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Pineapple Plant Pot

pineapple vase by Mrs. Dalloway

TheGardenLady received this question from Sadie.

I thought not only would it look really neat, but also be a way to compost.  I would like to take a cored pineapple and be able to fill it with soil and use it as a pot, then plant the whole thing into the ground. Is there any plant that would like the nourishment/acidic environment from a pineapple.

Using the cored pineapple as a pot is certainly an unusual idea. I have never heard of this usage. I do hope that you eat the flesh of the fruit before you make the shell of the fruit into a pot.

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Why Plant Leaves Fold

folded leaf spider nest by mycocortex

TheGardenLady received this question from Jim.

I believe my snake plant is underwatered. The leaves are folding in half length-wise. I have probably underwatered in fear of overwatering. Any suggestions for bringing my snake plant back without overwatering it?

Snake plant or Sansevieria is a tough plant that has few pests. But it does have some pests. My guess, and it can only be a guess because I cannot examine your plant, is that you are not under watering your plant but that your plant may have some pests.

When you have plants indoors, the environment is not what the plant is used to; so a plant can be stressed much more than it would be if it were growing outside in its natural environment. The stress might be from your not giving the plant the minimum amount of water that it needs. I water my  Sansevieria plants just a few times when it is indoors during cold weather and they are perfectly healthy. However, if I felt the plant were under watered, I would give it a drink- which I hope you have done for your plants.  Whatever is stressing your plant and whenever your plant gets stressed, it becomes less resistant to problems. Therefore your plant might become vulnerable to some insects pests. The three main insect pests of the Sansevieria plant are 1) the Vine Weevil grub, 2) mealy bugs or 3) spider mites.

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The Himalyan Blue Poppy

Meconopsis betonicifolia flower against sun by vincentdunne

TheGardenLady received this question from Chazz.

I was wondering if you know anything about Himalayan blue poppy. Do you know what soil and climate they like to grow in, and if they will do well in Northern Pennsylvania climate?

There are two poppies called Himalayan blue poppy. One is Meconopsis betonicifolia (see here) and the other is Meconopsis grandis (see here). Both have true blue gorgeous poppy flowers. Both seem to have similar cultures. ThisGardenLady thinks that perhaps Meconopsis betonicifolia is easier to find in the US which may mean that it is hardier in this country. The UK seems to have more sources for the Meconopsis grandis.

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Flower Shows 2011

Chelsea Flowers by naughton321

It is that time of year again when Gardeners need to have their gardening spirits lifted by seeing flowers in bloom. This is the time for Flower Shows. TheGardenLady column wants to share some good links to locate flower shows near you or places you may want to travel for Flower Shows. The joy of seeing any flowers in bloom at this time of the year is great, but which do connoisseurs claim are the top 4 in the world?

Philadelphia Flower Show by kightp

Philadelphia International Flower Show – This is billed as the oldest flower show in the US as well as the nation’s largest indoor flower show. TheGardenLady has been to this show numerous times and the warning is that crowds seem to be getting larger every year. The least crowded time to be there is around dinner time when many people start leaving. The 2011 theme for The Philadelphia Flower show is Springtime in Paris. How romantic is that?
Tickets can be purchased in advance at PNC banks and Acme.  PNC has a contest to give some free tickets away.  See here.  Of course, if you are a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, you get free passes with membership. It is worth joining PHS for these tickets, their outstanding magazine and discounts at various stores.   See here.


Chelsea Flower Show – This extravagant show has flower displays that are absolutely world class. TheGardenLady has been to this show one time. One hasn’t seen crowds at a Flower Show until one attends this show. Unbelievable. TheGardenLady was advised to get there before the opening hour when the line is shortest and of course one is the first on the grounds. Good advice. Of course, if you are a member of the RHS, there is one day set aside just for members so that the crowds are not so horrendous.   You can join the Royal Horticultural Society to get discounted tickets if you know you will be going to the Chelsea Flower Show.  You don’t have to live in Great Britain to be a member.  Their magazine is outstanding, too.   See here.

