Going beyond the hardiness zones

Possible growing range for Southern Magnolia

Southern Magnolias are a true symbol of the south. They are known for their thick rubbery leaves and giant white flowers that bloom each May with a fragrance so sweet they could be detected from long distances. Magnolia Grandiflora is a tree native to the Southeastern U.S coastal states and has become an American symbolism. President Andrew Jackson planted one at the White House, and later it was placed on the U.S stamp. There is something special about the scent of a Magnolia blossom on the first warm spell of a southern summer night. At least this is what I've been told! I really wouldn't know because I grew up in Northern Wisconsin far removed the nearest Southern Magnolia. I've never been able to experience one in bloom. The map above shows the possible growing range for Magnolia Grandiflora.

Southern Magnolia in Kansas City Suburb of Liberty

Well now that I live 330 miles farther south here in Iowa I am certainly much closer, but even with this new closeness Des Moines is still way out of the possible growing range. There is absolutely no green on that map anywhere near Iowa. You'd have to go 150 miles south into Missouri reach the edge. Kansas City is known as the very northern edge of the area which growing Southern Magnolia is considered possible. I just got back from a trip there last week and it's quite aggravating because Kansas City is just so dang close! It's like seeing the cake but not getting to have any! What makes them so special anyway. I know it is considerably warmer there but a person can be there in a short 2 and a half hours drive. Well I'm in Iowa but that has not stopped me from wanting to have a Southern Magnolia in my own yard. There is something about them that makes them so desirable to me. The stories of their flowers and their rubber-like tropical looking leaves which hold evergreen through the winter make them appealing to try one. Just the fact they're so anti-Midwest in every way I can see the curb appeal and uniqueness they could add to our gardens. This is exactly why I went against the laws of horticulture and the map above and planted one in my Des Moines, Iowa yard.

Southern Magnolia in my own yard

Well, there you have it, a real live southern Magnolia in Des Moines, Iowa. Isn't is the most beautiful amazing thing you have ever seen?!? Well... Maybe it does look a little sickly, so, anyone wondering why it look so thin? It's pretty obviously, its because I have a sub tropical plant in a place one absolutely shouldn't be. That and because you are seeing the plant after its been through 1 harsh winter and heading into its second.  I planted it October of 2017 and its been through a very harsh winter last year. While last winters cold snaps were not long lived we had one night when it fell to -19.F  Magnolia Grandiflora is only reliability hardy down to -15.F. Apparently that 4 degrees makes a huge difference because come spring what was a beautiful 5 foot tree when I bought it in Kansas City lost every single one of its "evergreen" leaves and half the tree turned black and died. I was about to give up on it completely when a few leaves starting to grow come from the base and a few branches on the north side of tree so with persistence from my mom who felt bad for it, I decided it deserved a chance. All of the leaves seen here are what grew last summer. Even though beaten by an Iowa Winter the Magnolia did technically survive however so that is a step in the right direction anyway! I've done much research in growing Southern Magnolias in northerly latitudes, planting larger trees in spring is the way to go for these. My choice to plant in October might have been my downfall, but with luck maybe this tree will bounce back. If not I'm certainly game for trying one more time! Especially since I know my tree is not the only success story here in Iowa. I personally know of at least two others one in Iowa City at the University and a person who has one on property in Davenport. His trees has been in place for over 10 years and his have become established enough that they have had very little leaf loss or die back! Some day I will have to tell the story of this very impressive tree.

December Mildness & Blooms

Autumn Crocus 12/15/18

Seems strange that I'm already discussing blooms on here. I didn't think I'd be showing any of that here until next spring. The weather this fall has been very strange. November was much colder then normal with plenty of days in the 20s and cloudiness. Snow has been on the skimpy side for this teeny part of Iowa, we some how got missed. I saw somehow because all directions around us have been hit hard with snow this fall. north, south, east and west it doesn't make a difference the direction they all got it hard! Even Kansas City has had a big 6" or greater snowfall, while here in our area we only received two dustings this fall. Now its December and the weather has become mild with 40s and today its supposed to be 53.F. The Autumn Crocus that have been continually delayed in flowering last month due to cold and clouds are out blooming now in the December warmth and sunshine. This known as Crocus speciosus 'conqueror' variety. Which is known for being later blooming then Colchicum that often comes to flower here in September. They are later blooming but I would guess this is abnormally late for these this year.

