tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75937771881714976702024-03-19T07:27:58.400-04:00Big Bloomers Flower FarmBig Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-37460469757591817492014-03-14T20:12:00.002-04:002014-03-14T20:12:26.335-04:00This is a TestThis is only a testBig Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-57286637219525839622011-12-10T20:43:00.003-05:002011-12-11T21:15:04.426-05:00<p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">SNOW-TO-GO</span></p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxfWCVchHfic5a9FnbsDFJyOWDX01TmI9k6MslhHc2l2B-xP1TvomqIfnhfpG4in_9-2imZPvgc2okRZQvVpw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-15070653884453444672010-07-30T21:17:00.002-04:002010-07-30T21:20:55.024-04:00HUMMINGBIRD DAY 2010<p> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN3z30ggiI/AAAAAAAAA0I/H05TWTLiz_A/s1600-h/DSC024325.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="DSC02432" border="0" alt="DSC02432" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN3044YMiI/AAAAAAAAAzg/CA0ur8WW9ec/DSC02432_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN3z30ggiI/AAAAAAAAA0M/_mWE_AFdVoo/s1600-h/DSC024324.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sooooo, we knew it was going to be </span><span style="font-size:130%;">hot</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> on</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hummingbird Day with highs </span><span style="font-size:130%;">close to 100 and</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">heat indexes well </span><span style="font-size:130%;">into the 100’s. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN32f1-qTI/AAAAAAAAAzo/rgX14xnshfs/s1600-h/DSC02451%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="DSC02451" border="0" alt="DSC02451" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN32ktFvBI/AAAAAAAAAzs/PMmswqr8MJU/DSC02451_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="260" /></a> </p><p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN33XjDkaI/AAAAAAAAAzw/0y_N4NQU1Hg/s1600-h/DSC02452%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="DSC02452" border="0" alt="DSC02452" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN34PRjMOI/AAAAAAAAAz0/IOsjttN2X64/DSC02452_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Alley decided we all might be better off and</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">happier if we had Susan Campbell measure and</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">tag the hummers indoors this year. Susan was</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">not unhappy when we told her.</span></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN35u5bqjI/AAAAAAAAAz4/tdko_JGtXUg/s1600-h/DSC02435%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="DSC02435" border="0" alt="DSC02435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN36c-OB8I/AAAAAAAAAz8/CYXZM55myVY/DSC02435_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Her helpers were not quite so lucky. They did</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">manage to find some </span><span style="font-size:130%;">shade but I don’t think it</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">made too much of a difference. It was 100</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">degrees in the shade!</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5gFhEisI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xy5vwnC4qqU/s1600-h/DSC024504.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5ha9vMXI/AAAAAAAAA0U/aZ3qMdTK6nk/s1600-h/DSC024464.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02446" border="0" alt="DSC02446" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5hz_a76I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/hWxpkrMmKaA/DSC02446_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="260" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5ivx1cbI/AAAAAAAAA0c/A2aAgp_27QQ/s1600-h/DSC024453.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="DSC02445" border="0" alt="DSC02445" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5jownvuI/AAAAAAAAA0g/U29yBPd2gpY/DSC02445_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5gFhEisI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xy5vwnC4qqU/s1600-h/DSC024504.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5gFhEisI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xy5vwnC4qqU/s1600-h/DSC024504.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02450" border="0" alt="DSC02450" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5j9_W8NI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Z9CjdZqAri8/DSC02450_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5ha9vMXI/AAAAAAAAA0U/aZ3qMdTK6nk/s1600-h/DSC024464.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5gFhEisI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xy5vwnC4qqU/s1600-h/DSC024504.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5gFhEisI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xy5vwnC4qqU/s1600-h/DSC024504.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">We only managed to “bag” two hummers this year. An adolescent male and an adolescent female.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5khfk85I/AAAAAAAAA0o/hN-2oNg5hLc/s1600-h/DSC024403.