Spring Newsletter 2008

It's Spring In The Country!!

Good bye winter...and good riddance! I guess Mother Nature thought it was time for a reality check after several years of mild, nearly snow-free winters. The -20* temperatures, howling winds, ice, record-breaking snow, and endless days without sun took a toll on everyone this year - especially us gardeners! But let's forget about all that...spring is here!

Annuals

Lophospermum Great Cascade Wine Red has been a sell-out the past two years and this year we are excited to offer Lophospermum Summer Cream – the same vigorous vine, but with showy white flowers instead of red. Both of these annual vines make beautiful, eye-catching hanging baskets that bloom all summer. Sometimes called Copperleaf or Joseph's Coat, Acalypha wilkesiana forms a shrubby mound of coppery leaves that are splashed with bronze, cream, and red. It provides a season long riot of color in part to full sun. If you need a high impact, but low maintenance container planting, try putting together a combo of succulents and agaves. These neat plants look great even during the heat of summer and are virtually care free! We'll have several different varieties to choose from in different colors and variegations.

Vegetables

Do you crave the taste of fresh, home grown tomatoes, but don't have space in your yard for a veggie garden? The Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter is just what you need! This unique hanging planter is designed to let the tomato grow out the bottom – upside down! Not only can you grow your own tomatoes on your porch, but your upside down tomato will be the talk of your friends and neighbors, too. We'll have Topsy Turvies already planted or you can plant your own.

Hostas

Several much sought after new Hosta introductions are finally coming on the market this year. Both 'Clovelly' and 'Arctic Blast' will appeal to those who adore ruffles. 'Clovelly' stands proud with rounded and dimpled, horizontally held green leaves and 'Arctic Blast' makes an upright mound of cool, frosty blue leaves that come to a twisted point. Both feature a heavily ruffled leaf margin. 'Adrian's Glory' is a new introduction from the 'Gold Standard' family. It forms a stunning clump of bluish-green leaves with a narrow gold center. But the star Hosta of 2008 is 'Stitch in Time'. This Hosta was debuted in limited numbers last year and it instantly became the talk of the Hosta world! The narrow green leaf centers, wide gold margins, and unique “stitched” texture make this a must have Hosta. Browse our online Hosta Catalog to see what other new hostas we have. If you want to brush up on your Hosta facts, we have three Hosta books to help you do just that: Timber Press Pocket Guide to Hostas, The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas, and the American Hosta Society's The Hosta Adventure.

Hosta 'Clovelly'

Hosta 'Arctic Blast'

Perennials

Over the last five years, Heucheras (Coral Bells) have undergone a transformation that is worthy of a TV make-over show! We have several new Heucheras that are sure to knock your socks off. 'Tiramisu' is real chameleon, morphing from orangey-chartreuse to frosty green to rusty orange with a chartreuse halo. 'Midnight Rose' is the most distinct of the new hybrid Coral Bells with deep burgundy - almost black - leaves that are heavily splattered with hot pink specks. Wow! A close cousin of Coral Bells, Tiarella 'Mystic Mist' has bright green leaves with prominent red veins that merge to form a bold central spot. The entire leaf is misted with white and the frothy white flowers top the plant in the spring. Among other new perennials is Hibiscus 'Summer Storm'. This hardy Hibiscus has dark, velvety purple leaves that make a stunning backdrop to the 8” pink flowers.

Water Gardening

The brick red foliage of the Red Shield Hibiscus will add a season long splash of color to your pond. This shrubby hibiscus has small creamy flowers, but our season probably isn't long enough for it to bloom. If it is flowers you want, the Swamp Hibiscus will be a better choice. Large red, white, or pink flowers put on a real show in late summer. Sarracenia 'Love Bug' is a strange little bog plant. Commonly called Pitcher Plants, the leaves are formed into tubes with decorative red and green hoods. Pitcher Plants are carnivorous plants – bugs fall into the pitchers where they drown and are digested by the plant. I'm not making this up! If you work during the day, you probably only get to enjoy your pond in the evening. One or more of our Floating Solar Lights will add to your evening enjoyment!

Important Dates for Pond Owners May 3 Water Hyacinths & Water Lettuce available June 7 Tropical Water Lilies available

Tough Winter for Pond Fish

Now that the ice has melted from the pond, many pond owners are facing a heartbreaking situation. Not only was this past winter hard on us, but it was especially hard on our fishy friends. Many ponders are finding dead and severely ill fish and the excessive snow is to blame. A heavy blanket of snow is not a welcome insulator for a pond like it is on our flower beds. Even though the plants are mostly dormant, there is still algae that lives and even grows all winter long. In the light, algae produces oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide – a good thing! But in the dark, the process is reversed – oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released. A blanket of snow blocks all light from reaching the algae, creating a dangerous situation for the fish. In extended periods of darkness, the algae dies and decomposes – depleting the oxygen even further. This is a common cause of fish deaths this spring, but there may be other factors at play. If you had fish trouble over the winter, we'd be glad to help you try to figure out what went wrong! The Eastern Iowa Pond Society also has some good information in their April newsletter – read it online at www.eips.org.

Hosta of the Year – 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' forms a small mound up to 16 inches across and 8 inches tall. The blue leaves are nearly perfectly round and have a thick, leathery substance. In summer, short scapes of lavender flowers form a neat bouquet above the plant. Whether you are a Hosta lover or not, 'Blue Mouse Ears' will steal your heart! To learn more about the history behind this hosta, see Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' - 2008 Hosta of the Year.

We're Here To Help!

• Not sure what plants to combine for a beautiful container planting? Bring your pots and we'll help you fill them. Please call ahead.
• Ask about renting our Pond Vac to make your spring pond cleaning a breeze!
• Need help repotting & dividing your pond plants? Give us a call to set up a 1-on-1, hands-on class. Bring your plants and we'll supply everything else.

Find all the details on our Spring in the Country Open House!