Perennials vs. Annuals

What can I say.... I am a perennial plant farmer, so which ones do I pick? I do grow annuals, but mainly for my cut flower business, so I only grow annuals with a stem that is at least 18". We will have a few annuals for sale, and some tomato plants & vegetable transplants listed below. I like the 'plant it once' theory for the flower garden vs. the plant it 'every year' theory. Sure a few annuals are okay for color, but fill your beds with perennials, and they'll give you happiness for years not a few months! =)

Got shady? Astilbes are great for shade, and they love a little extra water. They also do great in just afternoon shade. This is 'Ostrich Plume.

Dianthus 'Sangria Splash.' Very fragrant. Dianthus can be 'short' lived perennials, usually lasting 2-5 yrs. But even so ......worth it!

Would you really pick a petunia over this gorgeous Echinacea? This is 'Magnus' and I started them from seed last year, and dug this spring. Full sun, low care once established, 36" tall

Ahhh. Oriental Lily, 'Mona Lisa.' Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Hardy 20" perennial, blooms in July. We have about 7 varieties ready to go.

• Orange Blossom Tomato (pictured above)
• Sungold Cherry Tomato
• Suncherry (cherry) Tomato
• Juliet - plum type Tomato
• Better Boy (available later)
• some Bell and Jalapeno peppers
• Broccoli

Opening Day is Saturday, May 1st at 11pm. We will also be at the Mankato Farmer's Market from 8-12. We can only bring 'so much' to the market, so best selection at the field. Remember first 50 customers at the field location get a free bareroot daylily, one per family.

Perennial Plant of the Year...We GOT it!

Baptisia australis : Awesome fully hardy perennial. Very large, gets up to 40" tall and bushy, so good back of the border plant. Blooms early spring w/peonies and iris. Has nice foliage all season. Baptisia does not like to be moved, so put it where it can stay. Their root system is so tough, we had to dig around the plants, then cut the roots with a lopers. Back home, we used a saw to cut them up! But, they are growing on nicely in the pots. The plants we had to 'cut up with a saw' were 3" plugs in spring of 08. We have some large plants and some tiny shoots so pick your size!
The photo above shows 'australis,' which is the species and dark purple. We have this one in smaller pots. The nice foliage is great for bouquets, but must pick mature stems and early in the day. Too late in the day ands they may collapse at the tips.

This one is the variety 'Purple Smoke.' This is the one we have in larger plants, like you got Jackie! Another purple Deb!

Shopping for Mother's Day???

Problem solved! Sign up for our 'Bodacious Bouquet' Program, and your mom will get an armload bouquet of our homegrown blooms every week for the summer. Click on link at right.

OPENING DAY IS MAY 1ST

Hey Folks! We are opening this year on Saturday May 1 at 11a.m.
The first 50 customers get a free bareroot daylily (our choice) with a purchase from our field location. One per family. Our new driveway should be ready, which is located by the hoophouse.

We will also have a 'Senior Citizen' discount day on Mondays, for food items only,10% off.

We will also be starting at the Mankato Farmers Market on May 1st, from 8-12 every Saturday.

Hope to see you!