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="DSC02440" border="0" alt="DSC02440" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5lCA2kzI/AAAAAAAAA0s/qe_mOBU1a6E/DSC02440_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5lsXYXEI/AAAAAAAAA0w/eiY46TobJ9M/s1600-h/DSC024415.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02441" border="0" alt="DSC02441" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5muZoO3I/AAAAAAAAA00/qVjlrvg_EJY/DSC02441_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5nCz2aQI/AAAAAAAAA04/EdpIhugrcuY/s1600-h/DSC024424.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02442" border="0" alt="DSC02442" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5oNUGpvI/AAAAAAAAA08/ni87Zq4EyY0/DSC02442_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5oq9VCYI/AAAAAAAAA1A/8jZhoVMzqDs/s1600-h/DSC024435.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02443" border="0" alt="DSC02443" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5pOdKP_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/NuvZlHKfoUI/DSC02443_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5pi43toI/AAAAAAAAA1I/r944e1JdrfM/s1600-h/DSC024444.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02444" border="0" alt="DSC02444" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5qY6knOI/AAAAAAAAA1M/aw_rjt0tpGI/DSC02444_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">All and all it was a lovely day!</span></p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5q4JLJCI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/g4_Sri9sWt0/s1600-h/DSC024336.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC02433" border="0" alt="DSC02433" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/TFN5rpl6suI/AAAAAAAAA1U/F0MS2ccTAmU/DSC02433_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-75214930713127071532010-07-18T22:53:00.005-04:002010-07-18T23:17:16.409-04:00Victorian Baskets<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL6AHXmQbPJmlJ7uQNvTQ2EKbAmYnKTRHsndeumCBHKeBm_h8or5tnbTbXoNZd2S1pqH5AV2XlCX19rczd8rfdVmSX4zZErG-rH7xk8E5DcgPTkStm4YnrcozqDbMLtRTxav4ySIO73tX/s1600/Hanging+Baskets+2010+002%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL6AHXmQbPJmlJ7uQNvTQ2EKbAmYnKTRHsndeumCBHKeBm_h8or5tnbTbXoNZd2S1pqH5AV2XlCX19rczd8rfdVmSX4zZErG-rH7xk8E5DcgPTkStm4YnrcozqDbMLtRTxav4ySIO73tX/s400/Hanging+Baskets+2010+002%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495448325437154850" /></a><br />We received an email a few weeks ago from a customer that visited our nursery this spring wanting to create a victorian hanging basket suitable for the south. One that would be able to withstand our harsh summer sun.<div><br /></div><div>My PIC Peggy helped them pick out plants that would be suitable. They were very well pleased with what they created. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXK3AxIjnl4RslGREZnDuvgnoPAaL-0og9iFQTobMyFoXg6ZJ5q6mW7wBnyeZNTFSuG1qwEeszigQmAjuWFn6pnvaLWuw4_tYfntuVtVQGtK0ctRXPmkatdpgI1Szy-Az3EYTSeGRnmiH/s1600/Hanging+Baskets+2010+018%5B1%5D.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXK3AxIjnl4RslGREZnDuvgnoPAaL-0og9iFQTobMyFoXg6ZJ5q6mW7wBnyeZNTFSuG1qwEeszigQmAjuWFn6pnvaLWuw4_tYfntuVtVQGtK0ctRXPmkatdpgI1Szy-Az3EYTSeGRnmiH/s400/Hanging+Baskets+2010+018%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495450148547193442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I am amazed indeed that they were able to coax a marigold into cascading.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vavfVIIaF4g8LQgUc8JG3YreX9gfKVROKapHeUrUc1eWLBBSdfqRxL8OAhAeynic_jEzTbUjKO9dXbk1Rzku6A1039PLHNkabkl1eRI_eb-1HMutbs5G58mGDdn1omYIlYqbJeKZXnC2/s1600/Hanging+Baskets+2010+007%5B1%5D.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vavfVIIaF4g8LQgUc8JG3YreX9gfKVROKapHeUrUc1eWLBBSdfqRxL8OAhAeynic_jEzTbUjKO9dXbk1Rzku6A1039PLHNkabkl1eRI_eb-1HMutbs5G58mGDdn1omYIlYqbJeKZXnC2/s400/Hanging+Baskets+2010+007%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495450153465524018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-12068813908946359332010-06-16T21:42:00.005-04:002010-06-16T22:23:38.428-04:00The Daylilies are Blooming<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Our daylily house is exploding with color.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc2_vmlBZnfLYY11ZxPWoCYMLqqQdggCf2C3WdviMHcatIIBKqUcYKBTtRRzjmfGSzjkwaJyTLYGCT0DvUhK7Px7LIJ7LoePOCBXuYwB5j1DwPsWlW_pOHXun2K0I4jiVOyQ7yb_QmWiU/s1600/DSC02368.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc2_vmlBZnfLYY11ZxPWoCYMLqqQdggCf2C3WdviMHcatIIBKqUcYKBTtRRzjmfGSzjkwaJyTLYGCT0DvUhK7Px7LIJ7LoePOCBXuYwB5j1DwPsWlW_pOHXun2K0I4jiVOyQ7yb_QmWiU/s400/DSC02368.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483559911173157458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6D95KE1lcr8kdlZ3GqjtxJQcAqo23rioFrNngd4aFd0AH4NoFoXPIgsLEcBKbTJFI1NkeHubcnRpSaBu8x-lTYf0kaiG_17YPLtQBhgVankA3WbODmvTnUFNFK5YiAFu8N29mtLv_9Yp/s1600/DSC02371.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6D95KE1lcr8kdlZ3GqjtxJQcAqo23rioFrNngd4aFd0AH4NoFoXPIgsLEcBKbTJFI1NkeHubcnRpSaBu8x-lTYf0kaiG_17YPLtQBhgVankA3WbODmvTnUFNFK5YiAFu8N29mtLv_9Yp/s400/DSC02371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483557632244876178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iuQoB2zC-kisO0m2VQV4HQVShOY4VPMUyDTBZpKA4hPDgDVzok94i6zfSoVswHi2-N_wlW9vm6xIKrdvt67dIMMOjSOzzhNEYeZjh73GZWBwCte25JB_KfX8N_6vWRjo09HOrZiUNExG/s1600/DSC02369.