Comments on: Top 9 for 2009

By: Mr. McGregor's Daughter

Mr. McGregor's Daughter — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:33:03 +0000

It’s time for me to learn how to make saurkraut. Cabbages are so beautiful.
I have long been an admirer of that Sumac. I think I need to find a home for it somewhere in the garden.

mmmm Sauerkraut! …Coleslaw! Borscht! The Deadon Hybrid cabbage was sweet enough to munch on raw. I’m a little surprised that you covet the sumac since it blazes so orange in the fall – or is it only orange flowers you don’t love? (- Or has your color sensitivity changed like mine does periodically and I missed that post?!) -kris

By: Layanee

Layanee — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:35:20 +0000

Happy New Year to you and the gang. I can’t wait to see what you will devise for next year’s spectacular displays.

Layanee, I can’t wait to see what we come up with either! -kris

By: Susan Sims

Susan Sims — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:34:17 +0000

So funny about the Thimbleberry! I was hiking in the mountains here two autumns ago and came across its white-flowered western relative, Rubus parviflorus and promptly ordered a few starts from Forest Farm. It answered my need for a native, shade loving shrub with presence, that wasn’t a hosta. You know what they say, “Great minds….” Good to know I’m ahead of the trends.

As for the Agave, check out High Country Gardens–new this year they have a small, cold hardy variegated agave! It only gets 12x 20″ or so, but its perfect for a pot. To stay ahead of the trends, keep this one on the down low: Try Kniphofia caulescens ‘Ice Queen.’ It will take a couple of years, but you’ll have chartreuse fading to cream pokers that will turn heads.

Susan, that is funny about both of us “discovering” thimbleberry! And thanks for the Agave tip – I’m putting it in on my wishlist… And I think we have that Kniphofia! I’ll have to double check but whichever one we have – that fits your description – is on my shortlist for the best of the decade. (How’s that for being on the cutting edge?) -kris