Favorite Flowers and yard decor

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 11 May 99 - 11:31 PM

SeanM, I have an elderly aunt who has lived in Long Beach for many, many years. She has rows of tea roses by her front door, and a tree that grows huge lemons in her back yard. My, how I envy that climate... but still love living far from an urban area.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 11 May 99 - 09:50 PM

Well Hi all, I've been off a wee time, doin' my gardenin'. Well I have ta thank ya all but me and the slugs and my stupid salamander and 7 goldfish named 'Ralph, are all doing fine, going through sobriety programs. Ever envisioned a 12 step program for goldfish? Well it seems that when I kidnapped 'Sally Tuckmudder' he was hidin'a lot of booze under his gills, and the wee ones hadn't had it before. He'd been stayin' stewed' to the gills. One salamander at a time....

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: SeanM
Date: 11 May 99 - 03:06 PM

Ah, sometimes it makes me glad to live in Southern California (Stop throwing pinecones! OUCH!)

Really, though. Living the renter's lifestyle in Long Beach, and not much room for plants on the second floor, what with no sun on any of our exposed patios.

I try peppers, though. Chilihead that I am, I had about 4 varieties last year. Sadly, the winter killed all but the red bells. I'd love to get grow lamps for the poor things, but every time I ask for 'em, I get told 'We don't sell drug paraphenalia here'.

Sigh...

M

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 May 99 - 02:48 PM

Katlaf, Gene Autry! (also Leadbelly and many others). (speaking of Gene, we have not heard in awhile from the other Gene, the great DT stalwart, in awhile)....
Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: LEJ
Date: 11 May 99 - 02:45 PM

Katlaf, there was a movie by that name in the 30s, starring good ol Gene Autry. He sang the song during the course of the film, but I'm not sure if that is where it originated.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 99 - 02:12 PM

Yea! For mother's day, I got marigolds, verbena, tuberous begonia, some special pansies, trailing petunias and geraniums. Potted them all up; put them out back and in the front yard. Looked SO pretty. Monday a.m. we frantically brought them into the garage because of snow (thankfully it didn't stick, just spit all day); today, same thing. Had to open the garage door so they'd get a little sun; brought the geranium and begonia inside on Sunday, thank goodness.

Last night, under much cloud cover, we also had thunder, with snow. It's definitely springtime in the Rockies. Mom and Dad used to sing a song titled that. I'll have to see if bet can find the lyrics and post them, AFTER I check the DT for them!

katlaughing, whose glad she has 4wd!

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: LEJ
Date: 11 May 99 - 02:02 PM

Yep, Alice. I discovered that I had taken my plow-blade off the lawn tractor about 3 weeks too early (again). Springtime in the Rockies, I guess. In fact, ARRGGHH, it's snowing right now.

"The Cabin-feverish" LEJ

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 10 May 99 - 07:20 PM

yes, LEJ, I went from struggling with the snowblower to strugging with the power mower... alice

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: LEJ
Date: 10 May 99 - 07:09 PM

Finally had a full day off yesterday and I spent the first warm spring day of the season gardening- and by gardening I mean A) Cut up a 30 ft Aspen and a 20 ft lodgepole pine, both fallen in our recent heavy snows, with a chain saw B)Shoveled out the driveway curve where a 1/2 inch of mud had accumulated C)hooked the De-thatcher to my Lawn Tractor to clear the grass of pine needles, then hooked up the aerator and core aerated it. 4)Fertilized same

At some point during this process, it occurred to me that Spring gardening in the Rocky Mountains resembles a military operation. First comes the all out blitzkrieg in which you marshall all your heavy equipment in the attempt to subdue the encroaching forces of chaos. Then the mopping-up operation, with plenty of rakes and garbage bags, and at last the peace process and a return to civilized behavior. At least until next Spring.

LEJ

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Kathleen Morgain
Date: 10 May 99 - 06:18 PM

Slug/snail repellent that works here in spring with damp soils. Save empty tin cans, both ends removed, to use as collars around plants, twist copper wire around can tightly. Work can about an inch into soil around plant. Works like the copper strips sold in garden stores but cheaper. Gives the plants a chance to outgrow the snail damage stage. (give the little slimy ones little electric shocks) -Kathleen

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 May 99 - 04:56 PM

I've been doin' some net surfin' I thought you Knowed.
I been hittin' the weirdest sites, 'fraid my mind's been blowed.
"Dylan's garbage", "Norman Mailer", "Mark McGuire" and "sex change sailors",
I been doin' some net surfin' lord.

