Dear Helen: A rounded, hairy brown mass had developed on a stem of one of my rose bushes. What could this be?
D.S.
These hairy balls, called 鈥淩obin鈥檚 Pincushion鈥� in England, are caused by the rose gall wasp, a small wasp that injects a substance that causes the rose tissue to swell and form the unusual growth. Once the gall has formed, the wasp lays eggs inside it.
The galls appear in June and July, starting out pale green or red and turning brown as they age. The outer, moss-like filaments surround a cluster of hard cells that harbour tiny grubs over the winter. The larvae do not mature and emerge from the galls until spring. Species roses are most commonly affected.
Rose gall wasps do little harm, and some people find their handiwork to be fascinating curiosities in the garden. Those who see the galls as visually offensive will choose to cut off gall-bearing stems. Bear in mind, though, that these wasps also play roles as pollinators and as predators on insect pests.
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Dear Helen: I dimly recall that you may have written about this before, but would you please remind me how you toast or roast the seeds from your pumpkins? I believe there is something unusual about your method.
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Dear Helen: I very much want to plant an oakleaf hydrangea in my garden, but my local nurseries tell me that I need to听specify a more exact name. Apparently there is more than one type. I love the fall colouring of this shrub.
W.S.
The species oakleaf hydrangea is Hydrangea quercifolia. The plant I have is this one, but there are named varieties that you can see on the website of the wholesale grower Monrovia (monrovia.com).
鈥楻uby鈥� has white flower clusters that turn rosy-red in late summer. 鈥楾ardiva鈥� has lacy white flowers that become tinted in pale pink. 鈥楶ee Wee,鈥� just 120 cm tall, has white flowers fading to pink. 鈥楽now Queen鈥� has upright clusters of white flowers that turn pink in the fall. 鈥楽nowflake鈥� has white lacecap type flowers. 鈥榁aughn鈥檚 Lillie鈥� bears large, broad white flower heads that smother the 120-cm high shrubs.
I agree that the fall leaf colouring is a delight. I鈥檓 quite happy with the species. Perhaps the nurseries where you inquired carry several different named varieties only and not the species. That means making a听choice. Select one that pleases your esthetic sense and that also fits well into the space you have for it.
D.H.
To create a crunchy and delicious snack food from raw pumpkin seeds, I simply separate the seeds from the fibres holding them in place and put them on a broad pie plate or baking sheet. I听don鈥檛 butter or oil the pan, and I听don鈥檛 toss or drizzle the seeds with oil. Instead, I dust them with freshly grated salt and bake at 250 to 300 F for around 20 minutes. Then I loosen them and mix them up a bit, and taste-test as they continue roasting until they have the desired crunchiness and full, nutty flavour.
I should qualify the salt dusting bit. For several years now I have used on almost all my food a blend of sea salt and kelp that comes in its own grinder. I discovered it in a local health food store.
The producers are Gathering Place Trading Company on Cortes Island. Their seasonings and teas are available fairly widely in the Greater Victoria area and throughout the Island. The Lifestyles Market stores on Douglas and in the Cook Street Village are just two of many sources. For听a store close to you go to gatheringplacetrading.com.
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GARDEN EVENTS
Floral fantasy show. The Victoria Floral Artists Guild is hosting the 2016听Floral Fantasy Show, a bi-annual event, on Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Rd. The听show will feature floral designs and demonstrations, and a boutique with floral suplies. New this year will be sales of floral designs. Admission $8. A听tea room will offer tea or coffee and听plate of treats for $5.
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Wreath making and holiday containers. Russell Nursery, 1370 Wain Rd. in North Saanich, is听offering Christmas wreath making classes on nine different days beginning Nov. 26, and classes on making holiday containers and table arrangements on听Dec. 14 and 17. For a full schedule and registration information visit russellnursery.com.
