Zach and Connor

After a week of natural devastation, the grounds were in ruins. Large branches were precariously hanging by splintered fragments; their twigs and limbs strewn across the grounds. When we arrived, yellow tape encircled the danger zone, and only pine needles remained in the area where a tree once stood. Our job was to clean up and pile the logs, and limbs for the mulcher to grind to lay under their cousins, distant cousins, and children. After the broken limbs were piled and the leaves raked and disposed of, we were sent to scour the yard and search for any large dead branches, which can be an eyesore at best. Though that small eyesore did not compare to the broken branch hanging off the maple like a ripped off fingernail. Tying a rope to the branch, Lucas, our savior, tied a rope to the base and pulled with all the might that his tractor could muster. His wheels spinning, ripping up the land as it struggled to drag the branch to our level. With an audible snap, the branch lay in front of us, broken and defeated. As we moved the branches out of the way, the limbs destroyer chainsawed the defeated foe, finally ending its dangerous reign. With our job complete, we were told our main task: to beautify the gardens ravaged by the storm, tear out any vile weeds or grasses hidden amongst the beauty, and to edge and straighten the planting beds. Though our spirits were eager to revitalize the landscape, the suns position on the horizon meant that we had to leave our work unfinished for the day, however the promise of a new day gave us strength to leave our work unfinished for a day.

 

 

Arriving early, with sleep still stuck to our eyes, we began our task, yawning with a cup of coffee in our hands. Reinvigorated by our beverage, we began, slicing up the garden beds like a barber cutting a hippy. The flowers overgrew their boundaries, the soil was hard and ruthless, and the weather cloudy and bleak. Even with all this against us, we fought on, our foe becoming less and less of a problem as we slowly progressed. We were finding hidden enemies below our flowering friends, which were choking and killing them. Our nimble fingers ripped them out, destroying their evil at the roots. As the sun lowered in the sky, we gazed out at our completed work, fixing any minor details which were looked over previously. Donning our hard hat, we drove off into the unset, eagerly awaiting the next, and final day of our work.

 

The sun rises over our job, a lengthy garden bed covered with almost a foot of mulch. The garden bed looked haphazard at best, with weeds growing everywhere, which made it clear that our first task was to weed the area. This proved to be a time waster, because when we finally finished, hours have passed. Shivering from the droplets of rain cascading us, we sat inside, warming our hands with our breath, patiently waiting for our final lunch to conclude. Returning to our work, we noticed that we would be unable to completely finish this lengthy garden. Disapointment filled our mouths as we swallowed our pride, choosing to complete half of the garden. Our shovels stuck in the dirt, the clay soil covering the blade after every scoop. Mulch blocked the entry of the blade, causing our blades to falter and scoop out too much, or too little. Our unfinished work haunted us, as we regretfully began to pack up our tools. With heads held low, we left our work, unable to complete that which we worked so hard on.

 

 

Echinacea purpurea ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’

Zach Becker and Connor Edwards

This plant is beautiful in the fall months, giving a sight of colour to a regularly brown and dead landscape. Because this plant can survive in most any condition, as well as its medicinal and aesthetic uses, it is a great flower for any garden. It would be best put near the front of the garden, as butterflies, and birds would be harder to see behind other plants.

 

Common name: Purple Coneflower

Genus: Echinacea           

Species: purpurea

Family: Asteraceae

USDA: 3-9

Canadian Hardiness: 3

Category: Herbaceous Perennial

Height: 50-60 cm             

Spread: 45-60 cm

Growth: Medium

Flowering Period: Mid-summer to Mid Fall

Origin: N/A

Pests/problems: Aster Yellows, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Landscape: Pow Wow Echinacea is primarily used as a medicinal plant, it can be sold as cuttings, as well it is beneficial to most gardens since it is both drought tolerant and deer resistant. As well after the flowering head dries up, it can become a food source for birds in the winter. As well, this plant it can be used in medicine, as a cold suppressant if properly grown and contained.

Propagation:  This plant can be easily divided during the spring, but cannot be propagated by seed due to it being a variety instead of a native plant.

Habitat: This flower can survive in wet to dry soils, is drought tolerant, and finally it can survive in full to partial sun. As well, it can survive in Alkaline, or acidic soils, and is a relatively easy plant to grow. Although it can survive mostly anywhere, it cannot produce viable seed, so it will mostly be found in gardens. Finally, it blooms more vigorously without deadheading.

Shape: Grows in an upright fashion, with the flowers rising higher than the leaves. Is more condensed than other varieties.

ID. Characteristics: This flower is mostly known for its purple bloom. Because it is such a deep purple, it stands out considerably amongst any garden.

Flower description: Large rose-purple florets, with a brown central disc. Atop

Leaf Description: The Purple coneflower has heart shaped leaves, which are a dark green colour and have an alternating appearance.

Bibliography:

Echinacea Purpurea ‘PowWow Wild Berry’." Perennials: "Pow Wow Wild Berry Echinacea" N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. .

"Echinacea Purpurea 'Powwow Wild Berry'" Learn2Grow. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. .

"Overview of Echinacea Production in Manitoba." Echinacea. Government of Manitoba, n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. .