#weeping paperbark

[thebotanicalarcade]

n210_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library Via Flickr: Comprehensive catalogue of Queensland plants Brisbane,A. J. Cumming, government printer[pref. 1909] biodiversitylibrary.org/page/39928534

[northshoretreeservices]

12 Drought-Resistant Trees In Australia

In the vast, sunbathed landscapes of the Land Down Under, the challenge of cultivating flora that can endure with the help of tree loppers Sydney arid conditions is both an art and a science. This ecological endeavour is not merely about aesthetic landscaping; it's a crucial strategy for sustaining local biodiversity and preserving the natural beauty of the region. As climate patterns continue to evolve, leading to longer and more intense dry spells, the importance of selecting the right species that can thrive in these conditions becomes paramount. 

The following guide delves into the trees with the ability to withstand prolonged periods of dry weather. These species are not only survivors but also symbols of the strength and adaptability of the natural world, making them ideal for gardens and landscapes in areas prone to drought. By incorporating these species into our surroundings, we not only enhance the beauty of our environment but also contribute significantly to ecological conservation and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.

Eucalyptus Gregsoniana

This species, often found in the Blue Mountains, stands out for its robustness in dry conditions. Its narrow leaves and distinct bark make it an excellent choice for water-conservative landscapes.

Brachychiton Acerifolius

Commonly known as the Illawarra Flame, this specimen is celebrated for its spectacular red blossoms. Native to the coastal regions, it's remarkably tolerant to dry spells.

Acacia Pycnantha

Known as the Golden Wattle, this flora is renowned for its vibrant yellow flowers. It's a national symbol of resilience and beauty, thriving in the harshest of climates.

Callistemon Viminalis

Often referred to as the Weeping Bottlebrush, this variety is prized for its unique, brush-like flowers. It is a favourite in gardens for attracting wildlife while requiring minimal hydration.

Angophora Costata

Resembling the more commonly known eucalypts, this species, with its twisted limbs and strikingly smooth bark, is a staple in dry landscapes, offering both shade and aesthetic appeal.

Banksia Integrifolia

The Coastal Banksia is easily recognized by its elongated flower spikes and serrated leaves. It's an iconic coastal species that can survive with very little moisture.

Corymbia Ficifolia

Often termed the Red Flowering Gum, this vibrant flora is a show-stopper with its bright red blossoms. It's a popular choice for adding a splash of colour to arid gardens.

Grevillea Robusta

The Silky Oak is distinguished by its fern-like foliage and golden flowers. This fast-growing species is a favourite among local fauna and requires little water once established.

Melaleuca Quinquenervia

The Broad-leaved Paperbark is known for its papery bark and creamy flowers. It's often found in coastal areas and is highly adaptable to dry conditions.

Allocasuarina Verticillata

Commonly called the Drooping Sheoak, this flora is notable for its needle-like foliage and ability to survive in nutrient-poor soils with minimal water.

Livistona Australis

This palm variety, native to the eastern coastlines, adds a tropical touch to any landscape. Despite its lush appearance, it's surprisingly drought-hardy.

Hakea Laurina

The Pin-cushion Hakea is a unique species with round, pincushion-like flowers. It's a striking addition to any water-wise garden, requiring minimal care.

The cultivation of these drought-resistant species is more than a gardening choice; it's a testament to the resilience and diversity of the natural world. In an era where ecological sustainability is of paramount importance, choosing plants that can endure harsh weather conditions is a step towards a more resilient and environmentally conscious approach to landscaping. These species, each with their unique characteristics and beauty, offer a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the Land Down Under. They serve not only as a practical solution to the challenges posed by drought but also as a reminder of our responsibility to protect and nurture the environment. In embracing these species, we are not only beautifying our surroundings but also actively participating in the conservation of our planet. 

This selection of flora represents a harmonious blend of aesthetic appeal and ecological wisdom, encouraging us to look beyond mere survival and strive for a landscape that flourishes even in the face of adversity. As we integrate these drought-resistant varieties into our gardens and public spaces, we contribute to a legacy of environmental stewardship, ensuring that the natural splendour of our region continues to thrive for generations to come.

Embracing these hardy species in your landscape design not only ensures a vibrant and thriving garden but also contributes to the preservation of the local ecosystem. Each of these specimens brings a unique aesthetic and ecological value, making them ideal for the challenging weather patterns of the region. By choosing these drought-resistant varieties, one can create a beautiful, sustainable environment that resonates with the natural beauty of the Land Down Under.

