Felder Rushing - A Simple Dirt Gardener
I've known Felder Rushing for about eight or ten years. I see him at garden writer conferences. He's easy to notice and hard to forget with his beat up hat, scraggily goatee and his standout Southern accent. I knew he was a successful writer and that he wrote books and that his articles were published in fancy magazines that actually paid him money. I also knew he has a garden growing in the back of his F-150 pickup truck. But until Felder was booked to speak in my home town of Grand Haven, Michigan and I read an article in my hometown paper – I didn’t know how little I knew about Felder. 
I did not know that Felder is a self-proclaimed dirt gardener. What's a dirt gardener you ask? Well this is how Felder describes himself:
"I garden for the love of it — not for the challenge of it. I have one basic gardening rule Green side up. Dirt gardeners don't do soil prep — we plant stuff in the dirt. We know a ceramic gnome is just as valuable as a life-size marble naked goddess statue, and that birds are just as interesting as anything out there and they don't ask much of us." He says, “... a plant shared with a friend is as valuable as one ordered from a glossy catalogue. We know where our plants came from — even the ones we stole."
Because Felder gardens in the heat of Mississippi, and I garden in the great white North, I assumed we had little in common. But I was wrong. It turns out we share the idea that gardening and growing plants is fun and simple. So simple that anyone can do it.
The big problem, in my opinion, is that there are way too many expert horticulturists out there telling you how complicated it is to garden. They would have you believe you need to match your flower colors using a color wheel. They say you have to sequence the bloom time of your flowers and to use grey as a foil between red and orange. They'll tell you to double dig your flower beds, do a soil test and to adjust your pH. (I’ve never done any of these things). And of course they'll tell you to “buy my book” to know how to garden.
This is all phooey.
You do not need the help of garden experts to garden. You just have to dig a hole and put a plant in it and water it a bit. Get over the idea that every plant you plant has to live 100 years. Plants are living by definition so of course they die. Just plant it - and don’t take it so personally if it dies. I’ve got a master's degree in horticulture and I've killed hundreds of plants. I'm ok with that. That’s how you learn! It’s not about you!
When a plant grows well in our garden we say “Look what I did!” And when a plant dies we say “I have such a brown thumb.” Either way we give ourselves way too much credit. The fact is the plants is doing the growing – not us. So dig a hole, put a plant in it and enjoy it. If it struggles or gets too big for it's spot – dig it up and move to another location. If it dies - dig it out and plant something else. If it thrives - enjoy the miracle that plants are living creatures that hang out in our yard.
Growing plants is fun. It’s wondrous. It’s addicting. It’s good for the soul. It’s dirty, yet at the same time it brings us closer to God. It’s suppose to relaxing, so drop the guilt and stress that comes with doing it right or wrong – and just do it.
Felder Rushing is the author or co-author of 15 gardening books; and countless newspaper columns and articles for publications such as Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Better Homes & Gardens, Fine Gardening, and National Geographic. Felder has been featured three times in full-length articles in the New York Times. He has hosted a television program that was shown across the South, and appeared many times on other TV garden programs. Felder currently co-host’s a call-in garden program on NPR affiliate stations called The Gestalt Gardener.
Talks, Meetings, Misc. (Things a Nurseryman does in the Winter)
If you live the in the Greater Atlanta area I will be speaking at the American Hydrangea Society Meeting, Monday, February 22, 2010, at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (Day Hall) at 7:30 pm.
The American Hydrangea Society is one of my favorite groups, because (as you may know) I'm pretty much crazy about Hydrangeas. If you can make it great! Send an RSVP at their Facebook Page.
Horticulture Students
If you are a Hort student I have good news. Spring Meadow Nursery offers internships. It's a great place to work and to learn. We welcome international students as well. We've had interns from France, Poland, and the USA. Learn more.
Dale Deppe the owner of Spring Meadow, knows that the future of horticulture depends on the next generation. That's why he has started a scholorship for aspiring horticulturists. Apply at ANLA.
ANLA Management Clinic in Louisville.
