Green Leaves {+ a Question} updated

Whilst working in the garden before the sun comes up...

 

To just after sundown...

 

There is a ton of unsilent silent time.

(birds, wind rustling leaves, puppy sighs, etc.)

And so much time to think.

Mostly I think only about what I am working on...

 

The warmth and the breeze has had me having some intense long term memory trips.  Being 5, in the truck with my dad, going to a giant wooden country grocer's store.

Songs.

Barbecues and running through the sprinkler...

The time when it was just me and my mom and dad.

Before siblings.

I am having so many unexpected memories from those times, as my sore body works in the dirt.

Another thing constantly on my mind while working in the dirt, is my obsession with identifying some plants that have been growing and blooming now (biennials), from that cottage seed mix I planted last year. 

 

I have no clue what one plant in particular, is (more on that in a sec).

 

One of my best friends was here last week from Rhode Island.

I had the bestest day ever with her.

We talked and talked and hung out in the garden, and she watched Practical Magic for the first time.  It was wonderful.

However, she identified some growing things in my garden, which had me jumping for joy.

For example, I had no idea what this yellow flower was until she casually said, "look at all of your coreopsis!"  I almost fainted.  I had been trying to figure out what the multitude of tall yellow flowers were called for 2 years!

 

Although, she couldn't recall the name of the plant that I am scouring everything trying to identify.  I bet it's something totally easy.

But I am still stumped.

Do you know what it is?

(update - possibly identified in ps: section)

It has a stalk with redness at the joints, and roots like a root vegetable...

 

Last year they tiered out flat on the ground, and this spring they shot up to 2 and 3 feet, and growing.

 

They are everywhere in my garden.

In about 6 different places (even on the side of the house), and looks so pretty, but if I only knew if I could expect a flower?

I just have no clue.

It is exciting, but my curiosity is on overload after 2 years of waiting and watching....

If you know, pleeeease do tell.

I will send you a million good vibes.

I will make sure you get executive fairy status, of the highest order!

:)

(or invent a fancy schmancy name, I could go for that too)

 

I guess unless you know, I will just have to exert more of that crazy thing called patience, while watching snow peas grow...

 

Also, I am holding my breath.

The major gopher area, that I dug up and lined with wire and burlap is lush.

I bolt out of bed and run out to check it everyday.

Heart racing!

Scary stuff, I tell ya!!

;)

 

I am starting to have gopher nightmares, where they actually talk and chase me with a dagger.

I'll try to dream of pumpkin vines before I go to sleep, instead of gophers. 

 

I had a dream analysis class once, and the main thing to do, to try to dream a certain thing, is to visualize it over and over in your mind as you try to doze off.

Must try this again.

By the by, I had decided I was not going to put in a large pumpkin patch this year, but instead plant more around the gypsy garden, and here and there.

But I fell off the edge again, and put in a large pumpkin patch.

We'll see ;)

I have my work cut out for me.

Now I need to get on a proper schedule.

5 a.m. walk, water the garden, breakfast, orders, paint, evening chores.

I wonder if I can handle it?

ps:  The sunflowers shot up as it is 92'F !

I best be off while I still have some day light.  I spent 5 hours yesterday putting in a small rock path.  What a job!  So, I have to do proper garden chores with the rest of my Friday.

I saw a sign with puppies for sale today.

I called the number and left a message.

I know!

I am mad, I am, I am!

Love, V

 

 
 

ps:  Below- the stem of the plant in question, in case anyone might know?

It for certain came from the old fashioned cottage garden seed mix last year, it is huge, 3 feet tall and the leaves are 11 inches long.  It is a beautiful plant.

Possibly Found?

Trudy thinks it might be a plant known as a few names...

Mirabalis Jalapa

Four O'clocks

Marvel of Peru

See details here

Sharon and Cindy say Pokeweed.

Now I get to wait for flowers, or berries, to see for certain.

I have neither at this moment :)

I love teamwork!

You know what is funny?  I ordered lots of seeds this year from an heirloom seed shop online called Select Seeds, and I ordered two packs of four o'clocks without knowing exactly what they were (I liked the pictures of the flowers).  I just planted the seeds.

