Perennial Hedge?

Have you ever thought of using a perennial for a 'hedge'??? Try Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'!

May 8 - Rose Trial Status

Updates on just a few of the roses in the trial gardens --- just across from the new shade trial gardens near the Yard Shoppe.


Rosa Little Mischief - Easy Elegance


Rosa Golden Eye - Easy Elegance


Rosa Elsie May


Rosa Double Knockout


Rosa Knockout


Rosa My Hero - Easy Elegance


Rosa Mystic Fairy - Easy Elegance

For more information about Easy Elgance(R) Roses visit: http://www.easyeleganceroses.com/

New Shade Trial Beds

Exciting developments today as Kevin and the landscape crew lay out beds and begin planting for the future shade trial beds. These gardens are near the Yard Shoppe behind the shade structure in the yard - in the garden we call "Retail North". Three shade trees will be planted and once their canopies provide enough shade there will be comparisons of ferns and astilbe. Right now we begin with, hosta comparisons in the areas with most shade and the geranium comparisons are being planted nearby. Retail North garden will also be home to a comparison of Boxwood - all except Wintergreen will be planted with the intention of allowing them to grow to their natural habits without pruning. A Spiraea comparison will also be installed. See the beginning of the project here.

May 2, 2007 Landscape Walk

Kevin McGowen, Robert Adolph and Christa Orum-Keller completed the first landscape walk of the year after the snow has subsided. Priority projects for the next weeks are to rennovate the retail north gardens, install the Johnson House landscape and complete plantings around the new pond near the Yard Shoppe. In June we will focus on the Midwest SolutionsTM plantings on the west side of the office as well as additional plantings of Jeepers CreepersTM.

Featured plants in Retail North will be: Buxus comparisons, Spiraea comparisons, Hosta comparisons and Geranium comparisons. Three shade trees will be installed to provide future shade and the addition of Astilbe and Fern comparisons will follow once the trees are large enough. The path will be redesigned somewhat.

The Johnson House project is focused on providing an example of how to complete a typical (NOT high end!) residential landscape project with an eco friendly twist! There will be four Midwest SolutionsTM plant combinations used with a strong focus on the micro environment. Choosing plant combinations to meet the precise cultural site requirements provides a more sustainable foundation, while also looking aesthetically pleasing. There will be rain barrels at each downspout. The rain barrels come with their own watering hoses - the units are of recycled plastic and we expect they will be easy to install and use. We found them at www.gardenerssupply.com. Finally, we identified a moist spot in the back yard. We will excavate about one foot and included in the final design is a small rain garden.

If you visit the new water feature between the wholesale office and the yard shoppe, it looks bare now - but not for long! Kevin and Christa have been working on developing an excellent, very low and dry plant combination for the front section. We want to include a 'standing / teaching mini stage' with stepping stones. Behind the water feature, we're working on a more detailed plant by plant design. If you have ideas - share them with Kevin.



Plants in bloom: Epimedium, Waldsteinia, Vibrunum carlessi