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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:With warmer weather we start to think about mowing the grass. But there are other types of grasses - this week we take a look at an ornamental grass called Hare's-Tail. We'd also like to share a wonderful shrub, Firethorn. Of course, we have all our regular features including another seed starting tip, as well as a joke shared with us by a subscriber. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Tom Krueger Rex Gregor "Exotic & Unusual Seeds from Around the World" 2) Hare's-Tail Grass (Lagurus ovatus)
When we think of grass, we automatically think of the stuff we grudgingly mow. But, there are also grasses called ornamental grass. Most ornamental grass belong to the Caterpillars family of plants. The Hare's-Tail Grass (Lagurus ovatus) is an ornamental with only one species. It is native to the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. It can be grown as an annual or as a bi-annual. The name comes from its fluffy look as that of a "hare's tail." When the plant first develops it has panicles tinged with pale green or lilac color - it later turns to a creamy yellow, then a light brown or tan. If you'd like to dry them, the tufts do dry very well and make an excellent dried flower arrangement. Depending on when you plant the seeds, the "Hare's-tail" will flower between late May and August. This wonderful ornamental grass will grow to about 20” tall and will develop dense tufts. It looks very good if grown in large containers or is very decorative when grown along a terrace wall or in a circular spot in your garden. Hare's-Tail grows best in full sun, in a moderately fertile, well drained soil that is reasonably moist. If you wish to obtain seeds for this ornamental grass – please drop us an email RexGregor@rexseedco.com. The seeds are NOT very expensive, but we must special order them. *** 10% Savings Through March 25, 2004 *** *** First Time *** Baby/Miniature Vegetable Seeds The discount will not show up in your shopping cart -- we will take care of it for you before finalization of your order. (No other discounts apply.) 3) Humor for Today:Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50." The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100." The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!" 4) What is a will-o’-the-wisp?Will-o’the-wisp is fleeting lights of blue or white moving mysteriously in the night. Even though they are often seen in a cemetery, they are not super-natural. They can also be seen in bogs and marshes. Because they were sometimes seen in cemeteries, some people believed it was a forewarning of a death in a family. The lights are actually caused by the ignition of gases produced from the decay of plant or animal matter. That's why it is most likely seen in bogs or marshes. In fact, sometimes on warm humid nights, the lights are very vivid. 5) Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
We consider Firethorn "The Four Season Shrub." Why? Because the Firethorn has dark green leaves during spring and summer and has bright fall and winter berries. They have white spring flowers with clusters of showy blooms completely covering the entire plant. Of course, these flower clusters also have a pleasant fragrance. The various varieties of pyracantha are beautiful all the seasons. The showy fall and winter berries range from yellow- orange to various shades of red, depending on the variety. The berries form in clusters standing out against the background of the dark green leaves. Birds love the berries. The branches of this shrub are very pliable and flower arrangers love to cut the branches for artistic arrangements. Because of its versatility, this shrub has almost unlimited use in a sunny landscape. The pyracantha is even becoming popular to be grown as a bonsai, or to be trained into various forms and shapes. In fact, some nurseries will often feature container grown plants already trained in any number of distinctive shapes. In many older gardens, you may find them trained flat against a wall, fence or fireplace chimney. Personally, we like to see them used as a free standing shrub. In the garden you can use them as a landscape border or as a privacy screen. Since these plants have thorns, not many wild animals will make their way through the screen. Of course, you must be careful when working with these shrubs to keep the thorns out of your own fingers. If you're careful about the thorns you can do about anything you want with this plant by pruning and shaping it. These plants will flower and berry best when they are planted in full sun or partial shade. They like good drainage, and seem to thrive best with a certain amount of neglect. Do not over water or over feed them. They are not a demanding plant and ordinary garden soil is just fine. However, it is a known fact that if you take some time and add some organic humus, peat moss, compost or processed manure, they will smile at you. You'll want to plant your seeds in early spring. Firethorns are great plants to use for landscaping or as a container plant. If you grow them as an in-house container plant, use caution around children - the berries might make small children sick if they eat some. Firethorn is a fast growing, sprawling, spreading shrub that needs virtually no care or attention. But again, remember, they do have sharp thorns. The common name for pyracantha coccinea is Firethorn or sometimes known as Jungleberry Bush. The plants are hardy from Zones 5 to 9 and they will grow best if started from seed. To obtain seeds email Rex's Seedco Rexgregor@rexseedco.com Click Image for Our Palm Tree
Gallery 6) Quote for Today:"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling
of unity; every player must put the team first-ahead of personal
glory." 7) Fertilizing Seedlings:We've talked about starting your seeds and giving the seedlings light. But what about their need for fertilizer. Water-soluble fertilizers formulated for houseplants are easy to use for your emerging seedlings. Choose a formulation that is balanced (fairly equal N-P-K amounts) like 8-8-8. One light application should be given to the seedlings during the time they are still in their germination trays. Once you move them to their larger pots, plants can be lightly fertilized weekly until you move them to their permanent location. 8) Reader Mailbag: Sweet Peas"I would like to know what sweet peas are the most fragment. There are so many to pick from. I was told that the lighter the smell was stronger."It is difficult to advise which is the most fragrant of the many varieties. One reason is that everyone has a different preference on smell -- what might be pleasant to some might not be to others. You might want to visit the National Sweet Pea Society of the UK at http://www.sweetpeas.org.uk/otherspecies.htm. Click on Favorite Sweet Peas, also click on Other Species. The National Sweet Pea Society is probably the best source of information about sweet peas. Hope you and others will find useful information at their site. 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added, or are a valued customer of Rex's Seedco. PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times Click Here or send email to subscribegtt@goalsmint.com To unsubscribe Click Here or send email to unsubscribegtt@goalsmint.com Tom Krueger, Editor and Publisher Rex Gregor, Contributing Editor Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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