tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post4627371553213062939..comments2024-03-27T16:38:59.108-05:00Comments on clay and limestone: When You Plant Them, They Will Come...It's a Promise!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-47866505373630803582008-07-15T22:16:00.000-05:002008-07-15T22:16:00.000-05:00Love, love, love Monarda Gail! Love the blooms, l...Love, love, love Monarda Gail! Love the blooms, love the scent, have had bee balm in the garden since the first garden I had with more than pass along plants. <BR/><BR/>They've never been invasive for me, and until last year never had powdery mildew. That's ironic, considering I have Jacob Cline here and it's supposed to be pretty mildew-resistant! <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the milk idea. I don't use fungicides, so Mr. C got cut to the ground last year. This year, so far, so good. I'll definitely try that remedy though if/when powdery mildew shows it's ugly face around here next time. (I'm sure it's a matter of when, not if!)garden girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284047851881823280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-83648243851341264562008-07-13T06:29:00.000-05:002008-07-13T06:29:00.000-05:00IVG,Thanks I was hoping that chives and garlic wou...IVG,<BR/><BR/>Thanks I was hoping that chives and garlic would work although, the alliums are on my list. I saw them growing beautifully with daylily and thought the day lily leaves disguised their dying stalks. I will try van B<BR/>today!<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-44242848595570126602008-07-13T00:07:00.000-05:002008-07-13T00:07:00.000-05:00Hi Gail and all,From what we've read, any of the o...Hi Gail and all,<BR/>From what we've read, any of the ornamental alliums (or even chives or garlic) will do this for the soil. We currently just have some <I>Giganteum</I>, the purple ones with blooms about 5" across. I'd like to add some of the "drumstick" alliums too, because they're smaller, more likely to naturalize and come in a great array of colors. You could surround an area with those without spending too much, because as alliums go, they're pretty cheap. Van Bourgondien always has $5 deals on those for decent quantities. I may just get some for fallIowa Victory Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-81626070966296791642008-07-12T17:34:00.000-05:002008-07-12T17:34:00.000-05:00Layanee,I noticed that the bees prefer Marshall's ...Layanee,<BR/><BR/>I noticed that the bees prefer Marshall's Delight rather than Grand Marshall...interesting! GM is a bit redder in color? We all have our favorite restaurants! How's the weather?<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-40082084373892120382008-07-12T17:26:00.000-05:002008-07-12T17:26:00.000-05:00I noticed the butterflies here today as well and...I noticed the butterflies here today as well and the monarda is in full bloom. I do have the caterpillars on the monarda and they eat the flowers so it is a choice to make, spray or not. I have one sacrificial monarda and they seem to prefer some colors to others. The hummers love'em also!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-80302463421726327922008-07-12T10:59:00.000-05:002008-07-12T10:59:00.000-05:00Cosmo, Thank you. The cutting the back...back in ...Cosmo, <BR/><BR/>Thank you. The cutting the back...back in May sounds like a great idea! <BR/><BR/>Marshall is looking good and the bees are very happy. I loved that the hummers land on the cages...they move so fast I think we need a stop action camera to catch them in a photo. It is a long lasting cut flower too.<BR/><BR/>Have a wonderful weekend.<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-59152652823049840342008-07-12T10:33:00.000-05:002008-07-12T10:33:00.000-05:00Great post! I have a similar monarda--I think the...Great post! I have a similar monarda--I think the plant label said "Bluestocking" when I bought it, but it looks very much like your Marshall. And I have a bright red one, too, that came from a friend so I don't know the cultivar (maybe Cambridge Scarlet?). I've had few problems with either mildew or uncontrolled spread, and it comes up easily if it moves where you don't want it (and if you catch it young enough, it's very easy to transplant). The main problem I have with the red one is that it flops, but I use a strategy I learned from "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden" (she uses it for conflower, but it works pretty well for monarda, too). Cut the plants in front back by about half in May; they stay more compact so they help support the taller ones behind. Plus you extend the bloom--and the bees and butterflies!<BR/><BR/>I think I told you the hummingbirds land on my deer cages--even so, I haven't been able to get a good picture.<BR/><BR/>What a great post and great comments--wishing you and Marshall all the best . . .<BR/><BR/>CosmoCosmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260783700118031314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-60474915273953560132008-07-12T07:12:00.000-05:002008-07-12T07:12:00.000-05:00IVG,Hey there...so glad you came by for the conver...IVG,<BR/><BR/>Hey there...so glad you came by for the conversation.