Garden

[Annabellethecat66]

I found that to be true too. My problem is that the deer also love them! They love my lillies!

It's as if they put them in their mouths and pull through them like you would an ear of corn! Down to the nubbins!

I'm just so happy to feed the deer (NOT).

I did spray hot pepper on the plants. It worked until it rained.

[JustJazzmom]

On 8/11/2014 Sweetbay magnolia said:

Thanks. Years ago (maybe 10) Martha Stewart had a spread in her magazine about viburnums and their pollinators. I wish I had saved it. It was a great quick guide replete with the gorgeous photos her people always provide. I've long considered the fruits of viburnum to be an underserved component of breeding programs and even marketing campaigns. It appears that species don't always cross-pollinate but that they will with a cultivar, or sometimes cultivar with cross with cultivar (we know this is true with the "sterile" Bradford pear, once we started planting it's cousins like Aristocrat - drat! Like we need more of those!).

I guess Mother Nature knows best, about the preservation of species and what is required to make the world go 'round. If we could only learn to let it be, sometimes. Accidents of nature very well could be part of an elegant plan.

Enjoy the garden! Nice chatting with you.

You're welcome! I had Arrowwood viburnum 'Blue Muffin' -- 2 of them side by side as I knew I needed 2 for cross pollination to get those blue berries on this variety. Little did I know that after I attended a lecture that viburnums need either the species or another cultivar (in bloom at the same time of course) to cross pollinate. Two of the same cultivar will recognize each other as 'clones' and not fertilize the flowers. It's all about genetic diversity. That is why I chose Korean spice viburnum to try and get one of the parents of Burkwood 'Conoy' to hopefully get berries as they seem to be in bloom at a similar time.

The nurseries should mention this information when they sell their stock.

[stets]

It's true! The third year is the charm. My Cottage Farms reblooming irises are just spectacular this year. It's their third year, and I can't wait for the blooms to re-appear. Right now, they are gorgeous! The only thing I did differently this year was to give them more water and a little food, and they responded beautifully! I think of Phillip Watson every time I see them. Hope he is doing well.

[ValuSkr]

It's true of many perennials, trees, and shrubs.  You've heard the saying - first year, they sleep; second year, they creep; and third year, they leap.  Gardeners need to be patient.