tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61133171733761524872024-03-17T09:16:39.734+01:00garden at heartgardening blog proposing themes concerning landscape design, plants, gardening, garden architecture, flowersrosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-18364884063253890712015-03-10T18:53:00.000+01:002015-03-10T18:53:32.375+01:00Souvenir D'Italie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some recent pics taken around Reggio Emilia and Milan...<br />
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an unusually sweet scented Cammelia in pale shell pink<br />
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Pink Cammelia in stone tub<br />
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a terrace in Reggio<br />
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The Tea Rose florist in Milan<br />
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The sweetest smelling violets offered by a most elegant and gentle friend... </div>
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Dear friends,<br />
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Two month ago, I was strolling back home one evening and just passed by a garbage dump where somebody ( probably someone who moved out) just deposited a whole load of plants. There were some big Scheffleras and a chopped huge Yucca :-( and many other smaller plants thrown away on a heap!<br />
Since I felt quite sorry about all these poor plants, I started looking for something I could possibly save. No question about caring home a huge yucca alone, but at a second and eve a third glance... there it was: a quite big <b>Dendrobium Orchid</b>!!!<br />
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It didn't look like much at first - orchids never do when they are not in bloom, but it looked like it was full of tiny little flower buds. I obviously took it with me and one and a half month later I got a wonderful reward!!!<br />
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I guess, at this stage, it has earned itself a very good place in my home. We call it "Trovatello" alias the Foundling. And now I have lo learn how to care for it, since I'm not very good with orchids...<br />
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Let me know if you have any tips and tricks for growing Dendrobiums or if you ever had experiences with rescued plants.</div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-82041746355405554472014-12-21T17:55:00.001+01:002014-12-21T17:56:05.967+01:00Christmas Preparations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Materials Old lampshade, moss, ribbon, Christmas decorations<br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-16960873460235201122014-10-01T20:24:00.001+02:002014-10-01T20:24:17.959+02:00Tree encounter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week strolling around the city I found this beautiful, still small, blooming <b>Bauhinia </b>or <b>Orchid tree</b>...<br />
Such a welcome change among the sempiternal maples and purple plum trees! <br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-82202943854493628152014-09-23T09:46:00.001+02:002014-09-23T09:50:09.002+02:00Autumn Abundance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just check the size of these onions...seen the other day in Barcelona! The ones besides, are not cherry tomatoes.</span></div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-41623581879033228612014-06-24T09:55:00.003+02:002014-06-24T09:55:45.989+02:00Why Don't You: Trellis Ideas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Old ladders</b> make great trellises<br />
for beans and other climbers. ( wish I'd have one...)<br />
Anchor it well into the ground and paint it in a matching/contrasting colour for an extra zest!<br />
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Have You ever thought about discarding a broken <b>patio umbrella</b>? Well, why don't you<br />
remove the fabric, bury the handle (make sure it's well fixed)<br />
in the ground and use it for a trellis.<br />
Wonderful for small climbing roses and clematis. Watch out not to use it for heavy climbers!<br />
I guess, Wisteria and Golden Trumpets are not really a good choice.<br />
A small type of Lonicera or Morning Glory could work too.<br />
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Rusty old brass or <b>iron headboards</b><br />
make wonderful garden trellises. So next time you stroll at a neighbouring brocante, keep your eyes open.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All images are not mine and are found on Pinterest</span>
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-67809265126018371772014-05-15T19:13:00.000+02:002014-05-15T19:14:56.785+02:00What's blooming now: Iris Deltoides<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi friends,<br />
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This is a terribly busy month so my posts are really very skinny, but here are some not very good pictures of a lovely <b>Iris Deltoides</b> that re bloomed after 3 years of self imposed pause...<br />
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Ok, after re potting it during the last house move, one of my cats elected it as her favourite cat grass... Yes, cat brains work in a mysterious way... so my poor Iris was reduced to a dry stump.<br />
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Now it has regained some strength in a large pot shared with a Pennisetum and some fire red Crocosmias.<br />
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Delicate, porcelain white blooms with a painted yellow and purple accent.<br />
Stems and leaves are very upright and<br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-19600897039973704242014-04-06T10:48:00.000+02:002014-04-06T10:48:10.784+02:00Spring cleaning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Spring has definitely settled in so there is some cleaning an re potting due!<br />
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I have sampled over the years a small family of 4 <b>Phalaeanopsis Orchids</b> which once the flowering time was over, just found their way into a shallow basket where they happily thrive - producing way more (healthy) leaves than flowers...<br />