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iuQoB2zC-kisO0m2VQV4HQVShOY4VPMUyDTBZpKA4hPDgDVzok94i6zfSoVswHi2-N_wlW9vm6xIKrdvt67dIMMOjSOzzhNEYeZjh73GZWBwCte25JB_KfX8N_6vWRjo09HOrZiUNExG/s400/DSC02369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483557616745118930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many varieties are available.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This lovely one is Ruby Stella a rebloomer in the "Stella" family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFPPaz_vUg1HKkKqa5et51Wqf7Fjfl4P_uGCl27ye6P0IjCN2YtCEn6HUScXk3RABt0NMJDado0ZnA5FfvnaJ_jUkzMlMj3EvqxL_l8GD3-p4QLF5UDTBp-13rWpXYIfBPTd1pQBGlsNM/s1600/DSC02362.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFPPaz_vUg1HKkKqa5et51Wqf7Fjfl4P_uGCl27ye6P0IjCN2YtCEn6HUScXk3RABt0NMJDado0ZnA5FfvnaJ_jUkzMlMj3EvqxL_l8GD3-p4QLF5UDTBp-13rWpXYIfBPTd1pQBGlsNM/s400/DSC02362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483557601212210034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Stop by and see what's bloomin.....</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz4988po8_YHrBarMbtLvHNM189chOj_32toNSt5LgxjhJv2ceNVaUmxKRtB2NYAitoYdhrMcqRGB_xz1X2MznMxGqQmnZfQyXUTq02DyOaRoKDMUgh1Y8K4DRU3x3m5xjOB7k5rUz7gq/s1600/DSC02370.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz4988po8_YHrBarMbtLvHNM189chOj_32toNSt5LgxjhJv2ceNVaUmxKRtB2NYAitoYdhrMcqRGB_xz1X2MznMxGqQmnZfQyXUTq02DyOaRoKDMUgh1Y8K4DRU3x3m5xjOB7k5rUz7gq/s400/DSC02370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483557629067403346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-86027832095481721612010-06-11T21:30:00.009-04:002010-06-12T22:56:44.715-04:00Tickled Pink by a new leucantha 'Danielle's Dream'<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We are tinkled pink this spring to be able to offer to you, our favorite plant addicts, not only the lovely new Salvia leucantha</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><br /></div></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">'Danielle's Dream'</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXV9U5nPQ_ooS64J95hYsu8W01StATwXgPQxxDgYabJNWc66itHdURrjiHbcXfmk42qvnGiRtXMdUCv4jHvGQiEXaEfExXHXAvEMktCDUONoBEONokVq0cewTIKfX-a6TsekZBsPW0XT5/s400/Salvia-Lucantha%5B1%5D.jpg" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">but also the equally gorgeous</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><br /></div></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">'White Mischief'</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><br /></div></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC4e4vdu5RXBVoHHMC0w0HecxY4l8Ibb8fW-B1vwdfMfvIk9b-bS2NqTOkf0dwKNidrrzt6byhyphenhyphenQ0vT6nFaKveZ3xdEK0vljApI6tbNh5iNUyb8SWfH2SVc_ipqFcxcvjnQ25cTYxdHlG/s400/Salvia%2520Leucantha%2520-%2520white%2520mischief%5B1%5D.jpg" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm talkin a pink...yes, a pink leucantha as well as an all white...yes, an all white Salvia leucantha.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We don't think these are widely available in the U.S., if at all, anywhere else in these parts. Thanks to our fearless leader John we have them here for you.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">You didn't know you needed to have them, did you?... but you will...</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">They are one of the sturdiest leucanthas I have witnessed for pot growing and they are of course touted for that. Even treated as a "southern" fall annual they would be worth their weight in gold for being another blooming annual to add to our fall repertoire. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Planted in your landscape they would be a lovely addition to your fall gardens. We are crossing our fingers about their hardiness.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481711316632197154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLnrC7_vuhPmBuXd8UqO5hmMSceo_A-NSy_kqoVbD4qw3CVf0DlqKG62Fsae0ry5Ttuv2Ads1tIIlWd1BEHIvn4Dp0mJ7e45sdyOC6yi_nWtmOGlOYRb_tjVQmiNIoXPJTiYrF-PRVI5P/s400/024CSM%5B1%5D.JPG" /></span></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-50234546029025130602010-04-25T22:15:00.008-04:002010-04-26T22:18:15.763-04:00Plant of the Moment-Hydrangea macrophylla 'Edgy Hearts'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So...my last blog was about a certain order of hydrangea and various other lovelies that recently arrived here at Big Bloomers. In that same order were many hydrangea, about 8 different varieties if my memory serves me well (at random times it does not).</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />One of the hydrangea in that order was a paniculata called 'Pinky Winky'. I tend to be drawn to the paniculatas since they remind of the lovely tree hydrangea that dotted the landscapes of the beachy areas in Connecticut where I spent my childhood and also because they are much tougher than other hydrangea, able to take more sun and less water than the rest. Prune them early in spring since they bloom on new wood. In my sand they perform well without complaint. Because of my aforementioned preferences I quickly scarfed up a lovely little 'Pinky Winky' and planted it under a cedar that I had recently limbed up.