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| MISS EMILY MY KIND OF GARDENER | |
| Published: May 20, 1997 | |
At 85, takes an active role in planting and maintaining one of the most visited private gardens in U.S.From Ann:For years I have poured over pictures and articles about Miss Emily Whaleys flower garden in Charleston S.C. This prized garden, which measures only 30 feet by 110 feet, is behind its original wrought-iron gate, and runs along the side and behind her 18th century home.Last week I received a review copy of "Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden," by Emily Whaley in conversation with William Baldwin (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, April 1997) $16.95. I have read and reread this delightful small book and recommend it to Acadiana gardeners. You will recognize every one of Miss Emilys plants as they are our plants, too. Although the gardening tips that Miss Emily passes on are invaluable, her opinionated and sometimes irreverent views of life are equally inspiring. For instance, she quotes from an unknown source her favorite gardening mantra: "Early to bed. Early to rise. Work like hell and fertilize." Interesting to women of the 90s is her advice on financing gardens: "...one successful way is to choose carefully whom you marry. A good and generous man is needed, one who knows how to make money and enjoys sharing it, one who himself is not interested in the actual pursuit of gardening but likes to be proud of the premises." If local bookstores dont have it, they will surely order it for you. Locating mature mimosa treesFrom Roxanne Duhon:My parents have two large, beautiful and healthy mimosas that can be seen from the street. Their address is 300 W. Fairfield in Broussard. Directions are: travel down Pinhook Road south to Broussard. Turn right at the traffic light at Morgan Street and follow it until it ends. Turn right and you will be on Fairfield Street. The mimosas can be easily seen on either side of the front yard.Thanks, Roxanne, for that information. And thanks to the readers who called or wrote about their mimosa tree memories. Some remedies for rust on Louisiana irisI have grown iris for several years as I watched my mothers love in growing them. I have the traditional purple Louisiana iris plants that she gave me many years ago.My problem is that for the past few years the purple iris develop rusty-colored leaves just about the time that they start to bloom. Herbert Thompson at Marshalls Nursery looked at the leaf that you enclosed and believes that the problem is rust, a fungus disease that is difficult to control . Two products that he recommends trying are Bayleton and Fungaway. The causes of iris rust are not fully understood, but planting in full sun with good air circulation seems to promote healthy foliage. Preventing granular fertilizer from coming in contact with the rhizomes is also recommended. Some growers recommend using an acid, water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracid in place of granular fertilizers from early February through bloom time as a precaution. |