I am always on the lookout for plants and flowers that add an element of ‘fun’ to my landscape and containers. I think that FOREST™ Pink Gomphrena is just what I needed.
Outside activity picks up in March as the garden awakens from its long winter nap. Spring bulbs are beginning to bloom – snowdrops, crocus, chionodoxa, and others – and leaf buds are swelling and beginning to open on shrubs and trees.
If there is one Clematis vine that you have to try this year, it is ‘Sweet Summer Love’. The excitement for this vine has been building for the last 2 years, with limited supply last summer only a few were able to add this to their collection. Wait no longer, the supply is here and waiting to find a home in your garden!
Are you struggling with finding the perfect shrub that will give you spring flower color yet have interesting foliage for the rest of the season? Let me familiarize you with the Deutzia family of shrubs.
February is an exciting month! Before it’s finished, you may begin seeing the earliest signs of spring. For sure, winter still has some tricks up its sleeve, but Mother Nature reminds us not to give up hope and spring will be here soon.
Finding the perfect plant for all sun and shade areas can be tricky, but new for 2014 Surefire™ Red Begonia is the plant for all areas. Begonias are well suited for both landscape plantings and container designs.
It is a sure bet that Surefire™ Red Begonia will work in almost any planting application that you desire for it. I was fortunate enough to receive from Proven Winners®, a plant to trial in my garden. I must say that Surefire™ Red, planted directly in the landscape was just as amazing as planted in a container combination. One plant in the landscape, in full sun, stood approximately 18 inches tall and wide and put on a show from June, when it was planted, until late in the fall when the frost finally got it. A nonstop bloomer, a must have!
There is so much time and thought that goes into naming plants, but when the name is revealed it is so neat how perfect it fits. New for 2014, Clematis ‘Diamond Ball’, this jewel is going to shine in your landscape.
No matter where you are, no matter what your climate, January presents some unique opportunities for gardening. In the north, gardens are sleeping and likely doing it under a blanket of snow, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for warmer days. And in southern climates, even if you can actively garden year round, January has its own planning opportunities.
Are you planning a getaway to West Michigan and need a suggestion on where to stay? This Fall Rod & I stayed at a quaint Bed and Breakfast, nestled out in the country in Allegan, Michigan. This beautiful Bed and Breakfast is called Castle in the Country.
When we arrived we were warmly greeted by Ruth, the B&B owner. She went over all that is available at The Caste in The Country along with informing us that there were a few rooms open and if we would like to take a look at them we could choose which we liked best. Our initial thought was to stay in the castle, the room we had initially selected was beautiful. Then we went over to the Castle Keep to check out a few more rooms. The room we decided on was the Sir Lancelot Suite located in the Castle Keep. Our initial room in the castle was amazing, but what drew us to the Sir Lancelot Suite was the amazing view. The suite had several windows that overlooked a very large pond that had wildlife around it. Some of the amenities that our suited included were: a large two person hot tub, a gas log fire place that could be viewed for multiple sides, a large shower that included multiple shower heads, and a very comfortable king size bed with high quality sheets and bedding.
Lo& Behold® Buddleia ‘Blue Chip’ has been a top seller for the past 5 years and now it just got ‘better’. Why better you ask? We have loved the fact that ‘Blue Chip’ was a compact, sterile Butterfly Bush, and the only thing that could make it better is to be even more compact.
Are you looking to add a ‘punch’ of color to your landscapes or annual combination planter? Let me introduce to you Superbells® Pomegranate Punch. In general, a red petunia or calibrachoa really doesn’t do much for me, that was until I was able to trial Superbells® Pomegranate Punch.
Warning…This post may make your mouth water and leave you feeling hungry. That being said, let me introduce you to the Decadence™ series of Baptisia brought to us from the Proven Winners® Perennial line. As of Winter 2013, there are four ‘flavors’ / varieties in the Decadence™ series, they are: DECADENCE™ Baptisia ‘Cherries Jubilee’, DECADENCE™ Baptisia ‘Blueberry Sundae’, DECADENCE™ Baptisia ‘Dark Chocolate’, & DECADENCE™ Baptisia ‘Lemon Meringue’.