<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky'</span></div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464280068100437570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgoDsCYThOvxwcUySPKjyj6-TnhuHivbqKfQeim8u7Zkb7RjjdV-cXQ7VwKMnRUx-PFg4SM2D68pjL6YTNARIJi9vRkrn93SHcaw6W0L4VTVVA29YBiAfSSjZZwq3MEwJTb8Bz-CX-yb9/s400/HydPinkyWinky9218%5B1%5D.jpg" /> <div></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today, at work, Judy, one of my cohorts and coworkers brought to me a customer looking for a specific hydrangea. He told me that a friend had brought home a hydrangea that he simply had to have. Its a new one. A hybrid macrophylla named 'Edgy Hearts'. Actually this was not the first time that day I had been asked about it. Earlier another cohort and coworker, Amy, asked me about a hydrangea with heart shaped flower petals. I was busy with customers and thought she said heart shaped leaves. Anyway....I discerned through the gentleman that it was called 'Edgy Hearts' and that his friend was sure she bought it here at BB's.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This very determined and lovely gentleman proceeded to follow me all through the shop, offices and greenhouses to track down this little beauty. Judy had led them through the hydrangea section and they did not find it there so I called John, our fearless leader and he told me to check the invoices to see if we indeed had it, which I did, and found that we indeed had this illusive Edgy Heart somewhere in our greenhouses.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Since they didn't find it in the hydrangea section we checked the flats of unpotted new plants with no luck whatsoever. Then we proceeded to go into the aisles where we will sometimes put unpotted stock until the girls have time to pot them up, to no avail... Finally, I decided to go back and check the hydrangea section.<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I passed right by it, but our determined and lovely gentleman customer found it a couple of cultivars down from where I had already passed.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We both had a good laugh about it being right in front of our eyes. He picked out a nice pot and then I looked at him and smiled and picked out one of my own.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am very happy to have plants serendipitiously put in front of me and actually I am a collector of hearts..after all. My husband makes me hearts of found objects as gifts and I have a very lovely collection of heart rocks, so I am surprised I did not seek this one out myself.</span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre;font-family:'MS Shell Dlg', serif;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hydrangea macrophylla 'Edgy Hearts'</span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'MS Shell Dlg', serif;font-size:100%;"><span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre;font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464281559834766066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHeySjryy1yVe7lxKo2RCWXZGRJGTGGQLR19YPWC0zUkaeN5e7njq3yPuKi1Q2zQmbFKisfY5MdUB6SI0uYL5_7VLGJ4tLM1MQFV6R3pJdw7ay_BLro-OzDiulttXROsxAA271BIHigue/s400/Hyd%2520mac%2520Edgy%2520Hearts%5B1%5D.jpg" /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am going to plant this sweetheart where I can enjoy its lovely, edgy hearts and where I have irrigation to keep it happy. Thank you to the determined and lovely gentleman customer for pointing it out to me...and for this reason Hydrangea macrophylla 'Edgy Hearts' is my plant of the moment.</span></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-8802996234961168012010-04-09T21:39:00.005-04:002010-04-09T22:19:13.034-04:00Plant of the Moment-Lespedeza bicolor 'Yakushima'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIyCfEsOXsUcd4dDOSTgMSXZv5nfRkliFLGn7YLgvjMz0KGP0tMiw1QT1jf2esV1CFNCJwM10mfND5ABMf0F24LD9tuvY1ZYpSjo2lPd50smbgniuinUO-tHCO46YlBfFtqY6KrCKuVLp/s1600/Lespedeza_bicolor_Yakushima__1%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458326588576408034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIyCfEsOXsUcd4dDOSTgMSXZv5nfRkliFLGn7YLgvjMz0KGP0tMiw1QT1jf2esV1CFNCJwM10mfND5ABMf0F24LD9tuvY1ZYpSjo2lPd50smbgniuinUO-tHCO46YlBfFtqY6KrCKuVLp/s400/Lespedeza_bicolor_Yakushima__1%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Had a "moment" today at work. Plant of the moment to be exact.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As a gift to his wife's passion for hydrangea, our fearless leader John, ordered some '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Incrediball</span>' and '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Invincibelle</span>' hydrangea. In order to "fill out" the order he added other plants that tickled his fancy. Among them was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lespedeza</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">bicolor</span> '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yakushima</span>'. The order arrived today.