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Reliability with
Smoothleaf Hydrangea
| Annabelle Hydrangeas are one of the most photogenic plants we grow. |
If anyone is looking for reliable bloomers when it comes to Hydrangeas, one good choice is the Smoothleaf Hydrangea. Hydrangea arborescens is found in moist areas, wooded slopes and stream banks from New York to Florida and west to Oklahoma. The species typically has a lace-cap flower with a center of fertile flowers (non-showy) ringed with sterile flowers (showy). Cultivars like the traditional 'Annabelle', the pink 'Invincible Spirit' and the white, super-sized 'Incrediball' all have large clusters of sterile (showy) flowers. They bloom on new wood so Peter recommends prunning them back 6-12" from the ground in early March. Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer like Woodace 14-14-14 or Espoma Plant-tone. Concerned about heavy flower heads in the rain? Give them a little support - they're fantastic poking through an old fence or over a stone wall. You can also plant in a group - they'll help support each other. And don't worry about cold winters taking them out - they're hardy to Zone 4!
A simple mass of Annabelle Hydrangeas is an impressive site, but planting them with Astilbe, Hostas, Heucheras or Hakonechloa can be interesting, too. Want another idea for reliable bloom? Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea)! They also bloom on new wood and can be pruned in March with no worries about sacrificing their showy summer flowers!
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| | Grasses add so much to the landscape with movement that will get anyone's attention. | |
News from Watertown
Ornamental Grasses
Who needs flowers with colors like these! The Ornamental grasses this year are beautiful and already filling their containers with stunning colors including these 'Fireworks' Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum- not hardy, treat as an annual), Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha), Seersucker Sedge (Carex plataginea), Variegated Sweetflag (Acorus gramineus ) and Golden Ogon Sweetflag (Acorus gramineus). Many more also available for all your sunny, shady, wet and dry sites! - Marnie
Sylvie says come see them all - there are 7 hoop houses full of just Ornamental Grasses!
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Up and above
Delphinium hybrids
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| | Delphinium x New Millenium Innocense is pure double white, but we also carry New Millenium 'Cobalt Dreams' and 'Pagan Purples' |
With the hoop houses full of enticing colorful perennials ranging from ankle to knee height (such as Heuchera, Campanula, Geranium, Echinacea) adding some altitude to the perennial border can easily be over-looked. Enter: the head-turning Delphinium hybrids. Ana says simply put "they're elegant, beautiful and add so much to the garden". Large showy double flowers on tall 4'+ stems rise above clean, cut-leaf foliage. You may think, "oh no, that height means I have to stake them!" Well... big deal. Bamboo Stakes and Green Twist-ties are an easy and inexpensive solution that lets your customers have the worry-free, tall drama these beauties provide.
Plant them mid to back of the perennial bed making sure they are not planted too deeply and have good air circulation. Well-drained rich soil is a must - so if the soil needs amending use a good amount of compost. Water them thoroughly every 7 days in hot dry weather. They are also heavy feeders that need a neutral to alkaline pH. Fertilize several times during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer like Woodace 14-14-14 or Espoma Plant-tone. Need other white perennials to brighten up the borders for night time walks? Blooming right now are Powwow White Cone Flowers (Echinacea), Icicle Speedwell (Veronica), Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum), Miss Manners Obedient Plant (Physostegia), the fragrant David Garden Phlox (P. paniculata) and Casa Blanca Asiatic Lilies to name just a few.
Right now most are still in tight bud - prime time to get them in the ground and properly staked. Read more about Delphinium and their care including ideas for planting companions.
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NOW! Incoming This Week: Northern Bayberry, Steeds Japanese Holly and the hard-to-find Spreading Japanese Plum Yews!
| Jason brought over some nice 10 gallon tree form Hydrangea Quickfires from Meadowbrook. Hardy bloomers on new wood make the Panicle Hydrangea a great idea for any landscape. |
| Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is a native shrub that has fragrant, semi-evergreen leaves that are salt and wind tolerant - the perfect choice for along the shore or roadside. These 10 gallon came in this week. Also available are some B&B 3/4' & 4/5' plus our PC grown 3 gallon. |
Deciduous Trees & Shrubs | | Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' 10 gal. | Smoothleaf Hydrangea | Hydrangea macophylla 'Endless Summer' 3, 5 & 20 gal. | Bigleaf Hydrangea | Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' 10 gal. shrub | Panicle Hydrangea | Myrica pensylvanica 10 gal. | Northern Bayberry | Rosa White Out | White Knockout Rose |
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata' (Japanese Plum Yews) are evergreen, deer resistant and like the shade - no wonder they're sought after! Check out the helpful list at the back of our catalog for other deer resistant plants.
Broadleaf and Specialty Evergreens | | Buxus sempervirens & 'Winter Gem' 18-24" | Boxwood | Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata' 3 gal. | Japanese Plum Yew | Ilex crenata 'Steeds' 15 gal. | Japanese Holly |
| These newly planted 2 gallon Spiraea 'Gold Mound' are headed across the street for growing on and will be ready for sale next spring. They're early to leaf out with stand-out chartreus foliage all season long! |
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Coreopsis x 'Mercury Rising' (Tickseed)
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Weekly Plant I.D.
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Last Week's ID
Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur'
Witherod Viburnum
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| | This Weeks ID |
Viburnums are true 3 season shrubs with their white flower clusters followed by colorful fruit along with great fall color! Viburnum nudum Winterthur has all that on a more compact plant growing about 6'x 5'. It also has nice glossy leaves and blooms early summer. The fruit are light pink to deep purple and are striking against the fall color. Plant in moist soil in full sun to partial shade. It's a good choice for low areas and rain gardens but is also happy in the mixed border, or in a foundation planting or as a hedge.
Winterthur Museum and Garden in Delaware has an interesting history and beautiful gardens. This Viburnum was found on that Delaware property.
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