Today's Favorite Plant - Musa sikkimensis 'Red Tiger'

I thought Red Tiger was a gonner this spring, because it came up so late. So late, that I planted another shrub over it, which I later had to move.

From the monsoonal mountain forests in extreme Eastern India, this colorful variegated, variety of banana is as cold hardy as the regular Musa sikkimensis.

When they are mature, its huge, paddle-like leaves are streaked with dark purple zebra stripes on the upper surface and a reddish purple below.

In summer, mature plants bear long-lasting yellow flowers.

Grow to 10" tall. Zone 7, but still needs wrapped/mulched in the fall. I didn't do that last winter - oops!

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Ninja Gardener

The house directly behind mine seems to be either bank owned or a hermit lives there. I NEVER see anybody outside and the backyard looks like a dry weedy wasteland. I many have even seen a tumbleweed or two.  

I have a garden shed in the back corner of my property and they have some sort of out building that is about a foot away from my fence. So there is a no mans land about 12" wide between my fence and their building.

My shed and fence with the red roof of the neighbors' out building behind

The dreaded Himalayan blackberries have made this crevasse their new home. I decided since the blackberries were coming under, over and through the fence that it was time for some "ninja gardening".

I have previously "ninja gardened" the laurel hedge of the house across the street (a neglected rental),  pulled weeds (a la OCD) at several other neighbors, and watered plenty of plants that were not mine.

I went to Freddies Saturday and got some Round Up Wild (is there really any other kind, really?) Blackberry PLUS Vine & Brush Killer in the handy Pump 'N Go sprayer. I got out my trusty step ladder and started spraying over the top of the fence. I even sprayed through the knotholes in the fence as best I could.

It's my understanding that multiple applications will probably be needed, Round Up is most effective during warmer weather and Fall is the perfect time to spray.

After the brambles die, I'll see what I can do to cut away and discard the dead vines to make it look better. These berries can be a constant problem each year, but it feels good to get them under control before they get out of control.

UPDATE: In September, new owners moved in and removed all the berry brambles!  

Before You Sit - Look Under the Cushion!

You just never know what you might be sitting on. I lifted the cushion on the loveseat to shake off some leaves and this is what I could have sat on.

Apparently there was a frog convention I wasn't aware of. Perhaps the spider was the entertainment?

Today's Favorite Plant - Senna didymobotrya (Popcorn Cassia)

This plant, like so many, was an impulse buy at the nursery.

It's an interesting African native legume that when rubbed smells like buttered popcorn (or wet dog), depending on your outlook. I go with buttered popcorn personally.

The plant has bold tropical looking pinnate foliage and racemes of brightly colored yellow flowers with black buds.

It can grow to 8 feet tall even in one season grown as an annual. Apparently it can also be a bit on the rangy side, but doesn't mind a good whack back to maintain its shape. Mine hasn't gotten that big yet.

It enjoys hot climates with a long growing season (Zones 9-11), but is not cold hardy in Portland.  I planted it in a pot so that I could bring it in for the winter. I try not to do that but sometimes you just have to.

The General State of the Garden - Prelude to Fall

It was a lovely weekend.

In Portland we had a few thunder clappers and some pretty heavy rain last week prior to the long holiday weekend.

I've been home more than ever this summer and watering like crazy, so the front grass is not as beige as it has been previous years. It's still a little on the spotty side in a few places in the hot sun area, but almost no weeds. 

The veggie garden is going crazy and some of it is getting away from me. A few of my squash are as big as my dog Lulu.  The recent rains were bad for the beefsteak tomatoes too, causing many of them to crack in rings. Too much water, too quickly makes them split.

The chrysanthemums and asters are getting ready to show themselves off.

Pretty soon it will be fall... 

Still lots of flowers on the water lilies

Pinus monophylla put on a lot of growth this year.

Oy, don't notice the grass... At least it's green where it isn't dead.

Frenchies roaming

‘Musquee de Provence’ pumpkin

White pumpkin

Skipper on Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

Veggie garden is going nuts!

Tomatoes are winding down.

7th Annual "Puppy Picnic"

Labor Day weekend is for the dogs.  I mean really.  For the past 7 years, Felony Flat Farms has hosted an annual Puppy Picnic.

This is the weekend that I get ALL the dogs (it's complicated), grab my blanket, pillows, book, snacks, and several cocktails and just relax and do nothing underneath the English walnut tree in the back garden. I admit that I mowed the grass Friday to get ready for the event, but that was it.

It turned out to be a lovely weekend, if perhaps a little humid for the pups. A good time was had by all!

Lucette, Yvette and Madeline

Madeline guarding the "precious"

Yvee teaching her dolphin to swim.

Lulu just chilling

A few of my squash may have gotten a little too big!

So succulent looking!

Nothing makes a garden better than sweet frolicking puppies!

Today's Favorite Plant - Grevillea juniperina 'Pink Lady'

I might be a little late for the Grevillea bandwagon, but I have added a few to the garden the past two years nonetheless.

My recent new love is Grevillea juniperina 'Pink Lady'. I saw it and had to have it.  She went into one of the spots where a Laurel came out a couple weeks ago.

At 3' tall and 6' wide, it will spread to fill in the flower boarder with its cream pink flowers for most of the year. It's new home is hot and sunny, slightly protected and in very well-draining soil.

Grevillea are adapted to the poorest soils, thrive on neglect, and are extremely drought tolerant which also sounds appealing for Portland's hot summers.