We have all the new Hudson Valley Seed Library Art Packs in stock!
These great gift combos are perfect for teachers' gifts, secret Santa gifts, and office exchanges because the combination of seed packs and ornaments comes in under the $15 mark.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Victoria Gardens' Gift Guide: Hudson Valley Seed Library Art Packs
We have all the new Hudson Valley Seed Library Art Packs in stock!
These great gift combos are perfect for teachers' gifts, secret Santa gifts, and office exchanges because the combination of seed packs and ornaments comes in under the $15 mark.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Roses in November?
Roses in November? Knockout roses are still blooming – for easy care Knockout roses visit our rocktop nursery on the corner of Cottekill Rd. and Rt. 213 between Rosendale and High Falls. We all but ignore our Knockout Roses and they produce profuse blooms - even in November. Here's what "The Garden Lady" had to say about her Knock out roses.
"KNOCK-OUT Roses were bred to be almost maintenance free. So, if you live in zone 5 or a warmer climate, winter maintenance is minimal.
The KNOCK-OUT rose site says that “Knock-Out Roses were bred with greater cold weather tolerance to relieve the northern gardener of the need to apply and remove winter protection materials and the necessity to replace winter killed plants when protection failed.”
That being said, mulch the roses with leaves or hard wood AFTER the first hard frost – you want the ground to be frozen solid.* If you want, you can burlap the rose plant. Burlaping will also prevent the deer from eating the rose bushes. If the roses are in pots, the pots should either be buried in the ground or brought into the garage. The pot does not give adequate protection to the roots during the cold, freezing winter.
TheGardenLady has mulched her KNOCK-OUT roses but never burlaped them and they were glorious with their profusion of flowers all summer long.
A great book to read on care of roses is: A Year of Roses by Stephen Scanniello. This book tells you everything you want to know about raising roses and tells you what to do to care for roses each month of the year.
*(If you mulch too early, the ground will warm up and the plant will be fooled into thinking it is spring. With warm ground the rose bush might start growing. You want the rose to sleep during the winter. Also, DO NOT fertilize plants in the winter for the same
reason.)"
Here is a summer photo of the Knockout Roses:
"KNOCK-OUT Roses were bred to be almost maintenance free. So, if you live in zone 5 or a warmer climate, winter maintenance is minimal.
The KNOCK-OUT rose site says that “Knock-Out Roses were bred with greater cold weather tolerance to relieve the northern gardener of the need to apply and remove winter protection materials and the necessity to replace winter killed plants when protection failed.”
That being said, mulch the roses with leaves or hard wood AFTER the first hard frost – you want the ground to be frozen solid.* If you want, you can burlap the rose plant. Burlaping will also prevent the deer from eating the rose bushes. If the roses are in pots, the pots should either be buried in the ground or brought into the garage. The pot does not give adequate protection to the roots during the cold, freezing winter.
TheGardenLady has mulched her KNOCK-OUT roses but never burlaped them and they were glorious with their profusion of flowers all summer long.
A great book to read on care of roses is: A Year of Roses by Stephen Scanniello. This book tells you everything you want to know about raising roses and tells you what to do to care for roses each month of the year.
*(If you mulch too early, the ground will warm up and the plant will be fooled into thinking it is spring. With warm ground the rose bush might start growing. You want the rose to sleep during the winter. Also, DO NOT fertilize plants in the winter for the same
reason.)"
Here is a summer photo of the Knockout Roses:
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Reminder: Garden Clean-up
If you are too busy to rake out and cut back your garden, call Victoria Gardens for a fall-clean-up 845-658-9007. Ask for mulch too – to protect your plants through the winter and condition your soil for the spring. Now is the time to give your gardens one last drink, put your hoses away and turn off your outside water.
Monday, November 1, 2010
What Makes The Leaves Turn Color?
"The two main groups of pigments that give autumn leaves their colors are: Carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, and brown colors; and Anthocyanins, water-soluble substances which are produced when there are high levels of sugars in leaves or fruits under bright light conditions. Bright days and longer cooler nights, with adequate, but not excessive rainfall, are generally considered to be the catalysts for great fall leaf color.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a good, readable explanation of “Why Leaves Change Color” online, for all of us who have never tired of asking “why?” Whatever the color, do heed the good advice on this site and others to rake and compost fallen leaves. They also make an excellent mulch when left in place where they fall. Tiny micro-organisms will put them to good use replenishing the all-important organic content of the soil."
-Ann McCulloh
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a good, readable explanation of “Why Leaves Change Color” online, for all of us who have never tired of asking “why?” Whatever the color, do heed the good advice on this site and others to rake and compost fallen leaves. They also make an excellent mulch when left in place where they fall. Tiny micro-organisms will put them to good use replenishing the all-important organic content of the soil."
-Ann McCulloh
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Golden Autumn Slide Show
Beautiful slide show from Margaret Roach on her blog A Way to Garden that features some really gorgeous plant pics, especially Lindera benzion (Native Spicebush).
