"Must've Been the Roses!!"

Well, after a long hiatus, back to bloggin'!!!! On a recent hot summer eve, I decided to take a run into Elizabeth Park located on the Hartford/West Hartford line. The roses are in full bloom and looking gorgeous as usual. Sneaking in a visit between the afternoon thunderstorms last week was a utter bliss!!

Think Spring!!

Boy this 'mild' winter weather is giving us Spring Fever!! Come to the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show February 23-February 26 and get psyched for Spring too. There will be lots of new products to see, new plants to learn about and the yummy smell of soil will be in the air!

We hope 2012 is a wonderful gardening season for all and we look forward to seeing everyone in late March, when we re-open for the season!!

http://www.ctflowershow.com/pages/tickets.asp

Summersweet in all its native glory!

Clethra alnifolia, or Summersweet, as it is commonly referred to, thrives in wet soil and as a result, does extremely well along river banks and lakes or ponds. Pictured here is a bank of Clethra in full bloom taken from my kayak in Mansfield Hollow State Park. It's sweetly scented white flower spikes cover the plant in July to August. These native shrubs provide a wonderful nectar source for butterflies and bees. The dense and spreading form of Clethra, in addition to being visually appealing, provides great shelter for many birds. Tolerance of shade as well as a bright yellow Fall foliage show complete the package of a wonderful and hardy native plant.

Hardy Hibiscus...Hooray!!

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Chablis' is pictured here. Also known as perennial Hibiscus or hardy Hibiscus, not to be confused with tropical Hibiscus, this plant is a real winner! It thrives in full sun and fertile, but well-drained garden soil.

Hibiscus have some of the most amazing and huge flower heads out there in the perennial garden. Disc-shaped and generally 5-petaled with oftentimes a second layer of petals, Hibiscus blooms attract the attention of many a bee or butterfly passing by, as well as curious customers!

Chablis is a bright white with a hint of pink in the center and about 10-12" across. The plant itself is very full and compact, achieving 36" in height and about 24" in width. Most definitely, Hibiscus is a very impressive center showpiece or backdrop for any sunny perennial garden. It is hard to believe they reach this size in one growing season, if cut back in Fall!

Hibiscus come in a multitude of colors and varieties with different foliage, some dark red or 'black' and some green, some palmate and some more rounded in nature. We sold out of Hibiscus but have since re-stocked! Fresh plants arrived this afternoon and are looking amazing!!

Wow! Now That's a Big Daddy...Hydrangea!

We've got some amazing looking Hydrangea here in our nursery yard. Looking particularly healthy are our 'Big Daddy' Hydrangea, or Hydrangea macrophylla 'Big Daddy'.

'Big Daddy' has most likely gotten its name from the colossal flower heads which are a magnificent clear blue color. Often the size of a human head, 'Big Daddy' is a big leaf, or macrophylla-type hydrangea which blooms on sturdy stems from early summer through Fall. The leaves are thick and glossy and disease-free. The flower heads themselves are great for cutting and using in fresh or dried arrangements.

As is the case with most hydrangea, a part sun exposure is ideal as well as an acidic, well-drained soil. Feed in Spring with an Aluminum Sulfate or similar plant food to encourage blooms.

Fort Tryon Park, New York

After visiting Fort Tryon Park in New York this past weekend, I am newly inspired to spend time in the garden. Fort Tryon is a lovely spot to spend a day or even just a half-day. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., the son of the renowned architect of Central Park, it was a gift to the city of New York circa 1917 by John D. Rockefeller.

The park houses a gorgeous 'Heather Garden', which includes much more than just Heathers. A fine textural mix of perennials, shrubs and some annuals make a nice summer display. Photos are attached of this lovely garden space.

The Cloisters, perched high above the northern part of the park is a large medieval-style building. It is constructed from the stone of 5 European monasteries and houses close to 5,000 medieval works of art. The Cloisters is considered to be a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and with its own herb garden and courtyard garden, provides a wonderful spot to spend time relaxing.

The Park grounds including its winding paths and open green spaces, provided for picnicking, sunbathing and hanging out, can be accessed for free. The view of the Hudson River from the Park is unbeatable, with ample bench space and many great viewpoints. Entry into the Cloisters building is a suggested donation of $20 for non-Met members, but any amount is accepted. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful place!

Snowfountain Weeping Cherry

Pictured here is one of the trademark plants located here on our property along the river. It is a 30-35 year old weeping cherry tree, a Snowfountain Cherry or Prunus x 'Snofozam'. I have admired this tree with many customers and staff members alike. It stands strongly out by the roadside, where it receives ample doses of snow and ice, as well as salt and sand tossed out by town snowplow trucks, throughout the winter months.

This amazing tree has about a 5" caliper trunk and a nice tight habit. It maxed out at about 10' tall and about 6-7' wide. It's large umbrella shape is amazing. With beautiful horizontal striations on the bark and showers of white blooms all the way down the branches, it is a traffic stopper!!

We have the tree underplanted with tulips and various perennials. To me, a weeping cherry is a specimen tree which looks great in Japanese style gardens, as a focal point of a planting bed, or even on the corner of a house. It conveys a sense of safety and harmony due to its umbrella shape and embracing branches. I have actually crawled underneath and sat under its branches at the end of a long day, if only just for a moment.

We have younger specimens of Snowfountain Cherries for sale here at the nursery. In general, Ornamental Cherries need full sun and well-drained soil. Watch for Japanese Beetle damage into June. We carry products to prevent this damage or serve as a curative if needed.

Don't forget to prune suckers off the trunk and give your 'Snowfountain' Cherry a haircut every few years, when branches reach the ground!