Hello again,
Here are a few exciting “new to Skillin’s” perennial varieties we will be introducing in 2008.
I will list a few new varieties this week and follow up with more introductions in the next few days!
I have highlighted aspects of some varieties thatI feel are some very attractive attributes to some of the plants. In other words, this one really catches my eye for this reason....!
If you would like the entire list emailed to you, just let me know at info@skillins.com and I will send you a “Word” attachment:
EDELWEISS – Leontopodium
8”-12” tall. Silvery foliage with small star-shaped flowers. Zone 4. Bloom sping. Sun.
ENGLISH DAISY - Bellis
‘Pomponette’ . 6” tall. Mix of red, rose and white flowers. BiennialZone 4-10. Blooms late spring. Sun to part shade.
EVENING PRIMROSE – Oenothera
‘Siskiyou Pink’ 10” tall. Pink flowers that are slightly pink. Glossy, dark green foliage. Flowers open in the evening.
Zones 3-7. Blooms in spring. Sun.
____________________
FALSE ROCK CRESS – Aubrieta
‘Red Cascade’ 6” tall. Dark purple flowers. Gray-green foliage forms a mat. Zones 4-8. Blooms in spring. Sun to part shade.
------------------------------
FALSE SPIREA – Astilbe
‘Bressingham Beauty’ 36” tall. Salmon-rose flowers on arching plumes. Zones 4-9. Blooms early to mid-summer. Sun to part shade. Full sun if given enough moisture.
‘Glow’ 30” tall. Very dark red buds. Red flowers with rose highlights. Leave start out bronze-red and turn green in summer. Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-summer. Shade to part shade. Full sun if given enough moisture.
‘Sister Theresa’ 24” tall. Large salmon-pink plumes. Foliage, finely cut, medium to dark green.
Early to mid-summer bloomer. Zones 4-9. Good cut flower. Shade to part shade. Full sun if given enough moisture.
---------------------
FALSE SUNFLOWER – Heliopsis
‘Summer Nights’ 3’-4’ tall. Gold-yellow, daisy-like flowers with a dark orange-brown eye. Stems are a purple red color and leaves are dark green tinged with purple. Attracts butterflies. Good cut flower. Zones 3-9. Blooms mid-summer to late summer. Sun to part shade.
--------------------------
FOAM FLOWER - Tiarella
‘Crow Feather’ 8”-12” tall. Deeply lobed leaves are bright green, with dark purple centers. Leaves have a great late fall\winter color of red, purple, pink and black. Slight fragrant, pink flowers in spring.
Zones 4-9. Blooms early spring to early summer. Part shade to shade.
--------------------------------
FOXGLOVE – Digitalis
‘Candy Mountain’ 3’-4’ tall. Rose-pink flowers with speckled throats that face upward.
Strong stems. Attracts hummingbirds. Good cut flower.
Zones 4-9. Early summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Spice Island’ 4’ tall. Peachy yellow flowers. Evergreen foliage. Will re-bloom all summer spent blooms are cut back. Several spikes per plant. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 4-9. Bloom early summer to early fall. Sun to part shade.
------------------------------
GOLDENROD – Solidago
‘Little Lemon’ 8”- 10” tall. Short, compact goldenrod. Flowers panicles are lemon yellow.
Nice cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Zones 5-8. Blooms late summer to early fall. Sun.
-------------------------
GRASSES
For an extensive variety of grasses please check our Nursery.
Chasmanthium Latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)
2’-3’ tall. Clump forming. Foliage is bamboo like. Drooping flowers with very attractive seed heads. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-summer to mid fall. Sun to part shade.
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
1’-2’ tall. Golden Variegated Hakone Grass – Yellow leaves with narrow green margins that turn a reddish-pink in the fall. This grass has a beautiful cascading habit. Spreads slowly and is not invasive.
Lagurus ovatus (Bunny Tails) Annual in our area.
8”-12” tall. This is an annual grass in our area but it is adorable at the front of the border and it is a great grass for containers. Small clumps of fine foliage with furry little flower heads. Zone 9. Bloom in summer. Sun.
Miscanthus purpurascens
4’-6’ tall. Upright clump. Foliage starts green and turns reddish in later summer.
Fans are magenta colored and turn into silky white flowers.
Zones 4-9. Sun.
Panicum ‘Prairie Fire’ (Red Switch Grass)
4’-5’ tall. Foliage starts blue-green but begins to turn wine-red in early summer.
Flower panicles are a rosy color and appear ‘just above the foliage’.
Zones 4-9. Sun.
Pennisetum rubrum (Purple fountain grass) Annual in our area.
36”-48” tall. This grass is an annual in are area but is absolutely beautiful in containers or in the garden. Glossy purple foliage with red-purple flowers. Zones 9-10. Blooms mid summer to early fall.
We'll be back next week with more exciting varieties!
Mike Skillin
Skillin's Greenhouses
March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Garden Talks March 10, 2008
Hello again,
I have a short week at home this week as I am headed out on business for a couple of days at the end of this week and into the weekend. Before I leave, I want to get to you a few gardening tips which are appropriate for this time of year.
I actually stopped at a few web sites and saw some good information that I will pass onto you.
My first stop was at the P. Allen Smith website. P. Allen of course is a national gardening celebrity. Much of his advice does not pertain to us northeast gardeners but I do check him regularly to get a few sound points.
P. Allen just released a very good and very quick and easy to follow video on dormant oil spraying. Now is a great time to apply natural dormant oil spray to woody plant material (especially fruit and flowering trees) to help control overwintering insects and diseases that inhibit fruit and flowering production in the summer. We sell some very effective natural dormant oil sprays by the Bonide Company and would love to recommend the best product for you. The video can be found at http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=8&video=1517&cat=Care%20and%20Controls&title=Dormant%20Oil and as I said is quick and easy to understand. You should be able to cut and paste the address I just noted above right into your web browser.
Recently, we have spent some time in the Garden Log talking about seed starting (The ABC’s of Seed Starting ) and I also recently sent out an email to folks on our email list detailing some common seed starting times.
P. Allen makes some excellent points about some problems that can be encountered in seed starting and even better comes us with some great solutions:
Even under the best circumstances, you might run into a few problems. Here's a list of a common symptoms and the corrective measures you can take to solve them.
Symptom: Spindly or Leggy GrowthCauses: Low light, too much water, excessively warm temperatures, over fertilization, crowded plants.
Corrective Measures: Some seeds will germinate without much light, but seedlings need bright light. Use grow lights if a sunny window is not available. Position the lights 4 inches above the seed tray and leave the lights on for 16 hours a day. Don’t forget to raise the lights as the seedlings grow taller.
Provide an air temperature of 70 to 75 degrees during the day and night temperature of at least 60 to 65 degrees.
Soil should be kept consistently moist, but not soggy. Mist with a spray bottle or water from the bottom up by placing the containers in a pan filled with 1 inch of warm water. Once the soil is moist, remove the seed pots from the pan.
Wait until seedlings have produced their first set of true leaves to fertilize. This is actually the second set of leaves that emerge. Use a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Feed once a week.