I had many other orchids too, but I had to find out that I am not really an orchid person - or maybe they don't fancy the climate of my living room and I am not too eager in transforming it into a hothouse either. So gone are the Dendrobiums, Miltonias and Catleyas I frequented for a short period.<br />
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But Phalaenopsis are tough girls and as I told you, they happily produce new luscious leaves and even keikys - those tiny orchids babies and everything. It's just the flowers they are less eager to repeat, but hey, gardeners never loose hope!<br />
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So here I decided to re pot and clean them and settle them on a shadowy terrace for the coming summer.<br />
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So this is how they basically looked like before the whole operation started.<br />
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I decided to add some sphagnum moss and a bit of bat guano to the regular bark, just to see if they like it better than the plain bark I used before. The bat guano was recommended by a website specialised orchid products...<br />
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This is how they looked like once I discarded the old bark.<br />
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I empirically mixed the bark with a handful of moss and a dash of guano... since everything happened in the kitchen I went on exactly the same way I do my cooking - using a lot of free inspiration!<br />
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And this is how they look like once they have been re potted and bathed with luke warm water to clean the dust and some annoying mealy bugs... This one is 4 years old and has bloomed twice since I have her, but I would love to convince them to get a bit more industrious on the blooming issue.<br />
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The whole program will be continued with Orchids fertilizer 20-20-20 and some nutritional complements (phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and algae). Well see how it goes.<br />
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If anyone should have some tips about growing orchids at home - <b><span style="color: #38761d;">and making them bloom</span></b>, please share your tips with me!<br />
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For the ones in Italy, I highly recommend two absolutely fantastic Orchid growers: <b>Orchideria Morosolo</b> on the Lago Maggiore and <b>Nardotto e Capello</b> near Ventimiglia which not only have an incredible selection , but who are absolutely lovely and passionate about their work! <br />
http://www.nardottoecapello.it/</div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-16915086698735251092014-03-23T12:46:00.002+01:002014-03-23T12:47:50.544+01:00What's blooming now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi folks! Finally my <b>Fortuniana Rose</b> is in full bloom! White pompoms cover the long, arched branches, which try to climb into the nearby tree.<br />
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The <b>Clivia </b>isn't doing bad either! This one has been rescued literally from the dustbin, but now it seems to be a very grateful girl! Five bloom stalks in her second year after the rescue maneuver, And never asking for any special treatment.<br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-88331407516211515042014-01-21T10:44:00.000+01:002014-01-21T10:44:01.591+01:00What's blooming now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hi there my friends! It's been quite a while since my last post...<br />
So let's celebrate this year fist the first blooms and a nice harvest of Buddha Hand or Fingered citron,(<i>Citrus medica</i> var. <i>sarcodactylis</i>) .<br />
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The perfume is just wonderful and I have trouble at the thought of cooking them... I think they will sit there for quite a while, to be admired.<br />
The poor plant suffered a massive cochineal attack ( grrrr x!x%#/¿!) last year, so it is a wonder that it has still managed to produce four big fruit ( the other two are still hanging on the plant).<br />
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The shy Christmas Hyacinths bloomed their head off a couple of days later<br />
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The beloved Yuletide Camelia behaved well and bloomed generously, considered that Barcelona has not the perfect camelia weather... Summers are too hot and they struggle, but this is what they get so I'm happy with them anyway.<br />
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I just love Yuletide, that bright and clear shade of red! Blooms not too heavy.<br />
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Talking about harvesting, a nice bowl of wild oregano and serpolet thyme (the one that flavours all southern French stews) to store for cooking.<br />
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My precious gardening helpers at their favourite "in and out" game</div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-13122401176952341982013-12-25T17:10:00.000+01:002013-12-25T17:10:24.281+01:00Merry Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">LE VERT-GALANT:</span></b><br />A very festive-looking cocktail special from New York’s Le Vert-Galant Restaurant.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You need: </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 small scoop raspberry sherbet<br />½ oz. cognac<br />Chilled champagne </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stir the sherbet and cognac together in a tulip-shaped champagne glass. Fill with champagne and stir quickly. Yield: 1 serving.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jhj7l5ii6w/UrsCrK4F1lI/AAAAAAAABr0/5ZX_DKi3Z2o/s1600/6d238cbfe9d9cc1ecfef20d1eceaefd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jhj7l5ii6w/UrsCrK4F1lI/AAAAAAAABr0/5ZX_DKi3Z2o/s400/6d238cbfe9d9cc1ecfef20d1eceaefd3.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<strong>CHRISTMAS RED:</strong>1 ½ ozs. gin<br />¾ oz. Campari<br />1 tsp. grenadine<br />Tonic water, chilled<br />Lemon slice<br />
Pour gin, Campari and grenadine over ice in a rocks glass. Stir well.
