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Schlumbergera – A Cactus Blooming In Winter

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Schlumbergera is the cactus that blooms in winter.

Schlumbergera is one of the best alternatives to the poinsettia for holiday decor. At this time of the year, it is easy to find Schlumbergera in your local garden center. I have even found them in the grocery store. If you find Poinsettia’s, the Schlumbergera is somewhere nearby. One secret of this plant is the ease of care versus the Poinsettia. In the midst of the chill outside, this Christmas Cactus blooms with total abandon. 

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This Princess of the holiday season bloomed prolifically in my parent’s house.

I consider the Schlumbergera the Princess of this season. Did you know that there are many different types of Schlumbergera? I found that there are not only Christmas Cactus but Thanksgiving Cactus, Crab Cactus, and Holiday Cactus….hmmm…the Holiday Cactus is better known as Easter Cactus, due to the bloom time.

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This is the Mother Schlumbergera which I use for making more plants. This is one of the easiest houseplants to share!

There are two major groupings of Schlumbergera – Truncata and Buckleyi.  The Truncata group is an early blooming species that encompasses the Easter or Holiday Cactus. The flowers of this cultivar are more upright, instead f hanging down. There is also a difference in the upper and lower leaves of the bloom. The Buckleyi group blooms later, the flowers hang down and are more symmetrical.  What we know as Christmas Cactus is generally in this group.  

Originally from the tropical climate in Brazil by plantsman Charles Lemaire, the first recorded species was in England in 1852 by Mr. W. Buckley.  Christmas Cactus were commonly used as ornamental plants in the heated greenhouses found in England.  The late-season flowering was a hit among those that enjoyed new and different plants.  At one time, there was another species called russelliana. As breeding of the original three species in the early 1950s created different strains, the older more original strains became extinct.

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A Christmas Cactus that my Dad cherished. The pink bloom was so vivid!

The care and feeding of what we know as Christmas Cactus is rather simple:

  • a small, free-draining container, with free-draining soil with a touch of grit;
  • cool, but humid indirect sunlight area.  Cooler nights will induce bloom;
  • water once a week and mist the foliage.  Too much water will cause rotting and bud drop.  Too little water will lead to its demise.  Wet feet are a definite NO!;
  • stop watering around October if you want it to bloom at Christmas.  A saucer with pebbles and water below the pot will create the humidity needed for optimal growing conditions;
  • Schlumbergera flowers best when it is in a half pot or root bound pot.  When transplanting in the Spring make sure that your new pot is not too big.
This Schlumbergera bloom is so vivid. The plant is full of blooms. The bloom on this one is more upright.

Schlumbergera or the Christmas Cactus, thrives on casual care. It is easy to share with friends and family.

I can’t wait for the other Schlumbergera to evolve over the holiday season. This year I mixed the colors in my container, however, I might need to increase my collection. It will be amazing to see if I can identify whether it is a Truncata or Buckleyi.

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This bloom reminds me of a bird in flight. The fantasy found in the bloom is always amazing.

With dreams of Schlumbergera all over my house, I am also dreaming of the holidays! This cactus blooming in winter evokes memories and makes me smile.

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about Schlumbergera, click here

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Camellias – Blooming Rosettes In Autumn

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Camellias blooming in autumn are the rosettes of fall. They are quite the distraction in the garden at this time of the year.

Camellias in autumn remind me of rosettes. These bodacious blooms draw me outside, sometimes, before I have my coffee. Simply stated, I love them. I can’t get enough of them. Most likely, l have too many for some people. Good thing they don’t live here! There are Spring and Fall blooming Camellias. Luckily I have both.

JAPONICA JAMMING

In mid-winter, Camellia Japonica starts jamming in the garden. The buds swell all season, scattered along the length of the branches. As Spring bulbs break the surface of the soil, Camellias signal an awakening. Blooms like the skirts of a Flamenco dancer stand out in an otherwise dormant landscape.

Camellia japonica “Fimbriata” is an elegant white bloom that pops on the shiny evergreen leaves.

Camellia japonicas have blooms in many different shades. When inviting a Camellia into the garden, certain conditions must be considered. Hardy in zones 6 – 9 this plant must be grown in moist, well-draining soil. Part sun is what she prefers, This will keep the blooms from dissolving as the dew dances on the petals.

