Akebia quinata is a fabulous vine. It grows similar to a honeysuckle, but without the fragrance. It has lovely little chocolate flowers that cluster in bells at the top of the new growth. It’s perfect for growing and mixing with clematis or roses. You can find this at most nurseries (even the dreaded homeless depot) and they grow like crazy. I buy them in one gallons since they grow so fast, and plant them against anything they can grasp.

Here are some other things going on in the garden:

Sprout, Queen of the deck garden.

I love this type of columbine. It’s planted in a medium terra cotta pot, with plenty of peat moss mixed in the planting soil. I love the fluted royal purple petals it puts out. Very simple and understated. Below is a little greenhouse I made years ago, housing some holy basil and italian basil.

Fabulous Carnivorous Flower

I cut back all the foliage on the carnivorous plants Dustin gave me, replanted them in peat and have been watering lots. This blossom blasted up quickly and have been a gorgeous little spot of yellow amongst the terra cotta on my deck. Next to it, a lovely little snail setting up shop on my kniphofia flower, next to the sweet peas.

I love this verbascum. I bought it at Annie’s Annuals and have had it in this pot for a year. It’s located right by my front door and beckons to be petted when ever I rush in and out during the day.

Lastly, the verbena and sweet pea intertwined. They are both in a fairly small terra cotta pot on the steps, but seem to be very happy. You brush by them every time you go up or down the stairs.

Viola seed pod in February

This little viola pod was just about to burst from the couple days of warm weather we had. Luckily I captured it in a glass bottle I keep for seeds. This will dry out for a bit, then be planted in the early Summer in the pots on my deck.

For another great source to buy seed online, check out www.seedsavers.org

They are a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of heirloom seed. I buy most my flower seeds here and last year’s cover crops seed for my farm. They come in excellent quality and fairly fast shipping.

I absolutely love the flower and garden show (who doesn’t? It’s flowers and garden stuff!)…. but I do take a little issue with pictures of people gardening – when they are not dirty! It’s like, seriously? Who are you fooling. I mean it’s one thing to accidentally fall asleep in a mushroom patch wearing jewels, but it is quite another to be at a potting bench not covered in soil. Plus – that child should probably be whining about not being able to go inside and watch Barney or something, rather than perfectly posing… right? (Do kids still watch Barney?)

Beyond that – the SF Flower & Garden is fantastic and I’m going (Carla, you’re coming with… and buying me a corn dog or something.) Afterwards, be sure to tune back in about my findings….

For more info about how you can get your sweet buns to the show, go to….

www.sfgardenshow.com

Winter's repose

I went to clip this little guy earlier today, but found him most endearing and decided to leave him instead.

Smellin’ the jasmine that finally started to bloom on my fence. I guess I shouldn’t say, finally – since  it’s been through hell. Last year my landlord decided it was time to paint the fence, thus ripping it off said fence and while that was going on my dogs took full advantage of using it as some sort of pull toy. Once the painting was completed I sewed it back onto the fence and now it’s blooming. First Jasmine, next the huge Wisteria.

I recently learned that Jasmine is one of the most elusive scents in the fragrance world. You can find something called Jasmine almost anywhere, disguised as a perfume. But the true scent of Jasmine is rarely used. Something to do with the amount of chemicals naturally found in the flower – and when that is extracted and reproduced, the top note is usually lost.

Stumped on what to get your loved one for Valentine’s Day???

Well, flowers of course.… oh ya and diamonds. Puppies are good too.

But for a more eco-inspired Valentine’s Day gift check out Sustainable Harvest International and their gift of a chocolate forest!

“The mission of Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) is to provide farming families in Central America with the training and tools to overcome poverty while restoring our planet’s tropical forests.

Since the organization’s start in 1997, SHI has planted more than 2.6 million trees and converted thousands of acres to sustainable uses; thereby saving tens of thousands of acres of tropical forest from slash-and-burn destruction.

SHI works with families and students throughout Honduras, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua implementing alternatives to slash-and-burn farming, the leading cause of rainforest destruction in the region. “

Love the apricot colored Pansy growing under my dormant rose bush. The yellowish plant behind it? An oxalis! Yes, one of the worst weeds can make for a beautiful bedding plant.

I looked down at a small pot on my deck this morning, and noticed it was spilling with violet flowers.

If you have never smelled a true violet flower it smells like old fashioned soap and baby. Lovely.