Sleep tight...don't let the field mice bite!

Might not look like a lot of work is bring represented here, but it took about 2 weeks to get all these plants in their new home for winter. No idea how many....100 feet of them, with lots more on the way for spring. Many of these plants have been 'potted up,' meaning from one size pot to a larger pot. The peonies were recently dug & potted, and some new varieties (10) just came in this fall. Half of the new guys went in pots, the other half in the field to 'grow on.' (just think Mark...10 new peonies to choose from!) All the plants get freshened up with potting soil, a new tag, severe hair cut, fresh mouse bait tucked in between plants, organized by type and covered w/6" of straw for winter - yet to be done. I seldom have lost a plant over winter this way. You can be assured if they survive in a pot over winter, they will certainly survive planted in your garden. On the outside of this now 'naked' hoop, we have planted bittersweet vines & porcelain vine. Fencing has been tied on in hopes that the vines will scramble up and eventually cover most of the house, providing some well needed shade for hot summer days. Even 'full sun' plants weren't meant to be in pots in the full sun all summer, even with daily water, they can decline. The vines were moved from another part of the field, and have a large base, so hoping for some instant result! Now I know why we never got the fencing up for the vines were they have been for 5 years....because they were going to be moved. It's all making sense now!

REAL Geraniums

These are hardy perennials, not the annual geraniums....which are really pelargoniums, not geraniums! Lovely rounded plants with early summer bloom. Geraniums come in pinks, blues, violet & white.The foliage of some geraniums turn a scarlet red in the fall. Other types are call 'scented' geraniums and their foliage is very fragrant (not like smelly red pelargoniums). Some perennial geraniums are called 'cranesbill,' which refers to the seed head which it resembles.
Gorgeous color! flowers are small, about 1" across, but plants are loaded! A ball of color. These plants are best used in a group of 3, or spaced throughout the garden. They would work well as an edging plant too.
Plant info;
-most hardy to zone 3-4
-locate in full sun or part shade (mostly sun)
-average moisture
-die back may occurr in hot or dry summers - if this starts, cut back hard (50%) and
plant will reflush
- plants are rounded in shape, from 14x14" to 24x24" depending on variety
- no real disease or pest problems
We will have a variety of these available in spring 2012.

Welcome Tradescantia to your garden!

Commonly called 'Spiderwort,' Tradescantia is a tough native plant. This plant comes in white, pink, purple & blues. The one shown is 'Concord Grape.'

Small flowers are 3 petaled and bloom only one day, but there are so many blooms you don't notice! Plant is 'self cleaning' meaning that you don't need to deadhead spent blooms. Foliage is kinda like zigzag daylily leaves. Good plant for edging.

Plant info

-size 15-18 x 15-18"

-flowers - 1.5" across

-full sun to 1/2 shade location

-moisture - average - to above avg. water (especially in full sun)

-bloom time - early to mid summer, blooms for 8 weeks!

-attracts butterflies

-no real insect pests or disease issues

-full hardy to zone 4

-die back - plant may decline late summer if low on water, cut back - keep moist and plant

will re-bound

-easy to dig & divide as plants mature

-plants are related to Wandering Jews, however Spriderworts do not 'wander,' they stay put!

Earthworks will have Concord Grape available in 2012.

(yes, Deb I have featured 2 purple plants in a row, are you checking the yard for space?)