Two slide shows that beautifully bookend the garden season:
Autumn:
http://awaytogarden.com/slideshow-golden-days-as-the-garden-slides-by
And spring:
http://awaytogarden.com/golden-days-is-yellow-springs-favorite-color
(We have unbelievable yellow Magnolias in stock, on sale now for 50% off!)
(Image above from Morton Arboretum feature on fabulous fall color:
http://www.mortonarb.org/tree-plant-advice/article/840/trees-a-shrubs-with-fabulous-fall-color.html)
Two slide shows that beautifully bookend the garden season:
Autumn:
http://awaytogarden.com/slideshow-golden-days-as-the-garden-slides-by
And spring:
http://awaytogarden.com/golden-days-is-yellow-springs-favorite-color
(We have unbelievable yellow Magnolias in stock, on sale now for 50% off!)
(Image above from Morton Arboretum feature on fabulous fall color:
http://www.mortonarb.org/tree-plant-advice/article/840/trees-a-shrubs-with-fabulous-fall-color.html)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Reminder: Start Paper Whites Inside Now For Thanksgiving
Start paper whites inside now to have blooms for Thanksgiving.
"A surefire way to chase away the winter blues is to fill your home with fragrant flowers. And nothing is easier to grow than the sweet smelling paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus), a bulb plant that can be coaxed into bloom with very little effort.
The correct term is actually "forcing" as you are forcing the spring-flowering bulbs to fast-forward their natural growth cycles and bloom in winter instead. Many bulbs can be forced--grape hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, for example--but paperwhites are probably the easiest as they don't require a long cold storage period to root.
Paperwhites produce small, star-shaped flowers that will last for several weeks. Some varieties have pure white flowers, others have white perianths (outer petals) with pale yellow "cups" in the center. Paperwhites, which come from the Mediterranean, are tender bulbs and not suitable for outdoor growing in Vermont. However, most garden centers and seed catalogs sell bulbs for indoor forcing.
If purchasing locally, choose healthy bulbs with no soft spots or signs of discoloration. Store in a cool, dry place until time to plant.
Paperwhites will bloom about four to six weeks after planting, so plan accordingly if you want flowers for the holidays or other special occasions. For continuous bloom throughout the winter, plant bulbs every two weeks from late fall through February.
Use shallow containers, about three to four inches deep, without drainage holes. You can find these specially designed containers for forcing at many garden centers. Add about two inches of washed pebbles in the bottom of the container. Gently place the bulbs, pointed side up on the gravel. They should be close, but not touching. (Five bulbs will fit nicely in a six-inch pot.) Then add enough pebbles around the bulbs to hold them in place. You can also use decorative marbles or stones if you prefer.
The tricky part is watering the bulbs. You want to add just enough water so it reaches the base of the bulbs. You don't want the bulbs to sit in water as this will cause rot. Maintain this level of water throughout the growing period. You'll probably need to replenish the water every two or three days. Don't fertilize.
Place the container in a cool, dark place (about 50 degrees F) for a few weeks until green shoots appear. Then move to full, bright light (generally, a window with southern exposure). Too little light, and the plants will grow leggy as they stretch to reach the light. Initially, room temperature should be 60 to 65 degrees F.
To prolong bloom, after the plants begin to flower, remove them from direct sunlight and place in a cooler, less sunny part of your home. Since paperwhites require zone 8 to 11 conditions, they can't be planted successfully outdoors. Discard the bulbs after flowering.
Prepotted paperwhites can be purchased at many garden stores. All you do is add water! These potted bulbs also make a nice gift, or a fun activity for your kids."
-By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
"A surefire way to chase away the winter blues is to fill your home with fragrant flowers. And nothing is easier to grow than the sweet smelling paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus), a bulb plant that can be coaxed into bloom with very little effort.
The correct term is actually "forcing" as you are forcing the spring-flowering bulbs to fast-forward their natural growth cycles and bloom in winter instead. Many bulbs can be forced--grape hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, for example--but paperwhites are probably the easiest as they don't require a long cold storage period to root.
Paperwhites produce small, star-shaped flowers that will last for several weeks. Some varieties have pure white flowers, others have white perianths (outer petals) with pale yellow "cups" in the center. Paperwhites, which come from the Mediterranean, are tender bulbs and not suitable for outdoor growing in Vermont. However, most garden centers and seed catalogs sell bulbs for indoor forcing.
If purchasing locally, choose healthy bulbs with no soft spots or signs of discoloration. Store in a cool, dry place until time to plant.
Paperwhites will bloom about four to six weeks after planting, so plan accordingly if you want flowers for the holidays or other special occasions. For continuous bloom throughout the winter, plant bulbs every two weeks from late fall through February.
Use shallow containers, about three to four inches deep, without drainage holes. You can find these specially designed containers for forcing at many garden centers. Add about two inches of washed pebbles in the bottom of the container. Gently place the bulbs, pointed side up on the gravel. They should be close, but not touching. (Five bulbs will fit nicely in a six-inch pot.) Then add enough pebbles around the bulbs to hold them in place. You can also use decorative marbles or stones if you prefer.
