Wondering about Wisteria

I wish I knew why I got so excited and heart-filled-to-bursting whenever I see Wisteria blossoms hanging down from arbors in the spring.  Perhaps it dates back to my earliest Wisteria memory.  I had recently learned how to ride a two-wheel bike and had earned the privilege of riding alone beyond the safety of our block.  It was springtime and I ran home from school and got on that red bike.  I pedaled all around the somewhat hilly neighborhood called “Wooded Estates” that bordered our flat street.  It was dusk and I was trying to remember the way home when I came to a double dip hill.  Before I knew it, I was speeding straight into a patch of sand and the bike spun out of control.  I hit the pavement with shock, indignity and a skinned knee.  I pulled my bike out of the road and sat down to collect myself.  Big girls don’t cry.  There, right next to me was a beautiful stand of wisteria along a fence.  I had never seen anything like it, and the fragrance pulled me out of my panic-stricken pain mode into a world of wonder.  I just sat on the grass smelling that almost grape-like-lavender smell and feeling the cool freshness of the blossoms.  AAH, the healing power of Wisteria.  Plant Medicine.  Her spirit was working on me and I didn’t even know it.  Soon the owner came out and asked me if I was OK, and by then I really was OK and recovered enough to get back on the bike and go home.  From then on I changed my route walking home from school so that I could pass by and smell the Wisteria.  It became something I looked forward to every Spring.

I bought this wisteria vine at the farmer’s market 4 summer’s ago - locally grown, 3-4 years old. I didn’t know much about wisteria and assumed it would grow and bloom profusely since that’s the impression I’ve had when I admire it in public gardens. Our roof has tall railings and beams around the water tower that would look nice covered in purple blossoms. I had no clue that this would be a long-term realization, as it is still not very tall.

Last year it bloomed for the first time with 8 clusters. Then it became infested with aphids and caught a virus that made the leaves mottled and wilty. I read online that this can’t be treated and the plant would likely die.  In a panic, I cut it way back – all the unsightly areas got snipped off and it recovered. The winter was so harsh but I wrapped the pot in foam packaging and this spring it has about 20 blossoms. WOW. The fragrance is divine. And the mullein fills up the bottom of the pot beautifully like a gentle soothing anchor. I love Mullein for it’s medicinal properties, clearing the lungs, lubricating joints and moisturizing our internal organs.  Perhaps the Mullein helped the Wisteria heal from it’s virus.

Seedling Identification

 

I am determined to learn how to identify seedlings so that I don’t get my hopes up over something that turns out to be a weed.  We’ve had some great plants arrive on the wind or from birds, but also a lot of weeds.  This will be my official weed identification page for future reference.

 

If anyone here knows… please comment.

     

#1 - I had zinnia’s in this box last year but these don’t look                    #2 No clue what these might be. Came on the wind I think.

like zinnias.  I suspect this could be fleabane….

 

 

     

Tall Yellow Coneflower                 Mexican Hat Coneflower              Probably Celosia Spicata            Pretty sure this is Gallardia

 

     

Salvia                                        Euphorbia (snow on the mountain, self seeded)     Ailanthus tree from seed (3 leaves)

 

 

     

These are all morning glory seeds that sow themselves.  I love the way their leaves unfold.

 

     

Love Lies Bleeding (Amaranth that grows long red tendrils)                  Shoo Fly                              Mystery plant (tobacco?)

 

     

Elderberry in April, and now with buds coming soon.                Tobacco or Elecampane?        Petunia (left) and Tobacco (right)

 

     

These are Convolvus Ensign or dwarf morning glory.  In late April I soaked the seeds and they did not come up. These are mid-May.

 

 

       

Datura --came on the wind              Virginia Cup flower                  Feverfew (re-seeded itself)       Groundcover – Henbit blew in on wind

 

     

seeds planted in March                 Yarrow                                       Mullein                                      Sedum

 

     

Tansy                                           Elderberry                                  Mint                                          Gingko (from seed)

 

       

There is nothing more hopeful that buds coming out of a twig or branch.

Tobacco

The tobacco plant is native to the Americas and has been used by indigenous peoples in ceremony and as medicine since before the Christian Era.  It was used for toothaches, and for dressing wounds. When burned in a pipe for prayer ceremonies, the smoke is not inhaled into the lungs.  Native people would offer tobacco leaves as a gift to European settlers when they first arrived.  It was used as a bartering item and was often considered “as good as gold.”  Columbus brought it back to Europe as a plant known for it’s medicinal and insecticidal properties. During the Colonial era smoking cigars and pipes became popular.  It’s addictive properties did not become apparent until people who smoked regularly tried to stop and realized how hard it was.  The chemical nicotine was identified in 1828 when a German scientist classified it as a poison.  During the Civil War smoking became more widespread to ward off hunger, and then later during the 1900’s cigarettes gained popularity.  During the World Wars cigarette use among soldiers became even more common.  The way tobacco is cured has a direct effect on the level of nicotine.  If leaves are simply pulled or cut off the stalk and dried in the sun, they do not have as much nicotine as when they are dried slowly using gradual heat.

This particular tobacco has a wonderful perfume scent that is stronger in the evening.  It is an incredibly hardy plant that grows well in a container and takes the rooftop heat, although it also attracted aphids and green caterpillars.  Symbolically, because of it’s ceremonial use, I am happy to have tobacco growing on my roof.