Convention times and Morikami
I went to a Florida Federated Garden Club Convention in Boca Raton this past week, and got home Sunday night, because afterwards, my carload of friends and I, went to the Japanese Morikami Gardens
Now this is to say, ‘What happens at Garden Club Convention – gets passed around.” This was a wonderful way to meet and glean ideas from the other clubs in the state. There were workshops from which to pick and choose. I chose to learn about making contrived daffodils, but so did everyone else.
The room only held 50 people, and my name is not “Speedy.” I had to make my way to another session. I am so glad I did. Tina Tuttle, chairman of the North Florida Horticulture (North Florida Horticulture does not equate with South Florida Horticulture) did a session on, “Beyond Diggin’ It,” using her book, “Digging It.” This was from her 2006 Florida Horticulture Study Series, books which she wrote for credited Florida University studies. (Books being, instructor’s manual and student’s manual.)
This time she updated it, adding seven new species. Regardless of her north Florida tendencies, these practices fair well in all the state. This manual can not be duplicated, but she did give me permission to print, “The 10 Commandments of Gardening,” which are not in the manual:
1. Thou shalt not covet they neighbor’s roses.
2. Thou shalt honor thy mum and thy poppy.
3. Thou shalt not plant it if thou cannot spell it.
4. Thou shalt not feel silly talking to thy plants.
5. Thou shalt nurture thy bleeding heart and they weeping willow.
6. Thou shalt dig in thy dirt, not dish thy dirt.
7. Thou shalt bloom where thou art planted.
8. Thy plants shall be expelled from thy Garden of Weedom.
9. Thou shalt forget-me-not with friendship everlasting.
10. Thou shalt rest on the seventh daisy.
This caught my attention right away, and her re-enactment of the seven new species categories was very funny and enlightening, so I bought the book with the new supplements. It was my highlight of the event. I was not meant to make false flowers. Everyone came away from the convention with a croton and a globe amaranth, Gomphrena globosa, plants.
The bright royal purple marble/globeblooms stuck right out as an attention getter. Now I need to know how to plant and raise them. I know they make fantastic cut flowers, and also keep their color well when easily dried. Just be sure to pick when newly opened to have the blooms last when dried. Hang them upside down in a cool, dry, airy place. But, they will dry right on the plant.
Globe amaranth come in many blossom colors – red, purple, white, burgundy and different shades of pink. Native to Brazil, Panama and Guatemala, these sun-loving annuals grow up to 18 inches tall, thrive in the heat and bloom non-stop. Sun-loving in Florida does need to be tempered with some filtered light. Blooming throughout the summer and early fall, they need slightly acidic well drained soil. Some say they are drought proof, but mulching and a fair amount of water helps them flourish.
The dwarf variety, which I think mine is, are more compact and bushy than regular amaranths, reaching a foot high. When dried, you find the bright globe heads in potpourris, sachets, dream pillows, and tussie mussies. You can add them to dried wreaths and dried arrangements. Globe flowers were symbols of immortality to the ancients. This flower is used in Nepal as a woven garland for sisters to put around their brother’s neck for Brother’s Day as protection for them. In Hawaii, they are used in long-lasting leis, because they keep their rich color. In many tropical countries, the blooms are used for a healthy tea. I’m about to discover the joys of globe amaranths.
Concluding my week with a visit to Japanese Morikami Gardens, we realized you experience the peace and tranquility of six distinct gardens around a lake, and learn at their museum. The singing of the rustling bamboo when the wind blows with it’s clicking and swaying serenade you. Rock gardens with strategically placed rocks and boulders are great for contemplation and relaxing. You can study the curving lines in their raked gravel gardens.
The whole area dedicated to bonsai is amazing. The view of the cascading hidden waterfalls from the Koi fish feeding spot, gives you a feeling of timelessness. And those Koiare huge. What fascinated us the most was the fact that they stressed, this is not a botanical garden. There are no names on any plants. The repetition of many plants and their clipped shaping gives a feeling of precision and organization. It was a garden to experience and feel, not learn.
Oh, what a pleasure to thank a plant!
Joyce Comingore is a master gardener, national director of the American Hibiscus Society and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.