[mariellejohnston]

RESEARCH - PAPERBARK TREES

Melaleuca leucadendra (Weeping Paperbark)

The Interaction among Provenances of Melaleuca Leucadendra (Weeping Paperbark), Salt, and Aluminum. Nguyen T. Nguyen, Hirofumi Saneoka, Ryuichi Suwa, Kounosuke Fujita. Forest Science, Volume 55, Issue 5, October 2009, Pages 443–454, https://doi.org/10.1093/forestscience/55.5.443. Published: 01 October 2009

It has been predicted that global climate change could induce an accelerated rise in sea level up to 0.6 m by 2100 (Nicholls et al. 2007). Such changes will consequently enhance seawater intrusion, which, in turn, will have a significant impact on agriculture and forestry in coastal areas. Even now, a decline in bald cypress (Taxodium disticum) forests in Louisiana has been blamed on the rise in sea level (Krauss et al. 2000). Similarly, in the Vietnam-Mekong Delta, Melaleuca forests are under threat from seawater intrusion resulting from a decline in annual flow (Asian Development Bank 1994), which is causing an increase in salt-affected acid sulfate soil, especially during periods of dry season salinity (White 2002). The Vietnam Mekong Delta is also expected to be among the areas affected worst by the global warming-induced rise in sea level (Nicholls et al. 2007). Salt-affected acid sulfate soil is also widely distributed throughout Southern Thailand (Pengnoo et al. 2007). Therefore, in addition to inherent adverse factors such as low pH and high concentrations of aluminum (Al) and iron, plants growing in these areas are also under threat from exposure to salinity stress. The dominant native species in Melaleuca forests in the Mekong Delta is Melaleuca cajuputi Powell (paperbark) (Sam and Binh 1999, Okubo et al. 2003), an Al-tolerant species (Nguyen et al. 2003a). Since the 1990s, other Melaleuca species have been introduced into the VietnamMekong Delta, with Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. (weeping paperbark) proving to be better than the native M. cajuputi in terms of growth on acid sulfate soil (Nguyen 1999). M. leucadendra has the ability to tolerate acidic soil and water logging (Doran and Gunn 1994) and has been shown to be a moderately Al-tolerant species (Nguyen et al. 2003a).

Tran, D.B., Dargusch, P., Moss, P. et al. An assessment of potential responses of Melaleuca genus to global climate change. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 18, 851–867 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-012-9394-2

The genus Melaleuca consists of around 260 species covering over eight million hectares (including native and introduced species) and distributed mostly in Australia, but also occurring in South-East Asia, the Southern United States and the Caribbean. Melaleuca populations predominantly occur in wetland or/and coastal ecosystems where they have been significantly affected by climate change. This paper assesses the potential responses of the Melaleuca genus to climate change, based on the synthesis of worldwide published data. The main findings include: (i) that the Melaleuca genus has a rich species diversity, and significant phenotypic diversity in a variety of ecosystems; (ii) they demonstrate significant local adaptation to harsh conditions; and (iii) the fossil records and taxon biology indicate the evolution of the Melaleuca genus began around 38 million years ago and they have survived several significant climatic alterations, particularly a shift towards cooler and drier climates that has occurred over this period. These findings show that the Melaleuca genus is highly resilient and adaptable, and based on this, this paper argues that Melaleuca can adapt to climate change through Wright’s ‘migrational adaptation’, and can be managed to achieve sustainable benefits.

HABITAT - MEDICINAL PROPERTIES - HISTORY

https://www.jcu.edu.au/discover-nature-at-jcu/plants/plants-by-scientific-name2/melaleuca-fluviatilis

https://apps.cals.arizona.edu/arboretum/taxon.aspx?id=703#:~:text=Natural%20History%3A%20The%20Melaleuca%20leucadendra,lagoons%20and%20forests%20(2).

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Melaleuca+leucadendra#:~:text=Medicinal%20Uses,-Plants%20For%20A&text=It%20is%20used%20internally%20in,and%20skin%20diseases%5B238%20%5D.

[wanderingforestboy]

which english gay monarch are you? 🤔 You can take this uquiz here

Tagging:

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(Just letting you all know that you don't have to do the quiz, if you don't want to.)

[babycabbit]

Respiratory diseases oils

Autumn is starting, and with it the cold season. And while most of us love nothing more than to cuddle up bundled in blankets with a nice hot drink in our hands, the reality is that we might still get sick. Here I’ll give you a collection of the essential oils (and herbs) that will either help you avoid the sickness or to get better sooner. Just remember my usual indications: Check with your conventional or homeopathic doctor to see if the oil/herb won’t interact with any meds you take. Keep the treatments away from little kids (under twelve) and pets and be very mindful of your allergies (try things in small doses at first).

🍁 Benzoin (gum): It’s good for symptoms of cold, throat ache and asthma. It can also help you feel better if you have depression and help you sleep if you suffer from insomnia.

🐾🍁 Mint (leaf): Brings down the fever, opens the airways, warms the body and helps with headaches. Be very careful to use it when you are 100% sure you won’t get exposed to cold air for at least eight hours or you might get sicker. Also be very, very careful if you take homeopathic medicine, because this plant easily interacts with it.

🍁 Ravensare (leaf): It’s a booster of the immunological system, and can help fight off infection. It’s also great for when you are feeling bone or muscle pain because of your cold.

🐾🍁 Basil (leaf): It’s amazing for the skin, especially if you have mosquito bites. Helps fight off infections and it’s good for muscle and bone pain.

🍁 Bergamot (skin of the fruit): Calming, can help you sleep easier and it’s especially good if you have been sick for a long time, since it can reanimate you. It’s also good for skin problems, but this one you will have to use at night or you will get very terrible burn because it’s sensitive to sunlight. I recommend using it at night and showering in the morning, or at least washing the skin where it was applied thoroughly with neutral soap.

🍁 Weeping paperbark (leaf): It’s great for respiratory diseases, particularly asthma. It can help you strengthen your immune system and prevent colds. Do not use it if you suspect you are pregnant.

