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There are some 230 species of tender and hardy Clematis (Ranunculaceae). Deciduous, evergreen climbers and woody perennials are included in this genus found in temperate regions. Many species are grown as ornamentals for their showy flowers and attractive foliage. (This is the deciduous var. Nellie Mosher at left climbing the downstairs porch and blooming prolifically in early Spring). Clematis are acrid plants, and contain glycosides which have a burning taste and blistering effect. Some Clematis are used medicinally, including C. recta and C. vitalba, both found in homeopathic preparations for rheumatism and skin eruptions. The latter is known as herbe aux gueux ("beggar's weed") in France, having once been used by beggars to irritate the skin in order to simulate sores. C. chinesis was first described in Chinese medicinal formulas 1,000 years ago. An Australian species, C. glycinoides, is a traditional Aboriginal remedy for colds and headaches, the acrid smell of the foliage causing profuse watering of the eyes and nose when inhaled. Garden variety Clematis like rich, well drained, alkaline soil and part sun/shade in my part of the world, the Maritime Northwest. This variety will bloom again in the Fall. |
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This crimson/pink flowered crab apple was planted when our house was built, in 1904, and now towers over the walk to the side door. I believe it is probably Malus purpurea lemoinei or M. purpurea eleyi and has green/purple leaves and deep red fruits. It reaches approximately 30 ft. high and blooms in April with a spectacular profusion of sweet scented blossoms on a 30 ft. diameter canopy for about three weeks. This picture was taken after a warm spring rain and the blossoms and buds are weighted and glistening by the new fallen rain. When the petals fall, the grandchildren and I pile them up like leaves and play in them. Then they go in the compost. All crab apples can be made into jelly, but are not very good for eating or pies. |
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Our house sits on a double lot in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. This is a portion of the parking strip, which I've divided into four large sections by making concrete walkways, each section approximately 15 ft x 12 ft. This area gets good morning sun and I've planted with a combination of indigenous wildflowers, including small shrubs, perennials, biennials and re-seeding annuals. It is a veritable potpourri throughout the season. In this shot (probably taken in late May/early June), in the foreground is the last remnants of our native naturalizing Lupine, a semi-shrub perennial. It is past its bloom and if you look closely you can see the cream colored pods that will turn dark when ready to harvest for seed. Blooming in the background is foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, the tall purple spires. Digitalis is from the Latin digitus, "finger", because the flowers fit neatly over the fingers. D. purpurea contains cardioactive glycosides, including digitoxin, gitoxin and gitaloxin. Pharmaceutical "digitalis" is the powdered leaf in tablet form. Digitalis leaves are often mistaken for Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, and have caused poisoning when accidentally included in herbal preparations. Other plants blooming in this photo are Corn poppy (Papavar rhoeas), Shirley poppy, California poppy, Shasta daisy, Coriopsis, Bachelor button, Windflower, and numerous other small wildflowers. Every year this area is different, depending on the hardiness of the re-seeding plants and what new whim I might have. BTW, the two cedar trees were planted when the house was built and now tower some 80-90 feet. These are the common Western Red Cedar and not Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedar) from which we get essential oil. |
| I don't know about the rest of you,
but my garden extends inside the house and I keep a number (too large a number, according
to my husband) of indoor plants. At right is a fascinating houseplant called
commonly Wax Plant or Wax Flower, Hoya carnosa. It is a tender, evergreen,
climbing or trailing plant with attractive flowers of waxlike texture, belonging to the
Milkweed family. It climbs by means of thick succulent stems, clothed with
evergreen, ovate-oblong, fleshy leaves and bears large clusters of pink star-shaped
flowers. This plant actually looks artificial. The blooms are very small and
waxy when they first emerge, then as they mature and open, they get a velvety texture with
the plastic-like centers. The centers of each exude a sweet honey before they dry up
and drop off. Hoyas are suitable for growing in a greenhouse or window
garden and need sun and a minimum winter temperature of 45 degrees with compost of equal
parts of peat and loam with a small portion of crushed brick and sand. I have two of
them, and they bloom most prolifically when they are rootbound and ignored for the most
part. One of them, I swear, has no soil at all left in its pot, yet it performs
famously every year. Since I started watering with *acid water, they seem to bloom
more. *See Microwater page. |
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