Snowdrop Elwesii 12/15/18

A little more on the strange side however are that the spring Snowdrops are also starting to poke their noses through the mulch this week. They think spring has arrived now since its warming up after a cold November. Typical bloom time for these guys is late winter being often February here in Des Moines. They have on occasion however bloomed in January. I've had a couple of times so far that have had at least one bloom in January. December blooms though would be a new one, we shall see. In all cases these flowers are the ABSOLUTE earliest of the early being the very first flower to appear in spring and I'm not trying to sound like the gardening ad you find in the magazine these the real deal if you want plants that bloom when snow is still on the ground! They are much earlier then any Crocus for sure.


 

Thanksgiving Cactus

These indoor blooms are typically what I can expect to find blooming this time of year. This is Thanksgiving Cactus which as you can see is on the late side this year. Not many people know there are three different varieties of these "holiday" cactus. Besides the above Thanksgiving Cactus, there is also Easter Cactus and true heirloom Christmas Cactus. The real Christmas Cactus is not found in stores any longer. You can normally only see it handed down through family members. The difference between them is that heirloom Christmas Cactus only flowers in pink and the leaves do not have pointy teeth edges instead having soft edges. Thanksgiving Cactus which is all you find for sale now come in a wide array of colors including white, peach, yellow, pink and red with very pointy leaf edges. Easter Cactus is the odd one out, it does have soft edges on the leaves often ringed in red, but its the blooms that look far different, being shaped like daisies which close at night and they of course bloom in April. The care for all of them is the same. Don't over water! That is the biggest reason why people loose these plants. Mine get watered 1-2 times a month.

Introduction...The Place

 Front yard at time of purchase.

Before you can have that one garden. You have to get the ground to build it on! I longed for home ownership ever since I left my Wisconsin childhood home for college in 2011. Apartments never interested me in fact I dreaded the thought. I just wanted a house and a home I could garden at, this was very important to me. Well when I finally found a job I enjoy and the money came along It took me a LONG time to find the right place..... No Seriously, when I finally found a house suitable I felt bad for what my realtor went through!

Searching for that perfect house was a long.... grueling process that took over a year and I was one tough customer! The house was important to me an all, but in the end it was about that perfect yard! Large enough for plenty of gardens, not too shady, south facing house. Yes you read that correctly. One of the requirements for my realtor was that I wanted a house which front faced southward. MUST FACE SOUTH I would tell her, who seriously asks for that!? Well, me and I will tell you I kept that requirement true to word. The list didn't end there however I preferred there also to be no tree out front for plenty of sunshine. Why so picky? Because I like native plants and they require a lot of sunshine and southward facing houses gets lots of spring sun which is perfect for spring flowering bulbs. Also high up on the important list was that I lived in a nice area around Des Moines preferably a suburb. In fact early on in the house buying process I would not even consider a house if it had a Des Moines address.

 Backyard at time of purchase


Well many who have been through the house buying process which I can tell you is nothing like the fun easy process you see on TV ( much more stress in the real life)  there are always compromises that have to be made and this certainly was no exceptions for me. I settled on a small 2 bedroom 1 bath ranch built in the 1950s. Nothing outstanding or unique about the house what so ever just your typical ranch. While looking at many houses ranch styles were always most attractive for me for some reason. While I DID get that south facing house I desired I ended up with a huge tree out front which equals more shade then I wanted. I also didn't get that house in the suburbs.  Burbs are apparently way more pricey so my price range took me to a quiet neighborhood on the south side of Des Moines. 

My Front yard a year later

So what was the first thing I did after signing those papers at the bank and getting my keys? Well planting of course! I was out planting stuff in the garden before the car was unloaded. I was eager to plant...plan and make my garden dreams happen! With in two weeks after move in I had gardens all the way around the house, shutters on, pots planted and my front door painted so my new house could have some curb appeal it so desperately needed. Ranch style homes can be pretty boring on their own but as you can see my house was especially so before I added some color.  So fast foreword a year and a half.... 5 additional gardens plus thousands of plants and bulbs later I can tell you although it was a stressful process I can tell anyone who hasn't done it before it all works out in the end and it WILL be okay. I am very happy with the house I ended up with especially since it has an amazing new 2 car garage which I've never had before. How awesome is it for a dry parking space!  So all in all I got the house I wanted ( left my realtor a really nice review online) and most importantly my gardens and now I am starting a blog about it. I actually am not new to the blog realm, I maintained a blog for 8 years for serve another passion of mine, weather forecasting so I really am looking foreword to writing again with a more relaxed style about my gardening adventures!