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Archive for 2009

Dragon tail fern

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Asplenium ebenoides
ASPLENIACEAE, The Spleenwort family
I think I have a fern fetish.
Many of my plant acquisitions this season have been ferns, despite the fact I have very limited shade in the garden. I keep thinking of my sister’s former garden in St. Paul, where her entire garden was composed of ferns. It […]

Hart’s tongue fern

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Asplenium scolopendrium
ASPLENIACEAE, The Spleenwort family
Bright evergreen spears, a clean transition between the Kohuhu and the Fringe flower.

Plant Hike

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Plant Hike/Herb walk is happening this Sunday afternoon. Come learn about Northwest plants, especially edibles.
October 24, 2 pm to 4 pm
Tualatin Mountains (in Portland)
Let me know if you want to come along!
guided-hike_flyer.pdf

Lemon balm

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Melissa officinalis
LAMIACEAE, The Mint family
A good plant to use for grey water filter planters, along with daylilies and sedges: according to Tom Ward.
Also purportedly a refrigerant - a sun tea made from the fresh leaves can cool the body temperature on a warm day and a hot tea made during flu season can reduce […]

Kohuhu

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’
PITTOSPORACEAE, The Pittosporum family
The Monrovia vendor swears to me that this is hardy - I will hold him to his word and he knows it. I got three for the front foundation bed, to be mixed with the variegated Gordonia which is finally showing some signs of not hating […]

Ficoide Glaciale

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
AIZOACEAE, The Iceplant family
Delicious succulent leaves found at the Saturday Farmer’s Market - grown by Viridian Farms. They are crunchy, lemony, tart!

Variegated Italian Buckthorn

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

RHAMNACEAE, The Buckthorn family
Rhamnus alternatus ‘Variegata’
USDA zone 7b
A nice drought-tolerant combination: This large evergreen shrub with cream-blooming potentilla and Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’. A subtle, silvery affair. Add Ozothamnus ‘Silver Jubilee’ or Artemisia ‘Silver Mound’ to brighten it, and some big bold Euphorbias, like E. wulfenii to anchor.
This buckthorn is not at […]

True dwarf boxwood

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

BUXACEAE, The Box family
Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’
Mini-hedge in progress.
Here is my favorite plant combination today: Blue elderberry, Overdam feather reed grass and box. It’s a day trip down back roads in the Gorge meets touring in a European rental car in early autumn. It’s spacious, sunny, dusty, relaxed. The collection could appear overexposed but the […]

Mindful _________

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Seven Planet, a new ‘Eco-General Store’ in Old town is having a grand opening party this Saturday from 4 to 10 pm.
Come see my painting ‘Mindful Observation’ printed and mounted on Plywerk, as well as other artists’ works, all on the theme of mindfulness.
What do Forking bone, Devil’s matchstick, Blood-splattered […]

Tomato ‘Green Zebra’

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Lycopersicon esculentum
SOLANACEAE, The Potato family

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Yum! They are finally ripe. How do you know when a green tomato is ready to pick? With this variety, wait until the background color is gold and they give slightly when gently squeezed. These are the best in salad, and make a beautiful caprese when alternated with […]