Everyone loves Hostas, but an often asked question is, Why don't my hosta leaves get as big as yours?  The answer is simple, there are many varieties and the size of the leaves can vary from 1" to 20". The large leaf hostas behind the library are gown for their very large leaves and also their color variations. The chartreuse leaf hosta is called 'Sum & Substance' it has large pale lavender blossoms. It was introduced in 2000, so is fairly new and very popular. It can handle some sun and is slug resistant! The more common variegated medium sized leaf hostas that border the sitting area, have lovely deep lavender blue flowers. So remember when you are purchasing hostas pay attention to the label, what size and color is the leave, what color is the flower?  It is also good to know that the yellow green leaf Hostas can handle sun, and the blue green leaf Hostas like full shade. I love in the fall how the leaves get an added interest, when they turn golden or get a golden edge.

Another plant of interest in the back garden is the coleus. These shade loving annuals offer incredibly colorful foliage with attractive shaped leaves all summer. They add a nice accent in any shade garden.  Recently they have also come out with sun loving coleus. At the entrance to the library we had another new plant which also likes sun, it is

called SunPatiens. The leaf is a tri color white, yellow, green and the white flowers have been very prolific right into the fall. This new hybrid impatiens is sun loving, heat loving and continually blooms until frost, what could be better? Many garden centers offer them but if you want more information check out their web site, sunpatiens.com. Unfortunately you will not find the old species bedding plant, Impatiens  sold in NH any more due to a disease called "impatiens downy mildew".  

You can't pass by the library without noticing this years crop of  Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). This is a native deciduous shrub with bright red berries that grows behind the stone wall and in front of the beautiful old front door. It likes acid soil and full or partial shade. The berries stay long after the leaves have dropped in the fall. The birds and wildlife love the berries but they are not for human consumption. It is a good idea to let your children know that they are not for picking (and throwing) let's leave them for the birds this winter.

Soon we will be cleaning out the gardens and preparing for winter. We hope for a good cover of snow for the winter months so the plants can rest. In the spring they will like the melt off. This year we will be planting 100 pink tulips in the gardens at the library. This is a program supported by the Amherst Garden Club bringing awareness to all of Breast Cancer. The group has sold over 4000 tulips to Plant it PINK in Amherst! The monies raised will go to Breast Cancer Research. Certainly this is something to look forward to this spring. 

Amherst Town Library