BfloGirlGeek/BfloGirlGarden: Khaleesi’s Garden

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Ok, not really…

circa 2014 - the originals

It was about 10-12 years ago, and it happened in this quaint little suburb of Buffalo.

circa 2015 - the move to bigger and better gardens

My “geek garden,” which has grown into “Khaleesi’s Garden,” started with just a couple of plants: a daylily called Jedi Free Spirit and a dahlia called Dark Angel Star Wars (which just totally reminds me of Mustafar). It became something of a game to look for new plants each year, and eventually it grew beyond Star Wars.

circa 2018 - overlooking Mustafar

Some annuals have changed over the years (where did my Hedwig and Black Widow coleus go, Rosy Dawn?), and many perennials have been added (finally got a Midnight Marvel Hibiscus to grow!), but I always find joy in a new discovery, and sometimes I even grasp at straws (I planted Veronica in the garden because Veronica is the code name for the Hulk-buster armor in Avengers: Age of Ultron!).

2019 garden

Along the way, I picked up a few sculptures – three dragons (hence Khaleesi), a baby dragon (so cute!) and a unicorn/Pegasus combo (which I know doesn’t exist, but Peter’s steed in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was a unicorn and Valkerie rode a pretty sweet Pegasus in “Endgame,” so I can’t dismantle it now!) – plus a couple of “sun and stars” pieces (odes to Khal Drogo). I also picked up a cute Baby Groot planter that I proceeded to fill with “Mint Marvel” sempervivum.

2019 succulent collection

Every winter, while I’m worrying about the next snowfall and how much sleep I’m going to get, I find the bright side of things when I go searching for next year’s new additions.

2019 garden

all photos: PaulaThompsonFreelance

BfloGirlWorld: And just like that, summer’s at its end…

So that was the summer that got away…

Actually, it started with spring, which was cool and rainy and not conducive to doing a darn thing – especially gardening…

Then it got warm…and continued to rain (at least the plants liked it)…

Then Dad had health issues…then I had health issues…

Then, suddenly, it’s the week before Labor Day…WHAT?!?!?!

I’m actually ready – like, REALLY ready – for fall, because this summer has been abysmal – although my gardens do look pretty good, so I guess that’s something.

I’m ready for cooler nights, hot cocoa, plaid everything and boots. I’m ready for apple cider, sunflowers, mums and fall décor. I will not join you all on the pumpkin spice train, however – I just don’t get it, sorry.

Bring on health, bring on fall, bring on new beginnings.

all photos: PaulaThompsonFreelance

BfloGirlGarden: Proven Harvest Edibles from Proven Winners

Last year, as part of the Proven Winners trial program, I was able to sample three new edibles that the company was releasing in 2019 under the Proven Harvest banner. The plants were Amazel Basil, Berried Treasure Strawberries and Garden Gem Tomatoes, and overall, I was very impressed.

Amazel Basil

First off, what a beautiful plant! I grew this in a large (10” diameter) ceramic floral-decorated planter, and it looked great – it would make a great filler plant in a larger container recipe.

Second, Amazel Basil is a sterile plant, so it will continue to produce new growth even if it flowers, and a little bit of flowering shouldn’t affect the taste. It is also Downy Mildew resistant.

Finally, I’m going to have to try it again, because I didn’t get to use it as much as I would’ve liked to. It was my first time growing basil, so I felt like I spent too much time looking for recipes and not enough time making them!

Berried Treasure Strawberries

I was most excited about this, because I LOOOOOVE strawberries! These were great to eat picked right off the plant, which leads to my only complaint: the berries were on the small side. They were tasty, however, and as an ever-bearing plant, quite prolific.

This plant still looks good: in September, I transplanted this from a container into a section of my veggie garden that I had pulled some old strawberry plants from (June-bearers) – then I ordered another one, and after that I ordered a Berried Treasure Flower Pillow from PW (I believe that will be 4-5 more plants for the garden next fall).

Garden Gem Tomatoes

Garden Gem is a smaller, Roma-shaped tomato (a larger, round tomato – Garden Treasure – will also be available in 2019) that, even I will admit, had good flavor. In general, I’m not a fan of tomatoes – I’ll eat them sliced thin on pizza, diced in pasta or salad, or as a sauce, but I’m not a fan of their usual pulpy texture. These weren’t pulpy – they were meaty. I was impressed, so I ordered another one for this year, as well as a Garden Treasure to try out.

I planted this – as well as the basil and strawberry plants – in containers so I could keep a better eye on them, and was impressed with the haul (about two pounds).

If you are in the Buffalo area and are interested in the Proven Harvest collection, Badding Brothers Farm Market, located at 10820 Transit Rd. in East Amherst, will be hosting a Launch Party on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, featuring demonstrations, taste tests, raffles and more.

all photos: PaulaThompsonFreelance

BfloGirlGarden: Plantasia in Paradise 2019

I’m not sure why this year felt different than others (perhaps it was the 19 straight days I worked in late January thanks to the weather…), but I am sooooo ready for spring…like, right now!

This weekend I took a stroll through this year’s edition of Plantasia – “Plantasia in Paradise” – at the Hamburg Fairgrounds, and it gave me just enough of the good feels to make it through to “real spring!”

“Paradise” included putting greens, outdoor kitchens, water features, lighting ideas and, of course, plenty of plants. There were also plenty of vendors (maybe a few too many for my taste) and lots of people (who were probably just like me – looking for spring inspo!).

