Post 109 Southern Comfort
Things familiar and routine are comfortable and in the South, some of the plantings known as "traditional" and indigenous bring so much joy seeing them again every year, just like a good friend that you love and who you have not seen in awhile.
Pictured here is a clump of Wisteria which is actually part of the genus of the pea family and now that I look at the bloom, that is evident, as would be climbing sweet peas.
The vertical pendulous cluster, called a raceme hangs from woody vines that entwine both in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. There are two main varieties, American and Asian (China, Japan and Korea) that thrive in full sun, but, sometimes have problems blooming in the home garden. This can be due to a lack of maturity, or an excess of nitrogen produced by Rhizobia bacteria in the root nodules.
Maturity in Kentucky vines can be just a few years but up to 20 years in the Asian variety. When started from seed, it can take years for the vine to mature and then bloom.
Believe it or not, there is truth to the rumor that abusing the main trunk; read smashing it with a ball bat when you are ticked off about something else, can force the maturation thus forcing it to bloom. Failing that, Wikipedia information suggests root pruning to force the bloom.
Who knows exactly what the issue is in your plant if you did not personally identify the variety and age in the first place, so you can try adding phosphate or potassium to the soil.
Maturity in Kentucky vines can be just a few years but up to 20 years in the Asian variety. When started from seed, it can take years for the vine to mature and then bloom.
Believe it or not, there is truth to the rumor that abusing the main trunk; read smashing it with a ball bat when you are ticked off about something else, can force the maturation thus forcing it to bloom. Failing that, Wikipedia information suggests root pruning to force the bloom.
Who knows exactly what the issue is in your plant if you did not personally identify the variety and age in the first place, so you can try adding phosphate or potassium to the soil.
In the southern region of the U.S.; Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama, in growing zones 6-8, it grows so prolifically that it is classified as an invasive plant if not contained, and much of it is not.
Over pillar and post, up and down trees and fence lines, it laces its woody vines wrapping itself like a crocheted shawl in lovely periwinkle-lavender colors. I never get tired of looking at it. The largest Chinese variety on record is over one acre in size, weighing 250 tons is in Sierra Madre, California.
These photos was taken while in Atlanta, Georgia this week while I visited my son. What a delightful young man. We are shifting to the newer adult-to-adult relationship. Now 25, he rarely asks for my opinions on things which I am so eager to give! Recently engaged to be married, I also enjoyed visiting with the lovely young woman that will be my daughter in law.
They both live in households of young Christians who operate daily life as families; shopping, preparing meals, cleaning the household and sharing daily lives together. Everyone should be so blessed to have in a daughter in law, all the characteristics you would want if you had picked her yourself!
Another Southern plant is the Live Oak tree that always as moss growing in the mature trees. Wide and sprawling canopies, not unlike the Banyan trees we talked about in my January blog entries, they are a protected species in Georgia.
This allee of Live Oaks is in lower Georgia across the causeway from Brunswick on Kings Way Boulevard
on St. Simon's Island. At close range the moss looks like dried gray straw, but, is actually a living organism.
Lovely and shady where ample beds of fern wave their graceful curly heads, the roadway is fabulous with filtered sun coming through the branches.
The beaches you find out at the U.S. Coast Guard Station are very wide and flat at low tide. Perfect for strolling along and being thankful for the friend I went to see and for the glory all around. Not yet frying temperature as it is from June until August, just a balmy 80 degrees (27c), I really enjoyed my time.
There was even a jelly fish washed ashore; indeed gelatinous in appearance.
I'll be in South Carolina visiting so in the coming week, I'll be gathering more blooms for the garden.
Take comfort in all that is around us and what we are called to do. I love also these words of encouragement and comfort in Philippians 4:8 & 9
Finally my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in
me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Want peace? Use that simple formulary for quick results. Think on those things not what is stressing you out. Or in addition, you could go smash on the Wisteria vine!