🍁 Elemi (bark): It’s an antiseptic, so it will help you fight off respiratory infections. In general is good for colds and bronchitis.

🍁 Eucalyptus globulus and smitii (leaf and seeds): This one is a bronchodilator, which means that will help you breathe better. Antiseptic, which will help you fight off infections and also helps with muscular pains. Be very careful to use it if you are 100% sure you won’t get out for at least eight hours, or you might get sicker.

🍁 Thymus mastichina/Spanish marjoram (leaf): It’s good for viral infections, it warms up the body and helps with muscular pain.

🍁 Sandalwood (inner bark): Super relaxing, helps with insomnia and depression. Strengthens the immune system and calms the pain. It’s also good for dry skin.

🍁 Tea tree (leaf): great for the immune system, helps fight allergies and respiratory infections. It also helps with muscular pain and helps you wake up and recover your strength after being sick.

🐾🍁 Common thyme (leaf and flower): It helps with depression and anxiety. It also can help you fight off infections, and calms pain and warms up your body. Do not use it if you have high pressure problems or your skin gets easily irritated. Remember to use it when you are sure you won’t be exposed to the cold for at least eight hours.

🐾🍁 Sweet thyme (leaf and fower): Same as common thyme, but it will also help you sleep better, especially after a viral infection.

🍁 Common myrtle (leaf): it’s great for respiratory infections, asthma and colds in general. Helps calm down the spasms of coughing.

🐾🍁 Ginger (root): It warms up the body, helps you fight infections and relieves pain. If you lack appetite or have trouble eating it helps with that too. It also helps open the airways, so you breathe better. Use it only if you won’t be exposed to the cold for eight hours.

🍁 Lavender (flower bud): The Oil. It helps with almost everything, from relieving pain to warming up the body. It helps fight infections caused by bacteria or virus. Be very careful though, because the purest the oil, the most dangerous it is and can cause burning on the skin. Do not use it if you are pregnant.

🐾🍁 Manuka (leaf): Excellent for skin infections and respiratory diseases. Just be careful because it easily irritates the skin.

🍁 Yarrow (leaf): It doesn’t only help fight off respiratory infections, it helps you sleep if you suffer from insomnia or are depressed. Do not use it if you think you are pregnant.

🐾🍁 Myrrh (branch): It’s especially good if your infection was caused by fungus. Opens the airways and helps relieve pain, in throat and muscular. Do not use it if pregnant.

🍁 Orange (skin of the fruit): Excellent to recover from a cold. Strengthens the immune system and helps you feel more active. It’s also great for when you feel depressed. It can burn of exposed to the sun, use it at night and make sure to wash well.

🍁 Pine (leaf): Amazing for recovering from infections, it will help open the airways and fight off infections.

Now remember, for using any essential oil, you need to dissolve it in other oil (called carrier) which is the massage oil. Good ones for this are sunflower seed, almond, avocado, coconut or grape seed. Dissolve up to 15 drops of essential oil in 150 ml of carrier oil so it won’t affect the body (try with 7 or less at the beginning). If you are going to take a bath, you can use up to 30 drops in warm water. Just remember that you might get a film of oil on it and it can burn you. Wash well with neutral soap afterwards. For diffusers, don’t leave them on for over one hour or you might oversaturate your environment and trigger the bad secondary effects, try to have them on in a well ventilated area (open doors, so the cold air will not enter your space). Also remember never to use a diffuser where aquatic or small animal species can be or you might intoxicate them accidentally.

If you have any doubt, question or comment, you can always write to me and I’ll do my best to answer. Hope you all stay safe and healthy, and if you are sick, hope you get well soon :3

🍁 This post is nscgl18, don’t like or reblog if you are a cg1re, agǝre or l!ltot  blog, a minor or minor supporter. 🍁

[papertrumpets]

Cajeput カユプテ しらべもの 最も人気のあるオーストラリアの在来樹の1つで、広葉樹です。クイーンズランド州、西オーストラリア州、ノーザンテリトリーに自生しています。 カユプテの木厚くてスポンジ状の紙の樹皮で、ガムの木に似ており、明るい緑色の半拭き取りの葉をしています。その平均サイズは10メートルですが、30メートルまで成長する可能性があります。花は蜜が豊富です。 アボリジニとカヤプテ: カヤプテ油は葉から蒸留されます。カヤプテ油は食���や薬として使用されています。 抗炎症作用があると考えられており、軽度の皮膚の傷、風邪、炎症性皮膚疾患の治療に役立つことがあります。しかしながらこれらの使用を裏付ける優れた科学的証拠はありません。 カヤプテの意味: マレー語の樹名から、カユプティ、「白い木」。 Memo One of the most popular Australian native trees is the Broad-leaved paperbark. Weeping paperbark is native to Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Paperbark thick, spongy paper bark, resembling a gum tree, with bright green semi-wiped leaves. Its average size is 10 meters, but it can grow up to 30 meters. The flowers are rich in nectar Aboriginal people and Weeping paperbark: Cajeput oil is distilled from the foliage. Cajeput oil is used in food and as a medicine. It's also considered an anti-inflammatory, which is sometimes used to help treat minor skin wounds, colds, and inflammatory skin diseases, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Meaning of Cajeput: From the Malay name of the tree, kayu putih, "white wood". #australian #native #wildflowers #aboriginal #leucadendron #cajeput https://www.instagram.com/p/Cffdu88vppD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[outfitandtrend]

