Plant ornamental Kale and cabbage for winter interest.
Plus, it provides early spring food for mason bees. 
Category Archives: Horticulture Reports
Horticulture Report: Fothergilla gardenii
Plant Name: Fothergilla gardenii
Common Name: Dwarf Fothergilla
Plant type: Deciduous Shrub
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
Bloom Time: April – May
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Full sun to part shade ( blooms best with full sun morning, afternoon shade)
Soil Requirements: Moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soil. Grows well in sandy soils, but not clay.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Interesting bottle-bush fragrant flowers, Fall color, multi-stemmed, attracts birds, deer resistant, year round interest.
Note: Easy care
Uses: Shrub border, Foundation planting, Cottage Garden, Woodland Garden, Native Garden, Small hedge.
Native to: Southeastern U.S.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Snowdrop anemone
Plant Name: Anemone sylvestris
Common Name: Snowdrop anemone 
Plant type: Perennial
Height: 12-18 inches
Spread: 12 inches
Bloom Time: Spring to Early summer
Flower Color: White with yellow centers
Exposure: Part Shade to filtered sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained Humus, Acidic to Neutral Soil,
Water Needs: Moderate, needs more in the heat
Attributes: Showy fragrant flower, Fall color: glossy leaves turn burgundy, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant,
Note: Lives in the forest floor in leaf litter & shade
Uses: Naturalizing, Woodlawn garden, Cut Flowers, Mass plantings, Urban gardens where where buildings create shade, Containers, Water side gardens
Native to: Meadows & dry deciduous woodlands of central and western Europe
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Today in the garden: Toad Lilly
Horticulture Report
October 17, 2017
Plant Name: Tricyrtis
Common Name: Toad Lily
Plant type: Hardy Perennial
Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 1.5 -2 feet
Bloom Time: August – September
Flower Color: White to Pale Lilac – Heavy Purple Spotting
Exposure: Part to Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Rich humus, Slightly acidic soils
Water Needs: Medium to wet
Attributes: Small lily like unique flowers. Late bloomer. Ability to bloom the Shade. Showy flowers
Note: Do not let soil dry out. Plant so flowers can be viewed easily. Bait for slugs. Deer & rabbits eat them!
Uses: Woodland garden, Naturalized areas, Containers, Borders, Water Garden
Native to: Himalayas to eastern Asia
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Horticulture Report: Gaillardia aristata
Plant Name: Gaillardia aristata
Common Name: Gallo Peach Blanket Flower
Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 12-16 inches
Spread: 12-16 inches
Bloom Time: Spring to late summer
Flower Color: Yellow with peachy gold blush, Yellow-orange center.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Best in poor sandy soil, does not like clay soil.
Water Needs: Water well until established, then water occasionally
Attributes: Showy prolific flowers, Long bloomer, Drought tolerant once established, Deer resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Interesting globe seed pods
Note: Clip spent flowers to encourage repeat blooms. Cut back in late summer to encourage second blooming in the fall. Divide every 2-3 years.
Uses: Cut flowers, Borders, Perennial garden, Pollinator garden, Native garden, Butterfly Gardens.
Native to: Patented plant
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10
Horticulture Report: Japanese Painted Fern
Plant Name: Athyrium niponicum
Common Name: Japanese Painted Fern
Plant type: Fern – perennial
Height: 18-24 inches
Spread: 18-24 inches
Bloom Time: N/A
Flower Color: N/A – Prized for Foliage
Exposure: Full to part Shade: foliage color best in light shade
Soil Requirements: Humus-rich, well-drained soil
Water Needs: Regular watering, constant moisture
Attributes: Dramatic foliage, Stands out in a shade garden,
Note: Feed regularly during growing season with a general purpose fertilizer. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring.
Uses: Foreground foliage, Containers, Firewise plant, Asian/Zen Gardens, Houseplant, Woodland Garden, Cottage Garden.
Native to: eastern Asia
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8