Trumpet's Last Blast

Jim and Kathy Snodgrass sent me this photo of their Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia) which they have had for five years.  It was a small rooted cutting when they purchased it and each year in the past, they moved it into their garage during the winter.  It has survived and thrived but due to them moving to a new house, they have no space to put it.  Also, it is so heavy that it is difficult to move.  This particular Brugmansia is called 'Dr. Seuss' and Jim and Kathy sent me this photo after our recent dusting of snow.  The plant is in all its' glory in full bloom as though it wanted to give one grand finale.  Especially being in a pot, it is doubtful that it will survive the winter but Jim and Kathy can look back with many nice memories of the bloom 'Dr. Seuss' provided.  Their title is appropriate, 'Trumpet's Last Blast'.

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Chief Joseph Pine

A beautiful specimen of Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph' (Lodgepole Pine) has been donated to  The Oregon Garden by Rare Tree Nursery in Silverton.  'Chief Joseph' has the distinct and unusual characteristic of having the needles turn golden yellow in the winter and then back to green again in the summer.  This tree was recently planted in the Conifer Garden which is one of the most popular sections in The Oregon Garden, by a group of volunteers.  The Conifer Garden has become quite well known throughout the western U.S. for the diversity of the conifers on display.  'Chief Joseph' was discovered in the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon by Oregonian Doug Will.   This beautiful specimen has been planted on a small mound and the golden yellow it displays in winter makes it an eye catching plant that stands out a against a background of green and blue conifers.

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Tomato Bumble Bee

Salem OSU Master Grower has been a frequent guest on my program this past season as he shares information about his experiments with grafted tomatoes.  Some of his grafted tomatoes reached 11-12 feet in height and his fruit production was also quite good this year.  It probably helped that we had a beautiful late summer and fall season with plenty of sunshine and little rain.  But we eventually do get fall rains and as Harry reported to me, "What does the most damage, before frost finally gets our plants --- is rain.  The tomatoes split".  Harry grew some experimental tomato plants this year and one was called 'Bumble Bee'.  This tomato was 1-1 1/4 inches in diameter, bright colored and very sweet.  Harry says, "Not one Bumble Bee split in the rain!"  This new tomato is expected to be available from Log House Plants next spring.

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Poinsettia 'Red Jubilee'

When Jill West, Head Grower for Al's Garden Center, was a guest on my program this past Saturday (December 8), she talked about the large varieties of poinsettias that are now available.  Whereas at one time, they were only red, now there are different colors like white, pink, burgundy and even some with multi colored bracts.  However red is still, by far, the most popular color for the holiday season.  With new improvements in breeding, poinsettias are smaller and more compact plants and the bracts can often continue looking good for several months.  Some of Jill's tips are keeping the plants looking good are to place them away from draft areas in a house such as a forced air heating duct.  Poinsettias like light but not direct sun and it is usually best to take the plant to a sink to water thoroughly.  If your plant has an aluminum sleeve, be sure to remove the sleeve when watering so water does not accumulate in the bottom.  Many plants are lost due to being in standing water.  The plant shown is 'Red Jubilee' which is one of the most popular Poinsettias that Al's Garden Center sells.

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