<BR/><BR/>I remember you said something about the alliums being a natural sulphur producer before and thank you for restating. Now I must add memory going to the list of other complaints-- back, hearing and eyesight! <BR/><BR/> Back to the alliums...what are your favorites? Alliums never seemed to survive in the garden here and I am wondering if I should treat them as annuals? I bet Frances can make a few recommendations...she grows down the road (well, a few hours away).<BR/><BR/>I will let you know about the foliage...I have to prepare to go out into the bug zone where the chiggers are waiting!<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-60131928786576955442008-07-12T06:56:00.000-05:002008-07-12T06:56:00.000-05:00meems,I hope you can grow it, it is lovely and you...meems,<BR/><BR/>I hope you can grow it, it is lovely and you would love the bees, butterflies and the rumored hummingbirds! I am hoping to catch a glimpse of a hummer if not the Holy Grail shot! Plant Delights has two monardas that may survive your heat and humidity..http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/page64.html<BR/><BR/>I would would ask them!<BR/><BR/>If you do grow it...I know your photos will be a delight!<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-57539943186779034152008-07-11T23:45:00.000-05:002008-07-11T23:45:00.000-05:00Hi Gail, and all you Monarda fans out there! Gail...Hi Gail, and all you Monarda fans out there! <BR/>Gail, when you mentioned Marshall's Delight over at my place, I had never heard of this one, but it looks exactly like 'Bluestocking' perhaps just a shorter cultivar? Ours just started blooming this week, so we have a few things blooming in common finally!<BR/><BR/>My 2 cents on some of the questions/musings:<BR/><BR/>I consider myself pretty experienced with Monarda, since we've had it over 9 years and still love it. Yes, it will roam around eventually, but Gail seems to have the fortuitously ideal position for this with that limestone ledge. So when it gets a bit exuberant, she can just thin from the front of the patch, and it is a good idea to dig up good sized chunks every 2-3 years if it's spreading too much for you. <BR/><BR/>We have very little trouble giving starts away, as people are always stopping when the Red one blooms, wanting to know what it is.<BR/><BR/>For powdery mildew ... you can use a sulfur solution spray (nasty smelling) that will generally take care of it. But the best is preventative, organic and natural: plant all sorts of alliums nearby because they give off sulfur directly into the soil, which takes care of the mildew. Another good reason to have alliums around, and even plain old onions will work (we do that in the veggie garden). <BR/><BR/>Frances, you crack me up there! And yes Holy Grail is just how I consider shooting hummers, but I'm hoping with the fancier new camera I got this spring I can get some. Would even like to try to get some video...<BR/><BR/>Oh, and dear, hesitant MMD ... just. do. it! Too bad you're not closer or I'd send you home with a couple of big pots of either color you'd like. I guess you really were scared by those stands of the red stuff I posted a while back at my place ... sorry if I spooked you. You'd really love it, believe me. And you could always yank it if it gets in the way, it's pretty easy to deal with, if you're forced to do that!<BR/><BR/>Gail, I'd say it's doing really well for you, and so glad you're enjoying it! One question: I've read that the purple one's foliage is supposed to smell like chocolate, but I just don't get that from it. What do you think? I love the citrusy scent of the red, and that's one of the nicest things about that plant, aside from the blooms, of course!Iowa Victory Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220818462081082930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-1701634847612483182008-07-11T21:46:00.000-05:002008-07-11T21:46:00.000-05:00Gail,A very striking color... this Marshall's Deli...Gail,<BR/>A very striking color... this Marshall's Delight! I'm wondering if it is something I can grow? The bees, butterflies and hopefully hummingbirds are a big bonus... always worth a little extra coddling. <BR/>Meems @ Hoe&ShovelMeemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16341998120938921741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-14384794210385804852008-07-11T19:01:00.000-05:002008-07-11T19:01:00.000-05:00To MMD, he is not a thug anywhere I have lived, bu...To MMD, he is not a thug anywhere I have lived, but Chicago is not one of those. Give it a try, live dangerously!Frances,https://www.blogger.com/profile/03616568389165362993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-3724031660686955652008-07-11T15:51:00.000-05:002008-07-11T15:51:00.000-05:00skeeter,Any time and I do really appreciate the fl...skeeter,<BR/><BR/>Any time and I do really appreciate the flutterbie id!<BR/><BR/>gailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-20607230528380478352008-07-11T15:27:00.000-05:002008-07-11T15:27:00.000-05:00Frances, and you started it off this morning...Hol...Frances, and you started it off this morning...Holy Grail indeed. Now I will forever think of that! You are so right we all have our Holy Grail shots! <BR/> <BR/>Aging is certainly fun.