Sow seeds and thin seedlings according to the packet instructions to prevent overcrowding.
Symptom: Dwarf Plants
Causes: Low fertility.
Corrective Measures: Because there is so little soil, nutrient levels are hard to maintain. As mentioned above, feed with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength after the first set of true leaves emerge. Feed once a week.
Some seed starting soil mixtures contain nutrients such as Mycorrhizae, a naturally occurring fungus that promotes strong root development.
Symptom: Decay or rotting of the stems of young plants near the soil surface.
Causes: Damping-off. Disease organisms attack germinating seeds and young plants, especially during prolonged cloudy weather.
Corrective Measures: Use a sterile soil-mix designed for seed starting.Mound the soil in the container so that it is flush with the edge of the pot. This will allow air flow across the surface of the soil.
Symptom: Wilting followed by death of the seedling. Tiny insects hovering around soil.
Causes: Fungus gnat larvae will feed on the roots of the seedlings. Adult fungus gnats are those pesky, small flying insects that hover around potting soil. They are attracted to moist potting soils that have a high organic content.
Corrective Measures: Use a well draining potting soil.If you see the adult gnats, cut back on water to make the soil less attractive to the adult female gnat. You don't need to stop watering completely, just allow the soil to dry out between watering.
Placing a moist slice of potato on top of the soil will attract the larvae. Throw out the potato slice to get rid of the larvae .
Next I stopped by the website for Plants Unlimited owned and operated by Hammond Buck near the Camden Rockport area. The folks at Plants Unlimited reminded me of several good gardening "ought to do's" for this time of year that I will pass onto you:
"If you are tired of the 'same old' annuals that you've been planting year after year, why not plan a 'new look' in your garden. Now is a good time to sketch out your annual beds and decide what plants you'll need to enliven the color and perhaps even be less care. Be careful of the spacing of plants that you choose in your plan. Know the mature size of each variety because, in our experience, many people actually buy more plants than needed! A great annual gardening resource? Proven Winners!" We sell Proven Winners and they not only have great plants, their web site is a terrific resource.
"If you have overwintered tropical plants like bougainvillea, hibiscus or mandevilla or annuals like geraniums in your basement, take a peek at them today. Check the plants for any signs of green buds and the soil for moisture. If the soil is dry, water them lightly. Then start to bring these plants into a warmer and sunnier location. It's time to get them sprouting for spring! If you don't have enough sunny windows, use fluorescent grow lights." Great advice for right now! Spring is coming folks. We sell easy to use grow lights if you do need more light. I also would recommend applying a feeding of all natural and tremendously beneficial Plant Booster Plus by Organica to the soil of each plant. Future waterings will bring some very beneficial nutrients and microbes to your soil. Plant Booster Plus is going to be the natural fertilizer choice of many of us at Skillin's this Spring! Check out http://www.organica.net/consumerplantboosterplus.asp for more details about this awesome product sold right here at Skillin's!
"If you grow grapes, it's time to aggressively attack your vines with loppers and pruners while the vines are still dormant. You do this to keep the vines healthier, bear the best tasting fruit and keep the grape harvest within reach. Cut off at least three-quarters of last seasons growth, pruning all the way back to a handful of buds per cane. It's harsh pruning but it bears results in the fall!" Perfect grape advice. Remember with pruning, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind! (Kind of like raising kids!)
As always, let us know if you have any garden questions or comments by commenting below OR by dropping us a note at info@skillins.com!
Thanks,
Mike Skillin
Sunday, March 9, 2008
More Gardens from Barbara Gardener!
"Mostly annuals where perennials have gone by." This pints out how annuals and perennials can be mixed well together. This is taken most likely from early or mid fall when many perennials have "petered out". But Barbara Gardener has deftly planted some mums and asters in the left of the picture which contrast wonderfully with the blazing yellow and orange gazania (a tremendous annual for sunny gardens). There are other annuals in this garden as well and their showy colors work so well with the textures of the perennial plants that still have healthy foliage.
Great job Barbara Gardener!
Thanks Barbara Gardener!
Great job Barbara Gardener!
"I really liked these colors. I had never seen that shade of yarrow. The mini hollyhock and the yarrow bloomed all summer:" That yarrow color is superb and contrasts well with the daylilly.
Yarrow is a long blooming perennial and if kept pruned of any wild growth can really add some great color and texture to a garden. And I love that color daylily!
Thanks Barbara Gardener!
Mike Skillin
Skillin's Greenhouses
March 9, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Keep the Home Fires Burning by Dale Lincoln
Hello everyone,
On our first winter in Florida, two years ago, Elsie and I started a writing group. This year nine people have been attending our Weekly, Friday morning meeting. A few weeks ago we decided to put the group's best writing together and make a booklet-- just for the writing group members. The attached article is one of my favorite articles even though it wasn't written for one of the Writings Groups weekly stories. It was written earlier than that. The article was at my fingertips yesterday. Although many things are more modern today, the sentiments of the soldierr, their family, and loved ones are very much the same today.
I've heard through the grapevine that The Maine winter is still with you.
Hang in there.
Dale
On April 6, 1917 the USA entered World War I by declaring war on Germany. “The war to end all wars” had been raging in Europe since 1914. The words written by George M. Cohen: “We’re going over, --and we won’t be back, ‘til it’s over,--over there,” were in his famous song: OVER THERE. Mr. Cohen was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor (in 1941) for inspiring the people of the USA with his patriotic songs.
Very soon after the USA entered World War I, young men volunteered or were drafted into military service. Many women also served their country during that war. Can you remember anyone singing: She’s The Rose of No Man’s Land, and “ Long-Long Trail?” Those songs, along with; It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, K-K-K- Katy, and Oh How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning; were the songs I learned in the 1940’s. My parents were always singing the songs that were popular more than twenty years earlier when they were teenagers. A very meaningful song to them was: Keep the Home Fires Burning. They were at the age when their brothers, uncles, and friends, went to war. The music by Ivor Novello and words by Lena Ford became very sentimental to the families of soldiers serving their country in Europe. The “war to end all wars” fell short of its goal. Because many people in America have recently sent family members off to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and are keeping the home fires burning; many words to that old song are especially meaningful to them. (Note: In my travels I am surprised that many people my age are nor familiar with this song. My mother sang it to me almost every day)
KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING
They were summoned from the hillside
They were called in from the glen
And their country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardships
As the soldiers pass along,
And although your heart is breaking
Make it sing this cheery song:
Chorus
Keep the home fires burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There’s a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining
Turn the dark cloud inside out
‘Til the boys come home.
Many people that went “Over There” stayed over there. Others returned wounded, ill, and with a lifetime of bad memories. Today there are numerous ways of learning about the events that happened in or near the trenches in Europe during World War I. The rest of this article will mention events that happened over here that were incidental to “The Great War”.