A bit of protection from the strong winds of winter will ensure multiple buds and blooms. This easy-care shrub requires minimal pruning. A snip here or there for shaping is all that is required. Did you know Camellias are a water-wise shrub? Watering during extremely dry spells will keep this shrub healthy. It does not require excessive watering.

A smattering of mulch to break down and feed the soil is beneficial to the Camellia. Two common diseases that can destroy this bodacious beauty is petal blight or root rot fungus. Maintenance is simple, clean up any petals that are discolored and fall to the ground. Well-draining soil is a must to avoid root rot. One tip, plant a bit high and not level to the ground – this helps with drainage. The joy of adding a Camellia to the garden is truly endless. Jamming to jazz in my Spring garden always involves Camellia Japonica.

SASSY SASANQUA

This sassy little number is like a soft pink negligee on satin sheets of green leaves.

Camellia Sasanqua blooms are truly the rosettes of fall. Imagine a hint of pink from an inside window. It beckons you to come outside. Once outside, the sassy blooms open wide, revealing the gold underskirt within. Sasanquas taunt this gardener to put down the rake and simply enjoy.

This beauty blooms in late October and lasts for quite some time. I have cut bouquets for Christmas in warmer winters. Almost everything in my garden has an underplanting of sorts. My classic combination for the Camellias at the Cottage involves perennials. There is nothing like a Camellia with an underskirt of Hellebore, crocus, or Galanthus. I even have a few Muscari that have crashed the party, adding an unexpected spot of color. There is something about Hellebore buds rising as the Camellia finishes her show in mid to late winter.

Camellia cultivar? Who knows…however I can look outside my bedroom window and smile at this beauty as I rise.

I cherish my Camellias. The first time I knew it was going to be a love affair forever was in a Fredericksburg garden. “April Tryst” was the name and it was simply amazing. That name has stuck in my mind for the past 20 years. When I purchased my house, I knew that Camellias would dot the landscape as often as possible, along with peonies.

April Tryst Camellia, my first love.

There are cold hardy Camellias and with the proper conditions, you can grow them as well. A true morning delight is a simple cutting in a vase, bloom half open with a perfect cup of coffee.

Enjoying these blooms in a simple vase with my coffee causes me to smile.

Do you grow Camellias? Do they taunt and tease you to simply enjoy their presence in the landscape? Would you take a snip to bring the beauty inside? Invite this seductress into your garden and embrace the bloom. It changes the perception of the autumnal landscape with just the right pop of color.

I wonder which Camellia to plant next? There has to be a spot…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Cavano’s – Pollinating Gardens in the Midatlantic

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Cavano’s is known by nurseries in the Mid Atlantic for the healthy plant material it grows onsite.

Cavano’s Perennials is a respected resource in the Mid Atlantic horticultural community. The reason is evident once you speak to the Owners, Ferenc Kiss, and Taylor Pilker. A passion for what they do is a natural part of their conversation. Smart growth is part of their philosophy. This way, they can go above and beyond inustry expectations.

The Cavano’s Team is serious about their commitment to the horticultural industry, as well as the environment. Attention to detail in the finished products and the need to exceed consumer expectation is an intentional business practice.

My first visit to Cavano’s was several years ago. The Association of Garden Writers (now known as GardenComm, International) coordinates a Regional meeting, partnering with Cavano’s. We toured the facility, reviewed the plant material, and gathered. The team at Cavanos were the perfect hosts. It was a memorable day and we learned a lot about their history.

With humble beginnings as a cut flower farm, one could say that over time, Cavano’s has grown up. When the former owners retired, this business became a partnership of friends. Ferenc and Taylor have taken Cavano’s to the next level with their work ethic and expertise. This combination has met the needs of the horticultural industry. Pivoting during this pandemic offered a new opportunity. Online ordering and contactless pickup has allowed Cavano’s to remain accessible.

On a recent visit, I was fortunate to enhance my pollinator garden. I love Echinacea and all of it’s many cultivars. One I had been looking for was calling my name .

Cavano’s had “Fatal Attraction”, just one of the Echinacea’s on my wish list.