I've been doin' some hard mudcat, I thought you Knowed.
I been watchin' those "BS" threads, lord how they've growed.
Fav'rite flowers and yard decor, some want none, but most want more.
I been doin' some hard mudcat, lord.

Better get doin' some hard lawnwork, I thought you'd known.
"Duckboots" sweatin' out the back, luggin' a load of loam.
'Bout her plants she loves to boast, but I'm afraid her rose is toast,
I better do some hard lawnwork, lord.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 10 May 99 - 03:18 PM

really, --seed, that was way to much fun and easy for me to write, SO NOW you've got me started.... oh, NO! I can't stop the lyrics from just forming in my mind!!

I been doin' some emailin', I thought you knowed,
I been tryin' for smooth sailin', chat room won't load,
I been doin' the anagram makin', not forsakin', biscuit bakin',
I been doin' some emailin', Lord.

OK, I had better quit now... I haven't even showered yet today, and it is after lunchtime... just can seem to get offline.... addicted? you talkin' to me? ... no, no... drag me awaaaaayyyyy......

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 10 May 99 - 03:10 PM

I been doin some fast typin', I thought you knowed,
I been surfin' some long hours, some slow to load,
I been doin some loud singin', copy/pastin', bandwidth wastin',
I been doin' some fast typin', Lord.

;->

alice

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 10 May 99 - 02:48 PM

I been havin' some hard gardenin', I thought you knowed,
I been fightin' them wild blackberries, way down the road,
I been havin' some tough hoein', weed whackin', leaf blowin',
I been havin some hard gardenin', Lord.

After rereading my interminable post above, I couldn't resist this bit of parody. I would never, not ever, use a leaf blower (but "lawn mowin'" sounded too tame.

Anybody got any more verses based on everyday* activities?

--seed

(*not that gardening is for me an everyday activity--or even every week; every month, maybe, in a good month)

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 May 99 - 02:21 PM

Dear Duckboots,
This is of no use, unless you think that having a poem about something is better than not having one about something. From Willie Blake, 1760's:
THE SICK ROSE

O Rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm,

Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.
- William Blake.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 10 May 99 - 02:19 PM

Right now, after having moved into a townhouse in LA area (more specifically San Fernando Valley region) from the heart of San Francisco, I can at least enjoy a container garden on the patio. I've a variety of flowers (begonia, impatiens, colius, verbena, allysium) and of course a couple each of bell peppers and tomatoes (gotta have fried green tomatoes in the summer!) Then I am going to keep replanting the lettuce container...

My dream is to eventually live in a home with a yard so I can have a better vegetable garden, and a small pond (like we had at my folks) work on a few container bonsai trees, have lots more flowers including roses, chinese for-get-me-nots, gladiolus, and my utmost favorite Irises! (Esp. the purple bearded ones)

Mary Kate

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: DonMeixner
Date: 09 May 99 - 11:23 PM

The day was fresh, the sun was bright and just above the peak of the house when I stepped into the garden. I planned my time carefully. An hour from "now" the sun would have created a pool of shade where the Adirondak chair sat. Thats when I would take my first break. I finished my cup of coffee, Folgers, black, and set the up on the chair arm. Built wider than normal for that very purpose. I advance towards the tiller. Checked its fuel level. Set the choke and dropped it out of gear. I grabbed the starter rope and placed my hand where the legend on the Tecumseh 5-horse said place hand here. The first pull is always tentative but the second pull requires authority. I pulled and the starter rope came away in my hand leaving the engine running but with no way to restart the tiller should it stall. I tilled for the hour I'd planned, gaining about a quarter of my garden. I took a break as planned for coffee and with no way to restart my tiller I turned to mowing the lawn. Not more than five minutes into the sideyard and the mower engine setup, never to turn over again. So at 11:00 am I switched from coffee to Killian's and read the Farmer's Almanac in my Adirondak Chair befor going into the shop and seeing what damage I could do to some sterling. The seekend didn't start to well.

