Tuesday’s with Annie: 10/20/09

Time is ticking so here are the answers from yesterday’s brain teasers. To play into the time theme, the inspirational gardening thought for the day is an old Polish Proverb. “Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day.”

True or False

All hardy Asters flower only in the fall.
False. There are some asters, including Aster ‘Frikartii Monch’ that begins blooming in late summer. This particular aster is a versatile plant for the garden with pale blue flowers.

The American chestnut trees were one of the primary timber trees in New England.
True. The American chestnut tree, prior to it being hit by the Chestnut blight, was one of the main timber trees in New England. Many of the timbers in older homes and especially barns were made from Chestnut.

The chainsaw cutting tooth design was inspired by beavers.
This is a trick question because it is unclear if the beaver’s ingenuity and cutting skills influenced the cutting tooth design although it would make sense. Also, the beaver’s name has been used in naming chainsaws so there appears to be some source of inspiration here. If someone finds the answer that solidifies this, you get extra points.

Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens was the founding father of American landscape architecture.
False. Frederick Law Olmstead was the founding father of American landscape architecture. He was instrumental in designing and establishing the many park systems throughout the United States. Edwin Lutyens was mentioned in one of my previous blogs. He was a very prominent British architect. His collaborative work with Gertrude Jekyll, a garden designer represents some of England’s best examples of a partnership between two very important disciplines.

Granite is a sedimentary rock.
False. Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma beneath the surface. It is one of the more prominent rock-types in our area and influences the acidity in the soil.
Have a great Tuesday.