Lilacs, the Collection

Syringa vulgaris 2008 K.j.K.

Syringa vulgaris, and others.

Favored for disease and pest resistance, which makes them a very low maintenance feature in the landscape.

Syringa vulgaris, the common purple lilac, a twenty foot row to the west of the front driveway.  This  may have been planted by the Johnson’s, a pastor and his wife from the congregation of the Church of the Wildwood next door.   Or they may have been planted by another previous owner, the Nickolauson’s, who later purchased a sawmill near Hungry Lake.  No matter, a stand of common purple lilacs will generally outlive the home it adorns.   If you drive through the neighboring Tamarac National Wildlife refuge during the last week of May you will be able to identify the homesteads of over a century ago, with the ghosts of buildings  long been removed, by their still present and blooming prolifically, the common purple lilac.   This lilac, in a sense, gets a bad rap with the ‘common’ identity.  In my opinion there is nothing common about this species.  It is everything a lilac should be.  Perfect.

Syringa vulgaris white 2007 K.j.K.

To these all time favorites I added a single, straggley stem of a white lilac, also a vulgaris species, from a discount shipper in Bloomington, Illinois.  Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that pathetic twig would within three years become a beautiful clump of the sweetly-scented, pure white lilacs.   There is a semi-circular band of this strain planted to the south of the parsonage.  These were planted in 2008.

‘Miss Canada’, a tall pink lilac.  This is planted about twenty feet off the north east corner of the garage.

‘Sensation’ or the Picotti, lilac.  Purple with white edges, this lilac is of medium stature in my landscape.  I placed it too close to a box elder and it didn’t bloom for nearly six years, and even now it blooms only sparsley.  That’s okay, however, as in scent it doesn’t compare to the common lavender and white lilac.  (Isn’t this true with the scent of most flowers? )

‘Miss Kim’, a miniature lilac which has the advantage of blooming later than the standard lilacs, extending the season for a few weeks.  Again, these lilacs are not as scented as the Syringa vulgaris species. This is planted just south of, and too near to, a large balsam.  There is another along the fence, to the north of the woodshed.

Just south of ‘Miss Kim’ is a President Grevy which has yet to bloom.  I believe I noticed buds this year.

‘______’, on the northeast corner of the parsonage.  A taller lilac in a mauve shade.

‘______’, northeast of the parsonage, near the fenceline, east of  and near the concrete platform.

Syringa 'Donald Wyman' pink KjK 2011

Syringa x prestoniae ‘Donald Wyman’, a different type of lilac.  Until it bloomed I thought it had been misidentified.  This is planted to the north of the box elder on the front driveway.  Its blooms are a deep pink.  Also, near end of driveway, just southeast of the Common Purple lilacs, is a ‘Donald Wyman’ purple, which I added in 2011.  These lilacs are sometimes referred to as a Canadian lilacs.

‘ ______’, a white lilac which again is very fragrant.  This is planted in the most perfect location,  just outside of my bedroom window.

‘_______’, a yellow lilac, with the nickname of primrose lilac.   I purchased mine in about 2008, from Wayside Gardens, and planted them on the south side of the house.   They are a medium sized shrub here, managable.  Unfortunately the some of the scent was lost in this off-white species.  Some years the blossoms seem to beg for the purity of the white lilac.

‘_______’, a pink lilac, is planted off the northwest  corner of the house.  This is a poor location for this lilac as the pine that line the driveway rob the surrounding area of water and nutrients.

The ‘Monge’, a deep purple French lilac, vulgaris species, planted twenty feet north of the center-north side of the garage.

‘_______’, not yet planted.

The Dappled lilac, not yet planted.

‘Tree Lilac,’ often called the Japanese tree lilac.  A single stemmed, or rather a  slow shoot producer, in  tree form, acquiring the shape of an unpruned crabapple tree as it matures.  I attended a Master Gardener’s conference at St. John’s University when their tree lilacs were in bloom.  The sight was spectacular, the proportion and positioning well aligned to the campus.

A ‘________’ is planted to the north of the parsonage, perhaps too close to the oak but in a location I hope will work well with the parsonage deck, or veranda.

On the southeast corner of the parsonage is a lilac that may still be tagged.  I do not recall the name.

On my wish list is the ‘repeat bloomer’ the Boomerang lilac.  I’ve had no feedback about this lilac. I have talked to several people who read about it in a magazine article.    In appearance it reminds me of a Korean lilac, small in stature.

Note on essential oils:  Syringa does not contain compounds which can be reduced to an essential oil.  Beware of essential oils marked ‘Lilac’ as they will not be a true or pure oil.

Glacier Park, just outside of Kalispell, MT, U.S.