[ad_1] A Russian yoga aficionado may face jail time and a huge fine after posing naked next to a 700-year-old tree in Bali. A Bali local saw the images online and reported them to authorities. The influencer has turned herself in and apologised. A Russian Instagram influencer, who has 18k followers at the time of writing, is in hot water for a photo she took next to a sacred tree in Bali. Her profile is now on private, and she has deleted the offending image. She has also published an apology, having returned to the tree after a local complained, and apologised, this time fully clothed.  She also reportedly turned herself in to police. As she told followers: “I just prayed under a tree and went straight to the police station to explain this incident and apologise.” Local resident and entrepreneur Niluh Djelantik saw the image and reported it to the authorities. Mr Djelantik said the tree is old and sacred and is known as Kayu Putih (a weeping paperbark). It is reportedly located at the Babakan Temple in Tabanan. Image Credit: The Bali SunSome reports claim the influencer could be charged with spreading pornography (Bali has a strict Information and Electronic Transactions Act). AdelaideNow reports that, if convicted of spreading pornography, the influencer could face up to six years in prison or a fine of IDR 1 billion (AU $97,108). On Instagram, the influencer said: “I appeal to all my friends and all my guests of Bali. I unknowingly made a big mistake for which I regret and I want to tell you so that you don’t repeat it.”“I apologise to all Balinese and Indonesian people, I regret my actions.”She went on: “I’m so embarrassed, I didn’t mean to offend you in any way.” At the time of writing, Tabanan Police spokesperson Ranefli Dian Candra had not revealed what punishment, if any, the yoga enthusiast will face. According to The Bali Sun, local reports indicate that “the case is being handled with amicability and fairness” and that the influencer “has committed to pay for any costs incurred in performing a full cleansing ritual at the temple and the tree itself.” The Bali Sun adds: “Following her time at the police station, she and her husband joined the temple’s priest to pray at the tree and apologize for her actions.” “It seems that this willingness to make amends is going a long way in ensuring that the criminal investigation does not escalate further,” (The Bali Sun). Update: The ABC reports that the influencer, and her husband, “will be deported and barred from entering Indonesia for six months.” According to the ABC, “Despite the apology, Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, personally ordered her deportation, saying in a statement it was ‘far important to preserve the culture and respect the dignity of Bali’ than tolerate such behaviour for tourist dollars.” RELATED: ‘Stop Deifying Foreign Tourists’ Bali Urged To Make Big Change This is not the first time tourists have come under scrutiny for their behaviour in Bali. A Canadian man got in trouble for dancing naked at the top of a mountain recently and two Youtubers faced deportation after a ‘cheeky’ stunt went wrong last year.Watch as two Youtubers’ ‘cheeky’ mask stunt backfiresRead Next [ad_2] Source link

[santandreas]

FOTD-Melaleuca leucadendra-22nd February

For Cee’s FOTD challenge for February 22nd. Melaleuca leucadendra, commonly known as weeping paperbark, long-leaved paperbark or white paperbark is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is widespread in northern Australia, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands. WikipediaScientific name: Melaleuca leucadendra Today my Careworker and I went for a coffee and walk in…

[longwoodstudents]

Student Activity- Tyler Arboretum

The first arboretum I had ever visited was in the spring of 2015. My woody plant identification class took a trip to the Arnold Arboretum for a quiz and a tour. Our tour guide related the arboretum to a living library, connecting you and me to the living world. Since then, I have looked at every plant collection differently and more excited than ever before.

To me, an arboretum may not be about breathtaking transitions in a glass house or unordinary pairings of tropical plantings and grand displays of floriculture. Rather, it is about appreciating and exemplifying the pure beauty of a specimen tree living in a natural environment. I had a few “wow” moments during our visit to Tyler Arboretum when I just couldn’t contain how much I felt connected to the living world and the energy it brought to me. Walking with friends and peers, I had the opportunity to test my identification skills, explore new species I had never seen, and learn about invasive and native species in natural lands and the power of a goat in the wild. I learned so much in just two hours from my peers and even more from the trees. 

I saw my first tri-color beech! That little sapling took my breath away. Interestingly enough, the top foliage is reverting back to its roots as a copper beech. I loved seeing the tri-color beech showing off the color of its ancestors and the breeding capabilities we have today to raise these amazing varieties. Weeping nootka false cypress is one of my favorites. Each individual nootka always looks so sad and drippy. It is amazing that every one looks equally as sad as the next; I think it is great! We also saw dogwoods just covered in “flowers”. I have never seen one blooming so profusely. We ran into an azalea that smelled like an Easter lily and a massive sweet gum! I will definitely need to go back and see it with its stunning fall color. Finally, the paperbark maple we saw on the way out blew my mind. 

The endless and stunning variety of the arboretum mimics that of a library, trees of all different descents representing years of history and the trials and successes of nature. One comment I love to make when I see a giant old tree is to think of the wild journey it has been on, all of the people it has known, the many sunrises and sunsets it has lived though, the development of lands around it, its tree friends that have been removed and its family that has grown all around it… the stories that tree could tell. I could go on and on about trees and my crazy thoughts about how they speak to you and me. Our trip to the Tyler Arboretum just reminded me of how truly amazing our planet is and how lucky we are to be surrounded by the stories of a living library every day.

