Zone 7 gardening: May 2008

Sunday, May 4, 2008

The Russian River‘s Secret Horticulture

Surrounded by carnivorous eating plants was not a situation I’ve experienced in my past visits to the wine district of Northern California. In mid February I traveled to the Russian River area of Sonoma County to explore a few of the less well known gardens and parks.

First I visited the Sonoma Horticulture Nursery, which specializes in rhododendrons and azaleas, along with a wide selection of shade-loving trees, shrubs and perennials. The eight plus acres of nursery and gardens are open all year to visitors. Azaleas and rhododendrons cover the hills which surrounded a shaded pond. The azaleas were beginning to bloom and I was tempted to purchase several. The owner Polo bought this nursery in 1976. He is proudly showed off a few of his 20 to 30 varieties of magnolias and his swamp garden with weird Cypress knees rising out of the muck. <http://www.sonomahort.com/>

I lunched in the secret garden patio at the back of the Mosaic Restaurant(http://www.mosaiceats.co/). Enjoying creatively prepared vegetables gathered from the owner’s garden and other local farms.

Not far away is the Armstrong Woods State Reserve(http://www.parks.ca.gov/) with hiking and driving paths through majestic redwoods. Check out the 1400 year old redwood “Colonel Armstrong”. I was sorry to miss the rare Calypso orchids which were not yet in bloom. Also I did not have time to visit the coast which was ablaze with masses of blue irises.

In Sonoma County it is impossible to escape the rolling hills crisscrossed by rows of vines. In the spring the mustard plants add a golden swath between the vines. Many wineries have developed gardens with plants and herbs that match their wine varieties. In these gardens you are encouraged to walk with glass of wine in hand and taste the plants matching the taste and smell of their wines with certain herbs..

Some wineries have elaborate gardens which are used for wedding and events; others offer quiet maze like paths. Kendall Jackson Wine Center has an educational herb garden and Korbel is known for its rose garden.

Russian River resorts also offer delightful gardens and unusual plants. I stayed at the “green” Creekside Inn & Resort which is surrounded by redwoods (one a rare albino) and is near the Russian River. Lynn and her handsome sons are knowledgeable about the area and created delicious breakfasts and snacks. Their cabins, one-bedroom apartments, units, and bed & breakfast rooms are environmentally friendly. Their cottages are wheelchair and dog friendly.

The Sonoma Orchid Inn, a 1906 farmhouse bed & breakfast inn is owned and run by Brian and Dana who are avid orchid collectors. Orchids are displayed through out the Inn and their greenhouse displays their award winning rare species including their own hybrids.

The Village Inn & Restaurant(http://www.villageinn-ca.com/) was custom built in 1906 as a private vacation home. The lovely landscaped gardens offer views of Russian River wildlife and mountains. Their restaurant offers Classic American cuisine created with fresh seasonal ingredients from their organic herb garden and local Sonoma farms.

Returning to Virginia I bought a Venus fly trap at a garden show. In California I had learned form Peter, the owner of California Carnivores, that most insect-eating plants are local to the wetlands of the east coast from Canada to Florida. Since the wetlands have been drained; only small protected areas still support these plants. I have visions of restoring a river bank and small bog behind my house with these plants. If you are interested in these sci-fi type plants; visit his store in Sebastopol or buy one of his books.

Feb. gardening notes cont.

February is the month to prune! The tree and shrub branches which you pruned can be forced to display lovely blooms and foliage, a reminder of approaching spring. Prune fruit trees and other deciduous trees. Old lilacs can be cut back to one foot, but they should be mulched, fertilized and water for 3 years to develop a compact flowering shrub. Also hollies can be heavily pruned down to a foot. Prune summer blooming shrubs, such as beauty bush, butterfly bush, Hydrangea, Nandina, crepe myrtle, and Rose of Sharon. Prune vines. Grape vine cuttings may be saved for making wreaths. Deciduous bare-root trees can be planted about a month before the last freeze. Mulch your tree to a depth of 3 or 4 inches at a distance of 3 inches from the trunk. Don’t neglect your vegetable garden. I read that one can replant the roots from leeks. In 60 to 90 days you’ll have a new tasty plant. The next time I buy an organic leek I will be sure to plant the roots in my garden. Will let you know the results. Last year I planted a few store bought organic cocktail tomatoes which had rotten and they grew into a healthy plant. Also cut one of the eyes off your potatoes and plant. You can have a wonderful vegetable garden with out buying seeds or young plants. Bluebirds are already checking out homes. So clean birdhouses and put out new houses in open fields on post about 5 ft. high. If you place a nearby feeder stocked with mealy worms; you will have a better chance of the bluebirds to taking up residence. Don’t forget to feed all the wild birds, which will soon be nesting.

January Gardening Notes cont.

Also indoors start germinating seeds of Petunia, Portulaca, Salvia, Snapdragon and Verbena. All take 8 to 10 weeks before their seedlings are ready to be planted in your garden. Sprinkle poppies seed in snow.

Even in the winter you should weed. If the weather is too miserable; then study your garden catalogues and plan for the arriving warm weather. For a fun and informative read, Susan Orlean’s “The Orchid Thief” will entertain you with her experiences with orchids and obsessions in Florida.

October Notes cont.

This is the month for a fall cleaning of your yard. The foliage of tall bearded and Dutch irises should be cut down to 2 inches and added to your compost pile. Also add your raked leaves to your compost pile. Diseased plants should be burned or put in the garbage. Compost will reward you with rich soil to add to your garden. If your vegetable garden suffered heavy insect or disease invasion then (after discarding the plants) turn the soil. The fresh air will help prevent the insects and diseases from returning next summer. Otherwise let the dead plants and vegetables remain in your garden until spring, because beneficial insect have laid their eggs on these plants. You do not want to discard the dead plants until after the insects have emerged in the spring.

If the soil dries out; then keep watering your container plants, camellias and azaleas. Shrubs can suffer winter damage if they are allowed to dry out. Also water your new seedlings and pansies. Mid-Oct should be your last fertilizing of shrubs and trees. Only fertilize English box every two or three years.

Due to our drought, even with this recent rain pounding on the ground, trees have dropped their leaves early. So the colorful fall leaf display is diminished. We may not receive our first frost until next month. Before the first frost, dig up your sweet potatoes. Also pick your green tomatoes.

Now is the time to cut wood for your fireplace. Gather the dried seed pods which have fallen from magnolia trees. Place these pods in a basket next to the fireplace to use as kindling.