Birds and Blooms…..a little gardening too

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Tips and Tricks

We have taken a new interest in birds. Today our January 2021 issue of Birds and Blooms arrived. Very few Ads, plenty of colorful photographs of birds, plants, berry bushes and trees with berries. Articles and great descriptions of the birds and their habits. We are very pleased at first glance. Tonight this will be our reading material. Featured on the cover is the Carolina Chickadee. They are tiny, quick, noisy,  but so cute.

We were also out gardening a bit today. Lovely out. We accomplished some bed clean up at one of our clients houses. It felt so good to be out and working. Our fall season was so long this year, our customer wanted to leave their Lantana blooming. We finally dug it up today and added a little bed edging to complete the job. The earth is nice and moist for working it. The Lantana bloomed past Thanksgiving. It is such a resilient flowering plant.  So thrifty too.

We did see a few folks “out and about” and waved “Hi” as we drove by.   We are just arriving back home. It was a really good day…..thankful!!

“Contessa”

 

 

 

Houseplants 101 – Amaryllis, a holiday gem (revised)

Revised…….#2          4 blossoms today

Revised………#1         3 blossoms today 

Our Amaryllis is showing its blooms this morning. Two have popped open, and two more on the stem are soon to emerge. The heat of the house and its nearness to the windows have prompted its beauty to show itself. Such a pretty red color. And, in the next few weeks we will have two new stalks poking their points up from the top of the bulb in the planter. Very exciting in that this plant will most likely bloom way into March.  We love having a longer blooming plant in the house during the next couple months. This bulb will most likely need to be moved to a larger planter once it completes its blooming growth. At that point, we will be able to move it outdoors once spring/summer arrives. It will grow the same way, but will produce only “green growth.” And so then the growing cycle will repeat itself. Our last Amaryllis lived with us for ten years. It is a loyal, prolific and beautiful flowering plant. Well worth its $10 to $15 purchase depending on the size of the bulb you choose.
Very rewarding!

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       …..typical blooming phase

Amaryllis is a typical flowering plant available during the holiday season. Easy to care for, and the blooms last fairly long. Ours will most likely bloom in about a week. If you look closely near the bottom of the stem, you will see (below) two new shoots pushing their way up. This plant will produce additional foliage and we expect more blooms as well. Plant your bulb roots spread facing down and cover the bulb with fresh potting soil, leaving the top one (1) inch of your bulb exposed. Adequate good drainage is very important. We recommend a deep saucer, so that you can water your Amaryllis from the bottom. Use tepid water, filling the saucer full. If the plant drinks all the water fill the saucer again, and repeat until the plant shows you it has enough to drink.  The remainder will evaporate on its own.  Place near a sunny location, but not directly up again a sunny window, as the hot sun could burn your blooms. Amaryllis are beautiful, and the best part – each year you will enjoy their holiday blooms.

In a separate post we will provide care instructions once your plant reaches its maturity for this growing season.

And, as this specimen matures,  we will post blooming phase pics.  Amaryllis is a rewarding and beautiful “bloomer.”

Enjoy!

“Contessa”

 

 

Typical….. IRIS poking itself up to reach the sun on a warm day – Revised

Look at what we found today…..looking like it may be a purple bloom.  One of our clients property specimens.  Her comment was that because we tended this plant all summer we should certainly cut it and bring it inside to force its bloom. So we did snip it. Tomorrow perhaps it will show itself to us.  A little tepid water may do the trick.

We will post of course, if the warmer temp indoors produces a bloom  Amazing……remembering today is January 2nd, 2021.

No doubt about it. The proximity of a warm lamp and slightly warm water gave our slightly cold IRIS, the motivation to “pop” open. It’s amazing. Forsythia will often do this in the very early spring.
Delightful surprise, on this very dreary January day. Yes!!

“Contessa”

Houseplants 101 – Amaryllis, a holiday gem

            …..typical blooming phase

Amaryllis is a typical flowering plant available during the holiday season. Easy to care for, and the blooms last fairly long. Ours will most likely bloom in about a week. If you look closely near the bottom of the stem, you will see (below) two new shoots pushing their way up. This plant will produce additional foliage and we expect more blooms as well. Plant your bulb roots spread facing down and cover the bulb with fresh potting soil, leaving the top one (1) inch of your bulb exposed. Adequate good drainage is very important. We recommend a deep saucer, so that you can water your Amaryllis from the bottom. Use tepid water, filling the saucer full. If the plant drinks all the water fill the saucer again, and repeat until the plant shows you it has enough to drink.  The remainder will evaporate on its own.  Place near a sunny location, but not directly up again a sunny window, as the hot sun could burn your blooms. Amaryllis are beautiful, and the best part – each year you will enjoy their holiday blooms.

In a separate post we will provide care instructions once your plant reaches its maturity for this growing season.

And, as this specimen matures,  we will post blooming phase pics.  Amaryllis is a rewarding and beautiful “bloomer.”

Enjoy!

“Contessa”

 

Warm Weather Brings Budding/Forsythia

Be on the alert……today we spotted Forsythia budding on a bush. …..these warmer temps will do this. Try to water if you can. During this next week we will have early mornings down in the 30’s, so if your bushes are watered, it can protect them from being bitten by the cold. We even saw Daffodils up about three inches today; same scenario.

Go figure, this is Virginia after all. We always have unusual weather patterns and blooming phases. Amazingly, nature is so resilient everything usually survives and thrives. But do water if you are able.

