Quotation of the Week: " An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life." — Cora Lea Bell

Memorial Day and Poppies

Memorial Day, originally called "Decoration Day," was first celebrated on May 30th, 1868, to honor those (Union soldiers) who died in the American Civil War (the South had their own memorials at that time). After World War I, the day became one to honor all Americans who died fighting any war. But why the poppies? Poppy seeds lie dormant in the soil, and heavily turning or digging up the soil causes them to sprout. Poppies have long been noted for suddenly 'popping up' on battlefields and in graveyards. Major John McCrae, a Canadian, wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields" the day after the burial of a young friend and student, after seeing the poppies in the cemetery where his student had been buried. In Flanders Fields.   In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.   We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.   Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.   — Major John McCrae

Moina Michael, an American, was very moved by the poem, and wrote a short poem of her own in response, from which these lines are excerpted: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led. It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies. She began the tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation, also selling poppies and giving the money to a charity benefiting servicemen in need. The tradition of wearing poppies spread and is now practiced in many countries on their own days of remembrance. Not only did Ms. Michael start the tradition of wearing poppies, she also seems to be responsible for the tradition of selling them to benefit servicemen in need. Many veterans' organizations will be selling them for this Memorial Day. They aren't expensive but they are very valuable. Buy one, wear it at the barbecue or party, and remember what our freedom costs.

Summer's Flowers

Summer's flowers are the brightest and the boldest in the garden, as radiant as the sun itself. Most need heat (the two most popular, marigolds and zinnias, come from sunny Mexico), and they shouldn't be planted until the weather swears to stay warm. Two of the brightest summer annuals — marigold and gloriosa daisies — come in many forms. There are small-flowered French marigolds, big American hybrids, and just about every size between them. Summer's flowers aren't quite as easy to grow as those of spring. Warm weather brings out bugs and disease that may bother them, and regular watering becomes more critical, but they are a tough lot — born to grow in the sun. There are many new improved varieties and colors. We carry Proven Winners that are guaranteed to perform with fast growth and tons of color. The following is a list of some of the best annuals for summer.

Ageratum: Flat, fuzzy clusters of violet-blue flowers cover this foot-tall plant throughout the summer. Good as a filler, or in the front row. Best planted from packs or pots.
Sweet Alyssum: As good in the summer as it is in the winter and spring, it grows in low mounds of white or purplish flowers. Midnight, a dark purple variety and Wonderland, a pinkish purple one, are less likely to fade in summer's heat. Dwarf kinds are dense, stay under four inches.
Cosmos: Bushy plants with vivid, daisy like flowers on long, thin stems. There are two distinct kinds, one with brilliant yellow or orange flowers and one with flowers in shades of pink, mulberry, and white. Both have the same airy effect in the garden, growing to three feet tall or more. My favorite is “Chocolate” a beautiful dark color as the name implies.
Gloriosa Daisy: Huge daisy flowers on tall but graceful plants growing to four feet. Flowers usually golden, often with dark mahogany markings, though some are completely mahogany in color. Irish Eyes has a bright green center. Easily grown from seed, packs or pots.
	Lobelia: Six-inch-tall plants often with dark reddish foliage and bright blue to violet flowers. A good filler that contrasts nicely with summer's many golden flowers. Excellent for pots and containers.
Marigold: Summer's favorite flower hardly needs describing. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Marigolds are easily grown from seed, packs or pots.
	Million Bells: This one is a real winner and a must for every garden. Many colors to choose from-red, yellow, blue, pink. Blooms profusely. Excellent for hanging baskets and pots because of its cascading habit.
Portulaca: Low-spreading succulent plants with shimmering flowers almost too brilliant for the garden, in shades of yellow, orange, red, cerise, coral, and white. Loves hot weather. Great for dry locations.
	Verbena: Usually planted as annuals, these low-spreading plants will last several seasons in Southern California. The kinds sold as bedding plants have rounded clusters of white, pink, red, or violet flowers, grow under a foot tall, and should be planted two feet apart. They are seldom out of bloom. Very useful in the foreground of the garden. Another nice one for pots and containers. Try the new 2 tone Sparkler series. The Tapien series grows very prostrate and blooms profusely.
	Vinca: The best annual for really hot weather, it is also long lasting, well into cool weather. Grows to a foot tall with neatly growing white flowers with red eyes or rosy pink flowers. Best grown from packs or pots. This one loves the heat.
Zinnia: The brightest of summer flowers, zinnias come in many sizes, forms and colors. All come in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, pink, rose, scarlet, cream, and violet. Prettiest when planted with a mix of colors. Becomes root-bound in pots.
Jose Pureco Green Thumb Garden Pro

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Shade Gardening

Well-designed and properly planted shade gardens are the most refreshing parts of any landscape, but you can't plant them properly unless you understand the characteristics of shade. Many homeowners start out with mostly full sun, but then either plant too many trees or let volunteers grow wherever they plant themselves. After a few years on this course a sunny garden can become a shady or even gloomy one. It takes real courage to cut down mature trees, but sometimes this is the only way to reclaim the sun. In some cases you can lace trees out to let adequate light through. The best shade is that which you create yourself, either by building a shade structure or by planting an appropriate number of well-chosen trees in the right places. The most difficult shade is that which you can't control — solid shadows of buildings or walls, sometimes alternating with an hour or two of burning hot sun. Shadows don't stand still; every day they move from west to east as the sun moves across the sky from east to west. They also lengthen northward as the sun moves south during fall and winter, and then they gradually shorten again as the sun moves north in winter and spring. These factors make gardening in the shade a lot trickier than gardening in full sun. So if you're interested in shade gardening, begin by observing and understanding the shadows in your own garden; notice where they occur, how dense they are, and their duration. Not all semi-shade or even dense shade is alike. It differs widely according to what causes it and its exposure (the direction it faces). It's important to learn how to distinguish among these various degrees and exposures of shade and to learn which plants are most likely to succeed in each of them. Shade plants vary greatly in shade tolerance. Most shade plants, particularly flowering ones, need semi-shade, which, by definition, means partial sun. Only a small number of plants will grow with no sun at all, but many gardeners have created beautiful gardens even in dense shade. Some good plants to consider when planning your shade garden are fuchsias, begonias, coleus, impatiens, monkey flower, wishbone flower, allium triquetrum, clivia miniata, cyclamen, iris japonica, calla lily, Japanese anemone, Aspidistra elatior, astilbe, bleeding heart, foxglove, hellebore, cape primrose, spider plant, English ivy, liriope, and azalea. When these plants are given homes in the appropriate environment, they thrive and are beautiful additions to any shade garden.

What you need: 1 ripe papaya, peeled and cut into thin slices 2 ripe mangos, peeled and cut into wedges 2 cups grapefruit sections (about 2 large grapefruit) 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoons black pepper 3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped 12 lime slices Step by Step: Combine the papaya, mangos and grapefruit in a large bowl. Combine lime juice, oil, salt and pepper; stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over fruit; sprinkle with mint. Toss gently to combine. Serve with lime slices. Yield:  12 servings (3/4 cup each)