Tri-Color Beech

Flowering Dogwood

One of Tyler Arboretum’s “Big Bugs”

-Photos and article by Olivia Fow, Display Design Intern

[wendyimmiller]

It’s Over: Ending 19 Wonderful Years in the Nursery Business  by  Bob Hill

As anyone who has ever opened a small, home-grown retail nursery can tell you, the economic reality for such is straight out of the veteran horse gambler’s prayer: Lord, I hope I break even, I need the money.

So it went as we opened our Hidden Hill Nursery & Sculpture Garden 19 years ago on a hopeful wing, happy ignorance and a prayer. History was not in my favor. My obligatory role as a newspaper columnist had always been to make cheerful fun of capitalists, not become one.

Yet I had grown to love plants; a sweet addiction with no known cure – had I even been interested in one. I had eight acres of relatively open Southern Indiana land and an old barn, a modicum of plant knowledge and a yen for the nursery business.

I had growing connections to the specialty wholesale nurseries and companies that catered to the needs of we the possessed; tiny exotic hostas, glorious blooming shrubs, weeping trees, stone owls and fountains from which water fell in rhythmic wonder.

My plant enablers would be located in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest, and Wisconsin. They would supply me with the plants and owls and fountains unavailable at the local box stores, the very products for which my equally possessed customers would lust. Could our newly graveled parking lot contain the rush of customers?

My business, as I became much too fond of saying, was a hobby run amuck. It was mine. It would be free from those silly, too-constraining economic rules faced by other small businesses. Little thought was given to supply and demand, inventory control, balance sheets, insurance needs, digital knowledge, accounting expertise, employee payrolls, mandatory taxes, water bills, famine, pestilence, plant death and one-year-guarantee customer destruction.

We were off; our race begun. Our land – which included our 1860s farmhouse – became our retail nursery and living plant museum. It was soon home to Persian ironwood, ‘Wolf Eyes’ dogwood, weeping katsura, weeping ginkgo, weeping Alaskan cedar, balsam fir, Cedar of Lebanon, ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa, striped-bark maple and variegated zelkova. We sold and grew croton ‘Alabamensis,’ paperbark maple, sweet shrub ‘Michael Lindsey,’ sweetgum ‘Slender Silhouette’ and the lovely and historic Franklinia.

Our shrubs included bright-yellow kerria, pale-yellow weigela, purple beautyberry, red-berried deciduous holly, red-and-yellow berried viburnum, purple lespedeza, pale-pink buttonbush globes and feisty white bottlebrush flowers.

Our perennial selection offered Arum for the winter, moved on in spring to hard-to-find cultivars of hellebores, candytuft, pinks, astilbe, heuchera, phlox, iris and peony. Summer brought the more freaky cultivars; daisy, coneflower, coreopsis, hardy hibiscus, rudbeckia, geranium, bee balm and allium – with new echinacea cultivars showing up every 15 minutes.

Hidden Hill in fall

Fall brought helenium, Japanese anemone, Korean mums, asters, solidago, balloon flowers, caryopteris, sage, sedum and chelone. Then the Arum repeated itself; the plant parade come full cycle. We were all about fun and whimsey and plant knowledge and fine, hard-to-find plants.

On we rolled, year after year, but only open four days a week from April to October. Our fan base grew. Our eight-acre arboretum flourished. We added ponds, new gardens, music events, horticultural classes, whimsical art, theatrical art and beautiful, lovingly created art.

We created a full-sized door to our meadow; joking with our customers if they didn’t use it they would disappear the following Tuesday. People would come out to just wander our eight acres; happy to be there. We were happy to have them.

Our financial advisor, a good and sensible man who would hide a cash register from his mother if he thought it necessary, did understand and accommodate my passion. Yet he would annually peer at me over his desk and suggest a little more financial caution, perhaps more thought toward our old age needs, our true retirement, our bottom line.

Janet Hill, my wife of 56 years, my forever partner in life, our company bookkeeper and diligent gardener herself, would indulge me. We created “Janet’s Garden” in her honor, a circular, quiet oasis in the middle of our larger madness with fountain, flowers, bench, large antique containers and a dangling, yellow brugmansia.

In soft summer evenings, after all the customers had left, we would ride around in a golf cart. I would admire what we had created. She would look for weeds. Her mind also began to lean toward a patio home with several thousand fewer plants to water.

The years rolled on. We were able to recruit terrific help; we all became a garden family. In the winters we would visit those consonant-laden gardens shows – CENTS and MANTS – to check out what was new in plants, fountains and stone owls. In early spring I leafed through 500 pounds of plant catalogs.

I had no desire to get bigger – just better. We looked forward to March, the potting up of the new perennial cultivars, the latest in a ridiculous series of ninebarks, the newer dogwoods and redbud trees that would arrive bare-root and eager for their new lives.

All seemed good until it didn’t. We had our devoted regulars. But on our slower days I would drop by the local Lowes and see people lined up 10 deep at two cash registers buying plants – most of them already in bloom. I had to admit Lowes’s selections looked pretty good – even if it seemed the help was 17-years-old not really looking happy to be there.

