Johnny Jump Up Through The Ages

Many, many years ago Emma moved with her new husband to the farm that would be their home place.  Life was busy with hired hands to cook for, garden to tend and harvest.  So she was pleasantly surprised to find a patch  of wild flowers growing at the back door.  They didn’t need any attention, they just kept multiplying.  They were a little joy to observe in the families’ busy day.   Soon there were so many plants that she could share with her sisters.  That’s what sisters do, share.  So, now the little johnny jump  ups, for that is what they were, spread to other homes and gardens.  A spring flower, that went dormant when the weather got hot, and were forgotten.  But the next spring, they came back, bringing their children.
   When Emma moved from that farm to another farm, what did she take with her (besides her children and stuff).? Some johnny jump ups, of course.  Soon they were happy and multiplying in that location.  But she didn’t take all of them from the home place.  The original ones continued to grow and to multiply.
  When I joined Emma’s family, (I married her son) I admired the tiny flowers that were no trouble to grow.  She shared and soon I had a nice patch of flowers.  No care, no watering or fertilizing.
   The years passed, we moved,(taking flower starts with us, but leaving some at that farm).
   Emma has passed on to a better place but the johnny jump ups continue to delight.
   This spring the lady who now lives on the home place brought two large pots of Heartsease (another name) to the garden club plant sale.  The tiny wildflowers were at their prime and were soon purchased.I did not see who bought them, but I’m sure that next spring someone new
 will be pleased to see the childish faces popping up.

Johnny jump up's are dormant now, just a few showing. 

 
The question is, how and when did those little wildflowers get to that farm.
They are not native to this country, so some immigrant put flower seed in his pocket and brought them over from Europe.
 According to Life Portfolio of Wordpress  Here is the story.
   As early as the 4th century B.C. this small wildflower was noted in Greece.
Sometime after that an acute observer in Europe noticed a plant similar to the viola growing in an open area with more sunlight.  Someone named the plant a wild pansy.  The word pansy is traced back to the French word pensee, meaning thought or remembrance.
Hybridization was used to breed more  plant vigor and flowers that had no dark blotches.  These clear pansies were bred about the turn of the 20th century.
   Viola is a large genus containing 500  species according to Hortus Third.
Our johnny jump up is a European herb from which most common pansies are derived.
  In 1850 plant breeding occurred in England, Scotland and Switzerland.  

   Now we can enjoy the big pansies, the prolific violas and the little wild johnny jump ups.
   How lucky we are.

Violas made a beautiful mass in spring. 

 In the spring when they once again smile brightly, I'll share with my grandchildren.
 

Where Is the Fun in Summer Gardening?

      All is not sweetness and light in my garden.  In fact I am at war.  The adversaries are Japanese Beetles and Canadian Thistle.  The battle has been going on for years and I am loosing.
   My defense for the beetles was to scrape them into a sudsy container early in the morning before they could fly.  Then I read that garlic planted near by was a deterrent.  This spring I used the systemic on the roses (should have started the process earlier and used more).  Besides still mutilating the rose they have invaded nearby hibiscus and far-away basil.   My beautiful basil in the herb pot.  Well, it was once beautiful.
   Canadian Thistle.  We have been fighting for years.  And loosing. Pulling, or hoeing  is a no-no.  Round-up is futile.   Nobody seems to have an answer.
   My hope is that someone, private or general can help.  Won’t someone please rescue me.?
   Thankfully there is some peace  in my garden world.

Container pot with impatiens, coleus and the white stuff

       

Begonias in flower box, one of the best plants this year.

A real beauty.Hydrangea Tree. 

Oxford Farmers Market Uptown

 
   Oxford, Ohio is a jewel and a treasure.  Thanks in many  ways to Miami University.
   One of the less well known benefits is the Oxford Farmers Market Uptown.   It is a Growers Only Market featuring bakers, artists, plantsmen and farmers.
   When you talk with the people selling the bread and the toddler’s dresses you will find they did the kneading of the bread and the sewing.

   Locally grown sugar corn and peaches the 1st of July?  Who would have thought it.  The fellow at the Burwinkel Farms stand said they would have locally grown peaches until fall. They have 300 trees.

   The “in” thing is to buy locally, eliminate excessive transportation, the middle--man.  From the news I learned that most of the cut flowers sold in this country come from South America.  What a shame.
   When my flower garden had little to show “Crystal Creek Garden” had buckets of FRESH  cut flowers for sale, by the bunch or stem.

   Don Isaacs, a grower from Liberty sold me a  tiny mum for $3.  He told me to put it in the ground where it would root and remain viable next year.  That would be different.
   Local honey was available from several vendors.  Eating it will help relieve your allergies.  Lettuces, squash, beautiful radishes were plentiful.

   Beautiful yarns piled high.
   And the baked goods!  Gluten free is popular now and some of the bakers have mastered those techniques.  Sheri’s chocolate cake is to die for.
   Sally Henson of Abbott Ridge Farm  had a display of breads that appeared to arrive straight from a European bakery;  artisan bread, focaccia, a flat bread, all beautiful.

  Sadly, the live music usually in evidence on Saturday morning did not make it this time.  Maybe next Saturday.  What fun for the children to stand so close to watch the musicians..