The Decorative Dahlia Lucky Number, ‘Dahlia’, a spring planted tuberous root, has velvety pink flowers. This Dahlia produces masses of large blooms from July until frost. Dahlia’s are ideal for cut flowers, borders, containers, and massings. They tend to bloom for long periods, and few plants offer as much variety and showy flowers as the Dahlia. They do best in well drained, humus rich soils.
The Mache Corn Salad Big Seeded, ‘Valerianella locusta’, has the mildest flavor and softest texture of any salad green. The leaves are so tender, they melt in your mouth. We chose the big-seeded Mache variety because it handles spring/summer heat without getting bitter. Great for both north and south gardens. This old garden green, enjoyed in the late stone age, contrasts nicely with the sharp-flavored greens in salads. To harvest, simply cut off at ground level. The leaves can be picked off when they are 1 to 2 inches long.
The Verbena Patio Temari - (Blue) is well suited for container plantings because of their bushier, upright growth habit. Patio Blue will reward you with a bountiful show of bright velvety blue blooms on top of dark green, lush, fern-like foliage. This Verbena is a vigorous grower and will quickly fill your containers to brighten up those empty corners of the patio. Also great for use as borders in the landscape. Temari’s bushy and upright habit makes for masses of richly colored flowers that cascade over the edges of pots and window boxes.
The Spirea ‘Renaissance’, Spirea vanhouttei ‘Renaissance’, has improved disease resistance. This bridal wreath like plant shares the same arching displays of snow white flowers as its old time parent. Arching boughs blossom in mid to late spring that are stunning on cloudy days or in moonlight. Popular cut flower for wreath making. Fountain shape makes ideal specimen or dark green background shrub which turns orange-red in the fall. A deciduous shrub that should be placed in full sun.
The Grass ‘Soft Rush Grass’, Juncus effusus Quarter Creek, Upright Divergent. Known for its narrow, soft round stems and vertical growth, Soft Rush has medium green foliage that turns yellowish brown after the first frost. Flowers are noticeable and are borne at the stem tips in early summer. An effective foliage plant in any water setting or continaer. Grows best in moist, peaty soils in light shade. Soft rush provides food and nesting to birds and other wildlife.
The Coleus Freckles, ‘Coleus hybrid’, has creamy yellow foliage with bronze and orange splotches. These new, bigger, sun loving varieties have revolutionized contanier gardening. The brilliant colors explode in sunny locations. Coleus plants are durable and easy to grow. The coleus plants are a tender perennials. Frost will cause them to die immediately. Coleus must have good soil drainage. Poorly drained soils and excessive watering will damage coleus. Plants suffering from “wet feet” will be stunted, leaves will turn a muddy brown, and leaf margins will be scorched.For zones 10-11, this plant can also be a perennial.
The Ponderosa Pine, Pinus Ponderosa, will grow on most soils including very sandy soils and sites with very little topsoil. Once established, it is very drought resistant. With good care, Ponderosa Pine trees will grow to a height of six feet in six years, starting with a 2 year old seedling. It is a tall stately tree that is widely used in windbreaks. This evergreen conifer tree thrives in full sun and poor soil, and it is one of the tallest and most important timber pines in the western states.
The Asiatic Hybrid Lily Chianti, ‘Lillium’, a spring planted bulb, produces pink flowers. Asiatic Lilies are great for borders, beds, and containers. They prefer well drained soil, and they will multiply each year. Allow the leaves on the stalk to turn yellow and fall off to provide the bulb with ample nourishment for the next growing year. Asiatic Hybrids are the first lilies to bloom each season, and the blooms are long lasting in the garden and in bouquets.
The Carrot Scarlet Nantes, ‘Daucus carota var. sativus’, is an old standard that has a reputation for sweet flavor and crisp texture. The bright orange-red roots are 6 to 7 inches long. The open pollinated Scarlet Nantes deserves to be and old favorite because of the sweet flavor, crisp texture and an inconspicuous core. The dye from carrots is used to color butter. A 50% peat moss mix with the soil is ideal. Even moisture is essential.
The Cresthaven Peach tree produces a very firm, highly colored red fruit. The Cresthaven peach is yellow fleshed and shows considerable red around the pit. This tree is very productive and is also a freestone. The clear, firm flesh is resistant to browning and the skin is smooth but tough.