On a visit to Santa Ana, California, in the late 1950’s I learned why there were small statues of an old man with long hair and a beard in all of the gift stores: Soon after the USA entered World War I, a young man in Santa Ana told his dad that he was joining the Army. His dad did not want his son to volunteer to go to war but the young man enlisted. He left home with the words: “ Everything will be o-k Dad. It won’t be long before you’ll see me walking down the road, and I’ll be home again.” A few days after the war ended the young man’s Dad started standing at the end of his driveway watching for his son to return. Days, weeks, months, and years passed. Each morning the man arrived at his spot and spent the day watching and waiting. He became a landmark in that city. Soon after the man passed away the city placed a life-size statue in the spot where the Old Man stood for so many years waiting for his son to return from World War I.
While growing up in Perry most of the men in town over age 50 had called the trenches in France; “home,” during World War I. One of these men was Mr. Emery Foss. His wife was a good Christian mother and his children, my friends, added singing, music and enthusiasm at school and in the neighborhood. Mr. Foss never seemed happy. He yelled at his horse, talked to his kids in a loud gruff voice, and often had severe coughing spells. Before my teenage years I often made fun of him and called him “Old Man Foss!” While we were playing baseball one day, his son, Merton Foss, told me the following story: “Daddy was gassed with chlorine in World War I. He was a teamster and was trained to put the gas mask on his mule before putting on his own mask! That happened more than thirty years ago and his coughing spells are getting worse!” Since that day I have continued to gain respect for veterans.
Halifax Nova Scotia was a very busy seaport during World War I. That is why the French Ship, MOUNT BLANK loaded with ammunition, and the Norwegian cargo ship, IMO, were maneuvering in the harbor on the morning of December 6, 1917. The two ships collided, resulting in the world’s largest explosion until the first atomic bomb was tested in 1945. The city of Halifax was destroyed and before the day ended a blizzard hit the area. (An interesting book: Shattered City, by Janet F. Kitz, (1989) contains details along with several pictures and first person accounts of that disaster.
As Elsie and I were attending a ceremony as our daughter was graduating from the University Of Maine School of Nursing, (at Orono, 1993) a World War I story caused the audience to react with sadness and silence. One of the graduating nurses responded to “The Challenge Speech to The Nurses,” by one of the Professors. In her speech the young lady included a personal memory with the words: “You cannot easily forget being in a hospital room at two o’clock in the morning when the elderly lady in bed knows she is dying, and is happy about it -- because she believes that she will soon be with her husband who died in France in 1917.”
That lady kept the home fires burning for more than 76 years. Today there are people in many families that are keeping the home fires burning. May God bless them, the Troops, and the USA.
Dale Lincoln
for Skillin's Greenhouses
Zephyrhills FL
March 7, 2008
On our first winter in Florida, two years ago, Elsie and I started a writing group. This year nine people have been attending our Weekly, Friday morning meeting. A few weeks ago we decided to put the group's best writing together and make a booklet-- just for the writing group members. The attached article is one of my favorite articles even though it wasn't written for one of the Writings Groups weekly stories. It was written earlier than that. The article was at my fingertips yesterday. Although many things are more modern today, the sentiments of the soldierr, their family, and loved ones are very much the same today.
I've heard through the grapevine that The Maine winter is still with you.
Hang in there.
Dale
On April 6, 1917 the USA entered World War I by declaring war on Germany. “The war to end all wars” had been raging in Europe since 1914. The words written by George M. Cohen: “We’re going over, --and we won’t be back, ‘til it’s over,--over there,” were in his famous song: OVER THERE. Mr. Cohen was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor (in 1941) for inspiring the people of the USA with his patriotic songs.
Very soon after the USA entered World War I, young men volunteered or were drafted into military service. Many women also served their country during that war. Can you remember anyone singing: She’s The Rose of No Man’s Land, and “ Long-Long Trail?” Those songs, along with; It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, K-K-K- Katy, and Oh How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning; were the songs I learned in the 1940’s. My parents were always singing the songs that were popular more than twenty years earlier when they were teenagers. A very meaningful song to them was: Keep the Home Fires Burning. They were at the age when their brothers, uncles, and friends, went to war. The music by Ivor Novello and words by Lena Ford became very sentimental to the families of soldiers serving their country in Europe. The “war to end all wars” fell short of its goal. Because many people in America have recently sent family members off to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and are keeping the home fires burning; many words to that old song are especially meaningful to them. (Note: In my travels I am surprised that many people my age are nor familiar with this song. My mother sang it to me almost every day)
KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING
They were summoned from the hillside
They were called in from the glen
And their country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardships
As the soldiers pass along,
And although your heart is breaking
Make it sing this cheery song:
Chorus
Keep the home fires burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There’s a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining
Turn the dark cloud inside out
‘Til the boys come home.
Many people that went “Over There” stayed over there. Others returned wounded, ill, and with a lifetime of bad memories. Today there are numerous ways of learning about the events that happened in or near the trenches in Europe during World War I. The rest of this article will mention events that happened over here that were incidental to “The Great War”.
On a visit to Santa Ana, California, in the late 1950’s I learned why there were small statues of an old man with long hair and a beard in all of the gift stores: Soon after the USA entered World War I, a young man in Santa Ana told his dad that he was joining the Army. His dad did not want his son to volunteer to go to war but the young man enlisted. He left home with the words: “ Everything will be o-k Dad. It won’t be long before you’ll see me walking down the road, and I’ll be home again.” A few days after the war ended the young man’s Dad started standing at the end of his driveway watching for his son to return. Days, weeks, months, and years passed. Each morning the man arrived at his spot and spent the day watching and waiting. He became a landmark in that city. Soon after the man passed away the city placed a life-size statue in the spot where the Old Man stood for so many years waiting for his son to return from World War I.
While growing up in Perry most of the men in town over age 50 had called the trenches in France; “home,” during World War I. One of these men was Mr. Emery Foss. His wife was a good Christian mother and his children, my friends, added singing, music and enthusiasm at school and in the neighborhood. Mr. Foss never seemed happy. He yelled at his horse, talked to his kids in a loud gruff voice, and often had severe coughing spells. Before my teenage years I often made fun of him and called him “Old Man Foss!” While we were playing baseball one day, his son, Merton Foss, told me the following story: “Daddy was gassed with chlorine in World War I. He was a teamster and was trained to put the gas mask on his mule before putting on his own mask! That happened more than thirty years ago and his coughing spells are getting worse!” Since that day I have continued to gain respect for veterans.
Halifax Nova Scotia was a very busy seaport during World War I. That is why the French Ship, MOUNT BLANK loaded with ammunition, and the Norwegian cargo ship, IMO, were maneuvering in the harbor on the morning of December 6, 1917. The two ships collided, resulting in the world’s largest explosion until the first atomic bomb was tested in 1945. The city of Halifax was destroyed and before the day ended a blizzard hit the area. (An interesting book: Shattered City, by Janet F. Kitz, (1989) contains details along with several pictures and first person accounts of that disaster.
As Elsie and I were attending a ceremony as our daughter was graduating from the University Of Maine School of Nursing, (at Orono, 1993) a World War I story caused the audience to react with sadness and silence. One of the graduating nurses responded to “The Challenge Speech to The Nurses,” by one of the Professors. In her speech the young lady included a personal memory with the words: “You cannot easily forget being in a hospital room at two o’clock in the morning when the elderly lady in bed knows she is dying, and is happy about it -- because she believes that she will soon be with her husband who died in France in 1917.”