 

  

pss:  A funny tidbit - If you do not live in Southern Arizona,or if you have never been here, I think you would be floored at how dry the earth is here.  Mister Lovee says it is a whole other world from the midwest, or anywhere that gets rain.  He says anyone who lives where it rains would be amazed at what it takes to keep a garden alive here.  We only get rain a few times a year, and even that is pushing it most of the time.  It took me two days of soaking a small bowl I made in the earth, to be able to dig deep enough to plant a tree last week.  The earth is so so so so dry, and so hot here in summer, than nothing has a chance of spreading or growing, unless you plant it and diligently water it twice a day (save for a couple of wild Arizona weeds here and there).  Unless it's cactus.  It's sort of like Mars, and I don't even live in the hottest, most dry parts.  We actually have shade and huge trees.  Can you imagine that?

Comments

[Nan]

Well I know I have seen your mystery plant not here in Alaska but in CA. I just can't seem to place it. If it has a square stem it's in the mint family that much I know. You are so far ahead of us. We can't even put out any annuals yet, not until the very end of May. I worked in my friends nursery today that is is a fun release.

[m]

Oh bother! I just wrote you a long message and it disappeared. :( It makes me so cranky when that happens!
The gist of my message was for you to look up the extension service nearest you. They are usually associated with Universities and they are there just for answering questions like "What's this plant?" or "I have a garden pest, how do I get rid of it?" and other such inquiries. Even if they aren't close by, you could send photos and get an answer to your question.
Good luck!

[m]

PS: You could also look for Master Gardener classes in your area. The teacher is bound to know what that plant is! ;)

[Kim / Gerushia's New World]

Vanessa:

You have me stumped!! I am usually very good at identifying mystery plants. Especially those that grow in our desert conditions...but this one, I have no idea what it is! So....you've yet to see it flower! Very interesting.

Oh....I have to tell you, I had a little screaming and giggling fit today at my local grocery store! There...right in front of my eyes...was the new "Where Women Create"!! And ~ whose name do I see? Well...Vanessa Valencia's name, that's who! How exciting is that? Browsing through your own local grocery and accidentally coming upon an article about the magnificent and magical Vanessa Valencia!! I was overjoyed and immediately picked it up to have a look through. I purchased it, (of course). Now, I am looking forward to relaxing tonight and soaking it all in! Congrats!

Kim ♥

[janel]

Hi Miss V V!

could your plant be rhubarb? I think there are few varieties, but not positive. Otherwise, its a weed? Weeds are often mistaken for flora.

Well, I hope someone in blog figures it out, because I am now curious.

get the baby! it will be fun to add another for sure....

cheers!

ps. I just reviewed my post, and saw that I wrote baby instead of puppy...maybe you get a girl, so you aren't out numbered!? I think Baby would agree!

[janel]

I meant I hope someone in "blog land" figures it out...

and I reviewed it too. sad.

[deb]

How about a Dahlia? I'm usually pretty good at this as i worked in a garden center for many years but its not setting off any bells......sorry

[Kim / Gerushia's New World]

It's me again, Vanessa!

I keep coming back to look at the foliage you showed in your blog post. It looks so familiar...something that my mom grew when I was a little girl. Google Amaranth or Amaranthus. There are soooo many different types, but that foliage really reminds me of the plant my mom grew. It was an old fashioned Amaranth with long spikes of weeping, burgundy flowers. Then again...I may be way off!

Kim ♥

[Linda Diane]

Oooooh, je ne sais pas, V. I haven't a clue what that plant might be. Are you truly considering another puppy child? : ) What kind of pups were being sold? What doth Mr. Lovee say, or doth he know that you called and left them a message? Ha! OK enough of these questions. : ) Oh, how sorry I am that you are being terrorized by gopherlings even in your dreams! My goodness. Shame on those varmints for tormenting you so. Sweet, gopherless dreams, dear V.!

[Cori G.]

Oh dear! Me thinks it is a weed ;-O. But please pLeAsE pLeAsE can I still have faerie status and good vibes and all the other fun things that go with it????
They grow in my yard too and I rip them out by the stems...naughty me ;-)))))).
Love me!!!!!

