Even gardening has its gruesome side

This murder would be less of a mystery if this fish had just disappeared altogether because that would mean it had met its maker via something logical like a blue heron. The body of the dead fish was found lying on the bottom of the pond Thursday afternoon while blood spatter and scale remnants were found on the top of the skimmer. My best guess is a raccoon clawed the fish but before being able to enjoy his dinner, the fish was able to wiggle free and escape back in only to die later from blood loss. Rest in peace little guy - try swimming a little closer to the bottom of the pond in your next life.

The other three fish were hanging out under the bridge where they think no one can see them.


On a happier note, the Escallonia hedge (Escallonia x exoniensis 'Fradesii') has made a quick recovery after dying to the ground last winter. At some point I hope it will realize it is supposed to be a hedge and not a perennial.


This Acanthus mollis (Bear's breeches) has been in flower for well over a month, and at over 6' tall, has never looked more stunning than it does right now. The flower spikes are very similar to foxglove. Unlike a foxglove, they are very long lasting.

Finally, this Purple elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) has certainly grown better than I expected (from a 1 gallon pot to over four feet tall in four months), but it is a mere shadow compared to its potential height of over 10 feet. So I am going to divide it up and over-winter it, with the hope of seeing it in its full glory next year.

Bragging Rights

In mild winters, the hardy bananas (Musa basjoo) you see in the photo above will defoliate but resume growing from the same height the following spring. If a big frost comes, as in the past three winters, then they will die all the way back to the ground. Unless of course they live in my yard, where they get wrapped in Christmas lights during a freeze so they don't die all the way to the ground. I'm afraid the only reason I do this is for the bragging rights.

The Schefflera taiwaniana in the photo below is quickly approaching my height. I am sure it will surpass me next spring.


Noel wanted me to take his picture. On his left is Ricinus communis (I forgot the variety - a red one) and to the right is Canna 'Musifolia' - a plant that is frustratingly spectacular. It seems to be hardier than other cannas. The stems are a deep burgundy with dark green leaves - very nice contrast. They reach about 12' before starting to flop over (I'll remember to tie them up next year). What's most frustrating is they get ready to bloom right about a day before they are killed to the ground by a frost. So this is merely a foliage plant around here. It also needs full sun.

Turning a corner

This red maple seems to be getting an extremely early head start on fall. I guess when you have several thousand plants, some are just bound to act weird.

I was going to wait until next spring to stock the pond with koi, but some very kind friends brought some over and dumped them right in. I am actually very surprised they have survived three weeks already considering the pond was in no condition for fish when they brought them over. They are still very skittish, but starting to become more lively as time goes by. They always travel in a line like this.

My second attempt at growing a cycad (Cycas revoluta) is turning out much better than the first (which ended up biting the dust after not producing any new leaves for two years). I was very pleased to see nearly a dozen new fronds shoot out of the middle starting in late July.

The plant below, which I just nabbed from Molbak's, is called Mukdenia rossii 'Crimson Fans'. I noticed it for the first time while browsing the store before going to hear Dan Hinkley speak, where he mentioned the very plant in his lecture. I resisted the urge to stay within my plant budget and bought one. It is in the saxifrage family, a group of plants I am becoming increasingly impressed with.

It's hard to believe this picture was taken in Washington, isn't it? (The dead give-away is the electric heater under the far umbrella)

Finally...I think my giant pumpkin has reached it's final size. It's about 65 pounds. I'll make growing a 100-pounder my goal for next year.

Summer's in full swing...don't blink!

Looking at the picture above, I see nasturtiums taking over the world, bamboo flopping over trying to shade out the pumpkins, diseased apples on a puny apple tree, and lima beans that are never going to ripen. Yet in a few months, when solar days are shorter than work days and the high temperature outside is roughly the same as the temperature in my refrigerator, I will probably look back on this picture and think "those were the good old days". So it is...never satisfied.

Most non-horticultural people will probably look at this plant and think "what kind of weed is that?" Well, it's the kind of weed where Tequila comes from - a blue agave or Agave tequilana. It stays outside for the summer, and I keep it bone-dry inside for the winter (Nov-April).

Speaking of blue plants, my Melianthus major (honey bush) is in bloom right now. It definitely helps contribute to the subtropical aura of this area of the garden. You can see the blue agave on the right.

Any beginning gardener interested in growing spiky plants in the Pacific Northwest can't go wrong by planting Yucca filamentosa (Adam's needle). It doesn't die - regardless of how cold, wet, dark, windy or miserable it gets. As you can see in the picture, its inflorescence is very attractive. Note: This is not the same yucca that they make yuca chips out of (yuca with one c = yum; yucca with two c's = yuck!).

Finally...my giant pumpkin in the making. I've clipped off all the other pumpkins and feed it lots 'o Miracle-Gro whenever I get the chance. We'll see how it does.....

Almost a Tropical Paradise

The above picture was taken at eye-level -- and the photographer (me) is 6' tall! These Oriental lilies grow to 8' and taller with the help of a few bamboo poles as support. I use black horticultural cloth to tie the stems of the lilies to the bamboo poles. They are also intensely fragrant and make the entire backyard smell like a slice of heaven. Incidentally, they were supposed to be "Stargazer" lilies, but although I'm glad they are not, I have no idea what kind they are other than some type of Oriental lily! Here's another shot:


The back-lighting is incredible, isn't it?

The very wacky leaves of Manihot grahamii (Hardy tapioca) reach toward the light in this intentionally crowded part of the garden. It adds an artistic touch to an otherwise out of control jungle.


The plant below is Abutilon 'Tiger Eye'. At the time of the picture, there were only about 20 blossoms on it. Now (in late-September), it is absolutely covered in blossoms! This has been one of the most commented-on plants this season. I bought it in February 2010 at the NW Flower & Garden Show as a 1-gallon seedling. It's now taller than me! I kept it in a pot last winter and planted it out in the garden in March. It takes cool weather really well but not subfreezing weather. I'll be digging it out again and storing it in the garage should there be the threat of a hard freeze. It is semi-evergreen to evergreen.


I have to admit I was never impressed with any form of Coleus until this year. Maybe I just never grew them in the right spot before. I picked up two in the spring just to see how they would do and they have gone above and beyond my expectations. I hear they are easy to propagate from cuttings...one more thing for the fall gardening to-do list.


It's nice to see my Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) starting to put on a bit of bulk. This palm will thrive in the Pacific Northwest climate if given some protection from severe frost. Here's a secret: When cutting off the dead fronds, I cut right below the leaf, leaving the spiky petioles on, because that's what will eventually form the thatched trunk (something you see all over in California).

Although I am not completely sure of the species, I believe this is a Beschorneria yuccoides. It suffered some bud damage during the previous two winters, but always comes back strong. I planted it right up against the south side of the house, so it is in a very protected micro-climate. It is about as hardy as New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax).


More to come soon!!!!