We had created a 5,000-follower Facebook presence and a 2,500-person email list as our promotion materials, but it seemed the average age of our customers was about 86. Are plant geeks dying off? Do millennials plant anything besides herbs and lettuce?

We had slowly become a nursery better known than shopped. I kept running into people who would tell me “I have always wanted to go to you place” but never showed up. I continually had to resist the urge to fire back: “Well what the hell is stopping you?”

But it was never said with bitterness. I knew I was a lousy capitalist. I had always known my dream was not economically sustainable; the box stores were open seven days a week until 9 p.m. I wanted that early evening time sharing our land with my wife in a golf cart.

The bottom-line truth outed itself a few weeks ago as I went over our years of financial statements. It followed a 95-degree September afternoon in which Janet and I had spent hours watering needy plants in black plastic pots.

We are both 75 years old. We were tired. It was time to go. The financials showed our gross income was greater five years ago than it was in 2018. We talked it over, called it quits and looked ahead to more travel, more fun with friends and family, more selective use of our now sculpted land.

Sure, some maintenance is still required. But Janet could work on her quilts and spend more time with her church ladies. I could finish writing my children’s books, maybe finally write that first bad novel. We were at total peace with our decision – Janet perhaps even closer to ecstatic.

Our closure announcement brought an outpouring on genuine affection; hundreds of people sent messages or came out to tell us how much Hidden Hill had meant to them, too. One former employee – covering all the bases – brought us a six-pack of beer and a bottle of champagne.

The horse-players prayer has it all wrong. We did much better than break even. We have our family and a growing list of friends. We have our memories. We have the satisfaction and thanks that come with building something good together. We have already won.

It’s Over: Ending 19 Wonderful Years in the Nursery Business originally appeared on Garden Rant on September 23, 2018.

from Gardening http://www.gardenrant.com/2018/09/its-over-ending-19-wonderful-years-in-the-nursery-business.html via http://www.rssmix.com/

[athertonjc]

It’s Over: Ending 19 Wonderful Years in the Nursery Business  by  Bob Hill

As anyone who has ever opened a small, home-grown retail nursery can tell you, the economic reality for such is straight out of the veteran horse gambler’s prayer: Lord, I hope I break even, I need the money.

So it went as we opened our Hidden Hill Nursery & Sculpture Garden 19 years ago on a hopeful wing, happy ignorance and a prayer. History was not in my favor. My obligatory role as a newspaper columnist had always been to make cheerful fun of capitalists, not become one.

Yet I had grown to love plants; a sweet addiction with no known cure – had I even been interested in one. I had eight acres of relatively open Southern Indiana land and an old barn, a modicum of plant knowledge and a yen for the nursery business.

I had growing connections to the specialty wholesale nurseries and companies that catered to the needs of we the possessed; tiny exotic hostas, glorious blooming shrubs, weeping trees, stone owls and fountains from which water fell in rhythmic wonder.

My plant enablers would be located in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest, and Wisconsin. They would supply me with the plants and owls and fountains unavailable at the local box stores, the very products for which my equally possessed customers would lust. Could our newly graveled parking lot contain the rush of customers?

My business, as I became much too fond of saying, was a hobby run amuck. It was mine. It would be free from those silly, too-constraining economic rules faced by other small businesses. Little thought was given to supply and demand, inventory control, balance sheets, insurance needs, digital knowledge, accounting expertise, employee payrolls, mandatory taxes, water bills, famine, pestilence, plant death and one-year-guarantee customer destruction.

We were off; our race begun. Our land – which included our 1860s farmhouse – became our retail nursery and living plant museum. It was soon home to Persian ironwood, ‘Wolf Eyes’ dogwood, weeping katsura, weeping ginkgo, weeping Alaskan cedar, balsam fir, Cedar of Lebanon, ‘Summer Chocolate’ mimosa, striped-bark maple and variegated zelkova. We sold and grew croton ‘Alabamensis,’ paperbark maple, sweet shrub ‘Michael Lindsey,’ sweetgum ‘Slender Silhouette’ and the lovely and historic Franklinia.

Our shrubs included bright-yellow kerria, pale-yellow weigela, purple beautyberry, red-berried deciduous holly, red-and-yellow berried viburnum, purple lespedeza, pale-pink buttonbush globes and feisty white bottlebrush flowers.

Our perennial selection offered Arum for the winter, moved on in spring to hard-to-find cultivars of hellebores, candytuft, pinks, astilbe, heuchera, phlox, iris and peony. Summer brought the more freaky cultivars; daisy, coneflower, coreopsis, hardy hibiscus, rudbeckia, geranium, bee balm and allium – with new echinacea cultivars showing up every 15 minutes.

Hidden Hill in fall

Fall brought helenium, Japanese anemone, Korean mums, asters, solidago, balloon flowers, caryopteris, sage, sedum and chelone. Then the Arum repeated itself; the plant parade come full cycle. We were all about fun and whimsey and plant knowledge and fine, hard-to-find plants.

On we rolled, year after year, but only open four days a week from April to October. Our fan base grew. Our eight-acre arboretum flourished. We added ponds, new gardens, music events, horticultural classes, whimsical art, theatrical art and beautiful, lovingly created art.

