February Plant of the Month
Bergenia
I am already breaking the 2014 rule as this very hardy shade perennial calls for regular water but they will endure neglect, poor soil and even some drought. Since they are a shade plant and flower early they will require just enough water to keep them alive through the summer. They have thick glossy leaves that lend a bold look to the garden. They grow about a foot tall on thick roots. They are great with ferns and hostas under larger shade shrubs. They bloom in late winter and spring in shades of pink in nodding clusters
We will be offering Bergenia cordifolia, Heartleaf Bergenia, in one gallons at 20% of the regular price.
We should be stocking up on them next week. We do have a limited number of hybrids in stock now.
Specials
- 20% OFF Plant of the Month – Heartleaf Bergenia, in one gallons
- Subscriber Feb 2014 Coupon – 20% OFF any and all bare-root roses, berries, trees and more
Bare Root
- Most trees are in and more to come
Please view our 2014 tree list here
Roses
- Roses coming the first week in February
Please view our 2014 rose list here
Gardening 2014
This year marks our tenth year in business. We have had dry springs, wet springs, cold weather, hot weather, snow, wind but never anything like this. The creek has not run once all winter. Dry winters mean cold damage to our plants but again the worst cold came only a few weeks after a warm November. A lot of leaves were left hanging on trees around here and the same with a lot of the oak trees in the county. Our plants did not have time to acclimate. This has been the pattern for the past 3 years but this early cold snap was specially brutal.
So it looks like we are in a drought. Believe it or not I am still hoping for a reasonably wet spring but I am not holding my breath. Here are a few of the things I am kicking around in my head as far as lack of water mitigation.
- Plant early so things get established before the heat sets in
- Plant natives and other ‘Mediterranean’ climate appropriate plants (no rhodies or hydrangeas)
- Cut down on the number of water thirsty plants in your yard including the lawn
- Make sure the irrigation is programed correctly and has no leaks
- 3 inch layer of mulch
- ‘Soil Moist’ or other water holding soil additives
- Using anti-transpirant spray on a regular basis-‘Cloud Cover’ and ‘Wilt-Stop’
- Plant trees and use shade cloth
- Capture as much of your household water as you can to water pots, etc.
If things continue as they are you will no doubt be hearing reports on how the nursery and our well are fairing. I will most likely not stock as much this year although the rose, berries and tree orders were placed months ago and I will have plenty. I most likely will only get some things if I have a special order for it.
We are starting to stock up for spring. The 2014 seeds just arrived in time for those of you who want to grow your tomatoes and the like from seed. We have a few new varieties of things-a baby bean, a baby butternut squash, a new melon, dutch kale, cauliflower seeds, Spencer sweet peas, a zinnia mix, lavender, thyme and oregano seeds and more. The Regal Gift order is in with new garden creatures and more metal flowers and spinners. We are in the process of unpacking plastic pots, decorative glass stones (new product) and frost protection tents (new product). We are trying out a lightweight Red Dragon weed burner and seeing if the demand is there. So many asked for a poison for moles and gophers that we broke down and are stocking some. We are expecting some fine statuary later along with wood planter boxes and a nice heavy duty wood trellis we were intrigued by at the fall show. New bamboo chimes are already here along with some crazy shelf sitters and metal chickens and owls. I am sure there is more but you get the idea.
I am sure the plant breeders have been busy coming up withsome new colors in some of our old standbys and we will be keeping our eye out for them. Right now for color we have great primulas, primrose, cyclamen, pansies, violas and a few early perennials like Pulmonaria, Speedwell, Quince and Shoe-button Spirea. We have a good selection of vegetable starts like lettuce, cilantro, kale and the like that you can plant now and will take the cold. Now is the time to start sweet peas from seed and we have a new cover crop seed can from Renee’s if you want to replenish your garden beds the ‘green’ way.
Think rain,
Tanya