Orchids – 101

As we are almost to indoor gardening time, and because our orchid is blooming so wonderfully we decided to pass along our “Contessa” tips for the growing and care of orchids. This pictured specimen is one year old. She is in full bloom after a 12 week dormancy. She is producing six beautiful blossoms. One more bud is forming very slowly on her stem. Given our years of growing orchids, we expect that for the next six to eight weeks she will be in her blooming stage. It has totally been worth the wait. Often we can count on a two month blooming phase so we will see….

So what have we been doing with this “lovely” over the last eight weeks? First off, she sits about one yard away from a window that produces full sun/light daily. We replenish the top of her surface with fresh orchid bark about four times in the year. Very important. Over time and with watering, the bark level recedes. Give your orchid fresh bark medium regularly. After all, this is her home. Bags of bark are available at your local nursery. They are usually rather large. Not expensive, but you can share with a friend, so pick a friend who also has an orchid and it won’t feel like you are wasting anything.

Water your orchid with tepid, not cold water, once ever seven days. Personally an ice cube or two is just not enough moisture. (you heard us right, and we will stick to this advice). Remove your plastic pot from your cachepot and carry it to the kitchen sink. (Purchase Miracle Grow Orchid Food – it’s a turquoise powder inside a box and a small spoon is provided for measuring) very inexpensive, but necessary if you want continued blooms. Fertilizer is a must twice a month if you want repeat blossoms. Mix one-quarter teaspoon to a gallon of water, stir well and pour the entire mixture over and through your orchid. Pour gently and slowly. Let the water bathe your plant. Drain all the way through. The last thing you want is a soggy wet bottom that your orchid is sitting in.
Too much residual moisture can cause disease. In between, water your orchid with tepid tap water once every seven days. Do not allow fertilizer water to touch your green leaves. Always wipe the top and under side of leaves off with a paper towel so that no moisture remains on them. This helps to avoid any possibility of pests or disease. Do Not-be afraid to water your orchid throughly. The key is to allow the water to pass through completely. Allow the plant to sit on a folded paper towel for about fifteen minutes so that any excess water can drain off. Now move your orchid back to its cachepot/container. And now you are good to go for another week.

We hope this info was useful! Tell us about your successes via email

at:  ContessasHome@gmail.com

Enjoy!

 

 

Bulbs Install Today – What…. you say?….. Phase 2 Beginning Today

Hi there again,

Well…….yesterday we completed our work for this client on Valley Drive  and as often happens, they have decided they would like to invite us back today to complete some additional work. Seems they are pleased.  So we will arrives to 11 and continue. Another wonderful weather day. Glorious sunshine always helps our day. It’s gorgeous out there.  Yes!!

“contessa”

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Yes indeed. Well, the temp did get down to 28 very early this morning, but it was a surface-frost and temps are steadily climbing through our upcoming weekend. Traditionally we should be planting bulbs in October – right?  Absolutely,  so remember that for next year – please. And a caviate to that in our area is – if you live inside the capitol beltway you are probably fine to plant bulbs now – just be sure to top with some rich soil and water very well for a few days

Our homeowner purchased bulbs at 1/2 price last week and so she wants to take the chance to plant. Personally as long time gardeners, we think it may very well work, especially as the weather forecast is for mild temps through the end of the year. So…we will proceed today on their behalf.

We are starting work about Noon so things warm up nicely. In fact, if you get outside today there is nothing wrong with doing a little yard work, because COVID certainly has captured us indoors. And we are safer at home than anywhere. Your yard is your safe haven. Enjoy being in nature today. It is refreshing and frankly good for your spirit.

You have a joyful day. We plan to do the same.

Blessings from “Contessa”

 

 

 

Mount Eagle Place – Two Free Consults

Wonderful…..two individual consultations were the result of our new Ad in the PFF Forum Newsletter. We will begin one of the jobs on Wed thru Friday next week, and on Friday afternoon we will meet with the second homeowner to provide a consultation. Our one hour consult is valued at $75 – so do take advantage of our offer. We will listen to your plan. Take photos/video and make recommendations. And provide an estimated fee, based on the tasks and the time needed to complete your job. We are of course unable to quote fees without visiting your property. But we are very fair and our rates are very reasonable.

Have a wonderful weekend!

               Penny, The Garden Contessa

 

 

Simple…….

Contessa here…..

Every garden bed needs a special “Contessa” lift. Fall is on its way, and it’s the perfect time for clean up.

This one is on our schedule for tomorrow and Saturday. Our homeowner wants her plants repositioned and divided. They are hovering along the edges of her garden bed. There are plenty to work with, they just need our design touch. And of course we will toss a couple. We will reposition the stone border, clean up the bed and plant some flowering perennials that will bloom in the Spring. And now that Mums are plentiful we may add those for some Fall color. Three smaller ones might be nice. Three being a “design” enhancement number

We think it’s healthy to look at what you already have and think about what you can make “NEW.”  We are happy to start with a small step-by-step transformation – with this already fairly clean and tidy bed  Fun awaits……along with  a little “loving care.”

THE GARDEN CONTESSA

 

 

 

 

Oxalis Arborea – Irish Shamrock

This ten year old Oxalis has just about reached its planter capacity. No worries. Don’t be afraid. Cut the whole plant all the way back to nothing but dirt. Apply a layer of new potting mix all over the top. Pack it down slightly, covering up any remaining growth. Trust me here…..Water from the bottom for several day’s. Plentiful waterings in an adequate size saucer.  

You will be amazed to see, that perhaps even within an overnight, new sprouts will begin to appear. Enjoy this “lovely.”

if you happen to have an Oxalis Renigularus/purple leaf with pink flowers variety, you can follow the same instructions  This variety however, grows best in daylight – not full sun.  Early morning filtered sun is fine but it prefers afternoon shade or it’s leaves often burn

Oxalis is one of Contessa’s favorites.