Echinacea “Fatal Attraction” packs a lot in a small plant. A little shorter, blooming later, and a little longer than other cultivars, she stands out. A terrific front of the border plant with an an upturned bloom, a noticeable cone and black stems. Some say it has a slight fragrance that is also a bonus. I can only imagine how this will look front and center in my new pollinator garden next season.

Wendy Brister, Marketing Director at Cavano’s is a wealth of information. She suggested another cultivar I should consider for my pollinator allotment.

Like a “Virgin” rings through my mind as I look at the fabulous clear, clean, white bloms held high on this plant.

When I saw the bloom, I knew that Wendy suggested wisely. Known as a clumper, shorter in stature, and double rows of petals, “Virgin” was intriguing. Virgin is a popular asset to any pollinator garden. I am counting on “Virgin” calling all the pollinators into my garden next year.

Virgin will certainly compliment the front of my pollinator border in next year's garden.
Virgin will certainly compliment the front of my pollinator border in next year’s garden.

Cavano’s certainly had more than Echinacea’s for my garden. This company also offers herbs and ornamental grasses. The plant list is quite impressive, offering in-depth information. Defining specific soil conditions, bloom time, and watering needs means there is no guessing required. A statement on their website makes me know this is a reputable company. Cavano’s has an statement committing to non use of neonicotinoid pesticides. This speaks volumes to the conscientious gardener.

As a local business committed to being the best in the industry, reputation is everything. Cavano’s has a reputation of being mindful of their environmental footprint. As a Grower, selecting quality plants for diverse conditions is important. Being the resource that garden centers know is a reputation worth having.

Cavano’s also offers a wonderful list of 200 low impact native plants. Some garden mainstays like Rudbeckia, Amsonia hubrechtii, and Asclepius cultivars. Xeric landscaping, rain gardens to bioretention landscapes, this company has the required plant material. What a wonderful way to design a project and have a dependable resource to count on.

I like to think of Cavano’s as an industry pollinator. The diversity of plant material grown onsite, attracts vendors near and far. This pollinator called Cavano’s serves as a connector of healthy plants to in the Mid Atlantic. Most gardeners want the best plants for our gardens. It is wonderful knowing there is a local grower we can depend on as a resource.

My 2021 pollinator garden and the plant list from Cavano’s will give me something to look forward to. As we begin nesting, a refresher on pollinator gardens is heavy on my mind.

Do you have a pollinator garden? What plants are on your pollinator wish list?

At the Cottage, dreams of pollinators are heavy on my mind…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out about a How to Grow a Pollinator Garden, listen to my podcast. I recently had a chat with Heather Andrews of Garden Thoughtfully. Heather is a new GardenComm Member on a mission to encourage more people to think about pollinators.

To find out about GardenComm, International, click here. There is even a special opportunity to view a holiday offering of a one act play called: Betrothal” by Lanford Wilson.

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Bliss In A Brandywine Garden – A Book Review

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Bliss is a personal emotion felt when enjoying the garden. In my opinion, A year at Brandywine Cottage by David L. Culp can be compared to seasonal bliss in a book.

Bliss should be the name of the soil found in the Brandywine Valley. I am a firm believer that this soil is what might be found in heaven. The Brandywine Valley is famous for its history, historic homes, and beautiful gardens. From Longwood to Chanticleer, it offers a multitude of diverse horticultural entities that inspire. David L. Culp has written a book that takes us on a six-season visual journey at the Brandywine Cottage. Known by many for his Galanthus events and Hellebore introductions, this is David Culp’s second book. The first book is called The Layered Garden. Each book offers a different aspect of gardening at the Brandywine Cottage. Both books offer inspiration to fellow gardeners. The art of encouraging anyone to find inspiration in your personal green space is the shared message.

David L. Culp – a man who is passionate, understands the possibilities found in the garden, and a serious plant lover!

BLISS IN A BOOK

The book, A Year at Brandywine Cottage – Six Seasons of Beauty, Bounty, and Blooms by David Culp, Denise Cowie, and Rob Cardillo, reveals the six seasons of the gardening year. Think of each season as a meal. Consider the gardening year a six-course meal. Thirty years of creating a garden filled with love, experiments, and possibilities set the table for each season to be embraced.