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Protecting Plants from Snow and Ice in the Winter

Ice Tree by Spiritwoman1

There are many websites about how to plan to prevent damage to trees in winter snow or ice storms.  See here, for example.   These articles tell one how to pick strong trees that won’t be as prone to winter breakage and how to wrap trees or shrubs to try to protect these plants from damage.

But no one expected such a harsh winter as we are having this year and no one predicted the amount of snow. When I checked the Farmer’s Almanac in 2010, they predicted a rather normal winter. They have an updated version if you want to see what they think will happen for the rest of the winter.  See here.  So at this stage of winter, no one can really tell you what damage your shrubs and trees will suffer because of the amount of snow we have had. We will all have to wait to see how our plants survive.

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Caring for Knockout Roses Down South

Raindrops on Double Pink Knock Out rose in November garden by pawightm

TheGardenLady received several questions about Knock Out roses.

Here’s a question from Dan about caring for Knock Out roses in the winter.

How do you care for Knock Out roses in the winter in Tallahassee, Florida. Can I put hay around and cover the up with trash can or do they need sun light in the winter? They got new buds on them now.  How do you keep them looking good for next summer?

According to Conard-Pyle, a company that specializes in Knock Out Roses, Knock Out® Roses shouldn’t need much protection at all in winter in the south. There is no need to cover them up with a trash can. They would benefit from a hard trim once every two to three years. They should be trimmed ½ to 1/3 of the way back just before they begin to leaf out – this would probably be around mid February in the Tallahassee region.

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Glyphosate is a Dangerous Herbicide

Glyphosate Injury by Arkansas Rice

Planning your garden for the spring? Planning to use herbicides to kill weeds in your garden? If you are considering any chemical for your garden, think twice about it and think hard about the safety. If you think that any ”Pesticide is safe” that is sold in the stores, think again. More and more evidence seems to say that this is a myth.  See here.

Weed by dan mogford

They newest scientific evidence coming out is that one of the most extensively used herbicides in the history of agriculture, glyphosate, is dangerous. This “systemic herbicide can have extensive unintended effects on nutruient efficiency and disease severity, thereby threatening its agricultural sustainability.”  See here.

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Companion Planting or Underplanting

companion planting at Heligan, Cornwall by RoseBridger

As the snow sits on the lawn, TheGardenLady is sure that her readers are dreaming of the day the bulbs start pushing up their leaves.  This is a sure sign that the flowers will soon open signaling spring. This spring I am looking forward to hyacinths and tulips and other bulbs, because last fall I planted so many more bulbs.

One of the concerns when planting bulbs is the leaves after the flowers have died. We now know that it is important to NEVER cut the leaves after flowering so that the bulb will get the nutrition needed for next year’s flowering. And we now know that we should not tie the leaves in a bundle- a method that was used to make the leaves more controlled looking after bloom time. So what should one do with the unsightly leaves until they completely die back later in the season?

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Gardening Catalogs

Torture by Sun Dogs & Daylilies

It is that time of year when garden catalogs start coming in the mail. I think gardeners have a problem; at least this gardener does. There are so many plants that I lust to own that I can’t read a seed catalog or go to a plant nursery and not find another plant that I want to add to my garden. So in spite of all the plants in my garden, I am definitely ordering more from some of the catalogs I have received. And some of the catalogs are giving half off the price of the order as an added allure.

But now the problem is where can I find space to plant.  Most flowering plants want sun. But I have a lot of trees. My dream is to get rid of as much lawn as possible and just fill the yard with flowers. But then I have deer… and rabbits…. Oh well, one has to dream and add to the garden.

If you are not receiving any catalogs, you can always go on line. But if you like to receive catalogs in your mailbox like I do, so that you can go over and over the items at leisure, there are many free catalogs that you can order and have mailed to you. Just remember to share your unwanted catalogs with friends and family when you have finished reading them.

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Amsonia: 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year

Arkansas Amsonia In Spring by deepintheforestcat

In my garden I grow a plant that I love called Amsonia. l am also flattered that so many people who pass – even those driving by- my garden stop to ask the name of the plant when it is in flower. One woman, a friend who is a member of the local Master Gardening Assoc., even stopped to ask me what it was and where I bought it. I had bought my plant at Russell Gardens Wholesale. Because I was planning another trip there when she asked, I offered to purchase an Amsonia for her.

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