Lenten Rose / Hellebores

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

Hellebores, or Lenten Roses, typically bloom late winter or very early spring in Zone 4. They are among the very first flowers to bloom, sometimes around the time Lent starts, thus the name Lenten Roses. The foliage is thick and very low to the ground. Flowers are about 2″ wide and the thick foliage is pretty much deer and rabbit resistance which is good, as the foliage tends to stay green year round. When planting, it is important to keep the crown of the plant above ground. If the crown is planted below ground, there is a good chance the plant will die. Once established, hellebores live up to the sleep, creep and leap motto. The first year planted they do very little, the second year they are establishing roots, and the third year and beyond they really start leaping, providing tons of flowers. Plant them close to your house so you can appreciate their beauty. They will bloom even if there is snow on the ground.  A few of the Lenten Roses we carried last year are below:

          Cascade Picotte Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

 

First Kiss Moondance Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

 

Winter Jewels Black Diamond Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

 

Forst Kiss Pennys Pink Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Put a Smile on your Face

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

Well we survived winter and most of this awful spring.  Soon it will be summer.   Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face.   Buy some beautiful perennials or shrubs to perk up your yard.  Presently our tables are full of perennials. We have many, many different types of shrubs and trees.  The last couple of years hydrangeas and coneflowers have been the big sellers.   We have at least 15 different types of hydrangeas, maybe even more as we get trucks every week.  Last week over 200 blooming or budded coneflowers arrived and more will be coming this week.  However, there are so many other plants that will bring color and joy to your garden.  The new variety of phlox bloom for weeks;  day lilies are improved every year so that many more are becoming rebloomers;  grasses are still hot and we have lots of them, hardy habiscus plants plus so, so many more;  shrubs like winterberry, new varieties of spireas, cheesehead potentilla, viburnums, ninebark, lacy elderberry, shrub roses, etc.   Stop in and spruce up your garden and thoroughly enjoy it before winter hits us again.

Jane Magnolia Tree

Posted on by Marietta Buchner

This is the first year we are carrying the Jane Magnolia tree. It is quite similar to the popular Ann Magnolia tree, but there are some differences. The Jane Magnolia tree has larger flowers with more purple-pinkish-white petals whereas the Anne Magnolia flowers have fewer petals and are deep pink. Jane Magnolia blooms in late spring which is a bonus as earlier blooming varieties may have their buds nipped by late frost. Magnolias bloom before foliage appears so you will see a tree in blossom with no leaves to hide the flowers. The leaves are large and deep green in summer, turning to yellow in fall. The growth rate is about a foot a year but I have seen magnolia trees grow much more then a foot per year. Usually this tree produces sporadic blossoms throughout the summer. The tree does best in morning sun and filtered afternoon shade and will grow in just about any type of soil. In spring, when you see the Jane Magnolia tree in bloom and smell the perfume of the flowers, you will be extremely happy you purchased this tree. Please “Google” Jane Magnolia tree and you will see how beautiful this tree is in bloom.