Beetlemania!

We had an exciting find at the nursery yesterday, we found an adult "Eyed Click Beetle" or Alaus oculatus. It was about 2" long and liked to fly. This particular beetle has false eyes on its back, meant to frighten away predators. We thought at first that this beetle may have been the Emerald Ash Borer, an insect that is on the top of the 'Most Wanted' list in New England. But, thankfully, it was not.

The Click Beetle has the ability to flip itself over from their back to their front, sometimes going several inches into the air. It is quite an athletic beetle! The beetle arches its body, then snaps a pointed projection on the bottom of its prothorax into a small groove on the mesothorax. This movement causes a clicking sound...giving the beetle its name!!

Shopping Spree Winner!

Congratulations to Richard Stanley our $250 Shopping Spree Drawing Winner!! Richard, a resident of West Simsbury and a loyal customer for many years, is pictured here being congratulated by me. His first purchase...an extra large Rhododendron for his yard!

We want to thank all who filled out shopping spree entry blanks...better luck next year! Thanks for visiting us at the nursery over the course of the Spring and for being our customers! We appreciate your business.

Roly Pig Composter

Our friendly pink pig composter recently sold to one lucky customer!! Here you see a photo of the Roly Pig Composter and its new owner (sorry a bit blurry...in our excitement to give the piggy up for adoption, our hands were shaky!), as well as an exuberant Jessica.

As sad as we were to see piggy go, we are thrilled with the thought of the fabulous compost this people powered machine will produce for its new owner. If interested in a Roly Pig Composter of your own, check out this website: peoplepoweredmachines.com. Unfortunately, we will not be carrying anymore this season!

If you are interested in composting in general...please stop in and we can review with you how to create a compost pile or use different compost models, as we have sold many over the years! Handouts are available on composting at the nursery desk.

Iris in Full Glory

This has been a great iris year!

Driving by people's yards around town...it is evident that everyone's Iris germanica (bearded iris), Iris ensata (Japanese iris), Iris cristata (crested iris) have bloomed beautifully!

Here's a photo of an Iris pallida (variegated iris) in full bloom at the nursery...



This iris pallida (variegated iris) flower has a wonderful grape scent and striking lavender-blue coloration, while the leaves are a cream and blue-green vertically striped. Great low-maintenance, June-flowering perennial!

millions of reasons to visit our garden center

Million Bells Petunia...or Calibrachoa botanically speaking...blooms all summer and a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies.

Spring is Here!!

Spring Flowering Hydrangea, Indoor Azaleas, Lilies and other gorgeous flowering plants are here at Warners. Pansies too! We have been anxiously awaiting Spring of 2009 and now our flowering friends have joined us. Photo documentation to prove it...Come visit us soon!

Spring Ahead

Greetings! Well, it's been awhile since my last post. I've been taking the necessary break that comes with working in a Nursery in the Northeast...however, my hibernation period is over! March is upon us and going quickly. As the snow melts away and our yards reveal themselves...wheels start turning!!

Above, I share a photo from a recent trip to Costa Rica, where I did some 'research' on our friends, the tropical plants...those that we can only grow indoors here in Connecticut, or in some cases, outdoors for about 3-4 months of the year, usually in containers. Pictured in flower is an impressive Bougainvillea glabra or paperflower. Although many of you may be familiar with this plant, it is a truly wonderful to see a full grown specimen in a tropical atmosphere. Native to Brazil, this plant can grow to 15' with lots of thorny stems bearing beautiful papery flowers.

Bougainvillea can be grown here in the Northeast in pots, but they needs lots of light!!!!