This is a very old fashioned plant, that I am not very familiar with, but made me stop to look at the tag. It is Impatiens balfourii. It also goes by the common name of Touch Me Not. The name Touch Me Not comes from the fact that if you touch a seed pod, the pod will pop, and seeds will shoot 6-8 feet in the air. I did a bit of online research, and the information about this plant is all over the place. One website says it is a zone 5 plant, which I'm assuming means the seeds will come up the following year. Height ranges were from one foot to five foot. It was a very cool flower, and it did look good in this mixed container, but I'll have to find some to play with it a bit in the garden before 
I recommend it or not.
When I was out in Columbus, I got to visit the trial gardens that they have for annuals. I saw this little living room setup. What a cool thing to do with an old couch and a TV. Sometimes the best gardens add a bit of fun...or stir some sort of emotion.
Maybe I will stop and pick up that couch, the next time I see one on the side of the road:-)
Ok, I admit that this has absolutely nothing to do with plants, but it does pick fun at both sides, and it made me chuckle, so I thought I would share it with you. If you think it will be too silly, or these kind of things offend you, just skip to the next post and forgive me. I thought the original video that jib jab did for the last election was great, and it soon became a huge internet sensation. This just became available today, so it may be the first time that you'll see it.
Enjoy,
-Dave
Here are the following results to the Poll asking what type of mulch you use:
Bruce B. From Westfield sent me a picture of his Daylily Garden.
Tons of flowers!
Great Job Bruce.
Remember I'm asking everyone for photos for my blog to share with my readers. Send them via email to dave@williamsnursery.com. I'll select one at random and send a $25 gift certificate. Include your name, photo, and town.
Thanks!
Dr Armitage was my Perennial Guru. He is an absolute wealth of
information, and is constantly looking for and trialing new varieties.
A short excert from his Wikipedia bio says:
Allan M. Armitage is professor of horticulture at the University of
Georgia, Athens, where he teaches, conducts research, and runs the
University of Georgia Horticulture Gardens—producing annual guidelines
for annuals and perennials suitable for heat and humidity.
Allan travels widely as a lecturer and consultant and has received
numerous awards from nursery trade groups and horticultural
organizations, including the Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of
America. He was recognized as one of the best teachers in the nation
when he received the distinguished National Educator Award from the
American Horticultural Society.
The conversation was great, even though it was the end of a long day.
I should add that Doug's company produces all of the wooden benches
that we use here at the nursery.
I have a spot on my porch, that the hose just doesn't reach, and I've
gotten a bit lazy, and don't want to water it either.
This year I planted this container with Agave 'desmettiana variegata'
and the Sedum rupestre Angelina. The Agave is the taller upright
plant. For those that don't know, Agave's are extremely tolerant of
dry conditions. They are also the primary ingredient for Tequila. (But
I've never heard of anyone actually making their own)
The Sedum is a new variety from Proven Winners.
Both are extremely drought tolerant. I have not watered this container
once since I planted it in mid-May. It has been perfectly fine with
the natural rainfall.
It grows shorter than some echinacea and requires no staking.
One of the first varieties that had caught my attention is this new
coleus variety from Ball. Its Coleus Mint Mocha. Leaves if yellow
green and purplish pink. The leaves have quite a bit of texture. The
shape of the leaf reminds me if a dinasaur foot.
Very cool!
Back before I was born, my Grandfather Roy and my father Ed started to carry Monrovia Plants. Both of them we're traveling across the United States looking for something new, and different, but it had to meet their quality standards. They discovered a nursery in Monrovia California called Monrovia Nursery. (it later moved to Azusa).
Roy and Ed, were so impressed with these plants, that they started to bring traincars of them plants back to the east coast. We became Monrovia's first broker East of the Mississippi. I remember meeting Martin Usery, and Harry Rosedale the owners when I was a kid.
Monrovia has gotten quite a bit bigger since then. They now have locations in Georgia, California, North Carolina, Oregon & Ohio, but they are still true to their roots.
They produce quality plants, and they still haven't forgotten about their customers.
We were very fortunate that they sponsored part of our bus tour, and then invited all of us back to their North Carolina Nursery for a barbque dinner.
Show on the left is myself and Elin Dowd current President of Monrovia.
Below that is Bruce and Susie Usrey. (Martin Usrey was his Dad). Susie has developed this incredible botique display that we will have in the future.
I don't remember who took the last picture, but I remember Bruce suggesting that we look like we were singing. Thanks Elin for being a good sport :-)
Answer to the Poll: How many containers do you have planted?
Nope, Don't have any. | 6 (10%) |
1-3 | 11 (20%) |
4-6 | 11 (20%) |
7-10 | 13 (23%) |
10+ I'm a Container Maniac | 14 (25%) |
On the Garden Centers of America tour that I just returned from, Bailey Nurseries shared with us this fun video that they are going to use to promote their new Hydrangea for next year. Twist and Shout.
Twist and Shout is part of the Endless Summer Collection. It is the first repeat blooming lacecap that I know of. Lacecap's have a more Victorian Look to them, and are perfect for gardens in our area. Twist and Shout is a zone 4 plant. Which means that winter hardiness won't be an issue. I think that this is going to be the must have plant of 2009. It's only going to be available in limited supply.
Get ready for what plant watchers are calling “the blockbuster event of the year”!
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