Gazette Article 3-15--Stephen's Cutting Garden Picks

As I mentioned today in my Delaware Gazette article this week, here is my list of flowers I am growing this year for arrangements. 
-Aster Callistephus chinesis
-Bachelor's Button Centaurea cyanus
-Bells of Ireland Moluccella laevis
-Chinese Lantern Physalis alkekengi
-Cosmos Cosmos 'Snow Puff'
-Dahlia Dahlia 'Blue Boy', 'Otto's Thrill', and 'Snow Country'
-Delphinium Delphinium x cultorum
-Gladiolus
-Zinnia Zinnia elegans + 'Giant Violet Queen'
Have a great weekend!


Stephen Jones
Delaware County Master Gardener

OSU FactSheet-Peonies

Hello! As I mentioned in our Gazette article this week, here is the link to OSU FactSheet HYG-1241-94 on peonies:
here

 'Krinkled White' from my garden--the first peony to bloom last year.  Perfectly timed on my birthday! May 19. 

'Boule de Neige' also from my garden. 

I cant wait to see these beauties bloom again soon! Feels like it will be quite a while! Stay warm and think spring!

Stephen Jones

Delaware County Master Gardener

No mess, No fuss ~ Sowing Winter Seeds

Jan Irwin's recent Delaware Gazette article is certainly timely.  Other than a dozen or so gallon-sized milk jugs, I imagine you Master Gardeners have everything you need to give this style of winter seeding a try ~ if you haven't already!   Jan gives us all we need to know in her article and includes links to a couple great sources.  Read it here, then for us visual learners, check out Garden Design's site for the fully illustrated process.  This pic from the Garden Design site is certainly encouraging to me!  

It takes a year's cycle to appreciate the tree.  This being my 1st winter following the bulk of my MG intern year, I now see trees in a whole different light.  I notice the branching system, the nests, the fruit that has lingered, the shape, and so much more.  Trees are amazing!  What do trees do for you in the winter?

The Cornell Lab or Ornithology gives us some thoughts and tips on what the trees have to offer the birds and how we can help.  Read the story here...

Gazpacho Garden or How about a Bloody Mary?

Shannon Kelley intentionally planted varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers this summer with canning and selling Gazpacho in mind.  It did well but was too small for what she'll need to take the soup to market.  During her kitchen tests she discovered what a great Bloody Mary mix this garden would make too!  Have you explored these recipes?  I found a couple that I think are worth making Chunky Gazpacho Garden Soup, and drinking Fresh Tomato Bloody Mary.

Woodpeckers and nuthatches ash trees' best hope?

Cornell's Project Feederwatch surmised that Red-bellied Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches were more numerous in outbreak areas.  Read more on this breaking insight... Bored to Death

Propagation Equation

I've never been a wizard when it comes to propagating new plants from cuttings. But that hasn't stopped me from always trying. I've had some success--hydrangeas and elderberries--and some rather massive failures: everything else. 

Determined to change my luck, last week I asked my friend for a few cuttings from her many gorgeous roses she's collected over about 30 years. 

This rose, a grandiflora, named 'Heart o' Gold' is hard to track down. I love the large bicolor blooms. I also took cuttings from 'Queen Elizabeth II' and an unidentified hot pink blooming shrub. 

The cuttings were taken at points with 5 leaves. They were dipped in rooting hormone and are in a soil mix of 1/2 sand and 1/2 Holy Cow (cured compost and manure). To keep humidity very high, I created a microclimate with tall vases used as cloches. I gave each cutting a tug this morning, and I think they have rooted! Here's to hoping!

Do you have experience propagating roses? Any tips to share?

Stephen Jones 

Delaware County Master Gardener