Whether the season includes ephemerals of Spring or the colorful leaves appreciated in autumn, Brandywine Cottage is a garden story. David shares how he made his garden with the help of his partner, Michael Alderfer. Beautifully plated, shared, and enjoyed, each season could be considered a short story.

I began reading this book in March. Like many this year, I had quite a bit of time on my hands. I seized the opportunity to review this book as my cottage garden evolved right before my eyes. I fell in love instantly and knew I needed to see this garden for myself.

A Brandywine Hellebore, elegantly captured and centered on a single page, provided a perfect distraction to the worries of the day. The handsomely photographed bloom hypnotized me. Mesmerized, it nearly took my breath away. My attempts to focus were unsuccessful as my eyes repeatedly drifted back in amazement. Perhaps it was how David described naming his cultivars. Most named cultivars were defined by moments experienced in the garden. I realized this book was feeding my soul. Wondering how to deal with a pandemic, I had found my escape.

My view of the Brandywine Cottage in an August to remember…

NOTICING BLISS IN THE SEASONAL GARDEN

As I began to read the story of David’s garden, the month of March was merely an appetizer. Each word allowed me to appreciate the garden in a different way. I understand this month offered an opportunity to pause and observe. At Brandywine Cottage this was the time to embrace the garden in the present. It was the beginning of a six-course seasonal journey into a garden. A cottage garden created by hard work and lots of love.

Month by month I settled into the new reality of unintentional pausing and this book has been my companion. Fortunately, A Year at Brandywine Cottage has encouraged me to anticipate what’s next in the garden. Imagining each chapter – month by month – as a course at a unique floral feast. As I savored March and April…I knew that this book was different. This is not a novel. It is a story about embracing seasonal beauty as an intentional act of love. To truly receive the gift this book offers, I suggest savoring it month by month. To be honest, I will not consider reading the chapters in the fifth and sixth seasons. It is merely November…known as late fall.

This was a scene that caught my eye as I enjoyed visiting with David at the Brandywine Cottage.

VISUAL BLISS

I consider the photos as a blessing in this book. Each one was a moment captured by an appreciative eye. Graceful blooms captured by the lens of Rob Cardillo, a fellow gardener, and photographer. As I gasped at Thalictrum rochebruneanum, my heart actually skipped a beat. Captured at the right time of the day and a perfect introduction to a course called Summer. The leaves of cabbage, veined with hints of plum accented by the dark foliage of the perilla below. The artist called Nature held her paintbrush high at the right moment and was captured by Cardillo.

Embracing each season with ideas is like tapas for the gardener. Simple bites for making a Cottage garden fill the pages of this book. David’s perspective allows the reader to consider each idea as a possibility. David advises us about the seasonal beauty we can find in our own gardens. This book is an open invitation to experiment with a diverse plant palette. David Culp suggests many easy options as he shares his garden story.

EDIBLE BLISS

A Year at Brandywine Cottage also includes simple recipes offering ideas of what is edible in the garden. This book on gardening as a lifestyle provides a blueprint enabling us to reconsider our sense of taste. Each month teases the reader with edible delights. I was hesitant about eating my dandelions. The Dandelion Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing seemed to call out to me. I adhered to the warning – only use dandelions collected from a chemical-free garden. Encouraged, I gathered dandelions from my chemical-free garden. My adventurous spirit was rewarded with this delicious dish.

I considered the Sauteed Fiddlehead Ferns for April. The Fiddleheads in my garden were beautiful. The fronds offered hope for healthy, full-bodied ferns this season. Cooking with them was not an option this year. I made the Funny Cake for a delicious snack. One day I will have enough Fiddleheads to sacrifice. I will enjoy the fern’s beauty allowing them to unfurl in my garden. I dream about growing more to use for edible cooking.

Each chapter encourages the reader to discover a simple sip, a soup, or even a dessert. Imagine using watercress from your own garden for Watercress Tea sandwiches. David teaches the reader to understand the joy of simplicity found in our gardens.

MEMORIES CONTAINED OR CAPTURED

Vases or containers are traditional ways of sharing floral expressions from the garden. David encourages us to look beyond the vase. Containing blooms and creatively displaying them is an idea from this book. He reminds us that still life has been around for centuries. Collecting a leaf, bloom, or stem aids in creating a still life. Even placing pots artfully on a bench or a collection of seasonal items placed on a Taboret can capture moments otherwise lost. David encourages us to be present in the garden. Select memories of a day in the garden and place them anywhere. After all, moments savored throughout the day are important.

