Tuesdays with Annie – 11 10 09

A quick gardening tip as we head into another seasonable November day. Check your newly planted shrubs and perennials for soil moisture. As the temperatures fluctuate from mild to chilly, make sure your plants are not thirsty before the ground freezes. Now onto the answers from the Monday morning brain teasers.

The Arnold Arboretum is the oldest public arboretum in North America.
True. The Arnold Arboretum is a must for plant enthusiasts and a great way to spend an afternoon.

The Spirea (i.e., Bridal Wreath Spirea) is a member of the Periwinkle Family.
False. The Spirea is a member of the Rose (Rosaceae) family. This tough, durable woody shrub comes in old-fashion varieties like ‘Bridal Wreath’ and newly developed compact favorites.

Parsnips were used as a starch in diets prior to potatoes.
True. Back in those colonial days when potatoes were thought to be poisonous, parsnips provided starch in one’s diet. A tip about parsnips: to make them sweet, cool weather is required to convert the starch to sugar.

A rival football championship game kicked off the first Tournament of Roses, which took place in 1890.
False. It wasn’t until 1902 that football was introduced to the tournament. Those hardy souls from colder climates discovered the mild Pasadena weather and wanted to show off their blooming flowers. This kicked off the official start of the Tournament of Roses. If you love football and flowers, you are one lucky bug.

In Europe, Hens and Chickens (Sempervivium tectorum) were planted in thatched roofs to protect the house from a lightning fire.
True. This plant, indigenous to Europe was planted on thatched roofs for protection from lightning fires. This succulent doesn’t like its feet wet but the theory on fire protection may not meet today’s house insurance standards.

If anyone was paying attention yesterday, I inadvertently left out the ‘n’ in lightning. My editor was out sick. Oh, the editor is me, which brings us to the inspirational gardening thought of the day by Vita Sackville-West. "The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing something better than they have ever done before."

Enjoy the weather while it lasts. Annie