A few things I noticed:

• Garden art is still a thing (here in WNY at least!): like this guy, who would look great in Khaleesi’s Garden… 
  
  
    
• “Funky geraniums” were everywhere: whether because they were available or because they’re cool (I vote for the last!), the fancy-leaf geraniums that I’ve adored for the last few years were all over the place. The multi-colored foliage looked great against the dark mulch backgrounds, but I’ve always enjoyed them in containers (because they overwinter well in my basement! #bonusplantsforthewin).

• I need an elderberry shrub: I first saw elderberry outside of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, and fell in love with it because it looks like a Japanese maple. I found out later that it’s less expensive and more durable than Japanese maples – that sounds like a winner to me!

• There were many different versions of “paradise” on display: for golfers, the putting green; for cooks and entertainers, the outdoor kitchen and specialty lighting. Unfortunately, I didn’t think there was enough on display for garden DIYers like me – containers, raised beds, garden art, garden-to-table growing. Hopefully soon, I’ll get to play in my own version of “paradise!”

all photos: PaulaThompsonFreelance

BfloGirlGarden: Five things I’ve learned from the Proven Winners trial plant program

A few years ago, when I was writing for Examiner and covering Buffalo Gardening, I was contacted by Proven Winners to be part of their trial plant program (score!). I already loved PW products and used a number of their annuals every year, so this seemed like a great way to try out some plants I might not have thought to purchase. Here are a few things I’ve learned from PW going into the 2019 gardening season (I have faith that it IS coming!!).

2015

Experimenting with plants is fun! I would often experiment with color, but this way I learned to use different plants and had to make sure they “meshed” well  (light needs, water needs, etc.).

I really like hydrangeas. I was never really a shrub person, but I’ve really enjoyed watching these grow (I have three now). It’s also inspired me to redo the garden they’re in to give them some more room.

2016

Clematis are crazy. I’ve had Pink Mink Clematis for four years, and I’m on my third trellis, each one larger than the last, because these things grow like mad.

Sometimes it’s good to stick with the classics. Petunias, calibrachoas and coleus just make me happy, and PW has amazing specimens of each.

2017

Being able to give a “sneak peak” of new plants makes me feel rock-star-like. When a neighbor walks over and says “What is that?!?!” and you say “Oh, Proven Winners sent me that – it’s available next year…” #plantrockstar

After more than 100 inches of snow, I’m yearning for spring and garden season even more! Thank you Proven Winners for letting me participate in this program!

2018

**Follow me on Instagram for random garden photos, PW trial plant updates and more!**

all photos: Paula Thompson Freelance

Discover Buffalo 2015: Celebration of Coleus and Color at the Botanical Gardens

As mentioned previously, coleus are one of my favorite plants to grow – and also to take photos of, because there are many amazing patterns and colors. That being said, one of my favorite exhibits at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is the Celebration of Coleus and Color, which is taking place now through August 2^nd.

In addition to the coleus showcase, the Albright-Knox Public Art Initiative is featuring the exhibit ‘Shayne Dark: Natural Conditions,’ both inside the Gardens and on the Gardens’ grounds.

The Western New York Garden Railway Society is also offering one of its Garden Railway Exhibits as well during the coleus showcase.

Part of the Gardens – my favorite part, the waterfall area :( - is currently undergoing some renovations, but a neat little fairy garden is present outside the area showcasing the dinosaurs, the waterfall and the bridge.

Find out more about the Botanical Gardens and other events at buffalogardens.com. 

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Khaleesi’s Garden: The big debut

As far as planting goes, Khaleesi’s Garden is complete.

The tour begins at the north end of the garden, featuring the Darth Vader coleus and Dark Angel Star Wars dahlia (three clumps).

Next up, the coleus called Apocalypse, also the name of the next big X-Men movie.

This is one of the perennials I received from Proven Winners, a Veronica…it nearly went in another spot, until I remembered that Veronica is the nickname of the Hulkbuster in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Welcome to the garden, Veronica.

Harry Potter, represented by Hedwig and Lord Voldemort.

The Game of Thrones section, featuring Dragon’s Blood sedum (in pots), Red Witch coleus, Yellow Dragon, Black Dragon and Fire Dragon coleus, and my new windspinner (“Sun and Stars” being Dany’s pet name for Khal Drogo).

Oh…Hi, baby dragon! (the others are still in the house.)

And at the south end of the garden, more Star Wars – Dark Angel Star Wars dahlia in front (three more clumps), the Jedi Free Spirit daylily and the Leia Aloha lily in the rear (along fence).

I’ll be posting more pictures of the garden throughout the summer – and a few visitors along the way!

photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Khaleesi’s Garden: Easy plant markers

I knew I would have to integrate plant markers into the new garden so I had the full effect of what it was all about – just in case I wasn’t around to explain it to someone. The coleus I purchased from Rosy Dawn Coleus are easy – they come with “name tags.” Some of the others needed their own “name tags.”

Michael’s had a terrific sale Memorial Day weekend – 60-percent of their Make Market line and an additional 20-percent off the entire purchase – SCORE! I had cork in mind for these plant markers, and I knew Make Market had some big bags of cork pieces that would probably last me the rest of my life! I picked up these, plus some waterproof floral tape and some green wood stems. (*note – All items were purchased by me.) (*note 2 – this isn’t all I bought! Stay tuned to see what else I made for the garden!)

These were really easy to make:

Take a piece of cork and a stem and center the stem on one side of the cork.

Starting on the back of the cork, put a strip of floral tape around the center of the entire piece of cork, securing the stem to the back and creating two writing areas on the front of the cork piece.

Secure the stem to the cork and the top and bottom of the piece of cork with additional tape.

On the front of the cork, using a Sharpie or (waterproof) ink marker, write the name of the plant.

photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com