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grEen News
from Smithfield Gardens
May 2010
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Dear Friends,
We want to let you know that we have survived the frantic month of April and are glad that May is here so we can resume some semblance of normalcy. April was full of afternoons huddled around the computer or television trying to see how warm it would be that night, trying to determine what could stay out and what needed protecting. We also had fleets of trucks arriving and bringing us new plants and merchandise, all of which had to be tagged and put in stock. It is all such a balance trying to get everything done, so you can see why we look forward to helping customers such as yourself - it's always a pleasant change from the work needing to get done.
One sign of a return to calmer times is the resumption of our free classes. We have a lot this month, so please check out our schedule below for more information. As in past years we are having a special event for kids on Saturday the 8th, which is the day before Mother's Day. The young ones can come to our potting bench where our staff will help them create a living gift for Mom, and this year there will be no charge. Speaking of Mother's Day, we will have lots of great gifts for her, from potted roses, hanging baskets, colorful ceramics, pots of vegetables ready for the garden and of course gift certificates.
The day after Mother's Day we start handing out our Flower Power Money. If you are not familiar with how this works: for every $10 you spend in our store, you can earn $1 of Flower Power Money. This can then be redeemed just like cash (but without change) on the day of our Flower Festival which is Saturday, June 19th. So make sure you come in on the 10th to start earning your Flower Power Money, and mark your calendar for June 19th as well.
Finally, we would like to mention that you may have noticed lots of so-called garden marketplaces popping up around the area like mushrooms after spring rain. We just want to remind you that we have been committed to this community for over 35 years, striving to offer you quality plants and merchandise at fair prices, along with professional service and knowledgeable advice. We hope that if you ever feel otherwise or have a suggestion on how we can improve that you will please let us know; we appreciate your comments. Smithfield Gardens is open 12 months of the year to assist you, even after other business's "gardening season" is over and temporary marketplaces have been stored away.
Your Friends at Smithfield Gardens
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Upcoming Events and Classes
at Smithfield Gardens
Basic Perennial Gardening for Beginners
Saturday, May 1st, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
If you would like colorful flowers in your garden, but don't want to re-plant every year, this class is for you. JoEllen Gienger will walk you through the steps to establishing a perennial garden - it's easier than you think.
Shade Gardening Basics
Sunday, May 2nd, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
If you thought that shade was an obstacle to gardening, come let Ann Weber help you turn a problem into an opportunity.
Lawn Alternatives
Saturday, May 8th, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Do you feel like you are a slave to your lawn, always mowing, constantly watering, spending precious money on fertilizer? Margie Cooper has some other choices, from groundcovers to clover.
Make a Flowering Gift for Mom
Saturday, May 8th
Bring your child to our potting bench anytime this day and our staff will help them make a surprise for mom while you shop.
Selecting and Growing Japanese Maples
Saturday, May 8th, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Come let Les Parks tell you about these treasures from the orient and what you need to know in order to succeed with them.
Container Gardening
Saturday, May 15th, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Gardening using colorful containers is something anyone can do, whether you have a small apartment balcony or a large deck. JoEllen Gienger and Margie Cooper will be teaching this class.
Butterfly Gardening
Sunday, May 16th, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
To attract and keep butterflies in your garden you need host and nectar plants. Let Ann Weber tell you which annuals, perennials and shrubs are butterfly favorites.
Paving Stone Pathways
Saturday, May 22nd, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
This demonstration is part of our continuing series and is taught by Hank Thornberg of Lancaster Farms.
Saturday, May 29th, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
If you are new to the area and would like to learn what challenges gardeners face here, as well as what the ample rewards are, this class is for you. JoEllen Gienger can help new gardeners and new to Tidewater gardeners down the path to success.
Would you like to save 10% on your purchases at Smithfield Gardens? Monday is Military Discount Day and active duty military, Coast Guard, police, fire and rescue all are entitled to a discount. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Senior Days. Also, anyone who attends one of our free classes is entitled to a discount on the day of the class. All of our discounts apply to any item not already on sale and can not be used towards landscaping services or bulk materials.
Other Events:
Thursday May 6th and Tuesday May llth, 10:00 a.m.
Virginia Beach Master Gardener Orientation Sessions
Call 385-4769 for more details.
Saturday May 8th, 11:00 a.m.
Herb Tour of Fort Boykin
Identify plants native to Virginia. Meet at the Boykins Tavern, Isle of Wight Court House. For more information call 357-0115.
Thursday, May 20th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The John Clayton chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society will be hosting a lecture by Deborah Waller on Insects and Native Plants. It is free and open to the public and will be held at the Yorktown Public Library on Rte. 17. For more information visit their web site here. Sunday May 31st, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Eastern Shore Habitat for Humanity Small Garden Tour
This year's tour will be in Accomac and 8 sites will be open. Enjoy a day of gardens while supporting a great cause. For more information visit here. |
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A Sampler of Showy Variegated Perennials
If you read this section regularly, you may already know that I love lime and purple plants. I also am fond of several variegated perennials, and this month I'm sharing a few photos of some plants we have in our sales area and display gardens. Variegated plants offer interest to your garden even when they are not blooming, so they provide the perfect foil for contrasting annuals and perennials. The variegation colors may be green with white, cream or gold---it all depends on your preference.
