#venerable

[ksjanes]

The pine is evergreen, firmly rooted, and venerable. - Morihei Ueshiba

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate possibly the greatest example of repentance the church has ever seen. Saint Mary of Egypt gave herself over to fornication and debauchery from the age of 12 and lived this depraved life for 17 years. Having followed a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem with the intent of seducing the young men, she tried to enter into the church of the Holy Sepulchre to see the Venerable Cross but was stopped by an invisible force. She then realised her depravity and repented by crossing the Jordan and living in the desert for 47 years. A holy monk, Saint Zosimas, found her while travelling the desert and related her story to us. May we have her blessing and may she intercede always for our souls + #saint #mary #egypt #maryofegypt #sinner #repent #repentance #penitent #convert #cross #lent #greatlent #jordan #venerable #holy #desert #mother #father #zosimas #palestine #jerusalem #sepulchre #holysepulchre #holy #orthodox #saintoftheday (at الاردن Jordan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqeGI3djhOo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justana0kguy]

2023 OCTOBER 03 Tuesday

"Whoever is God's worker, all his tasks may seem to fail, the work that encompasses these tasks does not fail, because it is the work of God: no failure is possible for God. Nothing can assure us that we are living well, because we are weighing with the weights of this world. A hundred times, it will seem to us to have failed, collapsed, and to have passed by everything that other men call youth, or maturity. But when eternal life will open large for us, when we die, before seeing God, we will not be sure of our righteousness, but rather of the mercy of God."

~ Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl, From 'The Joy of Believing' chapter A vocation for God among men

[3rdeyeblaque]

In April 1st, we venerate Elevated Ancestor Venerable Father Augustus Tolton on his 169th birthday🎉

An extraordinary man of faith & pioneering perseverance who is herald an American hero, Father Augustus is forever honored as the first Afrikan Descendant priest ordained in the U.S history.

Born enslaved on a plantation in Brush Creek, Missouri, even as a young boy Father Augustus was devote in his faith in prayer & catholicism. In the midst of the harrowing chaos brought on by the Civil War, his father fled the plantation to take up arms beneath the Union Army. The rest of young Augustus's family escaped to the "free" state of Illinois by way of the Mississippi River. Here, they became quickly ensnared in complex racial tensions between Whites & "Free" Peoples. A young Augustus eventually found solace & opportunities for education in the welcoming arms of St. Peter's School. Here, he'd deepen his religious practice - from student, to community mentor, to altar boy - & later answered the call to priesthood at a seminary in Rome.

"I shall work & pull at it as long as God gives me life. " - Venerable Father Augustus Tolton.

As of 2019, Father Augustus Tolton entered the first level of canonization by being elevated in title to, Venerable.

We give libations & 💐 to Venerable Father Augustus Tolton today for his willful determination, unprecedented success, fierce perseverance, & faithful service to educate, support, and protect others by ensuring sanctuary for our people and all walks of life.

Offering suggestions: Catholic Bible verse, red wine, Catholic hymns

*Note: offering suggestions are just that & strictly for veneration purposes only. Never attempt to conjure up any spirit or entity without proper divination/Mediumship counsel.

[opelman]

Fitter Farewell by Treflyn Lloyd-Roberts Via Flickr: Polish Su-22 8309 departs from Fairford following the 2023 Royal International Air Tattoo. With these venerable Cold War-era machines coming to the end of their opertaional life, it is uncertain whether we will see one again in the UK. Aircraft: Polish Air Force Sukhoi Su-22M4 8309 (NATO codename "Fitter") from 40th Tactical Squadron. Location: RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

[thelovebudllc]

Venerable Magnolias at Hortus, Part 2

Hi GPODers! We’re continuing our deep-dive into magnolias with Allyson Levy of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens today. Be sure to check out Part 1 if you missed it yesterday, as it gives a great introduction to magnolias and tells the story of why these beautiful trees hold a special meaning to Allyson. If you’re ready to see more of the spectacular array of diverse magnolias that call…

[tameblog]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today��s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[alexha2210]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[angusstory]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[tumibaba]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[romaleen]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[monaleen101]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[iamownerofme]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[shelyold]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link

[iammeandmy]

