We recently were invited to a garden party at a very beautiful garden. The very kind friend who invited us is also an exceptional gardener, and we spent a delightful afternoon touring his garden, seeing his amazing flowerbeds that contained a rainbow of assorted lilies, beautiful perennials, and breathtaking planters, as well as enjoying sparkling conversation and delicious desserts! What a nice way to spend the afternoon! Keep it in mind, gardeners; some nice afternoon, invite some of your friends over for a gathering in the garden, and savor the sights and colors of your own yard or garden. It will be one of the highlights of your summer, as this lovely afternoon was for us! We were thrilled to be there!
First thing, I'd like to remind you about the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society "Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Show" on Tuesday, August 13 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at St. Gerard's Parish Complex, Third Avenue North in Yorkton. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a wide variety of displays and exhibits of the best our gardens have to offer this year! Your admission also includes coffee and tea and yummy dainties! We always look forward to seeing our gardening friends at this event, so please join us for a fun afternoon! That's Tuesday, August 13.
And mark down Thursday, September 19 on your calendars: that's the day of the first regular meeting. Our special guests will be Joan Wilson and Paula Maier speaking about native plants. I'll tell you more about it as the date gets closer, but we won't dwell on fall events just yet and rush summer out the door! As it is, it's hard to believe that we are into August already!
A corner of our garden is bright with the neon paprika-red blooms of the Maltese Cross. This perennial is one that we've had for years in the garden, a reliable flower friend that shouldn't be overlooked. So I thought I'd learn more about it. Out came the "Perennial" edition of Mom's "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening" for reference!
The official two-dollar name of the Maltese Cross is "lychnis chalcedonica". It is a member of the pinks family, which is surprising considering that the Maltese Cross is a tall plant. This lovely plant originally calls the Soviet Union home, so it is hardy for our climate. It grows about two feet high with clumps of cheery red cross-shaped flowers on strong stems.
Maltese Cross enjoys full sun, and it likes to have dry feet, so if you are adding it to your garden, plant it in a spot with good drainage. You can start your plants from seed, but the easiest way is to get an established plant from a nursery, or a division from a gardening friend.
Maltese Cross blooms in June or July, and when it is done blooming, we should deadhead our plants to encourage a longer blooming season. I read that rust and leaf-spot might be a problem requiring a fungicide, but as yet, our Maltese Cross plants have been worry-free.
You and I should also watch out for our Maltese Cross plantings becoming too crowded, and with that in mind, we might have to divide them every three or four years. Here again, our Maltese Cross plants haven't been particularly invasive, so I would definitely pick this lovely, easy-going perennial as a "must-have" in the perennial patch.
I hope that you're enjoying your gardens or planters; they're all looking great, aren't they! And if you are out and about downtown, take notice of the beautiful planters around the city. They're so bright and cheerful that is it a pleasure to see them on the sidewalks and boulevards. Once again, Yorkton is looking great!
Have a lovely week, gardeners, and be sure to wear a hat!