American (Plant) Idol
I hope to see some of you at the ANLA Management Clinic. I will be presenting some new plants at the PLANT IDOL on Monday, Feb. 1 at 2:45. I'll need your votes so please come and cheer me on. Come see Horticulture’s hottest new intros, a celebrity panel of judges and Chris “Call me Seacrest” Beytes. In this fast-paced, high-drama session you’ll meet the latest and greatest plant introductions, hear them professionally critiqued by expert judges, and vote to determine the winner. (Please come and vote for me and boo the judges if they give me a hard time!)
The No-New-Plants New Plant Session
I'll also be on a group panel - "The No-New-Plants New Plant" Session. No plant talk allowed here, rather we will be discussing the role of new plants in nursery / garden center business. This will be on Tuesday, Feb 2nd at 10:15. Hope to see you there.
A Gift for Gardeners
That's what gardeners had to say about last year's first-ever Outdoor Living Extravaganza events in Chicago and Boston. This year Proven Winners is bringing this enjoyable and educational gardening seminar to additional cities across North America.
You'll learn from experts about creative new ways to use color, the easiest ways to grow plant varieties, how to put together exceptional containers, and much more.
P. Allen Smith, The Today Show’s gardening expert, will be at some locations with fun and practical advice, and later you can join him for book signings and photos.
In addition, you'll be treated to a goody bag of exciting gifts-including a plant; you'll enjoy delicious lunch, beverages, and snacks; and you'll have plenty of chances to win great prizes. Even your non-gardening friends will enjoy this relaxed and entertaining look at what’s new in outdoor decor, Proven Winners style.
February 6 - Dallas, TX
SPEAKERS
February 20 - Lake City, UT
SPEAKERS
March 6 - Chicago / Rolling Meadows, IL
SPEAKERS
March 13 - Minneapolis / Park, MN
SPEAKERS
Amy SitzeJohn Gaydos
TBD
TBD
and March 27
April 24 - Boston / Norwood, MA
What People are saying ......
I attended your PW seminar in Chicago, this weekend. Loved it! It was a wonderful day! Thank you!Nancy from Wisconsin
I was at your Chicago show over the weekend and I would like to compliment you on a great time! All of the speakers were wonderful and I really learned from them. I would love to attend another show! I just wish it wasn't winter in Chicago I am ready to attack the yard! Thank you for an enjoyable Saturday! Kathy from Illinois
My husband and I were among the fortunate gardeners who attended the Outdoor Living Extravaganza in Chicago yesterday. Thank you, thank you, thank you for an inspiring, fun, and informational day. We've been serious gardeners for over 40 years and have never experienced a garden seminar that could even come close to the experience you provided. We hope this will become an annual event. Again, thank you for a wonderful day. Kim from Wisconsin
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The first 100 to register prior to the New Year will receive a FREE 2010 Proven Winners calendar and save $10.00.All those registering before the first of the year will receive $10 off their ticket. $75.00 per person before January 1, 2010. $85.00 per person starting January 1, 2010.
REGISTER HERE
Abracadabra Hydrangea
Regular people look at plants quite differently than your typical horticulturist. That’s why I get a kick out of reading comments by Mike Dirr where he gushes about the attractiveness of the bark on some particular shrub. As if the typical homeowner is going to actually crouch down under a shrub and exclaim “Wow, now that’s awesome bark.” From my experience, the public does not get overly excited about bark (that is unless it has in-your-face bark like a Paper Bark Birch).
I get excited about bark, but I have to remind myself that most people won’t even notice. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra’ (Syn.: H. macrophylla 'Mandshurica') is a good example. It’s a cool plant. I like it but it’s never been a big seller. It has very attractive back stems, but the feature is obscured by the leaves, so few people ever notice.
When I first saw the Abracadabra Series of Hydrangea in Germany, I got so excited I could hardly contain myself. That’s because, for the first time ever, I actually felt that the average shopper could get excited about bark. What makes these plants so unique is that they have internodes (the spacing between the leaves) that are large enough to give you a real good view of the dark, glossy black stems. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the plants also have funky blooms that are both massive and richly colored. I honestly think that these plants have a cool factor that will make them as popular as lucky bamboo. As a pot plant they would make great centerpiece on a table. You’d actually be able to see the person across the table from you.
