Winter Activity: Labels and Maps

Not much more to do outside, but I am working to get ready for the spring.  Earlier this year I bought a new Brother label printer.  I have been pleased with earlier models, but this one, PT-2730, includes USB linking to my Mac and software to layout labels.  I love it!  Best part for me is that I can store the templates on the computer.

This machine allows for 1" labels so that I can get more info right by the cultivar.  I did have to move to the larger zinc labels, which also have stainless steel wires.  Taking the lead from my friend David, I have moved to using labels that print black on clear (instead of white) tape.  This results in a less glaring product.

Of course I have lots of maps to update as well!

The New Dykes Medal Winner is NOT in My Garden

I received it in 2011 as a bonus from Schreiner's.  It did not bloom this summer but seems to be established, so next year the 2012 I thought American Dyke's Medal Winner, 'Florentine Silk', would be blooming at Diamond Rise!  I was so excited!  But, alas...

'Florentine Silk' (Keppel, 2005)

The iris I have is 'Italian Velvet'.  Can you see how my false excitement was triggered?

'Italian Velevet' (Keppel, 2005)

OK, so they don't look alike, but it is an Italian Fabric. And they were both registered by Keith Keppel in 2005. Darn.  And double darn because David and I missed meeting him because we were too polite to crash into his back yard this spring. 

The Dykes Medal is the best of the best.  Each year irises are judged best in their class.  For 2012 the Wister Medal for best Tall Bearded Iris went to "Gypsy Lord.'  Another Keppel introduction.  The man is a witch.... or a warlock.

'Gypsy Lord' (Keppel '09) 

I Don't have that either.  The shame.  Kyle asked if we had to move before the neighbors find out.

Oh well.  New acquisitions to be made!

Betty's Pics From My Garden

Betty and Jim stopped by before the frost.  Betty's gorgeous photos captured the dahlias before they shriveled.  The last picture is close-up of a giant red dahlia.  It was used as a desktop on her tablet and it's headed to my iPad!

'Immortality' still blooming.  Note the buds
in the background. 

A gathering of dahlias by the pond.

KODA!  World's Best Dog!

More Dahlias by the pond. 

If it's not named 'Van Gogh' it should be!

The Hard Freeze

It took only one night of 30 degree weather to bring the season to a screeching halt for iris and dahlia.  After a summer waiting for the moon flower to bloom, a week later... well you can see what Koda thought of that.

'Immortality' - expect resurrection in 2013

 

The black dahlia

The last of the bunch rescued by Kyle.

Returning to the Devastation

After a weekend in NYC at a Provincial Council meeting wrapped in Broadway, I am expecting the annual science of death.  Friday night was a killing frost in Mendon.  The garden will look like the Addams Family visited Tim Burton.

It was only one night and the week promises to be warm enough to work comfortably.  The dahlia tubers will be dug and put up in bags that allow for air circulation.  Jim is bringing onion bags and I have saved some mesh bulb bags.  I will also buy some knee-high "nylons" as these work well. The bags will be hung in a cool dry place. Because my house does not have an optimal location I'll be lucky if half of them make it till spring.

New Daylilies from Cobbs Hilll

Charlie Zettek dug me some great clumps this year!  Two are cultivars registered by Charlie in 2004.  'Clowning Around' is a jester ready for Mardi Gras.

Clowning Around (Zettek, 2004)

'Prince Dimitry' holds court with a royal purple towering over the serfs at 40".

Prince Dimitry (Zettek, 2004)

Among the others new to my garden are these beauties.

'Frosted Vanilla'  (Kamensky, 1988) 

'Brocaded Grown'  (Millikan-B., 1979)

'Hazel's Gift' (Valente, 1992)

'Hortensia' (Branch, 1964)

'Love Those Eyes' (Rasmussen, 1987)

'Golden Scroll' (Guidry, 1983) 

Dahlias Closing Out The Season

The foliage on most plants on the garden is looking ragged and the dahlias are very leggy and many are flopped over.  My fault.  I should have staked them more carefully.  Dahlia stems are hollow and very brittled. The position in which they grow is the position in which they stay!  Try to straighten them and you have just picked an entire plant of Dahlias.