternally His...Re

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 14th Plant of the Week Peony

Well it seems I am back in good graces at least for now ( apparently my new “title / promotion” as Special Officer in charge of selecting worthy/great plants to Feature for KTRS’s Inside Out Show is more than a mouthful, it is also a temp position that might be dissolved at a whim!

Rather than ponder the precariousness of my new status I have decided to attempt to recall how I got here and why I agreed to do this in the first place.

Many long time KTRS weekend listeners thought this dalliance of mine that causes me to participate weekly with the Inside Out show crew was for real, job position affiliated. (Good news (but for who?) That is not so or else I would have been long gone!

I have wondered myself “how long can I keep doing this? (Mostly because you all still keep asking!)

I have been a willing participant for years of Saturday afternoons. I deal with what I know to be two great guys that are a source of usable and practical homeowner related help/ advice.

I suppose it is my sense of humor is what is actually in question-(and maybe my priorities) I have no explanation other than I enjoy the show! I do question now what was it I was lacking or suffered overages of in my childhood that makes me laugh at their shenanigans!

I do find immeasurable joy interfacing on any level with the uniqueness of creation! (Ha that is it- I am actually infatuated with oddities- and these two sometimes sound like Very strange creatures!

Now For Plant Talk:

This week I had already decided to discuss the peony, even before the caller with problems!

I was once told that the most frequent problem, rain heavy bowed flower heads and sometimes serious cases of botrytis “stems” from the want of bodacious heavily petaled blossoms and longer but weak stems that were in demand during the 1950’s flower grower focus on the florist industry.

Now we have an excess of hybrid peony flowers that can best be enjoyed in vases but might be more likely seen in mud puddles!

Solutions, support the entrepreneurship of the tomato cage makers by purchasing a few peony rings and placing them around your peonies as they break ground in the spring or better yet, be choosy and think long term enjoyment when buying peonies ( A life span of 50 years plus is very possible!)

Visit these links for more information and revisit any favorite peonies growing in our region later in the season. August and September are very telling times to get a fair assessment of a particular cultivar’s foliage appearance; many become unsightly in the garden at that time! If you fancy yourself as a collector of plants that have minimal needs and thrive without irrigation, consider joining the peony society!

http://americanpeonysociety.org/
http://www.peonies.org/index.shtml
and my favorite mail order source for Peonies , Klehm’s Song Sparrow Perennial Farms( they donated a spectacular collection for my area in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center for Home Gardening- a must see!
PS

I was thinking about bowed heads and how humble I feel when I am having a “moment” enjoying the awe inspiring beauty of a peony blossom. This yellow one was a gift from a sister of my heart friend in KC Ricki Creamer of Red Cedar Gardens,

She had also experienced a loss of a loved one and knew how my interface experience with nature would bring me face-to-face with God, who knows what he is doing!

Best ever peony plant combo: Joanne’s favorite color was yellow! I have my peony planted where it can echo the same soft palette of colors that are in Missouri native columbine, Aquilegia canadensis and the more citric color yellow of my swallowtail butterfly host plant Zizia!

Eternally His…

MaRe (Re)

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday May 7th Plant of the Week-Fringe tree

The growing season and moods of my co-hearts are leveling out-thank goodness. I am not sure but I think I even got a promotion from Inside Out’s “Special Agent” to “Officer In Charge” of bringing great plants to 550 KTRS listeners.

It was nice to feel good about the show since I was feeling a little upset when I realized they were just around the corner on location but they hadn’t invited me to join them on location. They were at Hackmann Do It Best Hardware Store in St. Charles, apparently surrounded by beautiful handing baskets! (why would they even think I would like that?)

They seemed to think I was joking when I said they hurt my feelings, so clearly they don’t understand how much I enjoy their company. That is ok, because I am already just way too happy to have their attention each week for even a few minutes, just to talk about plants!