Fill with tonic water. Stir once. Garnish with 1 cherry. Yield: 1
serving.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Cheers folks and Merry Christmas to you all!!!</span></div>
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-50190198825720806232013-12-15T19:16:00.000+01:002013-12-15T19:16:37.083+01:00The enchanted world of Rudolf and Leopold Blaschka - The forgotten glass flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In times were Internet and Wikipedia give us instant answers for any possible quest and millions of accurate pictures of plants and animals fulfill our curiosity for scientific detail, there is an stunning and incredibly poetic collection of painstakingly accurate botanical models created of glass - the artwork of two Bohemian glass artists in the name of <b>Leopold </b>and <b>Rudolf Blaschka.</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faRt0w6u-r8/Uq3ovJ9XmKI/AAAAAAAABrQ/53J791NdfEY/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faRt0w6u-r8/Uq3ovJ9XmKI/AAAAAAAABrQ/53J791NdfEY/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_ZPFo1xYHo/Uq3osRtDIGI/AAAAAAAABrI/tOZwEwB8wYw/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_ZPFo1xYHo/Uq3osRtDIGI/AAAAAAAABrI/tOZwEwB8wYw/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Apple Blossoms</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
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The <b>Ware Collection of Glass Models of Plants</b> represents 847 plant species painstakingly and accurately
crafted by father and son glass artists duo for didactic purposes. </div>
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Hardly known by the big public, the Blaschkas also produced an impressive collection of sea animals - especially invertebrates, jellyfish, sea anemones and microscopic organisms. Part of the marine fauna collection is stored at the Trinity College in Dublin for which it has been crafted. </div>
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Their colorful glass
replicas captured in every detail the liveliness of organisms usually reduced to
shapeless blobs in jars of alcohol.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvblFEOMJ1s/Uq3wyhxLMCI/AAAAAAAABrc/Z3Nd5GbQBG4/s1600/jacaranda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvblFEOMJ1s/Uq3wyhxLMCI/AAAAAAAABrc/Z3Nd5GbQBG4/s400/jacaranda.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jacarranda </span></div>
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Originally
charged with creating just a few models, the Blaschkas signed an
exclusive contract with the <b>Harvard University</b> to produce a collection of over 4,000 glass
models, working from 1886 through 1936. 3,000 models are on display,
and just one model of the angelica tree includes some 2,500 individual
buds and flowers. The models also include remarkably accurate anatomical
sections and enlarged flower and fruit parts. Leopold Blaschka’s actual
work bench and tools are on display in the gallery. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHkgpduUTVc/Uq16AdDCZ5I/AAAAAAAABqE/62fm9Sjqrks/s1600/Rudbeckia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHkgpduUTVc/Uq16AdDCZ5I/AAAAAAAABqE/62fm9Sjqrks/s320/Rudbeckia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Rudbeckia</span><br />
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The nearly 3,000 models were made by the two men over a period of 50 years. Heirs to a long tradition
of glass-working in Bohemia, they had moved to Germany and established a
studio outside of Dresden.</div>
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The Blaschkas' glass sea creatures drew the attention of Professor
George L. Goodale, the first director of <b>Harvard's Botanical Museum</b>. He
had been searching for a better way to represent the flora. "Flowers are
perishable," he explained at the 1890 dedication. "When dried they are
distorted, when placed in alcohol they are robbed of their color."
Drawings, while "spirited and truthful," were flat. Wax flowers or
papier-maché, often used in funeral wreaths, were "exaggerated and
grotesque."</div>
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Goodale believed glass models were the answer and in 1886, he met the Blaschkas in their German
home and started a lifetime collaboration. The results is this absolutely stunning and enchanted world of hyper fragile yet immortal glass flowers.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBwe8iG_KV4/Uq16K6BYz4I/AAAAAAAABqw/Qho4kN6dcKs/s1600/waterlilyondisplayweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBwe8iG_KV4/Uq16K6BYz4I/AAAAAAAABqw/Qho4kN6dcKs/s320/waterlilyondisplayweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Waterlily</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjjCL8AQhZ0/Uq16FIKAs4I/AAAAAAAABqU/fPIry9oQMdg/s1600/flytrap+Nepenthes+Sanguinea..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjjCL8AQhZ0/Uq16FIKAs4I/AAAAAAAABqU/fPIry9oQMdg/s400/flytrap+Nepenthes+Sanguinea..jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Flytrap - Nepenthes Sanguinea.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NO69wyEXE-A/Uq16GtQKRGI/AAAAAAAABqc/3m-p3kr9kV4/s1600/P1120889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NO69wyEXE-A/Uq16GtQKRGI/AAAAAAAABqc/3m-p3kr9kV4/s320/P1120889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fig branch and sections</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enZOgpvjcEo/Uq16IS56bGI/AAAAAAAABqk/PEbj3Z8ND5Y/s1600/P1120976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enZOgpvjcEo/Uq16IS56bGI/AAAAAAAABqk/PEbj3Z8ND5Y/s320/P1120976.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Okra flower</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_gsKeEce88/Uq16SNDO0qI/AAAAAAAABq0/qP9oqqeMODY/s1600/apple_400-s3-c85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_gsKeEce88/Uq16SNDO0qI/AAAAAAAABq0/qP9oqqeMODY/s320/apple_400-s3-c85.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Glass apple with branch</span><br />
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all pictures are from the Harvard site <br />
<a href="http://www.huh.harvard.edu/libraries/glass.htm">http://www.huh.harvard.edu/libraries/glass.htm</a></div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-61725885632075337812013-12-02T16:47:00.002+01:002013-12-02T16:49:20.156+01:00Books for Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've just ordered theese books for Christmas ( oh, yes, I am indulging in self gifting <b>;-)</b> ) since there is not much left to do in the garden and a good read is just as pleasant.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Weeds: In Defense of Nature's Most Unloved Plants by Richard Mabey<span style="text-transform: capitalize;"></span>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Any Day, by Henry Mitchell</span></b><br />
