2023 began a significant endeavor to help our customers (and, in some cases, ourselves) see - in real time - exactly how varieties will perform in the real world outside of the perfect environment of a greenhouse. Our mission is to maximize the return on your plant purchases with the best product and cultural information available. With that in mind, we added about 1,000 square feet of “performance beds,” and chronicled the performance with a ridiculous amount of photos. The photos below are mostly the mature stage.
We have always stressed the importance of adequate water (but not too much!) and regular fertilization for flowering plants. Plants that need more water were irrigated automatically for 10 minutes every 3 days at planting, then increased to every 2 days during hot, dry weather. Plants known for drought tolerance were watered 1-2 days a week. Light fertilizer (half the label rate) was applied at nearly every watering. Large, potted containers were watered automatically every day, but volume was adjusted per pot as needed. If we received rain, water was turned off for a day or two.
More space is on tap for 2024, with more varieties, especially those that we know perform well, but many may not be familiar with. Everyone is welcome to stop by and see anytime, but we are planning for a dedicated mid-summer Customer Appreciation Day, where you can have a cool drink, see progress for yourself, and ask questions. Those details will be announced as the time draws near.
Perennials and annuals used in the performance beds
Perennial: Kniphofia, geranium and coreopsis Year 2
Perennial: Nepeta Cat’s meow 1 gallon mid-may
Perennial: Buddleia Pugster 3 gallon mid-may
Celosia mid-summer.
Mystic Spires Salvia. Huge and lots of flower. mid-summers
Scaevola 10 inch pot all summer
Argyranthemum late summer .no deadheading
truffula gomphrena. regular watering. rabbits ate down to stubs early summer. recovered very quickly.. late summer
tidal wave petunia 5 feet wide. watered 1-2 x per week
long view of main bed. full sun
whopper begonia in 14 inch pot. daily watering.
Perennial: Allium Millenium 1 gallon planted Mid-May
Perennial: Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea 1 gallon Mid-may
Amsonia Storm Cloud year 3. A favorite for early spring!
Begonias, whopper vs standard
euphorbia, late summer. watered 1-2 x per week
angelonia mid-summer watered 1-2 x per week
Coleus Dipt in wine 14 inch pot- late summer. daily watering. amazing and huge!
sunpatiens late summer. regular watering evry 2-3 days
Agastache midsummer. bloomed until freeze
popcorn cassia. late summer. huge! needs well-drained soil. watered 1-2 x per week
Titan Vinca minimal watering midsummer
Perennial: Coreopsis Uptick 1gallon planted mid-may 2023
Perennial: Glamour Girl Ph;ox 1 gallon mid-may
Two giants, Wasabi coleus and castor bean
Spreading zinnia, watered 1-2 x per week
coreopsis. mid-summer no deadheading
sunfinity sunflower mid summer. no deadheading. watered 1-2 x per week
perovskia, euphorbia, zinnia, phlox late summer. all bloomed all summer
whopper begonia. midsummer. always phenomenal. regular watering
rudbeckia and allium. 1 gallon 1st year late summer
Cardoon. 1 gallon planted mid-may. this is late summer. Large, visual interest. blooms 2nd year