If we pause, memorable moments in the garden can be discovered. There is a certain joy when finding something that can be artfully arranged and enjoyed in the present. From a bud, a bloom, or even a leaf, David shares how A Year at Brandywine Cottage has something for all of us to mimic at home.

RECOMMENDED READING AND GIFTING

While we continue to be apart from each other, I highly recommend A Year At Brandywine Cottage. It is one of the best inspirational books that encourages each of us to garden in a way that speaks our language. What a great gift David shares. Like a flight of wine, A Year at Brandywine Cottage is unique to the individual reader’s taste. This book offers ideas, recipes, and simple ways to embrace life from the garden. Imagining possibilities, creating vignettes to delight, and examples of placing memories throughout the garden are on every page.

Envisioning opportunities to linger is one unexpected gift found in this book. Imagine looking at a space and allowing it to speak to you about what it needs. This is a naturalistic garden story designed to complement and add seasonal bliss. As new gardeners begin an ever-evolving journey, this book is a great gift. David Culp offers observations, as well as possibilities of what can be achieved in the garden for gardeners of all levels. The joy found in each month will encourage and inspire even the seasoned gardener.

Patiently embracing November at The Cottage In The Court as I remember walking with David Culp at the Brandywine Cottage in summer.

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To hear the podcast where I chatted with David L. Culp, click here

To read more about David Culp, click here.

For information about co-author Denise Cowie, click here

Inquiries about photographer Rob Cardillo, click here

To find out more abut Timber Press click here

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Missing Cornbread’s Beautiful Bouquet’s

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Missing Cornbread and his beautiful bouquets has been a reality check in my uncomplicated world.

Missing the once vibrant feel of downtown DC was quite noticeable last week. If silence could be visually loud it would have hurt my ears. It definitely shook my soul. There were very few people on the street, less coming from the subway underground and the sounds of a bustling City were missing.

I am very much aware that we are in the midst of a pandemic. Some people were respectfully obeying the Mayor’s orders to wear a mask at all times. Others dismissed this, much to my chagrin. Missing were the smiles I was accustomed to seeing as I walked along the once busy streets of Washington, DC.

As a gardener, one key thing was profoundly noticeable when departing my office building recently. For as long as I have worked downtown there was a spot by the Metro Center subway that was guaranteed to make me smile. A man named Cornbread sold beautiful bouquets. Nope, they were not professionally created. That did not bother me at all. When I was in the midst of creating a bouquet for the office and noticed something was missing, Cornbread’s bouquets were there.

When a co-worker wanted to impress a date with a floral statement, I knew what to say. “Go down to see Cornbread at the corner. Pick up two mixed florals and add a bunch of the roses”, I would advise. “If that is not full enough add another bunch of the mixed flowers for a full floral statement. I am sure she will be impressed”. As I walked by his spot last week, missing Cornbread was at the forefront of my mind.

Missing his voice as he greeted me “Hello Dah-ling” as I would begin inspecting each floral bunch, picking the best of his beautiful bouquets. If I was not rushed, I would ask him to pick out his best bouquet. Standing patiently as he eyed each and every bunch, it was one of my favorite ways to pause on an otherwise hectic day. Selecting random bunches and gingerly wrapping each one in sheets of newspaper, he would begin to share. This was my way of spending time and pausing to show I cared. Cornbread would share his point of view about God, politics, and the garage dispute. His truck had just a little too much smoke coming from his tailpipe. I could always tell when he entered or recently left the garage. Missing the voice of an Elder known as Cornbread truly creates a void in my world.

As a native Washingtonian, the City that I once knew has become an unfamiliar place. I hope that one day, Cornbread will return to his spot above Metro Center selling hats, umbrellas, sometimes t-shirts, and his beautiful bouquets.

Do you miss moments that are familiar to your day as we continue to survive during this period of unintentional pausing?

While I know he may never see this, Iam truy missing Cornbread and his beautiful bouquets.

Teri, Cottage In The Court

I also wrote about my hometown pandemic observations here

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