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Mitchell is the late author of the Washington Post gardening column and author of some of the most delightful and witty gardening books<br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-16120173676243940652013-11-25T16:24:00.000+01:002013-11-25T16:24:54.815+01:00Cornucopia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week I've been on a trip to Italy. In spite of pouring rain I went to a local market in Reggio Emilia and this is what I saw:<br />
Baskets and loads of local, antique fruit, pumpkin and kale varieties in an abundance which would have been fit for any Flemish still life painting ( see my previous post).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EZarrtmrqvM/UpNpLLt9eHI/AAAAAAAABoA/vns9Cj_aT7E/s1600/IMG_2661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EZarrtmrqvM/UpNpLLt9eHI/AAAAAAAABoA/vns9Cj_aT7E/s400/IMG_2661.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Green Cabbage and Black Tuscan Kale<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjqyqR3wbb8/UpNpP2DFrXI/AAAAAAAABoI/fk5f4dmLPU4/s1600/IMG_2665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjqyqR3wbb8/UpNpP2DFrXI/AAAAAAAABoI/fk5f4dmLPU4/s400/IMG_2665.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
Black Tuscan Kale<br />
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Pumpkins and squash<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GauZYBFrMQc/UpNpc3KMoRI/AAAAAAAABoc/ZFAYG2t00gY/s1600/IMG_2664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GauZYBFrMQc/UpNpc3KMoRI/AAAAAAAABoc/ZFAYG2t00gY/s400/IMG_2664.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Old pear varieties and quinces<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APBpNHIc4zo/UpNp1PVrBhI/AAAAAAAABo4/tXsihd2F7Us/s1600/IMG_2669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APBpNHIc4zo/UpNp1PVrBhI/AAAAAAAABo4/tXsihd2F7Us/s400/IMG_2669.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Local "Campanein" apple variety<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O26xreC_rLA/UpNp5sm1QII/AAAAAAAABpA/1vHw3YCTmhY/s1600/IMG_2683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O26xreC_rLA/UpNp5sm1QII/AAAAAAAABpA/1vHw3YCTmhY/s400/IMG_2683.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Redder than ruby pomegranates!<br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-79276185567880578822013-10-06T19:25:00.000+02:002013-10-06T19:25:06.001+02:00Autumn Mood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmw_ULsvl58/UlGaXzymD4I/AAAAAAAABmY/tCbiDGiPMmw/s1600/1380113_552998034755521_1908734645_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmw_ULsvl58/UlGaXzymD4I/AAAAAAAABmY/tCbiDGiPMmw/s400/1380113_552998034755521_1908734645_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Louise Moillon, 1634 Still Life with Bowl of Curaçao Oranges<br />
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Balthasar van der Ast, 17th century, Still Life with fruit and shells<br />
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Juan Fernandez "El Labrador", 17th. Century, Still Life with Grapes</div>
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Frans Snyders, 1630 Dettail of Still Life with Grapes and Game</div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-67057986211349651802013-09-30T18:37:00.004+02:002013-09-30T18:37:45.088+02:00Event: Orticolario<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A truly beautiful garden event at the Villa Erba on the Como Lake, next 4-6th of October.<br />
This edition is dedicated to Dahlias...<br />
more about this event on: <b>www.orticolario.it</b><br />
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http://www.orticolario.it/index.php?pag=152<br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-87431596752469006102013-09-10T19:12:00.000+02:002013-09-10T19:12:17.074+02:00Have some fun in the veggie garden!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're definitely heading towards autumn - it's official by now! I'm not particularly happy about it, but there is a good side to it too: the new seed and plant catalogues we start to devoure voraciously until we make our next planting choices.<br />
I do not grow vegetables myself -( I do grow lots of herbs) and yet I cannot but feel a sort of childish curiosity and wonder for this unusual fruits and vegetables! If I'd had a real garden and lots of space I would definitely try some of these garden weirds just for the fun of it.<br />
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<b>Cucamelons or Mexican Sour Cucumbers</b><br />
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<b> Lemon Cucumbers</b><br />
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<b>Asian Winged Beans</b> ( No idea how to cook with them, but there should be plenty of tips in the huge Internet sea)<br />
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<b>Pretzel Beans</b><br />
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<b>Parisian Round Carrots</b> - probably pain carrots, but aren't they just cute?<br />
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<b>Honey Queen Raspberry</b><br />
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<b>Hungarian Black Peppers</b><br />
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<b> Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes</b><br />
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<b> Watermelon Radishes</b><br />
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Now there is definitely no excuse for not eating up the vegetables!<br />
You can find the seeds at the heirloom seed producers.<br />
Check out this site if you are looking for heirloom seeds:<b> http://empowured.com/seed-saver-sources-organic-gmo-free-non-hybrid-untreated/</b><br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-80650977780787457412013-08-21T09:59:00.003+02:002013-08-21T10:03:00.390+02:00holiday readings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I guess most of us are away on a well deserved summer break and there is nothing sweeter than browsing through a good book while relaxing.<br />
So here are two books and a truly lovely magazine that caught my eye:<br />
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While the first two books are written by two giants of landscape design who hardly need any introduction, the third is a new online and free magazine I came across through a Facebook friend and magazine collaborator. It is called <b>Blossomzine</b> and is a truly delectable reading! <br />
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Blossomzine is a digital quarterly magazine, entirely free and dedicated to anything green,
from gardening to design, vegetarian and traditional cooking, fashion,
botany, and flower bouquets worth reading. Its bilingual edition in Italian and English makes it accessible to a wide range of public.<br />