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now....I have blogged about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">lespedeza</span> a number of times on this blog. I can not exclaim enough how much of a fan I am of this plant. Any plant...planted in a year of drought, planted in unamended sand that refuses to yield to the extremes that our summers can bring without any supplemental watering leaves me clapping my hands and jumping for joy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, the two I grow tend to be cascading and expansive. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yakushima</span> is not. Its a front of the border sweetie being 12-18" tall and 2-3' wide and its mounding habit lends itself to many situations.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now don't get me wrong...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">lespedeza</span> loves clay soil and planted in clay will be more lush and vigorous. Though I have not been displeased with how they have measured up in my sand. Rarely have I been able to plant something with such abandon in this sand that I grow in. This lovely and diminutive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">lespedeza</span> gives me endless possibilities and for this reason it is my 'Plant of the Moment'.</div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-70281597457357431992010-03-24T21:04:00.003-04:002010-03-24T21:33:43.132-04:00Heralding in Spring!!!<div><span style="font-size:130%;">I haven't done a blog post for quite a long time. I was way too busy, all winter long, whining about the weather and updating our plant list and now of course I'm busy heralding in the spring. Lots of chores to do this time of year in all my gardens as well as the flower farm gearing up for another spectacular spring.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I've listed our new plants for 2010 on the "What's New" tab on our website.</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452376215917987538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mAOw2N_w_YK1pXB2kaqFjgh6FizXK56_xyqteM2BOzxj-YNCGPPHsF8et0V-BDMAQwDa2SXe0dTvE9Ezc3liQOLvJ75z4atzDTDwQn1f4UN90gT8i225JAg5WPCNsiq9Q3XiIHBA6crb/s400/th_877-001%5B1%5D.jpg" /> <div></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Here's something to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">whet</span> your appetite.<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melittis</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">melissophyllum</span> 'Royal Velvet Distinction'</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is a sweet little charmer, diminutive in form and flower. I think it will perform best as a woodland or container plant here in the south (morning sun only). Its foliage is honey-scented as an added bonus.</span></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-30569178450512099232009-09-25T21:44:00.001-04:002009-09-25T21:44:24.238-04:00Two More For Fall<p><font size="2">Another lovely late summer-early fall bloomer is Lespedeza.  I’ve been growing a lovely hedge row of the cultivar ‘Pink Cascade’  for about three years now.   They are not at all picky about what kind of soil they are growing in (I am growing them in unamended sand) though they tend to be more lush and larger in a heavier soil.  A little bit of water for the first three months after planting and then they pretty much take care of themselves. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Lespedeza is in the lupine family and being so its flowers are very much like a sweet pea on an upright shrub with fountain-like cascading branches strongly held.  They have been one  of the easiest perennials that I have grown, dying back to the ground every winter and coming back strongly every spring.  Lespedeza is a wonderful, hardworking perennial that is definitely worth the “room” holding down a corner of a perennial border or making a lovely hedge row in your landscape.</font></p> <p><font size="2">We carry two cultivars here at Big Bloomers.  Yes…..I know what you are thinking, “What…only two?.  These two  are a little more “well behaved” than the species normally is.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Pink Cascade</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sr1x7ukvA_I/AAAAAAAAAwo/gryfVNIz5-c/s1600-h/46243z%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="46243z[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="46243z[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sr1x8c6jzNI/AAAAAAAAAww/A5FIJdq-DMA/46243z%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">‘Pink Cascade’ blooms late summer through fall.  It grows from 3-5 feet tall.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Spring Grove</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sr1x9I5jNNI/AAAAAAAAAw0/lma8FSfG5-s/s1600-h/Lespedeza-Spring-Grove%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Lespedeza-Spring-Grove[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="Lespedeza-Spring-Grove[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sr1x9lx4YoI/AAAAAAAAAw4/BYKuTgHDOck/Lespedeza-Spring-Grove%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="2">‘Spring Grove’ is a newer cultivar that blooms late spring and then again in fall.  I’ve been working on a new hedgerow of these in a different area.</font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-8979746163213861242009-09-18T22:55:00.001-04:002009-09-18T22:55:55.900-04:00Two H flowers for fall<p> </p> <p><font size="3">Two of my favorite flowers for fall have to be helianthus and heliopsis.  