[Kim]

Hi there! I am so glad to hear you are doing well. That is so nice to hear that your friend came for a visit and saw Practical Magic! That is one of my all time favorite movies. I absolutely love that movie, everything about it, the music, the aunts, Sally's cute shop! I own it and I probably have watched hundreds of time. There is something special to me about that movie.

I wish I knew the type of plant it is, but that is a toughie! I hope someone can shed a little light on that for you!

Ohhh...little Missy...a puppy sign?..I see :) Keep us updated!

Take care!

Kim

[Cindy L.]

It looks like it might be a Poke plant. We used to pick it with my great-grandmother when I was little. That was a long time ago. You can only eat the young shoots, the rest is poisonous. Try looking up Pokeweed on google.

[Kim / Gerushia's New World]

I'm so excited to see the blossoms on this particular Four-O-Clock. I have them all over my flower beds, but they are bushier...not as tall and not as spiky. The blooms are all colors...pink, yellow, white and verigated. Can't wait to see your Four-O-Clock blossoms!

Kim ♥

[Alia]

Don't worry Miss Vanessa, you are not the only mad one....Mister B and I just adopted a dog! Well he is one year old so not totally adult, but he is the sweetest thing ever.

[Sharon Tomlinson]

Hello hello, I agree with Cindy, what you have is Polk weed or we call it Polk salad. I had to go out my back door to check and yes Polk weed it is. I then went out my other back door to look at the Four O'clock and no you don't have Four O'clock. If you want to eat Polk salad, the method of cooking is important. You cook it like any other green but you throw out the first and maybe second water. It is delicious. The bad name it gets is not that is is poisonous but that it has such a strong laxative-type effect. I just may harvest some today for dinner. It really is so good.

[Theresa]

Dear Vanessa, I am SO terrible at identifying plants - they are so lovely though. :) Such pretty garden goodness - our gardens are coming alive, too. I love going outside to walk around and take photo upon photo. :) Thank you for including that seed company link - hurray that they are in Connecticut! Glad you enjoyed time with your friend - and might there be another fur baby addition to your family? Enjoy your Sunday!!! xoxo Theresa

[Tricia Fountaine]

Hi Vanessa,
Well I am not sure about your plant being Polk as I am not familiar with that plant however being a florist I would say your plant looks a lot like Amaranthus or Cocks Comb. There are a few different types some are spiky and fury and come in red, lime green, yellow and kind of a caramel color. Some are long and trailing looking very much like dread locks. These come in either red or line green. If I had to say for sure I would say you have the upright spiky variety. (They call it Cocks comb as the flower looks very much like the Rooster's fleshy bit around his face). Google it and see what pictures come up. Good luck! (watch, after that long professional rambling it will turn out to be a weed... so much for my knowledge!!!). Love your posts as always,
Happy gardening!
Tricia Fountaine

[Renee]

If its poke weed I'm not sure you want to leave it there. They get huge here and grow all over the other plants.

We used to have 4 oclocks that would self seed every year. I loved them, but they died out.

I've been known to pull something up thinking it was a weed and then realize, huh uh, those plants have come back from what was there last year. It is hard to tell what they are without flowers. Some things I recognize. I guess I should stick to recognizable plants:)

I'm planting seeds. I've been very much in need of plant therapy. My little town has been ravaged by a tornado. But being able to go outside and cut some roses, plants seeds and just say a prayer helps.

[Aimee Jeffries]

So pretty! I wish foxglove would be as happy in my garden but it refuses *sigh*. It looks like you may have used the same seed packet I have! Mine was something like "semi shade wild flower mix". I have the same yellow flowers blooming now, and the big green one looks just like mine too, they get really tall then get huge purple and lavender colored flowers. Daisy like in shape, they remind me of the echinacea flower but I have no idea what they are called. Just happy surprises each summer :)

[Laura]

Hey V-

I was thinking it might be poke weed, too. We call it Poke Salad, as you can eat the younger leaves. They have toxins, though, so you have to boil them 3 times and change the water to make them safe to eat. If that's what it is, it will make pretty dark purple berries. I used them to make ink once, but bottled them in old vanilla bottles. Bad idea. The juice continued to ferment, and the bottles exploded bright magenta ink all over my studio.

[Karlynn]

I love your garden photos, so beautiful. What a gorgeous site you have!