<b>http://blossomzine.eu/</b></div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-80259624009653543912013-08-06T20:06:00.000+02:002013-08-06T20:06:20.189+02:00Plant Profile: Watsonia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been an awful long time since I have been posting... work and a truly rotten season, due to facade renovation works, which brought my plants to the verge of mere survival, have kept me away from my appointments with you, my virtual gardening friends!</div>
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Now, a couple of days before holidays, things have become a bit more relaxed and I can dedicate time to my writing.</div>
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So, do you know the <b>Bugle Lily</b>? The first time I have seen Watsonias, those truly beautiful South African plants, has been at the Barcelona Botanical Garden. They were planted in fat clumps on a mild slope and the sight was really of the most lovely. The blooms in shades ranging from white to dark pink were forming generous bunches.</div>
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Watsonias own their name to the 18th century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">British</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanist" title="Botanist">botanist</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Watson_%28scientist%29" title="William Watson (scientist)">Sir William Watson</a> and are a member of the iris family.</div>
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Though endemic in the South African <i>fynbos</i>, they happily adapt to the Mediterranean climate, but some can cope with a wider range of conditions, mainly continental climate with
summer rainfall. . An easy and uncomplicated perennial, the Bugle Lily has been neglected by mainstream nurseries to favor the much better known Gladioli for reasons which I honestly don't understand. Their erect growing habit, not needing any staking or support makes them a far better acquisition to any garden, unless you dislike plants that bloom without fuzz for weeks on!</div>
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The species grows from corms.
It is dormant in summer and grows in winter, which is the rainy season
in its native habitat. It has tall strap-like leaves growing in a fan
arrangement. It may grow up to two metres tall.</div>
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It flowers for up to 4-5 weeks in spring, which makes it a really interesting plant for perennial borders.</div>
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The most commonly cultivated species is the pink-flowered <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watsonia_borbonica" title="Watsonia borbonica">Watsonia borbonica</a></i> and its white mutant 'Arderne's White'. These were crossed with <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watsonia_meriana" title="Watsonia meriana">Watsonia meriana</a></i> and other species in the early 20th century by breeders including <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cronin_%28Australia%29" title="John Cronin (Australia)">John Cronin</a> in Australia and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank" title="Luther Burbank">Luther Burbank</a> in California to produce a wide range of cultivars.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdOL72feFjQ/UgE4_sHinHI/AAAAAAAABiY/g7WnY3b6R3E/s1600/watsonia_wedding_bells_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdOL72feFjQ/UgE4_sHinHI/AAAAAAAABiY/g7WnY3b6R3E/s400/watsonia_wedding_bells_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
W. Wedding Bells (Lamble Nurseries)<br />
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W. Marginata Alba</div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-14457648019884982692013-06-14T13:11:00.002+02:002013-06-14T13:11:22.491+02:00Seasonal disaster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear folks, I haven't been posting for an awful long time now....<br />
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Some very nasty (and much longer than initially previewed) facade renovation works - distressed my dear little plants - so this season there will be little going on on my terrace.<br />
So sad this might be - from a gardener's point of view, of course - my dear green babies are slowly recovering.<br />
After month on end with barely any light, now the weakened creatures have to stand a terrible red mites attack. I wonder if this will have an end?<br />
Meanwhile, while waiting for some sparing blooms I send you all my greetings in form of this funny cartoon about cats and gardening: <b> </b><br />
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<b> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kWuIGAZ1x2I</b><br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-66091917282777718012013-05-12T19:11:00.000+02:002013-05-12T19:11:04.665+02:00Something for the library<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.verticalfarm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.verticalfarm.com</a><br />
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-41205420230176931782013-03-25T09:59:00.000+01:002013-03-25T09:59:52.716+01:00Plant Profiles: Lotus Berthelotii<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Although this year spring is not quite willing to install itself in many parts of Europe and winter seems not to loose its grip, we all are already thinking about our summer plantings and can't wait to assault the local nurseries, planting schemes at hand, in search for the new plants.</div>
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Well, if you like me, are not into pot geraniums and plain daisies there is a plant worth knowing : the <b>Lotus Berthelotii</b>, also known as<b> Coral Gem</b>, <b>Parrot's Beak</b>, <b>Cat Claw</b> and <b>Pigeon Beak</b>.... In spite of all this animal related names, the Lotus B. ( no relationship whatsoever with the Nelumbo - water Lotus) is a very interesting plant originate from the Canary Islands, Tenerife and Cabo Verde.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nV_3milan_c/UVADxdrmODI/AAAAAAAABds/MRlnHIQohFI/s1600/81562090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nV_3milan_c/UVADxdrmODI/AAAAAAAABds/MRlnHIQohFI/s320/81562090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m73kSgCFl8c/UVAGfGb-KYI/AAAAAAAABeU/tkvOPFVge2g/s1600/800px-Lotus_berthelotii4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m73kSgCFl8c/UVAGfGb-KYI/AAAAAAAABeU/tkvOPFVge2g/s320/800px-Lotus_berthelotii4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A member of the Fabaceae Family, the Lotus is not fully hardy and stays green only in mild Mediterranean areas. In colder climates it is grown as an annual. It has a trailing growing habit and if it pleases itself in a spot, it can grow to impressive dimensions.</div>
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Parrot's beak is a trailing tender perennial or warm weather annual vine
that grows to 8" tall but spreads to 2-3' wide or more. Where not
winter hardy, it is grown as an annual in containers or hanging baskets.
