The Garden Buzz

2010 Perennial Plant of the Year: Baptisia australis...The True Beauty of Blue False Indigo (and how it reminded me of Stevie Nicks Singing at the Grammy's)

I had been toying with the idea of comparing the 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year to a chubby, pretty girl in the third row of a choir. I meant to imply that while you might not necessarily notice her presence, you sure would be aware if she were to go missing; there would be a hole in the whole and the harmony would go flat. I meant it in the nicest way. But I didn't want to be called a fat-phobe and lose any readers. But, heck, I'm a little chubby and I can't even sing.

Meanwhile I can't get out of my head, that Taylor Swift/Stevie Nicks duet on the Grammys last night. When I should be blogging about Baptisia australis, I keep stopping by google news to read eyewitness accounts of that train wreck. What were they, whoever they are, thinking? Taylor Swift tells a good story, to music, and has really nice hair and cute kind of cat-eyes, but they just weren't singing on the same page. And somehow that got me back to thinking about Baptisia australis.

Baptisia is adaptable and dependable, sort of like Stevie Nicks, but then that makes them sound like a Chevy. And they are both so much more than that.

Baptisia....

• Grows best in full sun, may need staking in partial shade
• Attracts butterflies
• Drought-tolerant once established
• No serious insect or disease problems
• Unappealing to deer
• Combines well with other perennials/bulbs

Also known as blue false indigo or wild indigo, Baptisia is more shrub-like than perennial. Anchoring the back of the border, the native plant matures in a few seasons to grow 3-4 feet in height and width. This should be a consideration when placing it in the perennial border; besides the large taproot that resists dividing and transplanting. But once you settle on a spot, this plant is pretty much care free.

 
Striking seed-pods of Baptisia australis The Garden Buzz

Baptisia blooms for 3-4 weeks in June, with spikes of beautiful, deep violet-blue lupine-like blossoms. The blue-green foliage is attractive throughout the season. After the flowers, a second season of interest comes from large seed pods that are charcoal black and rattle to the touch. Do plant this perennial next to lots of yellow, something sunny, because this combination...sings.

(Apologies in advance to Taylor Swift fans and Chevy-drivers) 

Pickin' Wildflowers

Wildflowers at Elkhart Lake (The Garden Buzz)

 

I say, baby, what you say we go pickin' wildflowers

got a spot way back in the woods

we'll sneak away for a couple of hours

you and me baby, pickin' wildflowers

hey baby, mother nature is waiting

and love's blooming like a cherry tree

let's buzz around, maybe do some pollinating

yeah, dive in like honey bees

....Keith Anderson (Pickin' Wildflowers)

 

Oh goodness, now I have to explain how I heard these lyrics. But heck, how many times do you hear song lyrics about pollination? I had to go ahead and share, I mean with being all about The Garden Buzz and such.

When I tool around town in the Twin Cities, I listen to Bach and Vivaldi, perhaps Delibes. When I ferry my daughter to and from college we listen to her latest radio show playlist; indie bands,interminable Neil Young and always Dolly Parton (she loves "Jolene"). But when I do the return trip solo, I tune in the country stations, the twangier the better.

Hokey, corny, yes, but I have to admit, also humorous and heartbreaking, and sometimes hugely authentic. I like listening to something besides the same-old, same-old classic rock in an endless loop-the-loop. What are these kids going to listen to when they grow older, will it still be "our music"? Story-telling is a big part of country music and I can't resist a good story.

Other than the herbal themes of "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", are there other gardening-related song lyrics? Share them by all means. I'll post a list if we get enough.

 

 

 

Garden Talk with Johnny Cash

Faded rose "All the Rage" The Garden Buzz

 I didn't mean that the grass was green

While your leaves is turning brown

Now don't take me so seriously

When I tell you don't hang around

But now I see you don't need pruning

And who do you suppose

Is back in line for one more time

After his old faded rose

My old faded rose

    ------Johnny Cash