Even though peonies are at their peak of interest in the spring, by far the best time to plant them is in early fall - September and October - just about the time they go dormant. A peony planted in the early fall will have the opportunity to put out a good number of feeder roots before the following spring.

Now is a great time to buy potted peonies, and we have a selection of herbaceous, tree and intersectional peonies on sale. All herbaceous peonies are 50% off, and all tree and intersectional peonies are 30% off.

All peonies like rich, well-drained, and deep soil - although they are tough and adaptable plants that can survive almost anywhere. Peonies can survive for decades and don't particularly like being moved once they're established. Do the upfront work before you plant by making sure the soil is well-drained, and has been worked thoroughly with well-rotted manure or compost to a depth of 12 inches. Tree peonies can take some shade, and all peonies like a little light shade in the afternoon, to extend the life of spring flowers.

Our designated trough-making season starts soon and we thought it might be fun and informative to ask you miniature plant fans for input on our production. Each year, we generate a "goal list" of shapes, some created in our standard molds, and some on one-of-a-kind sand molds where our imagination (and gravity!) is our only real limitation. We have an aesthetic standard to which we adhere and we keep a practical eye on things like tolerances, widths and usability. This simply means that:    

1. We do not produce "Lucky Charms" (no clover leafs, hearts, donuts or daisies).

2. The construction of the piece must be strong and plant-friendly.

In the past, we have produced a number of custom-made troughs to the design and dimensions of our clients. We have also, on occasion, been asked to fill a "wish list" for a certain number of shapes, such as small cylinders, to be ready for spring.

So we would like to invite you, our trough gardening public, to weigh in with your ideas. Is there a shape we have not thought of? Are you looking for troughs of a certain size? We are open to producing a custom trough if you have an inspiration. Let us know! We will definitely need to have a conversation about the idea you have, and the logistics of making it. We will also need a down payment if we decide to go ahead. You may have a corner that will be perfectly completed by a certain-sized triangle, a spot that needs a tall tower, or a setting on a wall that cries out for a long narrow "window box."

Composing a trough for shade has built-in challenges, the biggest one being the much lower percentage of plants in the proper scale that will tolerate lower light. By nature, alpines grow above the tree line in full sun, and given that shade lathing can be rather scarce on the top of mountains, our "Alpines for Shade" are really only a careful selection of species and cultivars that are small enough to look authentic in a miniature landscape.

It is important to differentiate between the degrees of shade. Light, moving shade from deciduous trees can be very forgiving. But be aware that the dank, north facing strip next to the garage overhung by mournful conifers will allow nothing to thrive beneath it. A few degrees better than that we will call "Deep Shade."

Deep Shade: this will support mostly foliage effects. Go for tiny hostas, ferns, and Acorus grammineus 'Minimus Aureus.' In deep shade this plant will be more chartreuse than gold. The best shrub for this condition would be one of the dwarf hemlocks.

Medium Shade: this is the sort of shade that allows light down to the ground through deciduous trees with perhaps a few points in the day with actual sunshine hitting your plants. Try using Astilbes, Asarina procumbens (though it is a bit large) some of the Cymbalarias, Lysimachia japonica 'Minutissima,' Ophiopogan japonica 'Nana,' Thalictrum and Violets.

Light shade (partial sun): This degree of shade includes a few hours of late day or perhaps simply morning sun. It can also mean a north face that has nothing above it so is bright most of the day though not in direct sun. Plants to try are: the easier Androsaces, many Campanulas, Geranium dalmaticum, G. sanguineum 'Nana,' dwarf Heucheras, Chiastophyllum, Hernaria, Hutchinsia, Lewisias some Primula, possibly some Saxifragas, and Veronicas. In the world of shrubs try Chamaecyparis, Buxus, and Azalea. A couple of plants worth including that are not reliably hardy but may bloom all season are: Laurentia and Lindernia grandiflora.

The point to remember is that some of the plants listed above are shade loving, but others are only shade tolerant. There is a difference and it will affect the performance and beauty of your trough. As you can see, the lighter the shade gets the bigger the list of prospective plants to use. The deep shade plants will also do well in light shade but the reverse will not work.

In shade troughs it is extra important to focus on strong design and lovely foliage. Pay attention to the quality of the stones you use as they will help carry the design. It is up to you to allow or encourage mosses. With moss, a shrub, a few sculptural stones plus another plant or two you can have a beautiful trough for shade.