Waterfall

Mountain flora

Lake McDonald, on the Road to the Sun

Enroute to Hidden Lake

Flathead River

Hidden Lake

Glacier Park in northwestern Montana hosts one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever come across in my travels.  It’s not easy to get to,…in fact, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone attempt to reach it unless they’re in excellent physical condition,… but once you’ve arrived at this destination within the park, Hidden Lake, I guarantee you’ll not be disappointed.  Buried deep within the park this majestic place is a sight to behold.  And not only will your sight register the effect, but every sense of your being will spring to life.   It’s one of those experiences that words and phrases just cannot do justice to.

Of course, there are many more beautiful sights within the park but this is the image of the park that I cherish most.   The hike will take most of the day so plan accordingly, or in other words, begin early in the day.   And don’t worry that on the onset you’ll be surrounded by hoards of other tourists attempting to make the same journey.  Most will turn back long before they reach the destination.  

We, my friends and I, were alone (with the all the glory and serenity of the natural world at our fingertips) at the lake when we arrived,…well, alone that is,  aside from the mountain goats that grazed on the hillside beside us. 

Another aspect of the hike that has stayed with me is the change in climate as you progress up, down, and into the mountain valley.   We did the hike in early July, when summer was at its peak, but as we climbed we entered, as there is no better way to describe it, spring.    Snow and early blooming bulbs slowly replaced the green grass of summer in this landscape.  By the time we arrived at our destination there were little signs of summer left.  The lake itself was partially covered with ice.   You needn’t worry about the temps, however, because the summer sun still warms the air.   Imagine.   Have you ever had a snowball fight with a friend while dressed in shorts and a tank top?     It is really delightful.   Warning:  Carry sunglasses on this hike.  The snow crystals combine with the rays from the summer sun to form a glare that will nearly blind you as you hike into the lake.

To fully appreciate the beauty of this park I would also urge everyone to partake in one of the local rafting excursions.  We were fortunate to have a friend in Kalispell who is an avid whitewater rafting enthusiast and he generously hosted our day on the river, but there are many outfitters who will do the same for you by customizing a trip to fit your needs.  And yes, there are routes that children can safely participate in.

American Mountain Ash Sorbus americana

Sorbus americana 2006 K.j.K.

The American Mountain Ash is in full bloom now, in mid-May, when little else has bloomed in the spring landscape.  Unlike its European cousin, the Showy Mountain Ash, the American Mountain Ash does not host fireblight, the deadly disease that attacks apple trees.  

A native to the upper midwest, the Sorbus americana is a beautiful, fast growing, strong, healthy shrub in the landscape.  Why wouldn’t it be happy when it is at home?

It is not overly aggressive and will stay where put.   In its native landscape it prefers a filtered light canopy.  A stray showed up in my driveway border and I left it, where it now precedes the lilacs in bloom.  At a distance it even resembles a lilac.  To survive in this border a plant must be drought tolerant, which surprisingly it is.

Rating: 5 star

Showy Mountain Ash, Apple Trees, and Fireblight

I had a nice grove of apple trees growing in my yard. They were planted at different intervals but all were producing apples.  They’re all gone now, due to fireblight.  The virus spread slowly but surely through all the trees.  At one point I thought one of the older trees was resistant but eventually it too gave in.  Fireblight shows up as an ashy appearance on apple trees.  

What caused this?  The Showy European Mountain Ash that was planted next door. 

The Showy Mountain Ash, as many proud owners will tell you, is a tough tree.  It too has the fireblight virus.  It is the favored host, the one and only that I know of,  to the virus and although it doesn’t adversely affect the Mountain Ash it is transmitted to neighboring apple trees which are unable to defend themselves from the virus.   Customers will ask me, “What is that pretty tree with the orange berries?”, or they will say, “I love my Showy Mountain Ash”, and I cringe. 

I say, stop!  Perhaps this could be one of my lifetime achievements.  To have the European Mountain Ash sent back home.  It puzzles me how anyone in Minnesota can grow apples.  Are they spraying?  As the primary grower and supplier of both apple trees and the Showy Mountain Ash ships these trees together it is likely they are grown together.  Wouldn’t every apple tree then be exposed?   As the virus spreads slowly, it wouldn’t show up until the tree was established.  

If anyone can add to this, please do.  Bailey’s?  Perhaps you could offer some insight.

Pet Essentials

On more than a few occasions I’ve been asked about the use of essential oils on pets, namely dogs and horses.   Pet owners are definitely looking for healthy alternatives to the chemical based market.   

Pets will react to essential oils in much the same way as people.   I’ve used tea tree oil on my horses for a variety of treatments.  Cuts, insect bites, and other minor sores respond nicely to the anti-bacterial effects of tea-tree oil.  

I also make my own repellant by adding a teaspoon of neem oil and a teaspoon of tea-tree oil to a spray bottle of water.  This works very well when applied every four to six hours.   Sound time intensive?  Perhaps, but it is a safe, non-toxic spray- unlike the chemical laden products that are available at most supply stores.  (I have a sad story regarding Hartz flea and tick spray and my german shepherd, Cocoa.   Ask me about it sometime.)

Pogostemon cablin, Patchouli

Patchouli as a plant is a member of the mint family.  There are several species but P. cablin  is the preferred essential oil species.   It is native to Asia and grown in the Caribbean countries.  The small flowers are held on stalks, resembling somewhat the floral stalks of the coral bells (Huechera sp.). 

As an essential oil the scent of patchouli appeals to some, but not to others.   I don’t think of it as a minty scent, but rather a spicey or woodsy scent.  This is perhaps why it makes a good oil to use in an aftershave splash.   Patchouli has been used in women’s perfumes for many centuries. 

Traditional usage suggests it helps with depression, irritability, anger, low self-esteem, poor sex drive, scars, and acne.    Susan Curtis, in ‘Essential Oils’  notes patchouli as having anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.   

The dry, woody, earthy scent of Patchouli became extremely popular during the 1960′s and 70′s.   It is associated with the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) and signals the energy(ies) of  lust, money, and protection. 

I have the Patchouli cablin essential oil on hand.   A  .5 oz. bottle is 14.99.  I am searching for the plant though I can find only one reference to it as an ornamental or medicinal plant in my garden library.   

According to M. Grieve in ‘A Modern Herbal’,  1931, with P. cablin referred to as P. patchouli,   the best oil is distilled near the plantation where it is grown, and because the scent improves with age is often used by Indians in the making of their shawls.

more on selecting native plants

  

native groundcover; shade

 

“The ‘true artist’ planned landscapes-from gardens to entire cities-by first analyzing and recognizing the “characteristic and salient aspects of the place,” in order to “work in harmony with them instead of coming into conflict with nature.   -Garden and Forest, 1893

 Over the years I have designed, implemented, and assisted with many landscape and garden designs, and I’ve visited hundreds of gardens and landscapes around the world, but never have I witnessed a  landscape so beautiful and enticing as those that exist where man has made no mark what-so-ever.   There’s a woodland bed carpeted with wild lily of the valley (photo) just behind my house.  It’s hidden by a canopy of wild raspberries, american sorbus, lindens, and ash, but it’s there.  I know.   If only man could master the art of preserving natural beauty. 

Plant hunters for centuries have been scouring the world in search of exotic species, and what are they to do once they discover something exciting but to transport it ‘home’.  Kings and Queens have funded these hunts.  Men have lost their lives on these hunts.  Rare plants have been harvested to the brink of extinction, and in the process of moving them to an alien climate we remove and replace alternate, perhaps truly native plants.   In some cases we cross-breed these plants to a point that we no longer recognize the original treasure.  But yet we insist on juggling the ‘non-native’ species of the world, and attempt to incorporate them in and around our own landscapes.  

In this day of easy travel is it really necessary?     Could it be a fault of human nature to not recognize and appreciate that which is easily and readily available? 

Here are some tips to help maintain a healthy balance with natives in your own landscape: 

1) Use native species for groundcover.  Try (For reference and identification I recommend Roger Tory Peterson’s Guide to Wildflowers.) 

2) Plant native trees.  One of my favorite varieties is the American Linden, or basswood.  Absolutely no other tree, shrub, or flower has such a magnificent scent during bloom as the American Linden.  

3)Limit non-native and ornamentals to containers.  If you are attached to the beauty of a non-native perennial try growing it in a pot and mimic its native climate as closely as possible during the winter.  Plumbago falls into this category for me.  It is a vine in its native landscape, but forms a small shrub in a container.  

4) Be extremely cautious of aggressive and invasive non-native plants.  (These, too, can be grown in pots if you insist on having them.)   Every summer I deal with customers who are looking for ‘something’,… ‘anything’ that will grow ‘fast’ and ‘spread quickly’.   I cringe every time I hear this.   Too many obnoxious and invasive plants are still being marketed by garden centers.   Two popular examples are the invasive white oxeye daisy, and the hybrid forms of Euphorbia, the latter because its seeds may revert back to Euporbia esula, an extremely invasive spurge.   Another showy perennial which is commonly available at garden centers but will never make itself known in my landscape again is the purple Veronica.   There are always alternatives. 

5) When in doubt consult with a professional and heed the advise of the experts.   A five dollar plant could become your five-hundred dollar nightmare in just a few years.  Just because it made its way to the shelf at the local garden center doesn’t mean it needs to make its way home with you.   Think of these plants as cute puppies (aren’t all puppies cute?)  that turn into ankle-biting dogs.  