<BR/><BR/>MMD said she didn't plant monarda because she thought he might be a thug. Pulling him out would be fun...he smells so darn good. I suppose in ideal situations...constant moisture and sunshine he could be a bit rambunctious! <BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-59061529412498058272008-07-11T15:06:00.000-05:002008-07-11T15:06:00.000-05:00Joy,The photo of faux Coal was cool! Yes those n...Joy,<BR/><BR/>The photo of faux Coal was cool! Yes those native plants bring in the bees and flutterbies.<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-15967734013190997032008-07-11T15:04:00.000-05:002008-07-11T15:04:00.000-05:00MMD,It might be...I don't know yet, but I think(?)...MMD,<BR/><BR/>It might be...I don't know yet, but I think(?) it rips out easily. Let's ask Frances or some of the other gardeners with monarda experience.<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-7460197699107808592008-07-11T14:07:00.000-05:002008-07-11T14:07:00.000-05:00Thanks for the link Gail! I had fun documenting th...Thanks for the link Gail! I had fun documenting the fluttering things but oh, what a pain in the butt to capture the pictures! Can we say Headache not to mention the sweat lost from my body in the humidity! I put as much water on my body with showers as the yard was getting from the hose! LOL..<BR/><BR/>Your too funny Frances!Skeeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08222522533934405029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-5813966381334818432008-07-11T12:59:00.000-05:002008-07-11T12:59:00.000-05:00Gail, your Marshall's Delight is beautiful, and I ...Gail, your Marshall's Delight is beautiful, and I really enjoyed your photos. I used to have a purple monarda, but I don't know the type. It looked more like a shrub, about 5' tall, but died to the ground in winter. I had to leave it when we moved, but I think I need to find another. Thank you for sharing yours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-83293778880740670172008-07-11T12:57:00.000-05:002008-07-11T12:57:00.000-05:00Hi again Gail, you get a real chat fest going on t...Hi again Gail, you get a real chat fest going on the comments, so fun for all. The red one is usually Jacob Kline and the milk thing works best with skim milk, I have read somewhere. You make me laugh with the eye sight, back and hearing all going. With me the eyes are terrible, the back and shoulders hurt, my wrists are so weak I cannot open a jar, but my hearing is like superman's. I have to turn the TV way down and the neighbors car stereo when he leaves for work in the morning at 5:30 wakes me up. No whispering behind my back, I will hear you! LOLFrances,https://www.blogger.com/profile/03616568389165362993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-89879120672381952162008-07-11T12:38:00.000-05:002008-07-11T12:38:00.000-05:00I don't grow any Monarda, I guess because I'm afra...I don't grow any Monarda, I guess because I'm afraid it's a thug. It is beautiful though, especially with the yellow of that Swallowtail to set it off.Mr. McGregor's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911409327006498766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-13250662262810171622008-07-11T12:34:00.000-05:002008-07-11T12:34:00.000-05:00Thanks for the link Gail .. I don't think Rose has...Thanks for the link Gail .. I don't think Rose has realized my link to her yet ? LOL<BR/>I have huge Joe Pye and so many coneflowers it is ridiculous .. I think we have waves of butterflies at different times in the month maybe ? <BR/>I love that picture of the summer sky on your sidebar .. it is awesome !CanadianGardenJoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130452541076704075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-69534588682110529802008-07-11T11:31:00.000-05:002008-07-11T11:31:00.000-05:00kathleen,I can't wait to see your photos! I hope ...kathleen,<BR/><BR/>I can't wait to see your photos! I hope to stop by and spend more time at your blog...when you say paper crafting, do you make paper? My dearest friend from college makes paper...beautiful paper from old linen!<BR/><BR/>I am glad you liked the photos...it is a lovely plant.<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-19849886421785932022008-07-11T11:06:00.000-05:002008-07-11T11:06:00.000-05:00Great pictures Gail. I love monarda too for the s...Great pictures Gail. I love monarda too for the same reasons you write about ~ it's a butterfly, hummingbird, & bee magnet! Mine is just about to bloom and after seeing your pictures, I'm ready!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-21395847346454367742008-07-11T10:50:00.000-05:002008-07-11T10:50:00.000-05:00Cindy,A marriage broker might be just the thing!Ga...Cindy,<BR/><BR/>A marriage broker might be just the thing!<BR/><BR/>GailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093185160483906357.post-72320978126109841512008-07-11T10:43:00.000-05:002008-07-11T10:43:00.000-05:00Gail, a brother, hmmm. My favorite nursery has a b...Gail, a brother, hmmm. My favorite nursery has a big summer sale tomorrow. If there's a Monarda there, I'll quiz him about your guy Marshall and see if his intentions towards me are honorable!Cindy, MCOKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094260737874973235noreply@blogger.com