Both helianthus and heliopsis have a very similar look and growth habit.  Though with hybridizing they are continually coming up with some interesting looks.  We carry a nice selection of both in our greenhouses.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Helianthus microcephalus</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIJd9iQwI/AAAAAAAAAvw/wERk9b-G3aQ/s1600-h/HELIANTHUS_Microcephalus%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="HELIANTHUS_Microcephalus[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="HELIANTHUS_Microcephalus[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIJ7mzvDI/AAAAAAAAAv0/n1OqZ0S6eNU/HELIANTHUS_Microcephalus%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p> <font size="3">This helianthus is 4-5’ tall and blooms August through September .  Its considered “the best of the genus”  The flowers and leaves are small but it tends to grow into a large clump very quickly and is a vigorous bloomer.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Helianthus maximilianii</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIKfnXZII/AAAAAAAAAv4/5M4gLe_vyrM/s1600-h/helmaximillan%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="helmaximillan" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="helmaximillan" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIKuUZPyI/AAAAAAAAAv8/e1TBmLSMXXY/helmaximillan_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Maximillian sunflower as it is commonly known is a tall specimen growing 5-8’ or taller.  It blooms in late September or early October.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Helianthus salicifolius ‘First Light’</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRILHu0MaI/AAAAAAAAAwA/KslTMxxNqgw/s1600-h/helfirstlight%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="helfirstlight" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="helfirstlight" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRILr5i8bI/AAAAAAAAAwE/AS06TjS8nro/helfirstlight_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left"><font size="3">First Light is 4’ tall and blooms in late September into October.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Helianthus salicifolius ‘Low Down’</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRILwSNRYI/AAAAAAAAAwI/zRhAd8Bc7_I/s1600-h/helianthus_lowdown_1%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="helianthus_lowdown_1[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="237" alt="helianthus_lowdown_1[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIMDvxSQI/AAAAAAAAAwM/llXHmEkczEo/helianthus_lowdown_1%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="3">Low Down is new and unique in that it is short, just 18” tall.  I never thought I would see one this short.  With its short stature it would lend itself well to smaller gardens and container plantings.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Heliopsis ‘Summer Sun’</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIMtGc4cI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/GATMg1gfXEI/s1600-h/HELIOPSIS_Scabra_Summer_Sun%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="HELIOPSIS_Scabra_Summer_Sun[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="HELIOPSIS_Scabra_Summer_Sun[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRINZz6pVI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ScOcb_vMLP8/HELIOPSIS_Scabra_Summer_Sun%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Summer Sun has lovely semi-double flowers strongly held at 3’ tall.  It blooms late summer through fall.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Heliopsis ‘Summer Nights’</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRINuJ5qFI/AAAAAAAAAwY/HmHJAFyeZOI/s1600-h/heliopsissummernights%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="heliopsissummernights" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="heliopsissummernights" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIOJGBciI/AAAAAAAAAwc/8aZadEbffcM/heliopsissummernights_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">I love this heliopsis with its red stems.  Its a bit more loose in growth and may be floppy in less than full sun.  It tops out at 3-4’.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Heliopsis ‘Bressingham’s Doubloon’</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIOQOCu_I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ujeXtuCwRac/s1600-h/HELIOPSIS_Bressingham_Doubloon%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="HELIOPSIS_Bressingham_Doubloon[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="HELIOPSIS_Bressingham_Doubloon[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SrRIOzqOmrI/AAAAAAAAAwk/-7R9dPChFZ4/HELIOPSIS_Bressingham_Doubloon%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">I love this one as well with is fluffy semi-double flowers.  It tops out at 4-5’ and blooms summer through fall.</font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-49443892034618031212009-09-08T21:42:00.001-04:002009-09-08T21:42:54.847-04:00Fall is for Aster<p> </p> <p><font size="2">Before I started working at Big Bloomers if you asked me what flower I would first think of for fall it certainly would have been and probably still is the asters.