Don

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Paul G.
Date: 09 May 99 - 02:54 PM

I'm not much of a horticulturalist, but I just had to add that here, near the banks of the St. Johns river in northern Florida, the white jasmine blooming at my front door smell nearly as sweet as the naval oranges which blossomed 8 weeks ago in my back yard. Particularly at night, the jasmine fragrance is nearly overwhelming. My day lillies are budding, a good two weeks from full blossom, and my pink, bright red, and violet crepe myrtles are a good month away from blooming. It's 90 degrees here today...ah, spring in Jacksonville...

Blessings,

Paul G.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 May 99 - 12:58 PM

Margarita, how many husbands DO you have? Maybe I can get Heather to score another hubby to help her in the garden! Thanks for the info, I'll pass it on to her. Thanks also Alice. I don't think we have county courthouses in Canada, but there should be an equivalent. "Ms. Duckboots" will probably return this afternoon.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 09 May 99 - 12:47 PM

Duckboots, I should have mentioned this before... when the insect appears on your plant, cut off some of the plant tip that shows the bud and leaves as well as the worm. Put it in a plastic zip bag and take it to the County Extension Office (should be in your local courthouse, or thereabouts). The entymologist for your county can then identify the problem. Having a bit of the plant helps show what your are dealing with. It is your tax dollars at work, so you should take advantage of their expertise.

alice

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Margo
Date: 09 May 99 - 12:47 PM

Duckboots, I wonder if you have a Florabunda rose. I have heard a description of that one and it sounds like yours as you have described it. Sorry, no remedies here. I wish I had time to grow things. (young kids take all my time)

My husbands want to build a greenhouse this summer so we can grow food year round. I am looking forward to fresh organic veggies in January!

Margarita

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Robin McG
Date: 09 May 99 - 06:48 AM

It took me a while but I just got it. If you take a cross country trip starting in Ohio you'll miss alot of country! Nothing compares to Michigan's Upper Penisula for beautiful terrain and people. That still leaves alot of country out so I guess the best place to start is our own backyards, then follow the wind.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 09 May 99 - 04:12 AM

In my front yard I have (in the middle of the lawn) a holly bush that kinda takes care of itself except I have to prune it back every coupla years, a camelia bush that's overgrown: when I tried to prune it, nothing grew back where I trimmed (luckily on the back side), so I haven't cut it since. Next to it is a wild plum tree that just grew up when somebody spit a seed into the yard. It just keeps growing everywhich way, mostly up, but is beautiful for a couple of weeks in late February (we have early springs here in California). Lots of plums--small, sweet, make a great jelly (or ice cream topping if I don't add enough pectin)--most of which grow too high on the tree to make harvest easy. I had some kind of pine next to the driveway, but it died when a neighbor kid peeled the bark from around a foot of the trunk. I cut it down mostly with a pruning saw--stripped all the branches (vere carefully when I was working near the power line that feeds my neighbors house). Had all the branches and the top 6 feet or so of the trunk (maybe 25 feet total height) when a neighbor brought out his chain saw and took it down, me pulling on a rope tied to the top of what was left to keep it from falling on anything but me, and cut the trunk into manageable size logs--damned things were so hard they didn't burn worth a damn. Only other thing growing in the front yard other than grass and weeds is a rhododendron--the local wild type with small but long lasting purple blooms. It used to have another variety grafted into it, with big pink and white blooms which wilted immediately upon picking; the native one only came up from the roots as the pink one was dying. Oh, and a hydrangea on the side of the house that blooms beautifully all summer long no matter how badly I ignore it. Neighbors come over asking permission to clip a few blooms.

A big pine spreads over one corner of the back yard, and over my covered patio, as well as the neighbor's yard and house--I've had to pay to have some of it cut, but generally it takes care of itself, kind of minds its own business, forming part of the aerial pathway for squirrels traversing the yard (there's a squirrel nest high in the tree--sometimes the squirrels sit in the tree gnawing the cones and dropping the cores on my dogs. Fifteen feet from the pine, in the center of the yard are a pair of bushes, a six foot high juniper which seems to be always full of cobwebs and a pyracantha which grew up from the roots of a previous bush which had grown too big and too lopsided and tipped over, giving me some needed (at the time) excuse for exerting myself heavily, again with the pruning saw (handy old tool). There's some kind of tree in the very back of the yard which seems to have come under the fence from the neighbor's property in back--big, long, dark leaves, small white blossoms in the spring, followed by tiny orange fruit which I've never seen any birds or squirrels eat, and I've never tried, never will, I guess.