That lady kept the home fires burning for more than 76 years. Today there are people in many families that are keeping the home fires burning. May God bless them, the Troops, and the USA.
Dale Lincoln
for Skillin's Greenhouses
Zephyrhills FL
March 7, 2008
Going Loopy wth Lupine!
Barbara Gardener is sure growing some fine looking lupine on that estate of hers! These pictures really jazz me up! How can you not think of summer after looking at these pictures!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
"New to Skillin's", Perennial Varieties, "A through C"
Hello again,
Here are a few exciting “new to Skillin’s” perennial varieties we will be introducing in 2008. I will list a few new varieties this week and follow up with more introductions in the next few days! I have highlighted on some varieties what I feel are some very attractive attributes to some of the plants.
If you would like the entire list emailed to you, just let me know at info@skillins.com and I will send you a “Word” attachment:
PEARLY EVERLASTING – Anaphalis
12”-24” tall. Flowers are small, button-like and silvery over silvery foliage. Zones 3-9. Blooms early summer. Sun.
______________
ARKANSAS BLUE STAR
Amsonia tabernaemontana 30”-36” tall. Flowers are pale blue and star-shaped. Foliage is narrow-leaved and turns a beautiful golden color in fall. Forms a ‘dense, billowy’ mass. Zones 3-9. Blooms late spring to early summer. Sun to part shade.
------------------
ALKANET – Brunnera
‘Looking Glass’ 12”-15” tall. Leaves are heart-shaped, silver with prominent green veins when young turning almost completely silver as they mature. Small, blue flowers resemble for-get-me-nots. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-spring to late spring. Part shade to shade.
---------------------
ASTER - Aster
‘Alma Potschke’ 36” tall. Taller aster with hot pink flowers. Attracts butterflies. Excellent cut flower. zones 3-8. Blooms late summer mid fall. Sun.-
‘Red Alert’ 12”-15” tall. Deep red, daisy-like flowers on short, bushy plants.
Zones 4-8. Blooms late summer to fall. Sun.
‘October Skies’ 18”-24” tall. Daisy-like sky blue flowers with yellow centers. Busy habit. Drought tolerant. Attracts butterflies. Good cut flower. Zones 5-8. Blooms late summer to mid fall. Sun.
------------------------
BACHELOR’S BUTTON - Centaurea montana
‘Amethyst in Snow’ 12’24” tall. Flowers consist of white ‘trumpets’ and purple centers.
Silver green foliage. Attracts butterflies. Zones 3-9. Early summer bloomer. Full sun.
__________________
BALLOON FLOWER – Platycodon
‘Sentimental Blue’ 6”-8” tall. Purple flowers. Prolific bloomer. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-summer. Sun to part shade.
_____________________
BARRENWORT - Epimedium
‘Lilafee’ 8” tall. Clump forming. Flowers are lilac-pink. Zones 4-8. Blooms in spring. Part shade to shade.
-------------------------
BEARDED TONGUE - Penstemon
‘Mystica’ 30” tall. Foliage is burgundy red in spring turning more green in summer and then deep red in fall. Flowers are white with a tinge of lilac. Good cut flower. Zones 3-8. Blooms early to mid summer. Sun.
‘Prairie Dusk’ 24”-30” tall. Flowers rose-purple color. Trumpet shaped. Best planted in groups.
Drought tolerant. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 3-8. Bloom early summer. Sun.
‘Rubycunda’ 20” tall. Large tubular red flowers with white throats.
Zones 2-8. Blooms mid-late summer. Sun.
----------------------------------
BEE BALM - Monarda
‘Marshall’s Delight’ 2’-3’ tall. Pink flowers. Strong resistance to mildew. Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-summer to late summer.
-----------------------------
BELLFLOWER -Campanula
‘Chettle Charm’ 18”-36” tall. A peach leaved bellflower with white flowers edged in light violet.
Cutting back spent flowers will promote re-bloom. Excellent cut flower.
Zones 4-8. Blooms summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Pearl White’ 6”-10” tall. Mounded foliage covered in white cup shaped flowers. Blooms 1-2 weeks earlier than White Clips. Zones 3-8. Blooms early summer to fall. Sun to part shade.
-----------------------------------------
BLACK-EYED SUSAN - Rudbeckia
‘Herbstonne’ 6’-7’ tall. Yellow daisy-like flowers with bright green cones.
Long flowering. Finely cut foliage. Native to the US. Nice cut flower. Zones 3-10. Blooms mid-summer to early fall.
‘Hirta Maya’ 24”-36” tall. Large double yellow flowers 4”-5”. Excellent cut flower.
Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-summer to early fall. Sun.
-------------------------------------
BLEEDING HEART - Dicentra
‘King of Hearts’ 8”-10” tall. A fern-leaved bleeding heart with bright rose, heart-shaped flowers and finely cut blue-green foliage. Prolific bloomer. Will not go dormant if given enough moisture.
Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 5-9. Blooms late spring through early fall. Sun, part shade, shade.
‘Snowdrift’ 12”-15” tall. A fringed bleeding heart with pure white, heart-shaped flowers. Foliage is gray-green and finely cut. Will bloom late spring until early fall. Will not go dormant if given enough moisture. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 3-9. Blooms late spring to early fall. Part-shade to shade.
Bugloss – Anchusa
‘Blue Anglel’ 12”-24” tall. Small blue flowers resemble For-get-me-nots. Lance shaped leaves. Zones 3-8. Blooms in early summer. Sun to part shade.
------------------------------------------
BUTTERFLYWEED – Asclepias
‘Gay Butterflies’ 24” tall Flowers are various shades of orange and long-lasting. Performs best if left undivided. Attracts butterflies.. Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-late summer.
-----------------------------------
CLEMATIS – Clematis
Zones 4-8. Sun to part shade.
Grow in sun to part shade making sure roots are shaded to keep them cool.
Early bloomers – Bloom on previous seasons growth. Do not generally need to be pruned.
However, prune back within a month after blooming if you feel they need to be kept in check..
Old plants can be pruned back to 1-2 feet but it may take them a couple of years for them to re-bloom.
Early to mid-season bloomers and re-bloomers – The first blooms appear on previous years growth. Later blooms are on current years growth and may be smaller in size. These types should be pruned in late winter or early summer. Prune out dead shoots and ‘the remaining shoots cut back to 6-9” above a couple of well-developed buds.’
Late flowering – These type bloom on new growth in mid-summer and in early fall. The second bloom may be smaller than the first. Prune back in late winter or early spring. Prune back to previous years wood or prune a 1/3 of the stems back 6-9” above ‘well developed buds’ over the course of 3 years.
‘Belle of Woking’- Double rosette shaped flowers, light blue in color and 4”-6” wide.
Blooms May, June and September.
‘Comtesse De Bouchard’ - . 6’-10’ tall. Single light rose-pink flowers. Prolific bloomerFlowers 4”-6” wide. Blooms June-Oct.
‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ - 8’-12’ tall. Double rosette shaped white flowers 4”-6” wide. Blooms May-June and August-Sept.
‘Ernest Markham’ . 8’-16’ tall. Single magenta-red flowers. Heaviest bloom in late summer and fallFlowers 4”-6” wide. Blooms June-July and August- Oct.
‘General Sikorsky’ – 8’-10’ tall Single dark lavender flowers.. Flowers 6”-8” wide. Blooms May-June and Sept.
‘Hagley Hybrid’ – 6’-8’ tall. ingle, shell pink flowers. Prominent purple anthers. Flowers 5”-6” wide. Blooms June-Sept.
‘Henryi’ – 8’-10’ tall. Single pure white flowers with purple-violet anthers. Flowers 6”-8” wide.
Blooms May-June and July-Sept.
‘Jackmanni Superba’ – 8’-12’ tall. Deep purple flowers with creamy-yellow stamens. Vigorous grower. Flowers 5”-6” wide. Blooms June-Oct.
‘Montana Rubens’
Single pink, 4-petaled flowers, 2”-4” wide.
‘Multi-Blue’ – . 5’-10’ tall. Deep purple-blue flowers with silver mid-ribs. Flowers start out single ‘then develop multiple rows of petals as the ageFlowers 4”-5” wide. Blooms May-June and August-Oct.
‘Nelly Moser’ – . 6’-10’ tall. Single pale pink flowers with a dark pink middle. Flowers 7”-9” wide. Blooms May- June and Sept.
‘Niobe’ – 6’-8’ tall Single deep red flowers. One of the best reds.. Flowers 5”-7” wide. Blooms May-Sept.
‘The President’ – 8’-12’ tall. Single violet-blue flowers with dark red-purple anthers. Flowers 6”-8” wide. Bloom May-June and Sept- Oct.
‘Will Goodwin’ – 8’-12’ tall. Single lavender-blue flowers with creamy yellow stamens. Flowers 6”-8” wide. Blooms May-June and July-Sept.
Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autumn Clematis) – Small singe white flowers.Blooms heavily in fall, almost completely covering the foliage. Fragrant. 10’-30’ tall. Flowers ½ - 1inch wide. Blooms Sept-Oct.
______________________
COLUMBINE
‘Songbird Bunting’ 24” tall. Sky blue outer petals with white center petals. Zones 3-8. Blooms late spring. Sun to part shade.
‘Spring Magic Rose and Ivory’ 14” tall. Shorter variety long spurred, pink outer petals with creamy inner petals. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 2-9. Blooms early summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Swan Violet and White’ 24” tall. Long spurred purple-blue outer petals with white center petals. Blooms late spring. Sun to part shade.
_________________________
CONEFLOWER - Echinacea
‘After Midnight’ 12” tall. Dwarf variety with slightly fragrant dark magenta-purple flowers with a black red cone on black stems. Compact habit and nicely branched. Nice cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-8. Blooms mid-summer to late summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Pink Double Delight’ 18”-24” tall. Shorter variety with a well-branched, compact habit. Flowers are pink with pompon like centers. Nice cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-summer to late summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Sunrise’ 30”-36” tall. Light yellow, daisy-like flowers. Cone starts green and turns gold. Good branching. Attracts butterflies. Nice cut flower.Zones 4-8. Blooms mid to late summer. Sun to part shade.
__________________
CORALBELLS - Heuchera
‘Harvest Burgundy’ 12”-18” tall. Silvery purple foliage with purplish undersides and prominent green veins.
Pink buds, light pink to white flowers. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-9. Blooms early summer. Sun, part-shade. Shade.
‘Harvest Silver’ 12”-18” tall. Silvery-green foliage with prominent green veins. Attracts butterflies.
Pink buds, pink flowers. Zones 4-9. Blooms early summer. Sun, part-shade. Shade.
‘Marmalade’ 10”-16” tall. Shiny, peach and honey colored leaves with bright purple undersides.
Red buds, white flowers. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-9. Blooms late spring to early summer. Sun, part-shade to shade.
‘Melting Fire’ 10”-16” tall. Curled leaves bright red when young, turning a purple-red when mature.
Flowers stems are red. Buds pink. Flowers white. Attracts butterflies.
Zones 4-9. Blooms late spring to early summer. Sun, part-shade to shade.
‘Obsidian’ 10”-24” tall. Deep purple-black leaves with shiny deep purples undersides. Compact growth habit.Smoky purple buds, white flowers. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-9. Blooms
late spring to mid-summer. Sun, part-shade, shade.
‘Ruby Bells’ 12”-18” tall. Dark green foliage with bright red flowers. Attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Zones 3-8. Blooms late spring to mid summer. Part shade to shade.
_______________
CRANESBILL – Geranium
‘Sweet Heidi’ 12” tall. Very long flowering. Flowers are purple-blue with a white eye surround by a pink ring. Sprawling habit which makes it useful as a groundcover. Zones 5-8. Blooms late spring to early fall. Sun to part shade.
‘White Ness’ 12” tall. Pure white flowers. Light green foliage. Flowers are very aromatic. Good cover in shaded areas. Zones 4-8. Blooms early summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Splish-Splash’ 24”-26” tall. White flowers with irregular purple markings. Dark green leaves on low-growing mounds. May re-bloom if cut back. Zones 4-9. Blooms summer. Sun to part shade.
-----------------------------
CUSHION SPURGE - Euphorbia
‘Chameleon’ 18” tall. Bronze-purple leaves with bright yellow flower\bracts in spring. Zones 4-8. Blooms early spring. Sun.
‘Donkeytail Spurge’ 6” tall. Leaves grow in a spiral along stems. Gray-green foliage. Yellow flowers in spring. Zones 4-9. Blooms early spring. Sun.
Mike Skillin
Skillin's Greenhouses
March 6, 2008
Here are a few exciting “new to Skillin’s” perennial varieties we will be introducing in 2008. I will list a few new varieties this week and follow up with more introductions in the next few days! I have highlighted on some varieties what I feel are some very attractive attributes to some of the plants.
If you would like the entire list emailed to you, just let me know at info@skillins.com and I will send you a “Word” attachment:
PEARLY EVERLASTING – Anaphalis
12”-24” tall. Flowers are small, button-like and silvery over silvery foliage. Zones 3-9. Blooms early summer. Sun.
______________
ARKANSAS BLUE STAR
Amsonia tabernaemontana 30”-36” tall. Flowers are pale blue and star-shaped. Foliage is narrow-leaved and turns a beautiful golden color in fall. Forms a ‘dense, billowy’ mass. Zones 3-9. Blooms late spring to early summer. Sun to part shade.
------------------
ALKANET – Brunnera
‘Looking Glass’ 12”-15” tall. Leaves are heart-shaped, silver with prominent green veins when young turning almost completely silver as they mature. Small, blue flowers resemble for-get-me-nots. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-spring to late spring. Part shade to shade.
---------------------
ASTER - Aster
‘Alma Potschke’ 36” tall. Taller aster with hot pink flowers. Attracts butterflies. Excellent cut flower. zones 3-8. Blooms late summer mid fall. Sun.-
‘Red Alert’ 12”-15” tall. Deep red, daisy-like flowers on short, bushy plants.