The tricky part is watering the bulbs. You want to add just enough water so it reaches the base of the bulbs. You don't want the bulbs to sit in water as this will cause rot. Maintain this level of water throughout the growing period. You'll probably need to replenish the water every two or three days. Don't fertilize.
Place the container in a cool, dark place (about 50 degrees F) for a few weeks until green shoots appear. Then move to full, bright light (generally, a window with southern exposure). Too little light, and the plants will grow leggy as they stretch to reach the light. Initially, room temperature should be 60 to 65 degrees F.
To prolong bloom, after the plants begin to flower, remove them from direct sunlight and place in a cooler, less sunny part of your home. Since paperwhites require zone 8 to 11 conditions, they can't be planted successfully outdoors. Discard the bulbs after flowering.
Prepotted paperwhites can be purchased at many garden stores. All you do is add water! These potted bulbs also make a nice gift, or a fun activity for your kids."
-By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Bulb planning and planting: bulbs for the middle of your border
These taller bulbs can hold their own in the middle of your perennial border.
Daffodils 'Thalia'
Daffodils 'Thalia'
Height: 14"
Blooms very late spring.
When gardeners ask for a white daffodil, this is the one we recommend. The exquisite narcissus is the snowiest white of all the white daffodils. It produces 2-3 fragrant blossoms per stem.
Daffodils 'Fragrant Rose'
Daffodils 'Fragrant Rose'
Height: 16"
Blooms late spring.
Large-cupped Daffodils are the workhorses of the Daffodil world. The beauty of this flower is in its peachy pink, goblet-shaped cup and its exceptional fragrance, which reminds some folks of old garden Roses.
Daffodils 'Parisienne'
Daffodils 'Parisienne'
Height: 16"
Blooms mid-spring.
'Parisienne' is a delightful bi-color daffodil that has white petals and a deep orange cup.
Daffodils 'Delnashaugh'
Daffodils 'Delnashaugh'
Height: 18"
Blooms Late spring.
I don't know that the picture does these ruffley beauties justice. 'Delnashaugh' produces large and lovely double white flowers with a delicate salmon heart.
Daffodils 'Petit Four'
Daffodils 'Petit Four'
Height: 18"
Blooms early spring.
A unique daffodil voted the Number 2 Show Flower at the 1983 Narcissus Show at Keukenhof, Holland. Beautiful contrast between the white petals and the apricot-rose crown.
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Shown here in a lovely combo with Hesperus.
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Height: 30"
Blooms very late spring.
Big bang for your buck, and look how great they look in big numbers. The photo above shows a grouping of 25. The 'Purple Sensation' are so affordable, you can do that too!
Fritillaria 'Ivory Bells'
Fritillaria 'Ivory Bells'
Height: 32"
Blooms mid-spring.
Also known as Fritillaria of Persia, Ivory Bells is a rare and unusual variety. It bears white bell flowers on tall spikes that grow up to 3 feet high. The mid-Spring flowers are deliciously fragrant and exude a natural old-fashioned charm. Matte green foliage creates a base that showcases the flowers.
Daffodils 'Thalia'
Daffodils 'Thalia'
Height: 14"
Blooms very late spring.
When gardeners ask for a white daffodil, this is the one we recommend. The exquisite narcissus is the snowiest white of all the white daffodils. It produces 2-3 fragrant blossoms per stem.
Daffodils 'Fragrant Rose'
Daffodils 'Fragrant Rose'
Height: 16"
Blooms late spring.
Large-cupped Daffodils are the workhorses of the Daffodil world. The beauty of this flower is in its peachy pink, goblet-shaped cup and its exceptional fragrance, which reminds some folks of old garden Roses.
Daffodils 'Parisienne'
Daffodils 'Parisienne'
Height: 16"
Blooms mid-spring.
'Parisienne' is a delightful bi-color daffodil that has white petals and a deep orange cup.
Daffodils 'Delnashaugh'
Daffodils 'Delnashaugh'
Height: 18"
Blooms Late spring.
I don't know that the picture does these ruffley beauties justice. 'Delnashaugh' produces large and lovely double white flowers with a delicate salmon heart.
Daffodils 'Petit Four'
Daffodils 'Petit Four'
Height: 18"
Blooms early spring.
A unique daffodil voted the Number 2 Show Flower at the 1983 Narcissus Show at Keukenhof, Holland. Beautiful contrast between the white petals and the apricot-rose crown.
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Shown here in a lovely combo with Hesperus.
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Height: 30"
Blooms very late spring.
Big bang for your buck, and look how great they look in big numbers. The photo above shows a grouping of 25. The 'Purple Sensation' are so affordable, you can do that too!
Fritillaria 'Ivory Bells'
Fritillaria 'Ivory Bells'
Height: 32"
Blooms mid-spring.
Also known as Fritillaria of Persia, Ivory Bells is a rare and unusual variety. It bears white bell flowers on tall spikes that grow up to 3 feet high. The mid-Spring flowers are deliciously fragrant and exude a natural old-fashioned charm. Matte green foliage creates a base that showcases the flowers.
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