More grass and weeds, a mess of flowers of some kind growing from bulbs which seem to duplicate themselves, a scraggly bouganvillia (sp?), a once strong, fragrant rose which is now small and scaly, some tree roses and honeysuckle--I guess that's it. I mow the lawn from time to tome, water less than I should, and the lawn shows it--I uproot some dandelions every now and then, pull up the burr clover as it appears, but most of my yard care time is devoted to picking up dog poop.

Now how'd I get mixed up with all you hard-gardenin' types? --seed

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 99 - 11:45 PM

Rick, I think you're right about it being for slugs. Sorry. Also, I don't like killing things either. That's why my neighbours call my front lawn "dandelion row". I have made medicinal tinctures from them before and just cannot bring myself to put any kind of poison on our Earth Mother. I don't consider them weeds, so...there they grow!

This is fun!

katlaughing, TuckMudder, I always was a "quick-draw" Hehehe

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 May 99 - 11:21 PM

Alice, what great sites! I'll read more when I have some time but they're sure to be useful.

I thought at first you were right about the rose midge but reading a bit more it's close but no cigar. These things are green, about an inch long and leave a hole into or out of the bud. They don't seem to have effect on the leaves or stems.

It looks more like the description of the rose tier, although I hadn't noticed a black head and they don't touch the leaves at all.

I'll read more tomorrow, at least now I feel like I'm on some kind of track.

Thanks everyone

Duckboots

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 11:20 PM

Now Rick Lad ya hae me on that on. Should I call my Salamander "Sally"? I'll settle on the best name

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 May 99 - 11:02 PM

Well, Tucker, I almost ran out to try your nicotine solution but luckily I read Alice's post first. Now I suppose I'll have to drink the stuff!!

Alice, my sister told me something about using cigarette ash in a solution with water and dish detergent, I forget what she said it's supposed to do but do you think that would also be dangerous?

I'll check the websites you send and hope they have an answer. You know these pests have appeared on this particular rose three years in a row but haven't infected other roses close by, I have an uneasy feeling that they're end product of something that is in the buds.

Duckboots, by the way, that's Ms Duckboots to you Tucker my friend. Oh, while I remember, what did you call the salamander? Is it another Ralph? Is it a Ralphette, perhaps?

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 10:47 PM

Thank you Alice. I had read that cure all in one of the pop culture things but honestly it didn't work well for me. I thought maybe I did something wrong (I sometimes do) but I thought I would pass the info on to Duckboots in hope he would do better. to those of you who want to confine this thread to music.....see why we mudcatters like it here....thanks again Alice

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 08 May 99 - 10:42 PM

Tucker, by the way, I almost killed some plants by using tobacco solution on them. I heard it was a natural remedy, and then later found out that it causes mosaic virus. Now I know why one guy who was a chain smoker complained that he always killed every rose he tried to grow. You can read about it here.click

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 08 May 99 - 10:30 PM

Duckboots, it could be rose midge or another insect on the list that you can read about here.

I found the page by using an excellent search engine for gardening, the Ohio State University Fact Sheet DATABASE
alice

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 10:24 PM

Ok, Duckboots, ya know your rose better than I lad. Try this. Get some tobacco, either a plug, or a few cigs, or an un monica cigar(sorry, couldn't resist that one) and soak it in a liter/quart of water over night. strain. Mix with one tablespoon of dish detergent, one tablespoon of Epsom salts and a can of left over beer, drink heartily and camp by the bathroom. Just joking, Anyway, put this in your sprinkler and douse your rose with it. That should take care of your problem. I have terrible problems with grubs but not on my roses. Any solutions to that?

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 May 99 - 09:57 PM

Tucker, I've been browsing through my gardening books and I'm almost certain that my rose bush isn't a multi-flora. My rose bush would have lots of flowers if it wasn't for these pesky green worms burrowing into the buds. Comparing the one half-chewed rose that did bloom to the roses in the book, it looks like an old garden rose very similar to Comte de Chambord.