We created a full-sized door to our meadow; joking with our customers if they didn’t use it they would disappear the following Tuesday. People would come out to just wander our eight acres; happy to be there. We were happy to have them.

Our financial advisor, a good and sensible man who would hide a cash register from his mother if he thought it necessary, did understand and accommodate my passion. Yet he would annually peer at me over his desk and suggest a little more financial caution, perhaps more thought toward our old age needs, our true retirement, our bottom line.

Janet Hill, my wife of 56 years, my forever partner in life, our company bookkeeper and diligent gardener herself, would indulge me. We created “Janet’s Garden” in her honor, a circular, quiet oasis in the middle of our larger madness with fountain, flowers, bench, large antique containers and a dangling, yellow brugmansia.

In soft summer evenings, after all the customers had left, we would ride around in a golf cart. I would admire what we had created. She would look for weeds. Her mind also began to lean toward a patio home with several thousand fewer plants to water.

The years rolled on. We were able to recruit terrific help; we all became a garden family. In the winters we would visit those consonant-laden gardens shows – CENTS and MANTS – to check out what was new in plants, fountains and stone owls. In early spring I leafed through 500 pounds of plant catalogs.

I had no desire to get bigger – just better. We looked forward to March, the potting up of the new perennial cultivars, the latest in a ridiculous series of ninebarks, the newer dogwoods and redbud trees that would arrive bare-root and eager for their new lives.

All seemed good until it didn’t. We had our devoted regulars. But on our slower days I would drop by the local Lowes and see people lined up 10 deep at two cash registers buying plants – most of them already in bloom. I had to admit Lowes’s selections looked pretty good – even if it seemed the help was 17-years-old not really looking happy to be there.

We had created a 5,000-follower Facebook presence and a 2,500-person email list as our promotion materials, but it seemed the average age of our customers was about 86. Are plant geeks dying off? Do millennials plant anything besides herbs and lettuce?

We had slowly become a nursery better known than shopped. I kept running into people who would tell me “I have always wanted to go to you place” but never showed up. I continually had to resist the urge to fire back: “Well what the hell is stopping you?”

But it was never said with bitterness. I knew I was a lousy capitalist. I had always known my dream was not economically sustainable; the box stores were open seven days a week until 9 p.m. I wanted that early evening time sharing our land with my wife in a golf cart.

The bottom-line truth outed itself a few weeks ago as I went over our years of financial statements. It followed a 95-degree September afternoon in which Janet and I had spent hours watering needy plants in black plastic pots.

We are both 75 years old. We were tired. It was time to go. The financials showed our gross income was greater five years ago than it was in 2018. We talked it over, called it quits and looked ahead to more travel, more fun with friends and family, more selective use of our now sculpted land.

Sure, some maintenance is still required. But Janet could work on her quilts and spend more time with her church ladies. I could finish writing my children’s books, maybe finally write that first bad novel. We were at total peace with our decision – Janet perhaps even closer to ecstatic.

Our closure announcement brought an outpouring on genuine affection; hundreds of people sent messages or came out to tell us how much Hidden Hill had meant to them, too. One former employee – covering all the bases – brought us a six-pack of beer and a bottle of champagne.

The horse-players prayer has it all wrong. We did much better than break even. We have our family and a growing list of friends. We have our memories. We have the satisfaction and thanks that come with building something good together. We have already won.

It’s Over: Ending 19 Wonderful Years in the Nursery Business originally appeared on Garden Rant on September 23, 2018.

from Garden Rant http://www.gardenrant.com/2018/09/its-over-ending-19-wonderful-years-in-the-nursery-business.html

[mariellejohnston]

SITE - IDEAS - REFLECTIONS

For Assessment 2, Marielle and I teamed up and explored the different sites we could use for our project.

We also thought that the paperbarks were a suitable choice because they were located at the entrance of the Green Heart Fair, which could attract more attention and interaction from the visitors.

After our second visit to Barrambin Park, guided by the City Parklands Offices, we had several allocated sites to choose from. Isabella and I sat down at the last site that was shown to us. We chose the paperbark trees because they were the only native trees among our options, unlike the beautiful large Jacaranda tree which originates in India and Africa. We were immediately drawn by this space for various reasons...

The lowest part or terrain of the park

Located at the entrance of the Green Heart Fair, which could attract more attention and interaction from the visitors.

The repetition of the row of mature broad-leaf weeping paperbark trees.

Looking up into the elegant weeping branches.

Appreciating the medicinal properties of the tea trees.

The extensive use of recourse the tree offers.

The textures and colors of the paperbark.

And also how the wind travels through this area of the park.

A sense of calmness and serenity.

We discussed further the elements we were mostly inspired by and dropped some points of potential aims and concepts for the artwork...

The drawing focuses on the relationships between the trees.

Creating an artwork that compliments the textures and colors of the paperbark trees.

Suspending layered fabrics that almost replicate the pleated effect from mushrooms.

Dying the fabrics with ochres.

Weaving modular panels of a suspended installation between the row of trees.

Or even weaving a mycelium textural matting that covers the ground and around the tree trunks to allow people to sit on them.

Connecting the woven fiber-like matting between the trees to replicate how mycelium would connect the trees and communicate with each other. Drawing on the element of connection.