One of the projects I have scheduled for next spring will be to help my daughter, Angel, and Nathan with the landscaping around their new home.   When Angel and I talked about this last fall she mentioned not being partial to the color ‘red’.   I wasn’t sure how to respond because directly behind her, serving as an awesome backdrop for the house and for the front yard, were some of the most beautiful maple trees I’ve seen in the area,…towering, gorgeous, and shimmering in every imaginable shade of ‘red.’     

“Okay,” I said.    Regardless, this will be a fun project.  Most of the surroundings include the native species and I hope I can convince them to do more of the same in the areas that have been stripped and compacted during construction. 

^{1  ‘Garden and Forest’, 1893; entire article available at  http://www.loc.gov/preserv/prd/gardfor/essays/carr.html}

Rose Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens

I recently completed an essential oil profile for someone who accumulated seven hits on rose geranium.  This was rather unusual so I decided it was time to do some more research on the plant, and on the oil itself.

As the name suggests, rose Geranium is derived from the floral plant Pelargonium graveolens.   (Pelargonium is often synonymous with Geranium.)   I am not a fan of geraniums, so to speak, but I do enjoy the older, scented species.   Their scent is magnificent and you find them in citrus scents (lemon, orange, etc.) as well as floral.  The citrus scented geraniums are great for flavoring tea.  The more common species are bred for their floral appeal and lack the distinct scent of the older species.   Very few shops carry the older species  anymore.  

Rose geranium is indigenous to South Africa.  

Traditionally it has been used as to alleviate or balance anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, memory trouble, nervousness, fear, panic attacks, phobias, workaholic stresses, worry-some manner, oily hair, drowsiness, hemorrhoids, smoking cessation, substance abuse, water retention, cold sores, varicose veins, irritability, anger, poor sex-drive, sadness, melancholy, and as an antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, and as deodorant.   

There are many forms of diluted and, or variant rose geranium oils on the market.  The only way to be sure you are getting the ‘real mccoy’ is to do your research.   Again, cost may be indicative of quality.

I have the true Pelargonium graveolens on hand.  At present I have the lemon, lime, and pine geranium plants on hand.

Lavender, Lavandula officinalis

The name Lavender is derived from the latin ‘Lavend’, which means to bathe or wash.    It is cultivated primarily in the south of France, and native to the Mediterranean. 

It’s easy to see why Lavender ranks as one of the top five essential oils. 

Traditional uses:  insomnia, high blood pressure, leg cramps, muscle cramps or pain, stiff or sore muscles, tension headaches, dermatitis, eczema, dry skin, sensitive skin, sunburn, wrinkles, anxiety, nervousness, fear, nightmares, panic attacks, phobias, shyness, stress, tenseness, workaholic, worry-some, dandruff, dry hair, hair loss, brittle nails, foot aches, sore or swollen feet, asthma, back aches, colic (babies), hemorrhoids, calming agent, middle-ear infection, eczema, infections, burns, insect bites

Lavender oil contains more than 200 compounds that are active against fungi, viruses, and other microbes.  (Source: The Complete Guide to Natural Healing.)

Most people find the scent of lavender agreeable.  It is not one of my favorite scents but it does serve a purpose and there is no other essential oil like it for freshening (or cleansing) the air.   It was my mother-in-law’s favorite scent.  Being extremely sensitive to chemicals she used lavender in a natural based shampoo.  

I always have lavender essential oil and dried lavender flowers on hand.  

The plants themselves will not overwinter here in northwest Minnesota (silence the naysayers,…if you had lavender survive a winter it was either a fluke or you have found a microclimate two zones warmer than the norm), but if you have a way to overwinter them in a climate more akin to their native habitat you will be able to keep one plant for many years.   The most beautiful plants I’ve seen came from a nursery up north called Deep Woods Nursery.   

Quality Note: When buying lavender essential oil be sure to look for an organic oil that was extracted from the Lavandula officinalis plant, which is grown at altitudes above 3000 ft.     

 

Uplifting sachet:  Combine 2 parts dried lavender flowers with 1 part rosemary and 1 part basil.  Add a teaspoon of orris root if desired.  Carry in a cotton sachet or pouch to strengthen and refresh.

In spells:  Use lavender to counter the ill effects of distrust,  improve clairvoyance, or moderate mood swings.

To purify the air:  Mix two drops lavender and one drop each of bergamot and lemon essential oils.  Infuse into the air via one of the methods described  in smudging, incense, and air purification .        

In the laundry: Add several drops of lavender oil to the rinse cycle or add a drop to a clean dishcloth and use it as you would a fabric softener sheet in the dryer.