Unexpected surprises
I had two unexpected surprises today. The first one was when I was actually caught in a nice downpour this afternoon. It was along Del Prado Boulevard, where all the buildings and concrete are, instead of out in the southwest where I would like to see it, however it was a nice change from the mostly sunny, rain season we are currently having.
The second surprise was in the morning when I discovered that a mysterious plant that I had growing along the front walkway, is a Squash Vine. I was given the little plant because I had admired the pretty light green leaf that it had. Not a vine insight. It was during a walk through a garden tour and when I ask what the pretty little green leaf plant was. I was told I could just take a piece of it. So I did.
People who open their gardens and yards to public tours often give up a plant or two to interested visitors. When the host is not present, then you will be dealing with a volunteer. Open garden tours become very busy, especially when the host is a well-known gardener and author.
So I came home with it several months ago. Some of it died before I ever put it in the ground. One piece did make it into the soil. Expecting a pretty type of flower, I planted it right along the front walkway, near the garage door. It finally flourished and had beautiful yellow flowers, I took a picture but never found out what it was.
It looked like a squash flower to me, and sure enough it started to vine?? A squash?? How could that be?? I had never planted a squash in my life but vagley remembered that look from the old, old days on a small farm in southern Michigan.
Well, I finally saw it in a gardening magazine, called a Squash Vine. So I looked up on the dear computer and lo and behold it is really a Squash Vine. I am not much of a veggie grower but I do not think people grow their Squash Vines along their front walks. However it is attractive and those yellow flowers were big and beautiful. It seems this veggie has one pest, the Squash vine borer the fat green worm enters the vine near the soil end. There will be a small hole and when you see that you can surgically remove the critter by slitting the vine lengthwise and toss him out. Not being inclined to do any surgery on anything, or touch a fat green worm anywhere I will just let this vine grow this season and it can sink or swim, whatever. In the meantime I will have a conversation piece along the front walk and who knows I may even have some nice squash.
After the squash surprise I went and bought several moss rose plants for the planters near the front door. What I call the moss rose, is actually the portulaca grandiflora. My mother always had Moss roses up and down a long driveway, every year. I was not really interested in them but always thought they were very pretty with all their many pastel colors, in any shade but blue their abundant blooms, are only 4 to 8 inches high and will spread out a foot or two along the ground our hanging over the edge of a pot. They are a hardy annual, a succulent, and love a dry hot soil. You do not have to worry about watering and can fertilize once about the end of July and maybe again at the end of August. They will reseed here in our area but will need some new plants to make them spread nicely. You can deadhead them but it is not a weekly thing. Sometimes if they look a little straggly in the mid summer, just clip them down and they will flower soon. They do not have any serious diseases.
The flowers actually date back to the 1900s thanks to an English gentleman. Those days the flowers did not open until about noon and closed up as the sun went down. Breeders are still busy introducing better and better blooming characteristics and now the plants will bloom as soon as it is sunny and stay open until late afternoon. Cloudy days will hinder the full blooming effect. A sunny dry spot along any walkway, or rock garden, or a patio pot will look cheery. A hanging basket is ok but you might find you want to water a little. A good soaking when you first plant them will set them in well. The Moss Rose can be purchased at Nursery’s, and Bib Box stores. If they look too leggy in their pots there, don’t worry when they are planted they will look just fine as they stretch out in a carpet of color. Watch out for weeds, they are popping up everywhere with the speed of lightening. Keep mulched for weed control and to keep plants cool and retain moisture, whenever we start our real rainy season.
Happy gardening till we meet again.
H Jean Shields
Past President,
Garden Club of Cape Coral