About Plants

More Thrilling Than Spikes!

Posted on May 31, 2019 | by KK

More Thrilling than Spikes! An update to our May 2019 Newsletter, which featured alternatives to spike plants Cordylines: Here I’m talking about Cordyline fruticosa, commonly known as “Ti” plant, not Cordyline australis, which still looks like a spike (but at least is being bred now in pinks and yellows). Ti plant boasts large, wide, pointed glossy leaves, often striped, in shades and mixtures of pink, burgundy, purple to almost black, orange, peach, yellow, cream and/or green. They can eventually grow to 10 feet, but 3-4 feet is more likely in a season for a containerized plant. For smaller containers, start with a plant in a 6 inch pot. They do not branch, so stems will grow straight up.

Fun Plants for Summer Hayracks and Baskets Part 2

Posted on Apr 30, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

More Ideas for Fun Hayrack/Basket Plantings: Crystal Apple Cucumber Mexican Sour Gherkin Dichondra "Silver Falls" Dorotheanthus "Mezoo" Splianthes

Unique Plants for Summer Containers

Posted on Apr 23, 2019 | by Kerry Kelley

Depending on your location, you may be just arranging some cool weather annuals in your spring containers, or you may be already looking toward changing those out for a permanent summer planting. Either way, once you know you're frost free it will be time to trot off to the nursery and decide what will fill your racks and baskets this year. We'd like to suggest something different for those of you bored with the same old, same old. So if you're feeling just a little adventurous, read on!

Holiday Gift Plants - Hooray or Oh, No!

Posted on Dec 08, 2017 | by Kerry K

Oh, boy. Someone just brought you something in a shiny foil wrapper with a big bow. It's so very pretty......now. Well, you'll just look at the directions.........which it doesn't have. What now? Never fear. Many holiday plants aren't really meant to stay alive for long, anyway. Some are surprisingly easy to care for. And then there are a few that are simple to care for and can grace your home with cheerful holiday blooms year after year. Here's my list from best to worst, based on flower power, ease of care, and potential longevity.

Putting the Garden to Bed - isn't that Mother's Nature's job?

Posted on Nov 08, 2017 | by Kerry K

The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping. Inside our cozy homes, we bring out the blankets and switch on the heat, secure that we can survive the winter in safety and comfort.

Choosing Plants for your Garden Arch

Posted on Sep 02, 2017 | by Kerry K

I've heard of growing fruit trees in the home garden in columnar form or as an espalier, but never heard of a fruit tree arch. Simply put, it's an arch designed to support fruit trees, one planted on either side, until they meet at the top. How cool is that?

Spring has sprung...

Posted on Apr 01, 2017 | by Kerry K

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz........but wait, it's only February where I is!! Capricious Mother Nature is at it again, tempting us with a taste of spring, whetting our gardening appetites, then frustratingly serving up another blast of bland, tasteless winter weather. What's a gardener to do?

The Hearty Hosta

Posted on Jan 07, 2017 | by Trish Lilek

Just because it is winter doesn’t mean we can’t start planning our beautiful spring garden. In fact, it is the time of year many of you will start designing your gardens and perusing plant catalogs looking for the perfect plant to fit your design. A tried and true perennial for most any garden is the Hosta, known for its beautiful foliage.

Ornamental Kale - a jewel for the winter garden

Posted on Sep 01, 2016 | by S Mason

If your cold-weather garden is dreary, consider adding ornamental cabbages for a showy pop of red, purple, pink and white. When done in groupings, these lovely plants make a striking display, and while the cabbages don’t actually flower, the multiple layers of ruffled leaves stand in terrifically. They do best in cool weather so in most places they belong in the fall garden though they can be planted in spring in cooler climates. Cooler weather promotes greater leaf color so if you’ve planted in spring they may need afternoon shade in warmer climates.

Winter Garden Interest - Ornamental Dogwoods

Posted on Jul 15, 2016 | by S Mason

If you’re looking for a plant to provide interest in winter when most everything has gone dormant, look no further than ornamental dogwoods. These dogwoods are not trees but rather shrubs whose winter twigs provide incredible color – usually red or yellow.

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Archive

More Thrilling Than Spikes!

Fun Plants for Summer Hayracks and Baskets Part 2

Unique Plants for Summer Containers

Holiday Gift Plants - Hooray or Oh, No!

Putting the Garden to Bed - isn't that Mother's Nature's job?

Choosing Plants for your Garden Arch

Spring has sprung...

The Hearty Hosta

Ornamental Kale - a jewel for the winter garden

Winter Garden Interest - Ornamental Dogwoods

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