Zones 4-8. Blooms late summer to fall. Sun.
‘October Skies’ 18”-24” tall. Daisy-like sky blue flowers with yellow centers. Busy habit. Drought tolerant. Attracts butterflies. Good cut flower. Zones 5-8. Blooms late summer to mid fall. Sun.
------------------------
BACHELOR’S BUTTON - Centaurea montana
‘Amethyst in Snow’ 12’24” tall. Flowers consist of white ‘trumpets’ and purple centers.
Silver green foliage. Attracts butterflies. Zones 3-9. Early summer bloomer. Full sun.
__________________
BALLOON FLOWER – Platycodon
‘Sentimental Blue’ 6”-8” tall. Purple flowers. Prolific bloomer. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-summer. Sun to part shade.
_____________________
BARRENWORT - Epimedium
‘Lilafee’ 8” tall. Clump forming. Flowers are lilac-pink. Zones 4-8. Blooms in spring. Part shade to shade.
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BEARDED TONGUE - Penstemon
‘Mystica’ 30” tall. Foliage is burgundy red in spring turning more green in summer and then deep red in fall. Flowers are white with a tinge of lilac. Good cut flower. Zones 3-8. Blooms early to mid summer. Sun.
‘Prairie Dusk’ 24”-30” tall. Flowers rose-purple color. Trumpet shaped. Best planted in groups.
Drought tolerant. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 3-8. Bloom early summer. Sun.
‘Rubycunda’ 20” tall. Large tubular red flowers with white throats.
Zones 2-8. Blooms mid-late summer. Sun.
----------------------------------
BEE BALM - Monarda
‘Marshall’s Delight’ 2’-3’ tall. Pink flowers. Strong resistance to mildew. Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-summer to late summer.
-----------------------------
BELLFLOWER -Campanula
‘Chettle Charm’ 18”-36” tall. A peach leaved bellflower with white flowers edged in light violet.
Cutting back spent flowers will promote re-bloom. Excellent cut flower.
Zones 4-8. Blooms summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Pearl White’ 6”-10” tall. Mounded foliage covered in white cup shaped flowers. Blooms 1-2 weeks earlier than White Clips. Zones 3-8. Blooms early summer to fall. Sun to part shade.
-----------------------------------------
BLACK-EYED SUSAN - Rudbeckia
‘Herbstonne’ 6’-7’ tall. Yellow daisy-like flowers with bright green cones.
Long flowering. Finely cut foliage. Native to the US. Nice cut flower. Zones 3-10. Blooms mid-summer to early fall.
‘Hirta Maya’ 24”-36” tall. Large double yellow flowers 4”-5”. Excellent cut flower.
Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-summer to early fall. Sun.
-------------------------------------
BLEEDING HEART - Dicentra
‘King of Hearts’ 8”-10” tall. A fern-leaved bleeding heart with bright rose, heart-shaped flowers and finely cut blue-green foliage. Prolific bloomer. Will not go dormant if given enough moisture.
Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 5-9. Blooms late spring through early fall. Sun, part shade, shade.
‘Snowdrift’ 12”-15” tall. A fringed bleeding heart with pure white, heart-shaped flowers. Foliage is gray-green and finely cut. Will bloom late spring until early fall. Will not go dormant if given enough moisture. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 3-9. Blooms late spring to early fall. Part-shade to shade.
Bugloss – Anchusa
‘Blue Anglel’ 12”-24” tall. Small blue flowers resemble For-get-me-nots. Lance shaped leaves. Zones 3-8. Blooms in early summer. Sun to part shade.
------------------------------------------
BUTTERFLYWEED – Asclepias
‘Gay Butterflies’ 24” tall Flowers are various shades of orange and long-lasting. Performs best if left undivided. Attracts butterflies.. Zones 4-9. Blooms mid-late summer.
-----------------------------------
CLEMATIS – Clematis
Zones 4-8. Sun to part shade.
Grow in sun to part shade making sure roots are shaded to keep them cool.
Early bloomers – Bloom on previous seasons growth. Do not generally need to be pruned.
However, prune back within a month after blooming if you feel they need to be kept in check..
Old plants can be pruned back to 1-2 feet but it may take them a couple of years for them to re-bloom.
Early to mid-season bloomers and re-bloomers – The first blooms appear on previous years growth. Later blooms are on current years growth and may be smaller in size. These types should be pruned in late winter or early summer. Prune out dead shoots and ‘the remaining shoots cut back to 6-9” above a couple of well-developed buds.’
Late flowering – These type bloom on new growth in mid-summer and in early fall. The second bloom may be smaller than the first. Prune back in late winter or early spring. Prune back to previous years wood or prune a 1/3 of the stems back 6-9” above ‘well developed buds’ over the course of 3 years.
‘Belle of Woking’- Double rosette shaped flowers, light blue in color and 4”-6” wide.
Blooms May, June and September.
‘Comtesse De Bouchard’ - . 6’-10’ tall. Single light rose-pink flowers. Prolific bloomerFlowers 4”-6” wide. Blooms June-Oct.
‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ - 8’-12’ tall. Double rosette shaped white flowers 4”-6” wide. Blooms May-June and August-Sept.
‘Ernest Markham’ . 8’-16’ tall. Single magenta-red flowers. Heaviest bloom in late summer and fallFlowers 4”-6” wide. Blooms June-July and August- Oct.
‘General Sikorsky’ – 8’-10’ tall Single dark lavender flowers.. Flowers 6”-8” wide. Blooms May-June and Sept.
‘Hagley Hybrid’ – 6’-8’ tall. ingle, shell pink flowers. Prominent purple anthers. Flowers 5”-6” wide. Blooms June-Sept.
‘Henryi’ – 8’-10’ tall. Single pure white flowers with purple-violet anthers. Flowers 6”-8” wide.
Blooms May-June and July-Sept.
‘Jackmanni Superba’ – 8’-12’ tall. Deep purple flowers with creamy-yellow stamens. Vigorous grower. Flowers 5”-6” wide. Blooms June-Oct.
‘Montana Rubens’
Single pink, 4-petaled flowers, 2”-4” wide.
‘Multi-Blue’ – . 5’-10’ tall. Deep purple-blue flowers with silver mid-ribs. Flowers start out single ‘then develop multiple rows of petals as the ageFlowers 4”-5” wide. Blooms May-June and August-Oct.
‘Nelly Moser’ – . 6’-10’ tall. Single pale pink flowers with a dark pink middle. Flowers 7”-9” wide. Blooms May- June and Sept.
‘Niobe’ – 6’-8’ tall Single deep red flowers. One of the best reds.. Flowers 5”-7” wide. Blooms May-Sept.
‘The President’ – 8’-12’ tall. Single violet-blue flowers with dark red-purple anthers. Flowers 6”-8” wide. Bloom May-June and Sept- Oct.
‘Will Goodwin’ – 8’-12’ tall. Single lavender-blue flowers with creamy yellow stamens. Flowers 6”-8” wide. Blooms May-June and July-Sept.
Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autumn Clematis) – Small singe white flowers.Blooms heavily in fall, almost completely covering the foliage. Fragrant. 10’-30’ tall. Flowers ½ - 1inch wide. Blooms Sept-Oct.
______________________
COLUMBINE
‘Songbird Bunting’ 24” tall. Sky blue outer petals with white center petals. Zones 3-8. Blooms late spring. Sun to part shade.
‘Spring Magic Rose and Ivory’ 14” tall. Shorter variety long spurred, pink outer petals with creamy inner petals. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 2-9. Blooms early summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Swan Violet and White’ 24” tall. Long spurred purple-blue outer petals with white center petals. Blooms late spring. Sun to part shade.
_________________________
CONEFLOWER - Echinacea
‘After Midnight’ 12” tall. Dwarf variety with slightly fragrant dark magenta-purple flowers with a black red cone on black stems. Compact habit and nicely branched. Nice cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-8. Blooms mid-summer to late summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Pink Double Delight’ 18”-24” tall. Shorter variety with a well-branched, compact habit. Flowers are pink with pompon like centers. Nice cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Zones 3-8. Blooms mid-summer to late summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Sunrise’ 30”-36” tall. Light yellow, daisy-like flowers. Cone starts green and turns gold. Good branching. Attracts butterflies. Nice cut flower.Zones 4-8. Blooms mid to late summer. Sun to part shade.
__________________
CORALBELLS - Heuchera
‘Harvest Burgundy’ 12”-18” tall. Silvery purple foliage with purplish undersides and prominent green veins.
Pink buds, light pink to white flowers. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-9. Blooms early summer. Sun, part-shade. Shade.
‘Harvest Silver’ 12”-18” tall. Silvery-green foliage with prominent green veins. Attracts butterflies.
Pink buds, pink flowers. Zones 4-9. Blooms early summer. Sun, part-shade. Shade.
‘Marmalade’ 10”-16” tall. Shiny, peach and honey colored leaves with bright purple undersides.
Red buds, white flowers. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-9. Blooms late spring to early summer. Sun, part-shade to shade.
‘Melting Fire’ 10”-16” tall. Curled leaves bright red when young, turning a purple-red when mature.
Flowers stems are red. Buds pink. Flowers white. Attracts butterflies.
Zones 4-9. Blooms late spring to early summer. Sun, part-shade to shade.
‘Obsidian’ 10”-24” tall. Deep purple-black leaves with shiny deep purples undersides. Compact growth habit.Smoky purple buds, white flowers. Attracts butterflies. Zones 4-9. Blooms
late spring to mid-summer. Sun, part-shade, shade.
‘Ruby Bells’ 12”-18” tall. Dark green foliage with bright red flowers. Attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Zones 3-8. Blooms late spring to mid summer. Part shade to shade.
_______________
CRANESBILL – Geranium
‘Sweet Heidi’ 12” tall. Very long flowering. Flowers are purple-blue with a white eye surround by a pink ring. Sprawling habit which makes it useful as a groundcover. Zones 5-8. Blooms late spring to early fall. Sun to part shade.
‘White Ness’ 12” tall. Pure white flowers. Light green foliage. Flowers are very aromatic. Good cover in shaded areas. Zones 4-8. Blooms early summer. Sun to part shade.
‘Splish-Splash’ 24”-26” tall. White flowers with irregular purple markings. Dark green leaves on low-growing mounds. May re-bloom if cut back. Zones 4-9. Blooms summer. Sun to part shade.
-----------------------------
CUSHION SPURGE - Euphorbia
‘Chameleon’ 18” tall. Bronze-purple leaves with bright yellow flower\bracts in spring. Zones 4-8. Blooms early spring. Sun.
‘Donkeytail Spurge’ 6” tall. Leaves grow in a spiral along stems. Gray-green foliage. Yellow flowers in spring. Zones 4-9. Blooms early spring. Sun.
Mike Skillin
Skillin's Greenhouses
March 6, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Where was I……….? by KCB
KCB is a professional gardener and friend who does wonderful work in the Greater Portland area. KCB is also an accredited Master Gardener by the Cooperative Extension Service and we are honored to have KCB as part of our Skillin's Garden Log family!
Where was I……….?
I hope everyone had a great Leap Day. Being Irish I have the whole year to enjoy it…once every 4 years it is permissible for an Irish woman to ask a man for his hand in marriage. This should be an interesting year……..
Can you believe it is March? Yes, March. It seemed like only yesterday I was at the Skillin’s Open House in Falmouth! This year’s event was the best ever! Sally and crew could use a standing ovation! The place was alive. Tim over saw a magical landscape where once there was only concrete. I did all I could not to bury my face in the fresh mulch. That scent is so hypnotic! Another one to look forward to in Brunswick. (on March 29 and 30!)
This week’s magic will surely center around The Portland Flower Show. I am so excited that I’m already looking for a place to park. When you attend the Portland Flower Show bring along your camera and journals. What, you have not begun your Garden Journals? Oh, dear…. I have already entered the date I witnessed the Robin migration and the return of the Mockingbird.
So where was I?
How I came to be a gardener.
Fast forward to 1993 or was it ’94? Can you believe I can not recall the year we moved into our house on Munjoy Hill? It almost never happened except for a phone call that was answered by my husband. A friend of mine was getting married and his fiancé’ was selling her house. For what seemed like months my friend mentioned the house. He thought it would be perfect for my (former) husband and I. I never gave it much thought Ok, I did, ‘The Hill’ and the fact we weren’t financially ready did factor into it. Needless to say I never mentioned the house to my husband. One day as I walked into our kitchen, my husband was on the phone and gestured to me as he mouthed ‘What is this about a house? ‘A’ (friend) wants us to see it today before they sign with a realtor’.
I was caught. ‘A’ was speaking to my husband as if husband should know all about the house. I felt like I had my hand in a cookie jar. No worse, that I had come in past curfew with Cold Duck on my breath (not the fowl but the sickly sweet bubbly drink of my college days).
I had a lot of explaining to do on our way to see this house. Of course we couldn’t buy it. Nor did we expect to want to. ‘A’ was waiting for us, More explaining on my part. Just one look, was all it took. It was early May so all I really remember about the garden was that it was small and took up the whole front of the house. There were 3 ‘flowering bushes’ which I later learned were 2 small leafed Rhododendrons and one Azalea. The back of the house was some kind of tiered garden that could only be accessed through the basement. A pear tree poked above and could be seen from the front of the house. A garden? Perennials? Okay. I guess that is nice. It wasn’t the gardens that sold either of us. For husband it was the built-in bookshelves/entertainment unit. For me, the view. What better for a city girl then to have an unobstructed view of the city, Slightly to the left of the cityscape was Back Cove. ‘A’ mentioned on a clear day you could see Mt. Washington which we later learned to be the truth. Ah, but the best was yet to come. After our tour it was nearing 7 pm. The sun was preparing to set. The gentle melding of day to dusk called to me. Each and every sunset thereafter a symphony. I will miss that house forever.
