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Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Dr. Hortfreud discusses Viola banksii

November 9, 2012 By Carol Michel 10 Comments

Hello, Carol. 

Hello, Dr. Hortfreud.

Care to talk about this box from Logee’s Greenhouse that showed up on your porch yesterday, Carol?

Well, that depends, Dr. Hortfreud, if you think it is a good thing or a bad thing or just a thing that there was a box with plants.


For now, let’s consider it just a thing.  What plant was in the box?

Plant? Singular? 

So it was more than one plant, Carol?

Well, actually, there were three plants in the box, with the potential for many more.

Interesting.  Let’s see what’s in the box.

Okay, Dr. Hortfreud.  There were three plants wrapped up like this.

Okay, they look well wrapped.  Care to show me the actually plant?

Well, inside that wrapping, there was this wrapping.

Nice sneak peak.  Show me the rest of the plant. Remember I’m paid by the minute.

When I took off the black wrapping, there was this.

The white stuff is a nice touch.

Yes, that’s helping it stay moist and keeps the dirt from falling out of the pot during shipping.


And… keep going, Carol.  

I bought three Viola banksii.

Very nice, Carol. Wherever did you get the idea for this plant?

From The New Terrarium by Tovah Martin.  She mentioned Viola hederacea as a terrarium plant and suddenly, I had to have it.

“Suddenly, you had to have it”  I’ve heard that before, about a hundred times, if I’ve heard it once. That’s the elephant in you talking, no doubt. But you bought Viola banksii?  

Well, that’s because I couldn’t find any V. hederacea online but I did find V. banksii.  They were once thought to be the same plant but later it was determined that they are different and V. banksii is available, and V. hederacea isn’t, so that’s why I bought V. banskii.

Carol, it concerns me a bit, but that actually seems to make sense. What are your plans for V. banskii?

Well, I’m going to plant one of the plants in a low wide container and put it under my cloche, maybe with little feet under it to provide some air circulation.  I’m going to pot up another one to take to work.  Then the third one I think I’ll put in a small hanging basket and hang it in the sunroom. This viola spreads by sending out little plantlets, so I hope to soon have more of these plants, maybe to share with others. 


Seems like a good plan, especially the part about sharing with others. That’s always good.  I will remind you, gently, that it took you over eight years to plant your Wardian case.  I thought you would never plant it, but you proved me wrong, again. When do you plan to plant up these violas?

This weekend, Dr. Hortfreud. I’ve learned my lesson.  I promise.

Good, Carol. There is hope for you yet, I think.  Now, please see Miss Jane Hortaway on your way out to make your next appointment for Monday. I want to check on your progress on potting up of these violas.

Will do. Thank you, Dr. H.  I find our sessions very helpful.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: dr. hortfreud, houseplants, humor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gardenbug says

    November 9, 2012 at 2:03 am

    Russian fairies appear to be commenting on your Violas! They seem to have a wide variety of suggestions on reading about fantasy, homeopathy and soccer too. 🙁

    Reply
  2. Carol Michel says

    November 9, 2012 at 2:04 am

    Hi Marie, I don't see those here. I guess/hope they got removed as spam!

    Reply
  3. Michael says

    November 9, 2012 at 3:37 am

    Hellow Carol, and Dr. H of course. If only you were in Australia I would of gladly sent you some of my V. hederacea, or you could have very easily got it from elsewhere as it is a native to the area so it grows very happily in our gardens. I have it in several of my gardens and it is just wonderful. No scent though, but still very nice. I look forward to hearing about your follow-up with Dr. H on monday

    Reply
  4. Michael says

    November 9, 2012 at 3:37 am

    Hellow Carol, and Dr. H of course. If only you were in Australia I would of gladly sent you some of my V. hederacea, or you could have very easily got it from elsewhere as it is a native to the area so it grows very happily in our gardens. I have it in several of my gardens and it is just wonderful. No scent though, but still very nice. I look forward to hearing about your follow-up with Dr. H on monday

    Reply
  5. Marian S says

    November 9, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Love the leaves! Show us another photo soon.

    Marian S.

    Reply
  6. Deanne Fortnam says

    November 9, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    Ooooohhhh very nice… Ah yes the elephant stalks again but has moved to on line shopping??? LOL Am looking forward to seeing them planted in their new home.

    I'm just as afflicted. I currently have over a hundred bromeliads here in the house for the winter and I was looking at a catalog that sells vrieseas yesterday… Hopeless

    Reply
  7. commonweeder says

    November 9, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    Tovah Martin is always feeding my elephant. I am ready to shop again.

    Reply
  8. Cindy, MCOK says

    November 9, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    You do seem to benefit from these sessions with Dr Hortfreud. Your friends are glad you continue to spend time with her.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    November 13, 2012 at 7:14 am

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  10. Andrea says

    November 14, 2012 at 12:57 am

    It is always a good read when you are having discussion with Dr Hortfreud, always make my day! I only know pansies and violas from the flowers, and it is my favorite even if we cannot grow them with our climate. So the first time i saw it in Sweden, I almost stay with it in the park. I guess i need to have appointment too with Dr Hortfreud, how much does he charge per hour?

    Reply

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