 The brightly variegated golden sage (Salvia officinalis 'Icterina') could certainly be a stand-out in your herb garden, but did you ever think of planting it in a perennial bed? This sun-loving salvia is evergreen, and it can be used in your kitchen the same way you use the regular green sage. Be sure to plant this herb in a well-drained location, and your site should have good drainage during the wet winter months as well. I would pair this variegated sage with something tough and purple, such as Purple Heart (Setcresea pallida),Verbena 'Homestead Purple' or Angelonia 'Angelface Blue'. My coworkers liked golden oregano and Sedum 'Angelina', or annuals like dark purple petunias or Verbena 'Taylortown Red'.
 Variegated Princess Feather is the picturesque name for Fallopia japonica 'Variegata'. This shrub-like perennial is always popular in our display garden in the late spring/early summer, and that's even before it blooms! The new growth is coral colored and as it matures it turns this speckled lovely cream and green combination. The August flowers are white panicles. Princess Feather likes full sun or partial shade, and I know of one couple who have had it in a large blue pot for years. A stunning specimen plant that your neighbors won't have!
 Solomon's Seal is the unusual common name for Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'. This is a choice slow-growing perennial for a shaded garden, and it's a wonderful companion for hostas (variegated ones are an interesting choice), hellebores, and heucheras. A dark-leaved coral bell like 'Mocha' or 'Obsidian' would be wonderful. Our nursery manager grows Solomon's Seal under sizeable camellias so root competition is not a problem with this plant. Small white bell-shaped flowers dangle on the underside of the stems in late spring, and a pleasant gold fall foliage color makes this perennial worth a look. This one can also be grown under black walnut trees where most other plants will not.
 On a final note, Iris pallida 'Albo-variegata' (also called 'Zebra') and Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra' offer some variegated selections for the stripe loving gardener. These two sun-loving perennials also supply an upright element in a plant grouping. Both are happy in full sun locations and are listed as deer resistant by our growers. The iris is attractive even without a flower but you'll enjoy a fragrant lavender bloom in late spring. There are more variegated perennials in our sales area and in the display gardens. Bring your camera and a notepad on your next visit, and plan to fill a spot in your garden an eye-catching accent plant. Don't forget to check out some variegated shrubs,too!
Ann Weber |
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What's New in the Rose Garden
Every year about this time we get in the bulk of our roses, usually timed so we can have the best supply for Mother's Day weekend. So I thought I would introduce you to some of the new roses for 2010, however I will also mention some, that while not brand new, are fairly recent and that we think have great garden potential.
 Usually there are several All-America Rose Selection winners, but this year there was only one and it is a floribunda called Easy Does It ™. This rose was developed by the famous Harkness family of rose breeders in England. The color is a blend of mango, peach and apricot, and it has a moderately fruity fragrance. Perhaps the best news for gardeners in the south is that it is extremely disease resistant.
 The Jackson and Perkins Company has introduced a hybrid tea by the name of Sedona as their 2010 Rose of the Year®. This strongly scented upright grower has  blooms that are a rich coral blend, and it looks as if it will be an excellent cut flower as well. They also introduced a new floribunda this year called Sweet Intoxication. The blooms are a deep magenta with a lighter lavender on the reverse of the petal. This is also another rose with a strong fragrance - I am glad to see that rose breeders are once again addressing aroma.
 Last year we began selling the new Drift® Series of roses. These are a cross between miniature and groundcover roses. They are exceptionally hardy, disease resistant, bloom all season and require little maintenance. We carry them in 4 colors: peach, coral, pink and red. The ultimate height is 18" tall by 2-3' wide. We sold out early in 2009, so I made sure to get more in this year.
 One rose that people were asking for last spring was the White Out™, which is the white version of the famous Knockout® rose. Just like the other members of this family, White Out™ is vigorous, long blooming and disease and insect resistant. This is only one of several colors that the Knockouts come in, and if you swore off growing roses because of their reputation for high maintenance, Knockouts will change your mind.
This is only a small taste of what we have in this season, and right now we are well stocked. However, as buds open to fragrant, colorful blossoms - selection will diminish so shop early. When you are here make sure you get one of our rose care pamphlets to take home.
Les Parks
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Gladiolus: Not Just for Funerals Anymore
Some of the most beautiful bulbs that can be planted this time of year are Gladiolus. However, when people see them some might automatically think of funerals. Not a great sentiment for such a stately and wonderful flower.
Gladiolus come in many shades and forms allowing a multitude of uses in your cutting garden. Nothing adds to summer cut flower arrangements like gladiolus. Their spiked and multi-flowered form gives color and substance to the garden and vase.
 These bulbs are actually corms and do not, like bulbs, have a complete flower on the inside. This makes it very important to grow them in the correct conditions so they will develop properly.
Place them in your garden in a sunny  well drained area. I like putting them in pots or the back area of a garden plot, that way they are always a focal point. Stake them early so they don't flop over. No need to plant them deep only about 5 inches of depth is required. Stagger planting times to two week intervals, that way they will provide blooms all summer. With regular watering and good feeding they will come up in no time.
 I would dig them up in the fall and remove the smaller corms from the parent corms and replant. This will give you a better showing the following year. Hopefully you will give these flowers a try this year. They will certainly pay you back with beauty all season!
Margie Cooper |
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