When we moved in at the end of June everything was overgrown. The pretty bushes flowered no more; the tree in the front of our house was in bloom (a magnificent dogwood). Later this tree would litter our front walk with red prickly fruit that squished when stepped upon. I recently discovered that these fruits are sweet and may be used in a jam.
I was overwhelmed. I knew nothing. Friends were envious of the gardens and helped me sort through the weeds. Ok, they did the sorting while I sipped wine, the men drank beer and boasted about who could make the best burger. Food and plants would be their reward.
I couldn’t tell a weed from a peony except that the big plants in full bloom were called peonies. Imagine my surprise when these extra large shrub like plants (the peonies) once cut back would completely disappear over the winter. The next spring I was devastated that they didn’t return, until it was pointed out that the red little sprouts were my Peonies.
The next spring my husband and I attempted to weed. Still it was just too much. I wanted to sit on my deck, read, watch sunsets and, yes drink wine. Then something happened. Not sure why, what or how, but I started to notice. I noticed other peoples gardens, gardening magazines, my garden. I used my not weeding as an excuse to ‘see what happens’. With each new sprout, flecks of color and change in form, I was almost hooked. There still was this thing with dirt, crawly things and ruining a perfectly good manicure. Not to mention sweating and spending hours on my knees.
While walking around our neighborhood I couldn’t help but notice how people in these urban settings transformed minute plots of earth to lush slices of color. Little did I know, I was about to fall in love…with Cosmos? One gentleman had a 4’ X 2 foot plot full of them. Soon they were everywhere. We’d go for drives just too see gardens and within these gardens the elegant Cosmos. I loved the daintiness, how the blooms seemed to hover as if stem less. The way they moved with the slightest breeze. As I child I always asked for a corsage of ‘painted daisies’ for my piano recitals. The hot pink blooms reminded me of the flowers I so adored as a kid. Ironically, I hated the piano and suffered from extreme stage fright. I would persevere just to don a bracelet of pink.
Again, I am out of time. I also have a beautiful yet impatient dog that wants to show me her ball. A sure sign she must be taken out.
See you at the Portland Flower Show……
KCB
for Skillin's Greenhouses
March 5, 2008
Where was I……….?
I hope everyone had a great Leap Day. Being Irish I have the whole year to enjoy it…once every 4 years it is permissible for an Irish woman to ask a man for his hand in marriage. This should be an interesting year……..
Can you believe it is March? Yes, March. It seemed like only yesterday I was at the Skillin’s Open House in Falmouth! This year’s event was the best ever! Sally and crew could use a standing ovation! The place was alive. Tim over saw a magical landscape where once there was only concrete. I did all I could not to bury my face in the fresh mulch. That scent is so hypnotic! Another one to look forward to in Brunswick. (on March 29 and 30!)
This week’s magic will surely center around The Portland Flower Show. I am so excited that I’m already looking for a place to park. When you attend the Portland Flower Show bring along your camera and journals. What, you have not begun your Garden Journals? Oh, dear…. I have already entered the date I witnessed the Robin migration and the return of the Mockingbird.
So where was I?
How I came to be a gardener.
Fast forward to 1993 or was it ’94? Can you believe I can not recall the year we moved into our house on Munjoy Hill? It almost never happened except for a phone call that was answered by my husband. A friend of mine was getting married and his fiancé’ was selling her house. For what seemed like months my friend mentioned the house. He thought it would be perfect for my (former) husband and I. I never gave it much thought Ok, I did, ‘The Hill’ and the fact we weren’t financially ready did factor into it. Needless to say I never mentioned the house to my husband. One day as I walked into our kitchen, my husband was on the phone and gestured to me as he mouthed ‘What is this about a house? ‘A’ (friend) wants us to see it today before they sign with a realtor’.
I was caught. ‘A’ was speaking to my husband as if husband should know all about the house. I felt like I had my hand in a cookie jar. No worse, that I had come in past curfew with Cold Duck on my breath (not the fowl but the sickly sweet bubbly drink of my college days).
I had a lot of explaining to do on our way to see this house. Of course we couldn’t buy it. Nor did we expect to want to. ‘A’ was waiting for us, More explaining on my part. Just one look, was all it took. It was early May so all I really remember about the garden was that it was small and took up the whole front of the house. There were 3 ‘flowering bushes’ which I later learned were 2 small leafed Rhododendrons and one Azalea. The back of the house was some kind of tiered garden that could only be accessed through the basement. A pear tree poked above and could be seen from the front of the house. A garden? Perennials? Okay. I guess that is nice. It wasn’t the gardens that sold either of us. For husband it was the built-in bookshelves/entertainment unit. For me, the view. What better for a city girl then to have an unobstructed view of the city, Slightly to the left of the cityscape was Back Cove. ‘A’ mentioned on a clear day you could see Mt. Washington which we later learned to be the truth. Ah, but the best was yet to come. After our tour it was nearing 7 pm. The sun was preparing to set. The gentle melding of day to dusk called to me. Each and every sunset thereafter a symphony. I will miss that house forever.
When we moved in at the end of June everything was overgrown. The pretty bushes flowered no more; the tree in the front of our house was in bloom (a magnificent dogwood). Later this tree would litter our front walk with red prickly fruit that squished when stepped upon. I recently discovered that these fruits are sweet and may be used in a jam.
I was overwhelmed. I knew nothing. Friends were envious of the gardens and helped me sort through the weeds. Ok, they did the sorting while I sipped wine, the men drank beer and boasted about who could make the best burger. Food and plants would be their reward.
I couldn’t tell a weed from a peony except that the big plants in full bloom were called peonies. Imagine my surprise when these extra large shrub like plants (the peonies) once cut back would completely disappear over the winter. The next spring I was devastated that they didn’t return, until it was pointed out that the red little sprouts were my Peonies.
The next spring my husband and I attempted to weed. Still it was just too much. I wanted to sit on my deck, read, watch sunsets and, yes drink wine. Then something happened. Not sure why, what or how, but I started to notice. I noticed other peoples gardens, gardening magazines, my garden. I used my not weeding as an excuse to ‘see what happens’. With each new sprout, flecks of color and change in form, I was almost hooked. There still was this thing with dirt, crawly things and ruining a perfectly good manicure. Not to mention sweating and spending hours on my knees.
While walking around our neighborhood I couldn’t help but notice how people in these urban settings transformed minute plots of earth to lush slices of color. Little did I know, I was about to fall in love…with Cosmos? One gentleman had a 4’ X 2 foot plot full of them. Soon they were everywhere. We’d go for drives just too see gardens and within these gardens the elegant Cosmos. I loved the daintiness, how the blooms seemed to hover as if stem less. The way they moved with the slightest breeze. As I child I always asked for a corsage of ‘painted daisies’ for my piano recitals. The hot pink blooms reminded me of the flowers I so adored as a kid. Ironically, I hated the piano and suffered from extreme stage fright. I would persevere just to don a bracelet of pink.
Again, I am out of time. I also have a beautiful yet impatient dog that wants to show me her ball. A sure sign she must be taken out.
See you at the Portland Flower Show……
KCB
for Skillin's Greenhouses
March 5, 2008
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