I've consulted my gardening friends, but nobody else seems to have encountered this problem. If anybody has any ideas, I'm willing to try them because I'd sure like to see this bush in bloom.

Kat, I've heard about the beer cure although I thought it was for slugs. I think the dish has to be buried so that the lip is level with the soil and the slugs/snails who are attracted by the smell can fall into it. I hate killing things in the garden, even by accident, but slugs are such revolting creatures, primeval slime!

And Tucker, I can't wait to hear that song!

Duckboots

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 06:44 PM

Kat, you are so quick!

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 99 - 06:42 PM

Aw, shucks, TuckMudder, why thank kew!

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 06:40 PM

Thank you Kat, you are a joy on this site. Duckboots! Now that is original, I may have to write a song with that in it, kinda like chicken lips, no insult intended.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 99 - 05:48 PM

Okay, lets try the Caprilands one, again. Here ya go:

Caprilands

Sorry.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 99 - 05:42 PM

My friends swear by little pans of beer among their strawberries, every year a bumper crop, to keep the snails out. Maybe the dish size helps? I think they use something almost like a saucer, only a little deeper.

Hotspur, have you any of the herb books by Adelma Grenier Simmons? She is a wonderful old woman who owns Caprilands in North Coventry, in the middle of Connecticut. I've lost count of the books she's written on herbs and gardening and gardens. When I met her in 1987, she was in her 80's and STILL going to Oxford every summer to lecture. She is a world reknowned expert, who also holds high tea every Sunday, reservations required! She dresses in flamboyantly elegant purple capes and hats with long, long feathers and has pagan statues all over the gardens, as well as ones of St. Francis everywhere, and a permanent Maypole. Her prices are still very reaonsbale and she's got every rare and special things you can think of as well as products made from the herbs grown there.

If any of you ever get a chance to go there, I promise you will be delighted. The atmosphere is peaceful, loving, incredibly heady with scents, and full of delights for the eyes.

Another wonderful place in CT is Logee's Greenhouse in Danielson.Another old woman, Mrs. Joy Logee Martin. My brother and I were fortunate to have made friends with her and be invited into the old family Victorian home, where she had pictures of her family, including her father who not only started the world-famous greenhouse, but also SEWED all of his children's clothes, himself! Extraordinary family and the plants are outstanding. They have more houseplants than Caprilands, but also have fabulous herbs. They are known for their rare houseplants. Her daughter in law actauly writes guest columns for the NYTimes and other pubs on saving the plants of the rainforests. She's had her life threatened for wanting to do this.

I could go on and on, but instead will do the blue thngy, so you can see for yourselves. The openign page for Caprilands has a picture of Mrs. Simmons, so you'll see what I mean. Have fun!

Caprilands

Logees

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 May 99 - 04:42 PM

Thanks Tucker. Rick Fielding wouldn't know a good rose from a bad one. I think his expertise lies in knowing whether a mandolin was made in 1923 or 1924 ---from how it smells! I'm just borrowing his computer. I'll go back outside and check my poor rose for more worm damage.

Duckboots

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 08 May 99 - 04:14 PM

Rick, maybe you have a multi-flora rose. They are little more than a bush and when they do flower the roses are wee things. The rose companies use them to graft onto (seed grown roses are EXPENSIVE). Another useless tidbit about them. The Government talked farmers in the 30's into planting them as living fences. That was all fine and good, except that birds love to eat their seeds and they drop them everywhere. Well, I can live with a wild rosebush except sometimes they grow huge and if you are hunting or walking in the woods they are a royal pain in the behind. I was in the woods a few hours ago and the darn things are everywhere. Oh, this is cool. I caught a salamander and now he has joined my seven goldfish named Ralph in my pond by the computer. Thanks for the compliments folks.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 May 99 - 03:13 PM

This is a great thread, thank you for starting it Tucker. Maybe someone out there can help me with a gardening problem that's driving me crazy!

About three years ago a friend's mother gave me a cutting from what she said is an 'old-fashioned' rose bush. That single cutting has turned into a wonderful bushy shrub. It's seemingly very healthy, has beautiful leaves, puts out several new shoots a year and produces lots of buds.

