Cedar Waxwing

One of our favorite garden moments happened last October. We all hope to attract wildlife to our gardens and last fall we enticed one of my favorite birds to enjoy a sprinkler bath. A flock of waxwings migrating south stopped in our plum, they shook the dust off on a hot dry morning.

 

Siberian Iris
Seed germination

How to improve Siberian Iris seed germination

Siberian iris seed requires cold stratification, a chilling and drenching which removes enzymes which delay germination. This can be accomplished by sowing seeds in pots and burying the pots to the rim in the ground over winter, frost and rainfall soften the seed coat. This nearly natural process is not completely effective and may require several winters to achieve full germination of viable seeds. In the process the seed itself may loose viability. 

 

The artificial process described below improves the percentage of seed germination; generally well above 85%, in the first year.

I collect the mature seed pods as they begin to split open in fall.  I store the collected seed in marked envelopes, one for each cross, and let the seed dry in envelopes, placed in a cool dry location until January. Watch for fungus on the drying seed.

In January, I encase the seeds from each cross into nylons cut into squares and bundle with a color coded twist tie or rubber band. The bundles are stored in margarine containers (typically I mark the container with the crosses in). I fill the container with tap water to the brim and burp shut.

The containers are stored in the refrigerator for at least 120 days, generally through mid-April. Typically temperatures should be between 34° and 41°F.  The water is replaced on a weekly basis. The water is brownish-green, avoid splashing your eyes!



Bagged seed in container



In mid-April I broadcast the seed in pots or trays and move outdoors to germinate as high temperatures move from the 50s through 70s. I use a soil mix approximately 60 % peat moss with garden soil, planting the seed just below the surface. I water frequently and sprinkle more peat moss over exposed seed.    

To get an additional jump on the growing season I sometimes start the process earlier and germinate seed under grow lights beginning in March.

Another approach after cold stratification is to sow seed in small pots which are bagged with pieces of fruit. The ripening fruit releases ethylene gas which aids in germination.

When the seedlings are 6 to 8 inches tall they are transferred to the garden.  Space the seedlings roughly 8 to10” apart. Some plants will bloom in the second year but nearly all will bloom in three years.

Seedling blooming two years from planting

 

Hosta

Hosta garden

Shade gardens

Hosta companions

Hosta gardens are ubiquitous in my region. In the last forty years there has been a tissue culture explosion of hybrid cultivars available to gardeners. Large, tall living sculptures and tiny obscure thumbnails can grace the shade. An explosion of textures, leaf colors and forms can transform that shadow place turf cannot control.

There are design elements and companion plants that can spice up your hosta garden. Hosta are building blocks, framework to building an effective shade garden. Many times that is where gardeners stop, the house is framed, but little siding is added to complete the work. Without companions the foundation can be solid to the point of boring, mundane green.


Changing texture

Occasional contrasts of color, texture and shape backed by a solid mass are often very effective methods of painting for the eye. An excellent method is to contrast the prominent feature of a plant in mass with another variety. An example; tall blue-green Hosta nigresens with a yellow-green variegated variety.

Contrasting masses



Blue-green mass with contrasting accents - variegation

Adding tall companion plantings will add an element of structure and succession to your glade. I will add martagon lilies, thalictrum and cimicifuga for color and height. All are long living shade lovers. Each blooms in a different season and has contrasting foliage form and color.

Thalictrum flowers and foliage light and airy



Cimicifuga foliage, blooms in fall

Martagon lilies can be six feet tall

I include Iris cristata in groups between hosta groupings for spring color and contrasting foliage. This early blooming iris provides an opening curtain to hosta groupings unfurling act. Their colonies of vertical foliage provide contrasting form amidst the lateral growth of hosta clumps.  

Contrasting foliage Iris cristata colonies
 

Seek out these companions this spring and watch them transform your shadows.

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Iris cristata "Powder Blue Giant"