Aunt Hazel's Garden

Marguerite Daisy One of Aunt Hazel's Favorites This Marguerite Daisy was one of Aunt Hazel's favorite plants. She loved its beauty and vibrant little flower. She incorporated it in her garden and on her table in beautiful bouquets. Aunt Hazel would propagate it by taking cuttings and placing them in her rich dark sandy soil where almost everything rooted - I do the same, but my success rate is only about 50% - her thumb was much greener than mine. Hazel at 91 Years Young by Her Beautiful Marguerites and Cinerarias Hazel once recounted the story of how she had a few similar daisy plants and she would use one plant's pollen to pollinate the other plant. With Hazel doing this, a slightly different plant emerged in her garden. So this particular Marguerite Daisy that I'm featuring on this post is perhaps slightly different than other mainstream varieties.  Characteristics of The Plant This Marguerite Daisy has an approximate one and a half inch

Propagating and Growing Kalanchoe Delagoensis Today I'm discussing how to propagate and grow Kalanchoe Delagoensis also known as Chandelier Plant, Mother of Millions and Mother of Thousands. As you can see here, and in my previous post on  the flowering stages of Kalanchoe Delagoensis,  this succulent plant produces a gorgeous bloom when it is mature. It takes a couple of years for this small baby plant to reach this maturity but after enjoying its bloom I'm sure you will agree it is well worth it. Let's begin with propagation. Young Kalanchoe Plants with Little Plantlets   On this young Kalanchoe plant you can see the start of the baby plantlets which look like little spikes on the end of the tubular leaves. These little spikes, which are more rubbery than sharp, will become the plantlets that will eventually drop to the ground and root.  Propagation of Plantlets from Mature Kalanchoe Stocks Propagation of Kalanchoe Delagoensis begins with mat

Kalanchoe Delagoensis This beautiful Kalanchoe Delagoensis flower, also called Mother of Millions, Chandelier Plant and sometimes referred to as Mother of Thousands makes a showing from late fall to early winter. When I was first introduced to this wonderful plant I did not foresee how beautiful it would be. This little Kalanchoe plant is what I encountered when I was first introduced to it. Grayish black and tan tubular branches with the start of little baby Kalanchoe plants growing on the branches. I planted it in my yard and did not think much about it except for the fact that it was growing but not producing much color. After more than a year of growing it in my garden I thought I might get rid of it because it was not very pretty or colorful. One December day while in my garden I noticed a gorgeous, beautiful blossom on this seemingly dull plant. What a surprise! This plant is one of my favorite now and I propagate it in many places of my yard. It loves the sun and i

Mandevilla Vine Look at this beautiful, healthy and prolific Mandevilla vine that is trellis trained into a heart. I gave this plant to my friend Lynn as a gift and she repotted it into the current pot that you see here.  Lynn sent me this picture one day to show me how well it was growing; that was a gift in itself❣ Apparently this Mandevilla plant loves its new home! (Above Mandevilla Heart photo provided by Lynn)    Here is my friend Lynn to share her tips on growing a healthy Mandevilla vine. Thank you Lynn for sharing these tips on how you cultivate such a beautiful vine in your beautiful garden. As my Aunt Hazel embroidered many years ago,   "Friends Are Flowers In the Garden of Life". Thanks Friend! 🌸Linda