Aphids, Scale, Whitefly, oh my! 3 ways to prevent them and 3 ways to treat them.

https://www.victoriagardens.biz/articles/2017/9/14/aphids-scale-whitefly-oh-my-3-ways-to-prevent-them-and-3-ways-to-treat-them

Victoria Gardens' Favorite Spring Bulbs

We believe when you plant into fall, you spring into color. Few things are as satisfying to a gardener as the green tips of spring bulbs emerging from the sleeping soil - except perhaps the colorful blooms that follow! Click the link below for:

Ten simple ways to stop wild animals from digging, eating or stealing your newly planted tulips & crocus.

When we choose which spring-blooming bulbs to bring into stock, we choose the flowers that have performed the best year after year here in Ulster county. We have the benefit of field-testing new varieties and watching some varieties naturalize and bloom again and again for the past twenty years. Here are just a few of our favorites:


Antoinette is a wonderful tulip for cutting. Each petal is a painterly springtime combination of butter yellow, white, and Easter pink. The bulbs are multiflowering, which makes Anntoinette a must have. If you like cutting from your garden, you will love this tulip.

Fantasy, Lambadda, and Apricot Parrot are exotic feather-edged, multi-colored tulips that will dress up your garden or your table. Tulips, unfortunately need to be protected from critters and deer, so if you don't have a fence you will have to diligently spray deer repellent.

For those of you with gardens in the middle of deer territory, not to fear, we have a wide assortment of deer resistant bulbs. One of the most under-used (but awesome) deer resistant bulbs is Allium 'Ivory Queen.' Every May when they bloom at the nursery, everyone asks, What's that plant? We planted three bulbs in this spot three years ago in full sun, and every year they have multiplied and the foliage and flowers have gotten bigger.


Fritillaria persica and Fritillaria persica 'Ivory Bells'

Fritillaria persica (also deer resistant!) is very sculptural with tufts of green pineapple-like leaves on top of the large (2' to 4' tall) hanging bell-shaped flowers. A stunning companion to white tulips, hellebore or the coveted, greenish-white Fritillaria persica 'Ivory Bells.'

Camassia 'caerulea'

Another deer resistant beauty, Camassia 'caerulea' which put up lovely spikes of lavender blue flowers. Ideal for heavy clay to loamy soils! Camassia can tolerate full sun to part shade and can grow pond side or stream side. The flowers are very long lasting making them ideal for cut flowers to be used in flower arrangements. Camassia 'Semiplena' produces tall spikes of large, white, semi-double flowers.

Both naturalizing and deer resistant, Daffodils are the reliable gold standard. Diminutive varieties like Tete a tete and Bellsong can planted at the front of beds while taller varieties like Dutch Master and Hawera can be used throughout your perennial border. And not all Daffodils are gold in color, white, peach and and soft pink are also available.


Daffodil Delnshaugh

Not all bulbs bloom at the same time, so you can choose a variety and have a constantly blooming show of bulbs from early spring to early summer. Stop by the nursery and we'll help you plan your spring blooms.

September Blooms: Ceratostigma Plumbago (Perennial Plumbago)

Ceratostigma Plumbago (Perennial Plumbago) zones 5-9 Another blue bloomer! 6-8” tall this plant is a workhorse in the garden. An enthusiastic, deer resistant ground cover that grows and flowers in sun or shade, and offers not only the elusive true blue flower, but blooms into the fall! As if that weren’t enough, after the flower finish, the foliage turns a vibrant red.

September Blooms: Liriope (lilyturf)

Liriope (lilyturf)zones 5-10 Evergreen grass great to use for edging beds. A purple flower stalk emerges in fall. The leaves can be dark green and glossy or variegated. The foliage looks its best when planted in the shade.

September Blooms: Clematis Paniculata

Clematis paniculata- zones 5-8 This fall blooming, fragrant clematis vine grows 15’ to 20’ tall and can be planted on an arbor mixed with other clematis varieties to give you blooms from spring to fall. Clematis paniculata blooms on new growth so prune it in the early spring as the leaf buds appear. Will thrive in full sun or mostly shade.

September Blooms: Sedum

Sedum (live forever) zones 3-10

Live forever varieties are very hardy succulents plants with clusters of light pink flowers that deepen to a burgundy color as the weather cools down.

Other sedum varieties are low-growing and can be planted as ground covers or as we did on the front of our building - vertically!javascript:void(0)

September Blooms: Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas zones 5-9 The everbloom series: Endless Summer, Blushing Bride and Twist and Shout all bloom from late spring through the fall and the Hydrangea paniculata varieties: Pee Gee, Pinky Winky, Lime Light, and Quickfire all bloom mid-summer and hold their blooms into the fall. Many varieties, like quick fire, bloom pure white and then gradually turn to an antique pink, then a metallic bronze as they dry on the plant. Oakleaf Hydrangeas also bloom mid-summer and hold their blooms into the fall, plus they have great fall foliage.

See more hydrangeas.