The Squirrelhaven team's first entry is in the category of Best Use of Borrowed Foliage.
This is that star performer of the Woodland Garden, Geranium 'Rozanne' being supported by her teammate, Polemium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven.' This pair of plants has been training hard all season. While Rozanne was still a small clump of foliage, Stairway was loaded with pale blue blooms. When those faded away, Rozanne sprang into action and sprawled up, over and around the Polemium, giving it truly another season of interest. What a strong showing from these two dependable plants.Competing in the second event for Bluest Berry is that woodland native Caulophyllum thalictroides, nicknamed "Blue Cohosh."
Its berries look outstanding this year, especially considering that its shade tree was cut down a year ago and it is still struggling to adapt to more sunlight until the replacement tree, a young Oak, grows large enough to cast this plant back into the full shade that it so desires. Blue Cohosh has certainly done a tremendous job under less than ideal conditions.Representating Team Squirrelhaven in the final event is none other than the team captain and gardener herself, making an outstanding showing in Best Deadheading. While she may not be the most talented at design or cultivation of plants, the girl can deadhead. Showcasing her talent is a single example out of half a dozen of Campanula persicifolia, which must be deadheaded daily by cutting off each spent bloom individually.
Look at how fresh those flowers and those stems still are in photos taken today.
Yes, it's hard to believe that it truly is the middle of August and not the middle of June. If it hadn't been deadheaded so carefully and continuously, there would be nothing but brown stems by now. This plant has been continuously in bloom since June 9 and shows no signs of letting up as long as the gardener keeps up this rigorous regime.
I truly think she's going for a personal best here. She's put in the long hours of training, she's given it her all, and now it's up to the judge to decide whether she's captured the Gold.
25 comments:
The achievements of the Squirrelhaven contestants are truly medal-worthy, in this gardener's opinion.
Truly a "blue-ribbon" entry! The precision of that deadheading. Oh, my! Is it the elusive perfect '10'?
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
You deserve a gold medal!!
Wonderful late summer garden
Jen
I think the Squirrelhaven team has a chance at the gold! Since I didn't have time to train, I'm sitting out this competition and will cheer you and Carol from the sidelines:)
Wow, I wish I had thought to deadhead mine. I'm never sure which ones will keep blooming and which ones won't. That, plus I'm a bit lazy sometimes. Great presentation, it makes mine look more than a little lame!
OOh, MMD, you are the epitome of deadheader, the princess of the pruners. I bow to your prowess, having tried to keep our bellflower going longer than she wanted to, but your skill is without peer!
Bluest of blue cohash is heading toward the gold....
Ooh, I love that Blue Cohosh. Wish I could grow that one.
Cindy - we're honor just to be competing. :^)
Carol - we'll just have to wait for the judge's ruling.
MBD - thanks for being my cheering section!
Rose - the Squirrelhaven team is always in training, except during the winter when we get fat & lazy.
Cinj - you have to really like deadheading to keep up with the Campanula persicifolia. It is not a low-maintenance plant. I really like deadheading, but sometimes, when it's really hot, humid & mosquito-y, it's even too much for me.
Frances - "Princess of the Pruners" I like that one.
Gail - I will have to devote a separate post to Blue Cohosh, which is grown for those blue berries.
Pam - if it scorches here, it would fry in Austin. I had to deadleaf it a bit because of too much sun. It definitely is a northern woodland plant. It's not well known, but I love it.
I had to come back and retract my earlier comment--I love a good competition, and after much deliberation decided to enter the Olympics after all. Don't worry, you and Carol are still shoo-ins for the gold medals!
What a beautiful flowers and the blueberries look good enough to eat. It is so fun to watch what other gardeners have growing. Thanks for the link I will check it out. It is amazing what will come up in your garden sometimes.
The Blue Cohosh is stunning -- what a gorgeous blue!
Well you'll certainly get my vote for the bluest berry! That Blue Cohosh is spectacular! I want it!
Makes me want to run out and buy pruning shears of every sort and kind. I'm inspired. Your blue blooms and berries are perfect and worthy of medals.
Very nice, SBG, very nice.~~Dee
Definite Gold for the Bluest Berry! My mouth is watering as I look at it. Mmm Mmm good!!
That dead-heading's got to be worth Gold with a capital G!
Some true blue entries guaranteed to turn us all green with envy!
Rose - how ironic that you & Carol won the golds! I was just doing it for fun.
Hi, Krissi, thanks for visiting! Those are Blueberries & I certainly don't recommend eating them.
Nancy Bond - I love the Blue Cohosh berries because there are no flowers that color (at least not at this time of year).
Gina - we've got to get you some of that Cohosh.
Anna - I usually use only 1 pair of pruners. I misplaced my pruning shears. I am such a sorry git.
Thanks, Dee!
Flydragon - that's a look, but don't sample type of berry.
VP - my deadheading may not have won any medals, but my garden looks the better for it.
Nancy - they all are sort of blue aren't they? I didn't notice that. (D'oh!)
Hey there MMD,
I take it that's a perennial geranium? We should look for that one, it's truly lovely. Finally I've gotten to see Blue Cohosh! Thanks for growing/showing it ... I only know about this plant due to its herbal properties, so it was very cool to see a real one growing and fruiting. Those are a wonderful blue, no wonder you like it so much.
I'm with Frances too ... though I might change to High Priestess of the Pruner ... I hate deadheading and will only do it with plants I know will produce more blooms later, but I'm a bit harried and lazy too. I admire those who are successfully consistent with it though! Kudos....
IVG - LOL! It's true, I'm not the Princess type, so maybe High Priestess is better. You'll be thrilled, I say thrilled, to know that I'm devoting an entire post just to Blue Cohosh.
I don't mind deadheading the campanulas, phlox, rose, even the nepata. What I hate to deadhead is salvia, May Night in particular and daylilies. My hats off to you. By August I've done about as much snipping as I'm going to do:)
I can't believe I don't have Rozanne 2008 Plant of the Year. Everybody loves her. I need to find her a place in my garden.
Marnie
Marnie - I thought everbody grew 'Rozanne.' Sounds like it's time to do another post.
What a nice collection of blue in the garden. I've never given it much thought but your pics make me want to buy blue plants. ;0)
Mr. Brownthumb - blue is such an excellent blender color. It's sort of like the flower version of green. I never tire of blue.
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