Beautiful Wildflower Images by Lee Hiller-London

At http://Chime.In I just found amazing photos of wildflowers by famous artist and avid hiker Lee Hiller-London
Have a look at her blog and thousands of beautiful images at these websites:

http://leehiller.com/Book.html

http://www.redbubble.com/people/leehiller/collections/1703-wildflowers
or on Amazon.com






What is Chime.In?

While Facebook has earned billions of dollars selling ads next to the content uploaded by their 800 million members, users haven't seen a dime from their posts.

It's an arrangement that extends across many of the web's largest social networking sites -- and one serial entrepreneur Bill Gross plans to change.

Gross, the CEO of UberMedia, which owns several popular social networking apps, is launching a new social media site on Tuesday, Chime.in, that will effectively pay its users to contribute.

Share with Chime.in and Chime.in will share with you. The site, which allows individuals to post photos, links, videos and text in two thousand character "chimes," will give users 50 percent of the revenue it earns from selling advertising on their profile pages. Individuals or brands that sell that real estate themselves can keep all of the proceeds from the ads.

Pruning of Magnolias and other trees and shrubs

Congratulation to your wonderful early spring blooming tree. If it is a Southern Magnolia it can become huge. If it is a tulip magnolia you are still looking at a 20' tall and wide tree. After your Magnolia has finished flowering, you can then let it prune back. Although they don't like to be pruned heavily.


Trees and Shrubs to Prune in Late Spring/Summer, After Bloom:
•Azalea (Rhododendron species)
•Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
•Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spirea x vanhouttei)
•Flowering Crabapple (Malus species and cultivars)
•Forsythia (forsythia x intermedia)
•Hawthorn (Crataegus species and cultivars)
•Hydrangea, Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla)
•Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

•M A G N O L I A (Magnolia species and cultivars)

•Mockorange (Philadelphus coronarius)
•Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
•Rhododendron (Rhododendron species)
•Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora)
•Slender Deutzia (deutzia gracilis)
•Weigela (Weigela florida)


Trees and Shrubs to Prune in Early Spring, While Dormant
•Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
•Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii)
•Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
•Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
•Flowering Plum (Prunus blireana)
•Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
•Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
•Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissiam)
•Hydrangea, Peegee (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’)
•Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa)
•Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
•Spirea (except Bridal Wreath) (Spirea japonica))
•Wisteria (Wistera species)

Ligularias - My new Favorite

Ligularias are perennial flowers that blossom in yellow and light orange in summer on bold stems. Its name comes from the Latin word ligula, which means little tongue, referring to the tonguelike shape of the large petal on each of the ray flowers. The plump, large leaves in rosettes are either round or kidney-shaped and are sometimes toothed.

Ligularias do best in partial shade and good, humus-rich garden soil that is kept evenly moist. Since the roots form large clumps, plenty of space should be allowed between plants.
Propagation: By division in spring or from seed.
Uses: Ligularias are great in the back of shady beds, along borders, in bogs, or planted at the edge of water gardens. The plants prefer afternoon shade.


I fell in love with this variety (top photo):

Ligularia dentata Desdemona

It has green leaves up to a foot wide and yellow flowers.

Good to know:
Hardiness: USDA zone 4-8.
Mature size: Height: 3 feet (1 m), Width: 3 feet (1 m).
Flowering period: July and August.
Flowering: Bright yellow-orange flowers on long maroon-purple stems.
Leaf: Large, deep green, kidney shaped leaves with purple undersides.
Growth habit: Clump-forming.
Light: Morning sun and afternoon shade.
Soil: Humus rich, very moist soil.
Feeding: Side dress with compost or manure. Fertilize in spring and again in early summer with a complete organic fertilizer.
Propagation Methods: Sow seed in autumn and place in a cold frame. Seed usually produces same as parent. Divide in spring or after it is done flowering.
Pests and Diseases: Slugs are a nuisance by making holes in the leaves, but with lots of mulch around it and maybe a ring of crushed egg shells you can keep these pest away.

Ligularia 'Dark Beauty' is remarkable with its large, dark foliage, adding a tropical look to shady areas. The clear yellow-orange flowers bring color to the dark side of the garden.