Today I tried something new in the garden for natural pest control.  I’m trying to use the resources that are readily available to me, so I thought to start with Thuja plicata, or Western Red Cedar. It produces a strong aroma when crushed and I heard that it might have qualities that repel insects.  I snipped a few new leaves from the trees in my yard, crushed them in the Cuisinart, simmered them on the stove in about four cups of water and then let the mixture sit for approximately four hours.  I then strained the leaves out and  poured the steeped water into a spray bottle with about 1/2 Tbsp of horticultural oil.  I used this spray on my roses, especially the areas that have been attacked by aphids.  I can’t wait to see what happens.  The oil might smother the insects and kill some that are living on the plant, but I’m hoping for more.  I would like to see the chemicals from the Thuja repel any new insects from establishing on the roses.  I sprayed mostly the new growth and the buds.  That’s where the aphids have been building up. This is just the first try, I plan on changing and adapting this recipe as I work with it and see the results.

Today at the 2018 Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle I saw beautiful spaces, drifts of flowering plants and gardens I would love to hang out in. The designers worked really hard planning and building these amazing outdoor spaces. This one in particular offered peace and tranquility to anyone walking by. It was designed by Redwood Builders and showcased some incredible bonsai trees and a raised platform over a shallow pool of water. It’s always fun to see what they dream up each year.

This plant is so easy to grow. Aeonium was not part of my plant palette until I started working at LWTech Horticulture where we propagate them by the hundreds. Cuttings root readily in dirt or in a jar of water. This is how I keep mine going over the winter. I currently have three rooted cuttings in water at my kitchen windowsill waiting to be planted in spring. I love the unusual shape and texture of aeoniums and think they look great in the garden. I was thrilled to see them growing in many gardens in Wellington, New Zealand when I visited that country in the winter several years ago. Look for them in the succulent section at the local garden center.

Huernia zebrina is the lifesaver plant. The plant that inspired me to start writing after a distracted break from blogging.  When something comes into my life, something usually has to go out and unfortunately my dear rainyleaf was the victim when I began teaching early morning seminary to the youth of my church. But it’s still summer and I’m ready reacquaint myself with WordPress once again. I’m more than ready, I’m excited to talk about plants!  I received this tender succulent from Sandy, the owner of Sunshine Enterprises, a wholesale nursery in the state of Washington. She grows herbs, geraniums, succulents and lots of other cool stuff.  At first glance this plant is cactus-like. Small, green and prickly.  Bumpy and spreading, it doesn’t have much to recommend it until summer arrives and this fantastic flower arrives.  It looks and feels just like a gummy lifesaver.  It’s incredible! This plant is a tender succulent and I brought it inside last winter. It appears to overwinter outside in zones 9 and above. It is easy to propagate from stem cuttings.  A piece of mine broke off and has easily rooted just sitting on top of the soil.  Perhaps it’s the color, but this flower seems very un-plant-like.  Maybe it’s the shape.  Who has ever seen anything like this outside of a roll of lifesaver candies? I’m looking forward to wathcing mine grow and producing more delicious flowers each year. Once sources says that Huernia is in the same family as Euphorbia, making it poisonous, so don’t eat it. But it’s definitely worth growing just for its funky flower.