Surprise, I always chose a personal favorite. This week I talked about Chionanthus virginicus or better known as Fringe tree. I have a female Fringe tree, from Greenscape Gardens planted in my sister’s memorial garden at St Louis County’s Sailboat Cove.

This tree, when in full flower, is very recognizable. Her frilly petticoat fringe flowers are very distinct and sweetly fragrant. Her leaves are a clean apple green and stay attractive throughout the growing season.

I am finally starting to see them around the “fringe” of the city but several have been long time residents of Tower Grove Park! I visited a few grouped together at the edge of a lake at the City Hall of the City of St Peter’s. It is a beautiful park I enjoy frequently with my grandson. It is great to be able to point to so many several great plant groupings. They are for the most part visable and easy to enjoy. I invite all our lissteners to find such a treasure and consider keeping a log-just for fun!

This is a tree worthy ofa quick "drive by" enjoyment as well as close up/ lingering pleasure!

Follow these links and see if you too can find a place for this great tree that not on the fringe of your property! This Missouri native tree that is definately doorstep worthy! (They are easy enough for the "average "homeowner,with "average" soil conditions to have above average results! side note: Fringe tree also tolerate very moist rain gardens and once established some drought!)

Here are a few Fringe links:

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plantkey.asp?key=Cornus%20florida

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/com.asp?code=C120

photo credit Lisa Francis / Missouri Botanical Garden


PS

I was thinking about “fringe” and its many meanings and how much I feel like I am more on the “fringe these days as well. One of my favorite daily radio shows on Bott Radio is “Living On the Edge” with Chip Engram. He has a great way of describing how to survive the challenges of Fringe Living- hope you take the time to listen to him sometime!

Eternally His…

Mare (Re)

5550 KTRS Inside Out Show Saturday April 30th Plant of the Week-Easter Lily

Well, it seems the KTRS 550 Inside Out Show is hitting it stride just as spring waffles around- oh well I guess both the weather and the show at times are a challenge to predict!

This week’s show seemed to have the perfect recipe of inside jokes, friendly teasing and most importantly valuable information, still lightly interspersed with… let’s say “tidbits” of personality that added a bonus of flavor- Good Job guys---oh and gal!

Yes, perhaps the show’s soft touch should be credited to Debbie Rose, of Collier, Thompson and Shea Construction who was sitting in with them and holding her own! Way to go Debbie!

Jim McMillian of Rolling Ridge Nursery was in his most professional mode and took a good amount of time with me discussing the horticulture attributes and all the “need to know” details about the featured plant family- Lily. Kudos to Jim!

He did such a good job that that I think the show maybe got behind for a few minutes but was able to catch up and end on such a high note that I had several comments over the weekend on what a good show we had! (Please don’t give me the credit-or the blame. I only do what I can, when I can, however I can. Sometimes it works!)

Here are a few Lily links:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/lily/lily.html

Easter Lilies,

Lilium longiflorum

PS

My personal connection to the Easter Lily is based on a specific attribute that it has that reminds me of how I have been drawn in my walk of faith.

Some lilies, particularly the Easter Lily has a most wonderful scent. My typical response to a pleasant fragrance has always been to seek its source; I have frequently felt completed to comment the minute I have detected a pleasant odor- to whoever is listening.

Sometimes, my nose experience was similar to others and in starting a dialog, sharing a moment or a memory; I opened the door to a wonderful heartfelt connection.

I am frequently amazed at the number of people I have met in such a simple way. I suppose everyone starts out as strangers until they share.

A moment of shared enjoyment for me has lead to a verbal exchange that became a conversation, and then to life long relationships. I value these “friend making moments” as so many have changed my life!

I have been drawn close to some special people in my life because of what we have in common but most recently I have found that plants have given me an opportunity to share the sweetness of my faith. I hope that it has been as much of a blessing to them as it has been for me. I hope to always be able to look at the Easter Lily and humbly admit my best “white” effort in this life will always be dingy compared to His perfect White.

Eternally His…

Mare (Re)

Come see me tonight at the next Bloom and Groom event at Oma’s Barn .