</font></p> <p><font size="2">We currently have in stock 18 different kinds of aster.   Some are trailing, some are tall and gangly and some are low enough to be considered ground cover.  They are all very lovely and I am always very appreciative that they stick around all summer (especially now that I live in the south where the summers can be particularly and gruesomely hot and humid) and grace us with their beauty when most everything else in the garden is just about giving up the ghost.</font></p> <p><font size="2">Like the chrysanthemums, I will list them by height or growth habit and use the cultivar or common name without the species when possible.  No particular reason, I just think it is a bit less confusing not using all those Latin terms.</font></p> <p><font size="2">These five are the tallest.  With the tallest two being September Ruby and Winston Churchill.  Being 4’ and 3-4’ respectively.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">September Ruby</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH1BOrmvI/AAAAAAAAAtY/FqEsoAmV-yg/s1600-h/septruby%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="septruby" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="178" alt="septruby" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH1-x2RfI/AAAAAAAAAtc/cyJgDYcEsuo/septruby_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Winston Churchill</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH2KH-qzI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Gsnl4wg4eQA/s1600-h/winstonchurchill%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="winstonchurchill" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="165" alt="winstonchurchill" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH2i3y7zI/AAAAAAAAAtk/K1c8CehUMUg/winstonchurchill_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Next is Lady in Black at 3’ tall.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Lady in Black</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH3BjF9mI/AAAAAAAAAto/agk9WADRWAc/s1600-h/ladyinblack%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="ladyinblack" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="ladyinblack" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH3sLIAGI/AAAAAAAAAts/pg2WgclT8aA/ladyinblack_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">These next three are 2-1/2’ tall.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Monch Aster</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH4OHG9PI/AAAAAAAAAtw/xza9dCocyWw/s1600-h/monch%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="monch" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="monch" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH4kh7w7I/AAAAAAAAAt0/LCTdAWM-CnI/monch_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Patricia Ballard</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH5P8X-II/AAAAAAAAAt4/6fv8LqmMIN4/s1600-h/ASTER_novi_belgii_Patricia_Ballard%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="ASTER_novi_belgii_Patricia_Ballard[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="196" alt="ASTER_novi_belgii_Patricia_Ballard[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH5qYRgXI/AAAAAAAAAt8/BLdHmgmB8z4/ASTER_novi_belgii_Patricia_Ballard%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">White Wood Aster</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH54lh8rI/AAAAAAAAAuA/3Q9zVXmLoxo/s1600-h/whitewoodaster%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="whitewoodaster" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="whitewoodaster" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH6QAJjmI/AAAAAAAAAuE/QpPjatL1CAc/whitewoodaster_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">This next group are the intermediates.  Starting at 2’ are </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Purple Dome</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH62VcrNI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ahumClK1bvo/s1600-h/purpledome%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="purpledome" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="216" alt="purpledome" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH7T5zVTI/AAAAAAAAAuM/_wlVwtPa3xs/purpledome_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">and</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Lovely</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH73vsjcI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ys5Aee-tYfw/s1600-h/lovely%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="lovely" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="lovely" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH8XVoT2I/AAAAAAAAAuU/tJVS4YZJMHw/lovely_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Evergreen aster is about 20” tall.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH8sgF86I/AAAAAAAAAuY/NjKNHt3sscM/s1600-h/evergreenaster%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="evergreenaster" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="evergreenaster" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH9PTGoFI/AAAAAAAAAuc/Gkj5SWwk2-g/evergreenaster_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">and the next three are all around 1-1/2’ tall.