Good Grasses 

l-r. Prairie Drop Seed, Tall Purple Moor Grass and Little Bluestem

Ornamental grasses are grown for many reasons: low maintenance, movement in the garden, deer resistance, to make a bold statement, for wildlife and of course for fall and winter interest. There are so many to choose from now it's hard to keep up. If you're looking to expand your grass palette, consider some of these for your next design:

Molinia arundinacea 'Skyracer' (Tall Purple Moor Grass) This is still one of the best cultivars of Molinia and, if you haven't used it, will become a new favorite. It will reach its full 7' height after just a few seasons. The tall slender stems above the mounding blades have airy flower heads that hold up into fall. The whole plant has a great golden yellow fall color. Best cut back early winter.  Nice when back-lit by the sun.  

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry' (Black Flowering Fountain Grass) Wider dark green, glossy foliage forms a neat mound. Dark purple flower heads on stiff stalks bloom in September. They will reach about 30" tall when in flower and about as wide. It will look good through fall into early winter. Fall color is golden yellow to beige. Cut down late winter. Keep in mind that it can self-sow. 

Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' (Little Blue Stem) A wonderful native grass with a stiff upright habit growing between 2-4'. This cultivar, 'The Blues' is a strong blueish-gray with red/purple tints. Fall color is a coppery orange to deep purple red, turning brown in winter. It has a delicate flower that rises above the foliage in August. Structure holds up well even after several snow loads.  

Sporobolus heterolepsis (Prairie Dropseed) Elegant thread-like leaves, only about 1/16th" wide, form a dense mound about 15" high. It flowers in August-September on slender stalks about 30" high with open panicles. Refined enough for the border or natural setting. A clump-forming grass that is fragrant and easy to grow as it tolerates a wide range of soils. Will not self-sow. 

'Moonbeam' Coreopsis

common name: Tickseed
size: 18-24
interest: Finely textured foliage and small, bright yellow flowers

culture: Full sun, average soil
time of year: Early to mid-summer
companion plants: Salvia, Delphinium, Scabiosa,  Ornamental grasses, Juniper...

'Moonbeam' Coreopsis is one of those plants that's hard to leave alone. It has such a long bloom period that it can easily fit into any design. Second year plants benefit from shearing of first bloom to encourage a nice second flush into fall. Fine textured leaves are nice even early in the spring before flowering. Use it to dot in some color among shrubs or in larger groups to grab some attention. They want moist, well-drained soil but are quite adaptable and will tolerate some drought. Deer resistance also ads to their appeal. 

Other Coreopsis available: C. auriculata 'Nana' ('Elfin Gold'), C. grandiflora 'Early Sunrise', C. v. 'Zagreb', C x 'Full Moon', 'Red Shift'.

 

Bring on the Dog Days - Lunch is On Us!

It's Time for Hot Dog Wednesdays!!!

Stop by either location on any Wednesday in the month of August between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm and you'll find someone grilling up a batch of franks!  

Take time to shoot the breeze or eat it on the way to the truck - it's just our way to say:  Thanks for your business!   

In This Week: Roses etc.  

Buddleia 'Lo & Behold' Blue Chip' (Dwarf Butterfly Bush) 2 gal.

Hypericum patulum 'Hidcote' (St. John's Wort) 2 gal.

Rosa 'Blushing Knockout', 'Double Knockout', 'Double Pink Knockout', 'Pink Knockout', Sunny Knockout', Pink 'Flower Carpet' and more. 2 & 3 gallon 

Looking Good:

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' (Coral Bark Maple) 2.5-3"

Acer buergeranum (Trident Maple) 4.5-5"

Hydrangea paniculata 6 gallon tree form (PeeGee Hydrangea)  

PC Grown, looking fantastic and a great value to boot!

Kerria japonica (Japanese Kerria) 20 gallon 'Plenaflora' Double flowering. Massive hard-to-find size! Excellent winter interest with the bright green arching stems, golden yellow blooms in spring at a great price. Shade tolerant and deer resistent. Smaller 2 gallon of the single flowering 'Golden Guinea' also available.  

Weigela f. 'Midnight Wine' 3 gallon

Physocarpus  opulifolius 'Diablo' (Ninebark) Treeform 10 gal., and shrub form 3 gal., 4/5', 6/7'.  Interesting dark foliage, white spiraea-type flowers in spring, great bark, too! 

Weigela florida 'Midnight Wine' 3 gal. Low growing form with deep red foliage, bright pink trumpet flowers in spring. Need a plant to lend contrast? This is it! 

Broadleaf and Ornamental Evergreens 

Cephalotaxus 'Fastigiata' and 'Prostrata' assorted sizes.

Ilex opaca (American Holly) B&B assorted sizes. 

Rhododendron hybrids 6 gallon PC Grown and as usual - a great price!  

Verbena 'Homestead Purple'

Color 

Need some quick color but can't find annuals this time of year? Try our home grown Verbena 'Homestead Purple'. Deep purple flower clusters will bloom till frost. Great for containers or the mixed border. Plant in full sun. This Verbena is considered a tender perennial in our area (Zone 7).  Another PC Grown plant with good $$ sense! 

Look at these and others when you make your next visit!


  

Oriental Lily 'Stargazer'

Have A Great Weekend!