2011 New Plant Introductions

Each year I look forward to the announcement of the new plants that will be introduced for that gardening season. I have never been disappointed in the wide variety of perennials, annuals, vegetables, or trees/shrubs that have been offered. This year was no exception. Here are a few of the most interesting introductions.

Echinacea 'Guava Ice' - I love echniacea, and the interesting color combination sounds too good to pass up. This flower is advertised as having enormous double orangish-pink (or guava colored) blooms.

Echinacea 'Hot Summer' - This cone flower opens yellowish-orange, matures to a deep orange, and then, as it peaks, turns deep red. Very interesting.

Calibrachoa 'Blackberry Punch' - This tiny petunia is very dramatic with its coloring...deep violet-purple edges surround inky black centers which make the yellow eye jump.

Petunia 'Phantom' - This petunia is toted as having black flowers with a perfect yellow star shape in the center. It could be interested when planted in a basket with 'Blackberry Punch'.

Hosta 'Cherry Tomato' - I am a lover of hosta, with over 200 varieties residing happily in my shade-filled yard. This hosta is a mini with long, narrow lance-like leaves. They are yellow to creamy white with green, and have red on the lower part of the petiole and up the back.

Peony 'Bartzella' - 10 years ago I planted my first tree peony and I've never looked back. If you've never planted one, DO IT NOW. You won't regret the amazing flowers. 'Bartzilla' is a cross between the regular garden-variety herbacious peony and tree peopny. The gigantic flower is bright yellow and has a sweet/spicy scent. The bloom of this plant has the qualities of a tree peony; the leaves are those of the herbacious variety.

Crabtree 'Ruby Tears' - Weeping trees hold a special place in my heart. Combine the weeping form of this small tree along with the pink blooms and dark red fruit that stays on well into winter, and you definitely have a winning specimen tree for the garden.

For more new plant introductions, go to Goodsearch.com, enter the charity of your choice, then search "2011 new plant introductions." You'll not only get a ton of information, you'll also be giving free money to your favorite charity!

shel

Electricity, My Love

Electricity, oh Electricity, how much I love you!

You never know just how dependent you are on something until you have to do without it. Yesterday our electricity was out for approximately seven hours thanks to the blizzard that central Illinois was blessed with.

Bryan woke up, crying hysterically, at 4:10 a.m. It was blacker than black in the house and I ran into the walls on more than on occasion as I stumbled down the hallway to get to him. I never would have imagined that it was able to be this dark. Usually I walk around the house at night without turning on the lights. I go to the bathroom three or four times a night, get up and get a drink, or check on the stove (did I remember to turn that burner off?) at least once.

I did a quick head count and figured out exactly WHY it is so light in here at night. (I never realized it was light until I had to do without these helpers!) The telephone has two red lights that stay on, the computer screen has a dash light and the monitor has one as well. The glow of the clock radio and the clock on the oven add to the illumination. There is also a pole light at the end of our long, long driveway that actually has enough power to shine into the dorm window above the door and through the gaps in the vertical blinds.

I couldn't heat anything up in the microwave or on the stove, nor could I safely open the refrigerator or freezer doors. The furnace wouldn't work, and I couldn't flush the toilets because I have well water, and the pump wouldn't work.

I never realized how important a part that electricity played in my life. Like many people, I took something that is important to me for granted.

Electricity, I am so glad that you are once again part of my life. Please don't leave me again.

Stay warm, everyone.

shel