Sunday, March 30, 2014

Verbascum mixed colors

Information and photo from Heritage perennials:

Verbascum phoeniceum hybrids

Showy Mullein

USDA Zone: 4-9

Relatively unknown by gardeners, the Purple Mullein is a worthwhile perennial, especially for hot sunny sites. Plants form a low, ground-hugging rosette of crinkly green leaves, bearing upright stems or spikes of flowers in a range of soft pastel colours, from white through pink to rose and purple. Stems are tall and excellent for cutting. Although not a long-lived perennial, these usually self-sow. Seedlings are easily moved while small. Most effective when planted in groups towards the middle of the border. Also interesting in tubs or mixed containers.

Further details for
Verbascum phoeniceum hybrids

Optimal Growing Conditions	Appearance and Characteristics

Sun Exposure Full Sun Soil Type Normal or Sandy or Clay Soil pH Neutral or Alkaline or Acid Soil Moisture Average or Dry Care Level Easy	Flower Colour Deep Pink Light Pink Mauve/Lilac Mixed Purple White Blooming Time Early Summer Mid Summer Late Spring Foliage Color Deep Green Plant Uses & Characteristics Accent: Good Texture/Form Attracts Butterflies Border Containers Cut Flower Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Rabbit Resistant Massed Flower Head Size Very Large Height 60-120 cm 23-47 inches Spread 30-45 cm 12-18 inches Foot Traffic None Growth Rate Fast

Sunday, March 23, 2014

2014 Perennial Plant List

The Pearl Yarrow
Potted perennials:

Aster 'Alert' Red New York Aster
Amsonia taberamontana - Blue Star great for early butterflies
Alstroemeria 'Inca Ice'- soft pink
Armeria Giant Flowering Mix
Astilbe 'Milk and Honey'
Baptisia 'Carolina Moonlight'
Chrysanthemum 'Bolero' (yellow) - hardy garden Mum, 'Venus' (single pink)
Coreopsis 'Cosmic Eye'
Carolina Jasmine new extra hardy strain
Delphinium 'Aurora Light Blue', 'Magic Fountains Lavender with white Bee', 'Oriental Sky Blue'
Dicentra 'Luxuriant' - everblooming red - shade-woodland native
Echinacea 'Solar Flare- bright
Echinops 'Blue Glow' & 'White Glow'
Eryngium 'Big Blue'
Leucanthemum = Shasta Daisy Dwarf 'Snowcap' and 'Becky' (tall), 'Banana Cream'
Daylily 'Country Melody', 'Crimson Shadows', 'Emperor's Butterfly', 'Plum Perfect', 'Muffin's Dream', 'Nile Crane', 'Star Dream'
Geranium 'Heidi' Blue sprawling ground cover- extra large
Gypsophila cerastoides - ground cover
Helianthus x 'Lemon Queen' - perennial sunflower clear yellow
Helianthus 'Ballerina' perennial sunflower
Hypericum Jacqueline - red berries available mid-summer- extra large pots
Hellebore mixed colors - small sizes
Kniphofia Echo Mango reblooming yellow shades
Pineapple Mint
Lilac 'Redwine'
Linaria 'Cannon Went' & 'Springside White'
Tall Garden Phlox Pink and 'David'- white- native
Rosemary 'Arp'
Physalis - Chinese Lantern
Panicum 'Heavy Metal' -native
Penstemon 'Red Riding Hood'
Lavender 'Grosso', 'Hidcote', 'Ellagance Purple', 'Essence Purple', 'Blue Cushion'
Polygonatum - Giant Solomons Seal
Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum', & 'Henry Eilers', 'Autumn Leaves' (treat as an annual)
Japanese Painted Fern
P.G. Hydrangea, Hydrangea 'Pink Diamond', - white, OakLeaf 'Snow Queen'
Mock Orange
Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' and 'Purple Rooster'
Oregano Italian Heirloom
Clethra 'Vanilla Spice' & Clethra 'Hummingbird'
Symphoricarpos 'Amethyst'--Pink Snowberry and White Snowberry
Salvia 'Caradonna'
Sedum 'Angelina'
Succulents
Thalictrum dalavayi lilac-rose and white
Ilex verticillata Red Winterberry Holly, female and males- 'Berry Nice' and Southern Gentlemen, 'Jim Dandy'
Veronica 'Sightseeing Mix'
Verbascum 'Violetta'
Viburnum opulus -Snowball Viburnum limited fall sales
Viola 'Cuty'
Yarrow 'Strawberry Seduction' deep red, long bloom period
Yarrow 'Saucy Seduction' - bright pink and Sunny Seduction reblooming yellow
Yarrow 'Terra Cotta' unique color
Yarrow 'The Pearl' - white

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Blue Bird Boxes

An excellent detailed article of how to build Bluebird boxes. I will add only one suggestion. They love dogwood berries. So plant some dogwoods just for them.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1093/

With a dwindling natural habitat, the Eastern Bluebird often struggles to find acceptable nesting cavities. A specially designed and strategically placed nestbox can help in their survival. All you need to know are a few basics.

Every bird lover must feel like they are in heaven when they spy a pair of Eastern Bluebirds on or near their property. For those who live in Eastern Bluebird breeding areas, seeing that flash of blue generally is followed by a gasp of delight at the thought of hosting a bluebird pair.

As a participant in the Bird Watching Forum on Dave’s Garden, I quickly learned that THE website for Eastern Bluebird information is Sialis (Sialia sialis is the scientific name for the Eastern Bluebird). If it’s bluebird information you’re looking for, there’s not much you can’t find on this site, including links to other bluebird sites. Also through the forum, I discovered someone I like to call “Mr. Bluebird,” or 2dCousinDave. Dave is an avid bluebirder who gives forum participants daily reports accompanied with stunning photos of his nesting bluebirds. Much of what I have learned about Eastern Bluebirds comes from Dave or one of the other participants who host bluebirds.

As Dave will tell you, hosting a bluebird family is more than putting up a house. It is a serious decision, one that requires a good deal of thought. Because bluebirds face great competition for dwindling nest sites, providing a well-designed and regularly monitored box is extremely important. I strongly recommend spending some time getting to know the Sialis site in order to determine your “bluebird readiness.” If hosting IS for you, your first decision involves a nest box.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Seasonal Help Wanted

Farm Employee for a wide array of tasks, for a diversity of work projects each day- from seeding to planting to weeding to harvest to processing to selling to general farm maintenance. Each employee will have a concentration on a certain aspects of the farm, but most often will be working as a team on general farm projects.

Qualifications: Interested applicants should be enthusiastic about local organic agriculture, ideally have a minimum of one complete growing season of farming experience, be energetic, be able to work outdoors in any weather conditions, be self-motivated and work well with a crew, have excellent quality control while working quickly and efficiently. Knowledge and experience with cut flower production a plus. Must be trustworthy, reliable and responsible, a good attitude, must be able to work a minimum of 20 hours a week including either Sat. or Sun. and be able to commit to the entire season through the end of Oct. This job includes lots of bending, stooping and lifting. Employees must be physically fit and have no back or knee problems. Pay starts at $8 per hour for all new Farm Worker positions. 30-40 hours/week may be available to the right person. We are also looking for a part-time 'Creative floral volunteer'.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Perennial Plants-Shady Grove Gardens

These are divisions dug from our garden.

They will be available for shipment or pickup- until late April. See link above for more complete list and pricing. All 3.00 each plus shipping USPS at our cost. Please call with a Credit Card.

828-297-4098