The trouble is that not one bud has matured into a flower. One day everything seems fine, the next there are green worms/caterpillars burrowing into or out of the bud (I can't tell which) and eating the inside of the bud. I've sprayed but that didn't do any good.

I've looked through rose books, garden books and web-sites and haven't seen this problem mentioned. I've even posted my question to garden chat lines and had not one reply.

I'm almost desperate to see this bush in flower, can anyone help?

Duckboots (using a friend's computer)

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 07 May 99 - 10:19 PM

I was thinkin'when I made this thread no one would answer it, Lordy was I wrong! Thank you all so much. tommy

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tucker
Date: 07 May 99 - 09:47 PM

mudjack, believe it or not I actually went to california in 1965 on a greyhound bus from ohio to california via route66.Iwas 16,pissed because I couldn't buy alcohol in other states,so I had a teenage attitude, but I made it there anyway. That is when the magnitude and majesty of our country first impressed me. One, it took three days to go across, even from the midwest, second the diversity of our wonderful, beutiful country. I had wondered why people from far away wanted to see America! Silly Boy! This is a great country, beutiful people, beutiful terrain Start in Ohio

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Tony Burns
Date: 07 May 99 - 05:53 PM

Oh, the broom, the bonnie bonnie broom ...

Violent as well as bonnie. Here's a quote from one of the sites, "Seed pods explode on hot days in summer, flinging seeds up to 2 metres from the parent plant."

Thank you Robin and Alice.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Alice
Date: 07 May 99 - 04:47 PM

Allison, funny!

Also, I noticed that I spelled "slender" without the "s" in White Coral Bells... oh, well, I was barely awake this morning when I checked in.

It is interesting to do an Alta Vista search on White Coral Bells. I did before posting this morning, and even found a 4th grade curriculum using the song to analyze Hayden.

Regarding the plant called broom, here are some photos from an Australian website blue clicky thing for broom

For those with a Mac, I find it handy to use an apple "sticky" (one of those little notes that look like a 3M post it note on your computer screen) to keep the basic html code to create 'the blue clicky' links. It is fast and easy that way to copy and paste the code from the sticky note into a message, then copy and paste the URL and give it a name.

alice

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 07 May 99 - 04:03 PM

Hey, Alice, do you know (same tune):

Three shiny leaves upon a slender stalk
Lovely poison ivy decks my garden walk!
Oh, don't you wish that you could stop and touch?
But you know you mustn't 'cause you'll itch too much!

Allison

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Mudjack
Date: 07 May 99 - 04:01 PM

Tucker,
I'm not the "Pink Flamingos", but did do my share of bus riding as a youngster. About age eight(circa 1950's) recall a bus ride down the Grapevine grade that drops into Bakersfied and caught a dynamic view of bright California poppies as far as the eye could see. Calif's state flower at its best showing us another side to The Golden State.Today you would be lucky to see the valley floor through the smog. Thank's for reminding me of those kind of unforgettable visions in memory. Mudjack

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Penny
Date: 07 May 99 - 03:55 PM

Hotspur, thanks, I'll try that. My mother's method is just a bit not my taste: large jar (Horlicks for preference) of brine. Insert snails by hand. Our garden had dozens of them. I don't like pellets, though I'm using them at the moment, and can't get soot. I've tried lobbing them into the middle of the lawn for the thrushes. They never took to the beer.

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Robin McG
Date: 07 May 99 - 03:47 PM

Tony, I sure wish I knew how to use those blue cliky things. I went into askjeeves who directed me to Infoseek who had a picture of the broom plant and discription. I hope you can understand my directions I'll have to learn how to use those blue clicky things one day!

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Robin McG
Date: 07 May 99 - 03:47 PM

Tony, I sure wish I knew how to use those blue cliky things. I went into askjeeves who directed me to Infoseek who had a picture of the broom plant and discription. I hope you can understand my directions I'll have to learn how to use those blue clicky things one day!

Subject: RE: Favorite Flowers and yard decor
From: Robin McG
Date: 07 May 99 - 03:35 PM

Tony, I think the trilliums you noticed were probably different species. Tucker, let us know how your camping trip went always amusing to go with a novice. There's nothing like a grandchld either! Good luck with the morels.