Autumn Inspiration

I'd say Mucha captures the colors of Autumn just right, wouldn't you?

Inspiration is all around this time of year and the weather has been glorious... get outside and enjoy every wonderful moment while it lasts.

Sedum 'Matrona'

Heucherella 'Citronelle'

Witchhazel 'Arnold's Promise'

Ilex 'Sparkleberry'

Here Comes The Snow!

So I'm not sure why Mother Nature decided to wait until March for a big snow storm... we were already in Spring maintenance mode!

Time to switch gears back to winter now and get ready to see this tomorrow morning... stay safe and warm!

Trimming Ornamental Grasses

As January comes to an end it's time to think about cutting back your ornamental grasses.  Just about every variety of grass benefits from an annual shearing and now is a great time to do it!

Usually by now grasses start to look a little tattered and beaten and the new growth has yet to emerge, making February an ideal time to tackle this garden chore.

Depending on the size of the clump and the variety of ornamental grass, you may want to consider using twine or a bungee cord to gather the grass together into a tight bundle. Tie your string about 2' or so above the base of the plant and make sure it is tightly wrapped. This makes the clumps easier to manage, once they've been cut.

Using sharp power hedge sheers or hand tools cut the grasses back to a height of about 18 inches or so, below your twine.   Be sure to use appropriate safety gear, goggles, ear plugs and gloves and avoid cutting grasses on a windy day... you'll end up making more work for yourself with the cleanup!

The cut clumps can be used as mulch on garden beds or composted although some of the larger, thicker varieties can take a while to decompose.

 Smaller ornamental grasses like liriopes can be trimmed using a lawn mower.  Set your mower on its highest setting and with a sharp blade and a bagger you can trim them in no time!  This technique works well for other groundcovers like periwinkle and plumbago as well.  Again, the timing is important, you want to be sure that the new foliage has yet to break dormancy.

If you have any questions about your specific ornamental grass or would rather have someone else do the chore, give us a call!  432.0788

'Tis The Season...

Autumn is Perfect For Tree Planting!

There is a misconception that spring is the only time suitable for planting... not true!

Right now, during the fall is a wonderful time for planting, trees especially!  Take advantage of these wonderful temperatures and great rainfalls to help get your garden established.

Fall plantings, while the trees are losing their leaves and going dormant can be a wonderful way to get a jump on your gardening for next spring.

The tree's energy can go into root production, not into keeping its leaves plump with water and provided you keep your tree well watered, you will be rewarded with a healthy, thriving plant come springtime.

 

Call our offices today if you'd like to come by and see what we've got on hand... we're always happy to help you find the right plant for your garden.      

432.0788

Like a Kid in a Candy Store...

... that's what it's like to be a plant lover and collector, working at a landscaping company in the Spring!  It's fabulous!

We're starting to get our plant orders in from growers all over Virginia and have amassed quite an impressive inventory so far.  Many of them are available for retail sale (by appointment, so give us a call) or, if you are in search of a plant you aren't finding locally let us know.  We can keep our eyes open as we visit nurseries and scour availabilty lists from growers!



                                                                    Silene 'Rolly's Favorite'

 Here's just a few that are in the greenhouse now!












Fothergilla 'Mt. Airy'



Veronica 'Waterperry'

Clematis buds

Dicentra spectabilis

Hosta 'June'

Dianthus 'Raspberry Surprise'

Helleborus flower after blooming

Fastigiata Boxwood in back, 'Justin Brouwer' Boxwood in front

Perhaps We Spoke Too Soon

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 Mark Twain must have been talking about spring in the Valley...