Happy Monday GPODers! Since September of last year Allyson Levy has been sharing insights, information and inspiration from Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the impressive property that she manages with partner Scott Serrano and is generous to share with the public (Check out previous submissions: Growing Pawpaws, Special Fall Plants, Fall is for Purple, and Fallen Leaves and Seed Heads). Allyson and Scott use their 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden in Stone Ridge, New York to sustain native, unusual and historic plant life and encourage others to appreciate under-loved plants. In today’s submission Allyson continues this mission by exploring the wonderful world of magnolias. While a well-loved tree in much of the United States, there might be more to this flowering woody than you imagine. Without a doubt, the magnolia family is hands down one of my favorites. Maybe because of the fact that their ancestral lineage goes back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, making them truly prehistoric trees, a “living fossil”! Having existed for over 95 million years, they are one of the most ancient flowering plants still living today, with their natural growing range including eastern North America, Central America, and Asia. Eight species of magnolia are native to the United States. Magnolias are regarded as some of the most primitive flowering plants. Due to their ancient history, these flowers depend on beetles as their primary pollinators, since beetles evolved before many of the more complex pollinators. Magnolias have had an extensive period to co-evolve with beetles, which has allowed the flowers to retain many primitive traits or adaptations that ensure pollination by beetles. Magnolia flowers have petals and sepals that resemble each other so closely that botanists refer to them simply as tepals. At the base of the tepals the flower produces a sweet substance a “nectar” that lures the beetles in. Floral scent is another way beetles find magnolia flowers. Although not all magnolias have strong aromas, many perfume the air with a lemony, spicy-sweet scent, like the native species sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana, Zones 5–10) (above), which attracts beetles and both plant lovers and gardeners alike. Another interesting anatomical characteristic is that magnolia flowers possess tough carpels, the female parts of the flower, evolved to prevent damage from beetle mandibles as they feed on “nectar,” pollen, and pretty much all the floral parts. As night approaches, the innermost tepals close around the carpel, trapping the visiting beetle, who just so happens to deposit pollen all over the flower’s receptive stigmas. Then the anthers become active, covering the same beetle in fresh pollen, so when the tepals open in the morning, the beetle scrambles out and finds another flower to do it all over again. This strategy has co-evolved between the beetle and magnolias, which minimizes the risk of self-pollination, which can lead to inbreeding and recessive mutations. The Magnolia flower’s tepals and carpel speak to the primitive anatomical structures of this ancient genus, as seen in Magnolia macrophylla beautiful large flower. Perhaps the most overlooked decorative beauty of all magnolias is their unique and highly ornamental fruits, sometimes called seed “cones,” though botanically speaking, they are not true cones. The hybrid magnolia crosses have a wide range of strange shapes and sizes; like ‘Golden Sun’ magnolia (M. ‘Golden Sun’, Zones 5–8) (above), which produces some of the lewdest-shaped cones, calling to mind specific anatomical parts. Magnolia seed cone, known as a follicetum have ripe seeds ranging in color from bright scarlet to a muted orange-red. When fully ripe, the individual seeds become suspended by a tiny thread before being dispersed to the ground and eagerly taken by birds, squirrels, and other small critters. The ripening follicetum, (seed cone) of the Southern magnolia ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’. The upside-down seed cone of Siebold’s Magnolia may be small, but it adds visual impact to the landscape. The large and stately seed cone of the bigleaf magnolia is another stunning attribute of this prehistoric plant! Magnolias are special to me because they were the first trees I ever planted, courtesy of the Friends of the Urban Forest organization in San Francisco. From their tree list, I selected two Southern magnolias (M. grandiflora, Zones 6–10) to plant because I knew one day they would make grand trees. Now, twenty-five years later, my husband and I are co-directors of Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 21-acre level II accredited nonprofit arboretum located in a rural part of the lower Hudson Valley. Since 2001, we have planted over fifteen thousand plants, and our magnolia collection is one of our most prized ones in the gardens. Our focus is to plant as many rare, endangered, and seldomly encountered magnolias as possible. Allyson sent over so much great information and beautiful photos of magnolias, that I’ve split her submission into two posts. Tomorrow we will continue this deep-dive into magnolias while Allyson shows us the great diversity in magnolias they have at Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here. Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. D&X Garden Sprinkler Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - The Sprinkler is made of durable ABS Plastic, Base connector: Approx. 1/2" ; Side connector: Approx. 3/4" - 12 flexible nozzles that you can set in any direction, simply bend hoses to customize new watering patterns - 360 degree coverage of 3000 sq. ft area - 3.5 x 4 x 6 inches Rain Bird PATIOKIT Drip Irrigation Patio Watering Kit Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. - Complete 42-piece drip irrigation kit eliminates watering by hand - Provides drip irrigation for up to 6 planters - Easy to assemble: just attach to faucet, cut tubing and connect watering devices - Attaches easily to your outdoor faucet or hose Source link