Encourage the viewers to engage with the piece, stepping through and under the installation, to look up and stand with the trees. To slow down and feel safe.

Even provide interactive ochres for people to touch and add marks onto the trees, bringing a deeper sense of intimacy to the artwork.

To invoke mindfulness, to slow down and practice empathy.

Participatory artwork

Installation that moves and reacts to the wind.

Sourcing wholesale bio-degradable or recycled materials.

Working with recycled plastic bags to create new strips of fabric-like material

Looking into new technology eco fabrics such as hemp/bamboo/cotton/silk/mycelium fabrics.

Working with natural dies such as ochre pigment and potentially even seeing its effects on various types of materials.

[wanderingforestboy]

This uquiz is made by @my-darling-boy !

If you want to know Which WWI Homosexual Are You?

Then check out this uquiz!

Tagging: @dcrkacademia @emowerewolves @sxft-vxmpire-mlm @paperbark-paperback @plutosuxk @weltonboys @wildechaotic @weeping-devils @rosenrot-mlm @rainy-academia @zombie-gay @saintvellum @achilies @visionsofhelios @vixvigil @victorian-vampire-mlm @keeppartyingon @bumblebeemlm @lostpoeticdisaster @luvcore-mlm @dimitridon @disasteracademic

[malleedesign]

New Post has been published on http://malleedesign.com.au/another-top-paperbark-melaleuca-viridiflora-burgundy-weeper/

Another top Paperbark: Melaleuca viridiflora 'Burgundy Weeper'

This October has been  paperbark appreciation month for me, I love melaleucas as they will grow so easily in difficult heavy soils and their flowers are rich in nectar for birds and bees alike. Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’ is no exception, it covers itself in deep reddish purple flowers attracting honey eaters and bees.

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’ as the name suggests has a gentle weeping habit and a wonderful papery bark. It grows to between 6-8 metres in a dense reasonably narrow habit, making it a perfect medium feature tree for suburban gardens and an excellent street tree.

This Melaleuca was photographed in Autumn and will also flower in Spring, like many of the Callistemons it seems you get two showy flowering times a year.

This Melaleuca is not often seen in nurseries but it is worth trying to hunt down if you have the time, its a gorgeous, hardy, quick growing tree and it would be great to see it used more often, the birds will thank you too 🙂

[outfitandtrend]

[ad_1] A Russian yoga aficionado may face jail time and a huge fine after posing naked next to a 700-year-old tree in Bali. A Bali local saw the images online and reported them to authorities. The influencer has turned herself in and apologised. A Russian Instagram influencer, who has 18k followers at the time of writing, is in hot water for a photo she took next to a sacred tree in Bali. Her profile is now on private, and she has deleted the offending image. She has also published an apology, having returned to the tree after a local complained, and apologised, this time fully clothed.  She also reportedly turned herself in to police. As she told followers: “I just prayed under a tree and went straight to the police station to explain this incident and apologise.” Local resident and entrepreneur Niluh Djelantik saw the image and reported it to the authorities. Mr Djelantik said the tree is old and sacred and is known as Kayu Putih (a weeping paperbark). It is reportedly located at the Babakan Temple in Tabanan. Image Credit: The Bali SunSome reports claim the influencer could be charged with spreading pornography (Bali has a strict Information and Electronic Transactions Act). AdelaideNow reports that, if convicted of spreading pornography, the influencer could face up to six years in prison or a fine of IDR 1 billion (AU $97,108). On Instagram, the influencer said: “I appeal to all my friends and all my guests of Bali. I unknowingly made a big mistake for which I regret and I want to tell you so that you don’t repeat it.”“I apologise to all Balinese and Indonesian people, I regret my actions.”She went on: “I’m so embarrassed, I didn’t mean to offend you in any way.” At the time of writing, Tabanan Police spokesperson Ranefli Dian Candra had not revealed what punishment, if any, the yoga enthusiast will face. According to The Bali Sun, local reports indicate that “the case is being handled with amicability and fairness” and that the influencer “has committed to pay for any costs incurred in performing a full cleansing ritual at the temple and the tree itself.” The Bali Sun adds: “Following her time at the police station, she and her husband joined the temple’s priest to pray at the tree and apologize for her actions.” “It seems that this willingness to make amends is going a long way in ensuring that the criminal investigation does not escalate further,” (The Bali Sun). Update: The ABC reports that the influencer, and her husband, “will be deported and barred from entering Indonesia for six months.” According to the ABC, “Despite the apology, Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, personally ordered her deportation, saying in a statement it was ‘far important to preserve the culture and respect the dignity of Bali’ than tolerate such behaviour for tourist dollars.” RELATED: ‘Stop Deifying Foreign Tourists’ Bali Urged To Make Big Change This is not the first time tourists have come under scrutiny for their behaviour in Bali. A Canadian man got in trouble for dancing naked at the top of a mountain recently and two Youtubers faced deportation after a ‘cheeky’ stunt went wrong last year.Watch as two Youtubers’ ‘cheeky’ mask stunt backfiresRead Next Did you enjoy this story? If so, subscribe to our daily newsletter to receive our top tending stories. [gravityform id="7" title="false" description="false" ajax="true" ] [ad_2] Source link