Abracadabra Star has massive lace-cap blooms with hot pink flowers. The stems are straight and strong.
I get excited about bark, but I have to remind myself that most people won’t even notice. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra’ (Syn.: H. macrophylla 'Mandshurica') is a good example. It’s a cool plant. I like it but it’s never been a big seller. It has very attractive back stems, but the feature is obscured by the leaves, so few people ever notice.
When I first saw the Abracadabra Series of Hydrangea in Germany, I got so excited I could hardly contain myself. That’s because, for the first time ever, I actually felt that the average shopper could get excited about bark. What makes these plants so unique is that they have internodes (the spacing between the leaves) that are large enough to give you a real good view of the dark, glossy black stems. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the plants also have funky blooms that are both massive and richly colored. I honestly think that these plants have a cool factor that will make them as popular as lucky bamboo. As a pot plant they would make great centerpiece on a table. You’d actually be able to see the person across the table from you.
Abracadabra Star has massive lace-cap blooms with hot pink flowers. The stems are straight and strong.
Abracadabra Orb is a mop-head hydrangea. The flowers emerge a blend of peach and green then mature to a deep pink. As with Abracadabra Star, the bloom size is massive. The sepals are thick in texture and again are held up on strong, upright stems.
Cool Conifers
The great thing about dwarf conifers is that they require so little work to keep them looking so good. Just plant them and enjoy them. They add color and structure in the winter months. I like varieties that add interesting color or texture as they stand out in the garden. Here are a few of my favorites.
Thuja plicata 'Gruene Kugel' is a great little Western cedar. It requires little to no pruning and it has very nice shinny foliage and dark color. 
Thuja occidentalis 'Linesville' is a soft, rounded, juvenile plant discovered by Joe Stupka of Pennsylvannia. Also sold under the name Mr. Bowling Ball. 
Juniperus horizontalis 'Gold Fever' was introduced by Iseli Nursery. A colorful, low growing plant that benefits from dappled sun.
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Little Keon' in a small rouned plant with foliage similar to 'Boulevard.' Blue foliage is always a great additon to the garden.
Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' is a very cooling looking shrub. The species has good deer resistance.
This is just one of the funny, sheared conifers that can be found at Iseli Nursery. While I'm not into shearing plants myself, you have to respect someone that can do it this well. It does make you smile.
Caryopteris is not a Spiraea
It is unfortunate that Caryopteris has the common name of Blue Spirea for it is not a Spiraea and it’s just plain confusing. How this came about I do not know as they are not even in the same family; Spiraea is in the Roseaceae family while Caryopteris is in the Verbenaceae family.
The genus Caryopteris is comprised of roughly 15 species, most being native to Asia. Only are few of these species are grown in North America as ornamentals. The majority of the ornamental selections sold here are hybrids; Caryopteris x cladonensis (pronounced Cary-op-ter-is clan-don-en-sis) which is a hybrid between Caryopteris incana and Caryopteris mongholica. Unless otherwise noted, the following information here after refers to this hybrid.
Caryopteris is a fall flowering shrub with rich blue to purple-blue flowers. While it is hardy to USDA zone 5, it is typically a die-back shrub in the North, behaving much like a Buddleia. While the plant makes woody stems, they are tender and die back during the winter. As the plant grows back quickly in the spring and its flower buds (and flowers) are formed on new wood so the plant does not miss a beat.
Culturally there are three things necessary to grow a nice plant. First off, it loves full sun. It will grow in partial shade but it will not look happy or flower nearly half as well as a plant in full sun. In addition, the yellow leafed cultivars have much better color in full sun. In partial shade the leaves will appear a dull, washed out green. The next thing to know is that Caryopteris needs well drained soil. It will not tolerate heavy, wet clay soils, or at least not for long. People often blame the plant for not being winter hardy because their plant did not make it through the winter, but the real culprit is wet soil. Well drained soil is a must. Once established Caryopteris is very drought tolerant and requires even less water. My final bit of cultural advice deals with pruning – as the plant typically dies back in the winter, you should only have to prune the plant once and that is in the spring after the plant starts to grow. Simply cut the plant back to wood with active sprouts. If you wish you can give the plant a slight shearing in early summer to bulk of the body of the plant. Fall pruning is not recommended, as it stimulates the plant to grow when it should be going dormant - the result can be a dead plant the following spring.