It features soft silver-gray leaves and sharply-contrasting, pea-like,
crimson flowers. Leaves are divided into needle-like leaflets (each to
1" long) that are spaced along the stems in attractive whorls (3-7
leaflets per whorl). Stems will spread to 2-3' long or more. </div>
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Its claw like flowers come in two colourings a orange yellow or deep velvety red ( which I prefer). Foliage is very light, a nice glaucous and mate blue grey. This was actually the main reason I bought it a couple of years ago. I came across a tiny plant which looked not very impressive at all. But since I was looking for a silvery leaved plant - I decided to give it a try. And boy, what a surprise! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBq5IzVwNz0/UVAD0lvSL4I/AAAAAAAABd0/bdghRBMLcm0/s1600/Pico+de+paloma+1+(L.+berthelotii).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBq5IzVwNz0/UVAD0lvSL4I/AAAAAAAABd0/bdghRBMLcm0/s320/Pico+de+paloma+1+(L.+berthelotii).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNfM_Bifzp8/UVAD1UPM0_I/AAAAAAAABd4/U0f9q-7cRnE/s1600/lot01640x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNfM_Bifzp8/UVAD1UPM0_I/AAAAAAAABd4/U0f9q-7cRnE/s320/lot01640x480.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tiny and frail it seemed at the beginning, but once comfortably installed in a generous pot at the feet of a very young bougainvillea, my Lotus took it very serious and in one season covered the entire container, draping itself graciously over the borders. Mind you this was only one plant!</div>
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The grayish leaves were pretty on their own but quite early in the season it covered itself entirely with blooms! It went on blooming for month to end, demanding not more than a sunny spot and generous watering - but this was quite acceptable since it was performing in a pot.</div>
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All I can say is that my Lotus was a very hard working plant, easy to live and healthy as a fish. No bugs, no fungus, nothing to be bothered with. </div>
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When it eventully started to sprawl on the terrace floor, I gave it a nice trim and it all started again. </div>
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So I did after the first winter, when it started to look a bit raggy, but the lotus does not seem to mind the scissors either.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMS7ncQxwt0/UVAHk4ujHeI/AAAAAAAABeg/uUTboZj_UM0/s1600/lotus+2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMS7ncQxwt0/UVAHk4ujHeI/AAAAAAAABeg/uUTboZj_UM0/s400/lotus+2007.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I kept my first lotus for three years, after that it started to battle with the Bougainvilea for living space...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_O5R7wmmck/UVARjUzeCRI/AAAAAAAABe0/rgY9gR6m0Gg/s1600/DSC01330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_O5R7wmmck/UVARjUzeCRI/AAAAAAAABe0/rgY9gR6m0Gg/s400/DSC01330.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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Growing conditions:</div>
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Full sun, well drained soil ( the Lotus dreads heavy, soggy soil in wich case it my rot), moderate watering ( remember it grows on the Canary Islands) and an occasional organic fertiliser will perfectly do the game. </div>
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It is a great and unfuzzy plant for covering ugly walls or balcony borders and is an interesting solution as an original ground cover.</div>
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-47483667085116043352013-03-21T09:25:00.000+01:002013-03-21T09:25:50.248+01:00Welcome Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's official: Spring is here!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTtQWtrZ-_c/UUrBKovQV0I/AAAAAAAABc8/1r7-fcJLSvQ/s1600/550003_473693202686005_1557119034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTtQWtrZ-_c/UUrBKovQV0I/AAAAAAAABc8/1r7-fcJLSvQ/s400/550003_473693202686005_1557119034_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Sandro Botticelli<br /> Primavera ( Spring)<br /> 1482<br /> Gallleria degli Uffizi, Firenze</span></span></h5>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eabi3uHiJVw/UUrC41i9-TI/AAAAAAAABdY/mNyjurbLEvg/s1600/bott8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eabi3uHiJVw/UUrC41i9-TI/AAAAAAAABdY/mNyjurbLEvg/s400/bott8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-51469407259481067672013-02-24T19:47:00.002+01:002013-02-24T19:47:42.540+01:00Plant Profiles: The Caviar Lime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cihi8CTLqNA/USpbbxFETQI/AAAAAAAABcI/agzL8i9OZtU/s1600/garrawayae3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cihi8CTLqNA/USpbbxFETQI/AAAAAAAABcI/agzL8i9OZtU/s320/garrawayae3.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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Oh dear, we thought we have seen (and grown) it all... the <b>Buddha Hand Citrus( Citrus Medica Digitata)</b>, the <b>Kaffir Limes ( citrus Hystrix) </b>and the fashionable <b>Meyer's Lemons</b>! But alas there is a charming little newcomer trying to get into our botanical homes. The <b>Caviar Lime</b> or <b>Finger Lime</b>, <i>Citrus australasica</i> (syn. <i>Microcitrus australasica</i>).</div>
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Totally unknown to most gardeners and fruit lovers, this citrus species starts to make its timid entry on the European and US market.</div>
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We are talking about a relatively tiny,
very thorny shrub or small tree of lowland subtropical rain forest and
dry rain forest in the coastal border region of Queensland and NSW in
Australia.
