Since 1992 when hurricane Andrew devastated the tree cover in our southern end of the county, our county government has designate several days a year as adopt-a-tree day. Today was one of those days, and it was my first time attending the event.

Each homeowner is permitted two free trees per year; the trees are usually native or fruit trees that have adapted well to our soil and climate. The choices today were Lychee, Jackfruit, Inkwood, Orange Geiger and Logan trees.

My first choice was an Avocado tree but I was told that they would be available on the next adopt-a-tree day in September. I walked away with a Orange Geiger tree for my front yard and I pencil in Sep 25 in my calendar for the next adopt-a-tree day.

The Orange Geiger tree (Cordia Sebestena) is native of the West Indies, and was introduced to Key West by a local see captain named Geiger. The tree was featured in one of Audubon famous paintings, when he was asked what was the name of the tree, he would answer the Geiger tree, referring to the house where the tree was planted. The tree is moderate growing (15-20ft height) with beautiful orange flowers that appear throughout the year.

There were many people attending the event, but the process was fast and efficient. Is nice to see our tax dollars at work for such a worthy cause.

This is the spot where the tree will be planted. My original plan for succulents in this corner of the garden didn’t worked. This area gets flooded when we get too much rain; I am transplanting the surviving plants to containers.

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Sneak Preview

Each summer I'm fortunate enough to attend Campania's annual sales meeting, where the unveiling of their new product catalog/supplement takes place. The handing out of the catalog is by far the most exciting aspect of the meeting. It's also fun to hear everyone oohing and aahing over all the beautiful new designs.

This year consumers and retailers alike won't be disappointed with the selection of products being introduced. One of my favorite collections is their Garden Terrace Collection, which was designed to meet the consumer's desire for smaller products for their home and garden.

Here's a sneak peak of some of the items that I've already fallen in love with. From new "mini" fountains in various sizes and shapes to really cool contemporary linen glazed planters, Campania has something to complement all tastes and styles!

Look for these and their other new products this fall and next spring at retail garden centers nationwide.

-Stacey

GMG

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Home Grown Tomatoes

The first tomatoes of the season

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

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GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY -AUGUST 1, 2010

"Let me enjoy

this late-summer day of my heart

while the leaves are still green

and I won't look so close

as to see that first tint

of pale yellow slowly creep in.

I will cease endless running

and then look to the sky

ask the sun to embrace me

and then hope she won't tell

of tomorrows less long than today.

Let me spend just this time

in the slow-cooling glow

of warm afternoon light

and I'd think

I will still have the strength

for just one more

last fling of my heart."

- John Bohrn, Late August

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

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What’s blooming in the garden on this first day of August?

The powderpuff tree is in full bloom for the second time this year

The white crinum lily is blooming after a rough winter, at one point during the below freezing days this plant looked like a goner.

This is the peak time for the white plumeria or bride’ bouquet.

Other summer favorites.

The blue porterflower a favorite of bees.

Thryallis

The Mexican petunias are everywhere, they are becoming an invasive plant allover the garden.

This orange Julia butterfly visited the garden this morning.

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GARDEN DESIGNERS ROUNDTABLE : UNDERUTILIZED PLANTS

Honestly, when have you ever seen a specimen like this ?

Guy walks into the tree and shrub department with a photo of his front yard and says he wants the most unusual tree we've got, cost not an issue.  Sold him an Acer 'shishigashira ' or  as its dubbed  ' The Lion Head '  Japanese maple for several thousands dollars. Saw him later and he told me it was the perfect tree and none of his neighbors knew what it was and he wasn't telling. Turns out he was a well-known restauranteur that felt he had to outshine all the neighbors.



As a tree and shrub specialist I get to see all the unusual specimens that our buyer brings in from around the country.   The most coveted tree on our lot is the aristocrat of the tree world - Acer Palmatum, or Japanese Maple.  I've seen cultivars priced at $5,000 and up .  With hundreds of varieties from bright red, orange, burgundy, variegated green and pink and, chartreuse, there is bound to be one that will steal your heart. For me it was the 'Autumn Moon ' Maple, shown above,  and since I've rarely seen another in a garden I think it is very underutilized.

 Whenever possible I use evergreens in my design and a very underutilized specimen is Chamaecyparis obtusa  nana , or Japanese Falsecypress.  Elegant and artistic, it is much pricier than other evergreens but its uniqueness makes it worth the cost. 'Templehof' is one of my favorites.  Note the beautiful swirls and do not, by any means, compare it with Thuja , or arborvitae.  There is no comparison.

At first glance you'd probably not be able to name the colorful specimen above, which is another underutilized plant that I love for its colorful leaves that are attractive all season.  St. John's Wort is easy to grow but again, underutilized .

Rhododendron 'poukhanense ' or Korean azalea is one of the beauties of the Spring garden with its pale lavender bell- shaped blooms.  Azaleas in general are underutilized in the Chicago area because some have proven difficult to grow in our harsh climate. This azalea grows in Korea's rugged Poukhan mountain region with only mother nature as her keeper.  Enough said.

A camellia tree in Chicago? Be still my heart ! Actually its a Stewartia pseudo camellia and it comes in Chinese, Korean and Japanese versions.  A much over-looked under utilized tree, it's beautiful camellia-like blossoms appear in July and its stunning Fall color and beautiful exfoliating bark make it an ideal small ornamental tree of about 30 feet in height. 

The list of underutilized plants is endless but it must end here for the sake of brevity.  Please visit the Garden Designers Roundtable to read the posts of members who are writing on the subject for this month's theme. 

Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

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Create Your Own Garden Pharmacy

Check out The Organic Mechanic, Mark Highland, on NBC 10 as he shares his tips on growing plants that can improve your health.

-Stacey
GMG

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