Caryoteris is a wonderful garden plant because it offers a mass of colorful blue flowers in late summer when few other plants are blooming. It’s a great source of pollen for bees and butterflies. Its aromatic foliage is turn off to deer so it rarely bothered by Bambi and her four legged friends.
There has been a flurry of Caryopteris breeding over the past 15 years and we have never had such wonderful plants for the garden. Here are a few of the newest cultivars to hit the market.
The genus Caryopteris is comprised of roughly 15 species, most being native to Asia. Only are few of these species are grown in North America as ornamentals. The majority of the ornamental selections sold here are hybrids; Caryopteris x cladonensis (pronounced Cary-op-ter-is clan-don-en-sis) which is a hybrid between Caryopteris incana and Caryopteris mongholica. Unless otherwise noted, the following information here after refers to this hybrid.
Caryopteris is a fall flowering shrub with rich blue to purple-blue flowers. While it is hardy to USDA zone 5, it is typically a die-back shrub in the North, behaving much like a Buddleia. While the plant makes woody stems, they are tender and die back during the winter. As the plant grows back quickly in the spring and its flower buds (and flowers) are formed on new wood so the plant does not miss a beat.
Culturally there are three things necessary to grow a nice plant. First off, it loves full sun. It will grow in partial shade but it will not look happy or flower nearly half as well as a plant in full sun. In addition, the yellow leafed cultivars have much better color in full sun. In partial shade the leaves will appear a dull, washed out green. The next thing to know is that Caryopteris needs well drained soil. It will not tolerate heavy, wet clay soils, or at least not for long. People often blame the plant for not being winter hardy because their plant did not make it through the winter, but the real culprit is wet soil. Well drained soil is a must. Once established Caryopteris is very drought tolerant and requires even less water. My final bit of cultural advice deals with pruning – as the plant typically dies back in the winter, you should only have to prune the plant once and that is in the spring after the plant starts to grow. Simply cut the plant back to wood with active sprouts. If you wish you can give the plant a slight shearing in early summer to bulk of the body of the plant. Fall pruning is not recommended, as it stimulates the plant to grow when it should be going dormant - the result can be a dead plant the following spring.
Caryoteris is a wonderful garden plant because it offers a mass of colorful blue flowers in late summer when few other plants are blooming. It’s a great source of pollen for bees and butterflies. Its aromatic foliage is turn off to deer so it rarely bothered by Bambi and her four legged friends.
There has been a flurry of Caryopteris breeding over the past 15 years and we have never had such wonderful plants for the garden. Here are a few of the newest cultivars to hit the market.
Petit Bleu (‘Minbleu’) is one of my favorites as it is a semi-dwarf plant with very tight branching and a nice mounded habit. The flower color is a very dark blue and the foliage is very dark and glossy which makes a great background for the flowers.
Sunshine Blue (‘Jason’) is a yellow leafed form of Caryopteris incana. It is a larger plant than most (3-4’) with masses of clear blue flowers that appear a bit earlier than other varieties. This English selection has very good hardiness and is more adaptable to heavier soils. It was a vast improvement over ‘Worcester Gold’ which can look a bit ratty by mid summer.
Lil' Miss Sunshine ('Janice') is new variety that I hybridized using Petit Bleu and Sunshine Blue. This plant has be best attributes of both parents as it is hardy, compact with glossy bright yellow foliage. The abundant flowers are a rich clear blue. It should be available in summer of 2010.
‘Sterling Silver’ is a new selection from the renowned English plantsman Peter Catt. It is a silver leafed selection that will most certainly replace 'Longwood Blue' once it is more widely available.
There has been a rash of variegated forms released in the last few years. Two of the better looking plants are ‘Summer Sorbet’ which has green and yellow leaves, and ‘White Surprise’ has silvery-green leaves adorned with a thin cream margin of variegation. As with most variegated plants, these will throw the occasional non-variegated shoot. Simply prune and remove these shoots as they appear
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