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The plant is 2–7 metres in height.
Leaves are small and glabrous, 1–6 cm long and 3–25 mm wide. Flowers are
white, flushed with purple, with 6–9 mm long petals and not very
showy. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fDCxkEGmp0/USpXMIGD9eI/AAAAAAAABb4/2ccQhG_EzNw/s1600/microcitrus-flor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fDCxkEGmp0/USpXMIGD9eI/AAAAAAAABb4/2ccQhG_EzNw/s320/microcitrus-flor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"The seven species of <i>Citrus</i> previously
known as <i>Microcitrus</i> are the result of millions
of years of slow evolution from a primitive ancestral
type<span style="font-style: italic;">s</span>.
This type may have
resembled <i>C. warburgiana</i>, the New Guinea
species, which has small leaves and small, nearly spherical
fruits. From such an ancestral form, one line of evolution
produced the so-called native orange, round lime, or Dooja (<i>C.
australis</i>), that grows to a large tree and has subglobose
fruits much larger than those of <i>C. warburgiana</i>,
with long, slender, pointed, more or less twisted pulp-vesicles.
Another line of evolution culminated in <i>C. inodora</i>
and <i>C. maideniana</i>, highly specialized forms showing
adaptations to tropical rain forests, with large leaves and paired
spines; a third line of evolution led to the small-leaved species <i>C.
australasica </i>and <i>C. garrawayae</i>, both
with
long-ovoid or very elongated cylindric fruits.</span>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6113317173376152487" name="distribution"></a> Distribution
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These
remarkable citrus fruits are extremely interesting, in that
they show how evolution has proceeded in regions isolated as Australia
and New Guinea have been during the last twenty or thirty million years
since they were cut off from all other land masses.
The evolution of other citrus fruits is not so easily followed, since <i>Citrus</i>,
<i>Fortunella</i>, and <i>Poncirus</i>
did not originate in regions that were geographically isolated in
definitely dated geologic eras. The group contains
seven species, five of which are native
to Australia with the other two found in New Guinea. The Australian
species occur in rainforests and their margins from Cape York
Peninsula south to the northern rivers of New South Wales. They
produce small, round or finger-shaped fruit, with a pleasant but very
acid juice.
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6113317173376152487" name="uses"></a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Uses
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">They have
a close relationship with conventional
citrus fruit in the genus <span style="font-style: italic;">Citrus</span>.
<b>Australian native citrus
species are able to hybridise with a range of other citrus
species. This ability, along with drought and
salinity tolerance and disease
resistance, </b>has long attracted the interest of citrus researchers and
breeders. Improved selections and hybrids of native citrus also have
potential in their own right for commercial production. Fruit is used in a
range of sweet and savoury processed products, such as marmalades and
sauces, and is in demand by chefs producing ‘Australian Native Cuisine’
dishes. Traditionally most fruit has been harvested from the wild.
Commercial orchard production began in the last decades of
the twentieth century ."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">source: http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/australian.html#finger</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgVZCnDNV8A/USpXEzRaWDI/AAAAAAAABbw/hyXRLlo3Sfw/s1600/australassica-agost-2011-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgVZCnDNV8A/USpXEzRaWDI/AAAAAAAABbw/hyXRLlo3Sfw/s400/australassica-agost-2011-A.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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The fruits though are real fun! Cylindrical, 4–10 cm long, sometimes slightly curved, coming in different colours and they look like fingers or tiny sausages.The skin can be green, orange, yellow or purplish red,
depending on the type and has a distinctive bush aroma.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAWnSzvouFE/USpUdVgL1tI/AAAAAAAABbc/R2p-BBxn06A/s1600/lemon_de_luxe_mode_une.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAWnSzvouFE/USpUdVgL1tI/AAAAAAAABbc/R2p-BBxn06A/s320/lemon_de_luxe_mode_une.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSSVH2tNTZ0/USpbYwHGtqI/AAAAAAAABcA/BELSUQQI_8s/s1600/caviar_citrico2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSSVH2tNTZ0/USpbYwHGtqI/AAAAAAAABcA/BELSUQQI_8s/s320/caviar_citrico2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The fun comes when you cut the fruit and discover the juicy, round pearls which are similar to caviar in size and texture.
