In my last entry, I mentioned our latest expansion project. The hoop house is progressing very well and actually looks like a hoop house, now! Just in time, too…we had our first light frost the first weekend in October. It didn’t hurt too much, but it sounds like we could get a heavy frost early next week.

By September 21st, most of the framing was up.

The poly covering went on October 2nd. We still need to get electricity and gas lines put in. That should come within the next week. Then the furnace, fans, and lights and it should be operational! We moved all of our tropicals in a couple weeks ago. When the sun is shining, it feels like July in there!

Calamagrostis brachytricha	Miscanthus
Ornamental grasses have become hugely popular over the last few years. They are virtually care free, but we have to be careful about the varieties we choose to grow in our northern climate. Many of the most commonly available grasses are marginally winter hardy in Iowa. Ornamental grasses are at their peak in the late summer and fall when most other perennials are past their prime. Every garden needs at least a few ornamental grasses to extend the seasonal interest!
Another plant that is at its best in the fall is Tricyrtis or Toad Lilies. These plants prefer light shade and constant moisture and make great companions for hostas. The orchid-like flowers are small, but each stem carries many flowers. Tricyrtis can grow from less than one foot to several feet tall, depending on the variety, and form slowly spreading clumps over time. Many new varieties have variegated or spotted foliage for early season interest, as well.

Coral Bells (Heuchera) used to come in two basic colors…green and purple. There is now a whole rainbow of colorful selections available to add a little spice to your garden. Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ was a big hit this summer. The golden caramel-colored foliage is truly a unique color. It is similar to Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’, but is a much stronger grower. Coral Bells form low mounds of ruffled foliage with wands of tiny white, pink, or red flowers. They are not demanding and will do well in sun or light shade. We will have several new varieties of Coral Bells in 2006, including the lime green Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ as well as a better supply of ‘Marmalade’.

You can see the rest of the fall garden photos in the September 2005 and October 2005 galleries.

While there is still a lot of work to be done in the garden before winter, we are shifting gears and beginning to look ahead to the Holidays. Last week we announced details on our annual Christmas in the Country Open House. It will take place Saturday, November 12th and continue through Sunday, November 13th. Follow the link above for complete details as well as for a sneak peek at some of our new Holiday gifts!

Or Christmas newsletter has been printed and will be mailed out shortly. It will available on our website within the next week.

Also, please note our Holiday business hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm.