Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Coreopsis on the Table; Skipping the Privets for Skip Laurels; Does Talking to Plants Help Them Grow?

Coreopsis on the Table

The last of the coreopsis flowers graced our table last week. The plants were blooming despite the change in seasons, the erratic temperatures, and their tight quarters in a flowerpot on our patio.

These are hardy plants even though their flowers tend to look delicate. Coreopsis can tolerate a variety of soil conditions and weather. Depending upon their height, they can be used as back borders or edging. Their blossoms, which vary in color, last into the Fall, providing lovely table decorations.

I was impressed by how long the flowers lasted in the vase. They seemed so fragile, yet they stayed full and lively for the whole week. What a vibrant expression of nature in such a compact form. And that got me to thinking of how we often judge people by their outward appearance. Delicate doesn't necessarily mean weak. It is more important to understand the inner strength of a person than to assume we know all there is to know from a glimpse at a person's body.

When the coreopsis flowers finally wilted, I said goodbye and thanked them for sharing their perspective with me. We can learn something about the world and ourselves from the most surprising encounters.

An intro to coreopsis:

http://www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=2043

A look at the beautiful coreopsis varieties:

http://www.coreopsis.info/

Skipping the Privets for Skip Laurels

Our privet hedge needed replacing. It had grown too tall, become too leggy, infringed upon our neighbor's side and was no longer attractive or functional. But when we removed the woody shrubs, we remembered why we originally planted them; we had wanted some privacy, which was now suddenly lacking.

Ferida and laurels

©Ferida Wolff photos

It was suggested we look at Skip Laurels. So we went to the nursery to check them out. They were nice — full and green with the promise of white flowers come spring. We had some put in and I find that I love them. I welcomed them to our yard and I happily chat to them whenever I'm outside.

Why do I do this? Is it a myth that plants respond to human/plant interaction? Years ago my friend and I heard that talking to plants help them grow so we each prepared pots with the same soil and the same plants. We watered them equally. Then we talked to one plant but not to the other. After a month we noticed that the plants we spoke to flourished while the other plants were not as vibrant.

Science now shows that plants interact with each other. We seem to be part of a universal communication system even if we don’t all speak the same language. Wouldn’t it be nice if we would use that knowledge to help us all flourish, plants and people alike?

Wow, this tells you absolutely all you need to know about Skip (schipka) Laurel:

http://www.louistheplantgeek.com/a-gardening-journal/582-prunus-laurocerasus

Does talking to plants really help them to grow? Check out these studies:

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread940216/pg1

Editor's Note:

Does Talking to Plants Help Them Grow?

Alexa Stevenson, Penn State

In a 1986 interview, England's Prince Charles discussed his gardening habits, commenting "I just come and talk to the plants, really. Very important to talk to them; they respond."

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Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Coreopsis on the Table; Skipping the Privets for Skip Laurels; Does Talking to Plants Help Them Grow?

Does Talking to Plants Help Them Grow?

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