The colour of these pearls ranges from white to pink, lime green and
yellow. When you bite into the finger lime pearls, they burst in your
mouth, releasing their tangy lime flavour.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Acv-WwRQMI/USpUn3djZBI/AAAAAAAABbo/JOP_BRESQeI/s1600/finger+lime+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Acv-WwRQMI/USpUn3djZBI/AAAAAAAABbo/JOP_BRESQeI/s320/finger+lime+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
For more information about the Microcitrus and other types of citrus trees you can browse these excellent pages:<b> </b><br />
<b>Vivaio Oscar Tintori</b>: http://www.oscartintori.it/<br />
<b>Pepinieres Bache</b>: http://site.plantes-web.fr/baches/1292/boutique/49819/citrus_australasica.htm<br />
<b>Jardin Botanico Mundani</b> from Mallorca: http://jardin-mundani.com/<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Citrus Pages:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/home.html</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/australian.html#finger</span></div>
rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113317173376152487.post-15777481042388089582013-02-05T17:51:00.002+01:002013-02-05T17:51:58.127+01:00Why don't you: Spring preparations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Decades ago, the fabulous and frivolous<b> Diana Vreeland</b> (fashion editor for Bazaar and US Vogue - yesss there have been fashion geniuses looong before AW!) inaugurated a funny and quite bizarre column called <b>Why don't you</b>. Hopping Mrs Vreeland doesn't mind I will borrow her title and open a new rubric for gardening tips.</div>
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Do you feel the same itching and tickling in your gardening fingers? I guess you too can't wait any longer to get out there and poke at the green tips of tulips and daffs and crocuses, huh?</div>
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Well, we're getting there - the yearly mystery of the spring awakening is slowly taking control of our gardens and terraces again! And boy, is that a nice feeling!</div>
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But before we jump again into the glorious dirt, let us still calm a little and recapitulate some nice and useful tips that might come handy one day!</div>
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1. Transform your long handled garden tools into measuring sticks by writing/etching/painting (whatever you feel like) a measuring tape on the handle. Might spare you the second way back into the tool shed when you will need to measure something...</div>
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2. Put coffee filters, even used ones, into your small pots in order to keep the soil from leaking out. That's a smart one, hm? Thank you Pinterest...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sHLSWH9JGuM/URExiHd2riI/AAAAAAAABas/bBfgF8vaOFg/s1600/house-plants-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sHLSWH9JGuM/URExiHd2riI/AAAAAAAABas/bBfgF8vaOFg/s320/house-plants-07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Use coffee grounds and finely broiled egg shells as slug protection around plants. It is not 100% infallible, but it is ecological and provides some organic food as well.</div>
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4. Make rooting booster solution for cuttings by macerating willow branches in water, those furry pussy willow branches you put in your vase or any other type of willow you prune. Haven't tried that out yet, but given the price of rooting hormones it's worth a try.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cad4KprnhH0/URExd_54SnI/AAAAAAAABaU/WI-EaSQWZB0/s1600/3482863-242184-pussy-willow-buds-on-a-black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cad4KprnhH0/URExd_54SnI/AAAAAAAABaU/WI-EaSQWZB0/s320/3482863-242184-pussy-willow-buds-on-a-black.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. Create a double mulching barrier with wetted old newspapers (guess the roses and larks won't mind the old headlines) before you cover everything nicely with bark or any other mulching material you use.</div>
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6. Do please remember to sterilise your scissors before pruning those beloved and often pricey roses, since some carry viruses which can infect other roses... I learned this on my own expenses... and nothing saddens me more than to see a sick and lingering rose.</div>
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7. Use the resulting branches of the spring pruning to create protective cages or supports for other sprouting plants. Keep in mind that some plants ( willows and hazel) root very easily, so control before you get lost in a willow forest...</div>
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8. If the lucky you happens to own a garden shed, try using a funnel attached to the wall to prevent all the cords and wires from tangling.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-J0hhvceMw/URExgPS8vEI/AAAAAAAABag/UamyqYmWknw/s1600/b56bfa69dc70eedfc71c9a8a582bc34d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-J0hhvceMw/URExgPS8vEI/AAAAAAAABag/UamyqYmWknw/s400/b56bfa69dc70eedfc71c9a8a582bc34d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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9. Use an old and cheap lamp cage as a climbing support for fast growing plants like ivy and small growing clematis. It would not be a bad idea to use a pot with water reserve in order to make watering easy and more effective. You can make quick "fake" but very effective topiary while you wait for those boxes to grow.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwRqD1pJy0c/URExbJaduNI/AAAAAAAABaE/eK_urUSfKYc/s1600/3ebe705c150f7992595c2dfed35a37bc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwRqD1pJy0c/URExbJaduNI/AAAAAAAABaE/eK_urUSfKYc/s400/3ebe705c150f7992595c2dfed35a37bc.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
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10. If anything else fails, give your plants a little moral encouragement...</div>
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The depicted images are not mine (courtesy of Pinterest again), but are lovely and you can easily find the sources on my pinterest board "Chlorophyll & Co"</div>
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rosa complicatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09831104483547476663noreply@blogger.com5