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Wood’s Purple</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH9b-y0XI/AAAAAAAAAug/eTV0Nj9a_zU/s1600-h/woodspurple%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="woodspurple" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="woodspurple" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH9w9mzUI/AAAAAAAAAuk/I_qBta4CAFY/woodspurple_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="166" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Peter Harrison</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH-VBJEYI/AAAAAAAAAuo/h71S7T-SH8M/s1600-h/peterharrison%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="peterharrison" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="peterharrison" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH-yM-kqI/AAAAAAAAAus/vtnoiEdkEfM/peterharrison_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Farmington</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH_AgWX3I/AAAAAAAAAuw/lMl7kFXNwzE/s1600-h/farmington%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="farmington" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="242" alt="farmington" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH_iu194I/AAAAAAAAAu0/QjNBfIXp9-k/farmington_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Next according to height would be the 15”</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Royal Opal</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcH_8z0aFI/AAAAAAAAAu4/IaAO6Mf_rdY/s1600-h/royalopal%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="royalopal" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="220" alt="royalopal" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIAQee62I/AAAAAAAAAu8/3n1aOgax4N4/royalopal_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Wood’s Light Blue</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIA9xQQhI/AAAAAAAAAvA/HjPR7D0ykuY/s1600-h/woodslightblue%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="woodslightblue" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="216" alt="woodslightblue" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIBQKqv0I/AAAAAAAAAvE/YPs724xC8BE/woodslightblue_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="2">and</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Wood’s Pink</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIBlIwPzI/AAAAAAAAAvI/-M4hw3gEmrw/s1600-h/asterwoodspink%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="asterwoodspink[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="220" alt="asterwoodspink[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcICBtyT2I/AAAAAAAAAvM/PFubqEoWqTY/asterwoodspink%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Professor Kippenburg is just a big shorter, topping out at 14”.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Professor Kippenburg</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcICohg5gI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/0qWEo5LttiE/s1600-h/ASTER_novi_belgii_Professor_Kippenburg%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="ASTER_novi_belgii_Professor_Kippenburg[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="ASTER_novi_belgii_Professor_Kippenburg[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIDAlusLI/AAAAAAAAAvU/NFJ22IL4hbc/ASTER_novi_belgii_Professor_Kippenburg%5B1%5D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Snow Flurry is a diminutive little groundcover aster that I love just for the very simple fact that it would rather be dry than wet.  Which I can do big time in my sand.  This one tops out at 6”.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Snow Flurry</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIDocaZnI/AAAAAAAAAvY/y4Q0QjaGMmQ/s1600-h/snowflurry%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="snowflurry" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="445" alt="snowflurry" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIEQ6GIMI/AAAAAAAAAvc/KMz4H9uTZfo/snowflurry_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">and last but not least in a class all by itself is our very own Aster carolinianus.  This one is more of a viney, sprawling aster growing up to 10-12’ WHAT!  Yes 10-12 feet.  Its also fragrant to boot.  Don’t cut this one back since it comes back on the old woody vines and gets longer and longer and longer and longer ha.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Aster carolinianus</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIFlx36nI/AAAAAAAAAvg/JVtnI2YzcJU/s1600-h/Aster_carolinianus_03%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Aster_carolinianus_03[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="Aster_carolinianus_03[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIGTUbQ_I/AAAAAAAAAvk/BgGscwy1Y2g/Aster_carolinianus_03%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIG_VugHI/AAAAAAAAAvo/NG-lq5a4KLs/s1600-h/carolinianus%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="carolinianus" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="carolinianus" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqcIHfNmVaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/vfgAbOWRIsc/carolinianus_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">I thought this one deserved two pictures.</font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-78235360505492789052009-09-06T21:33:00.001-04:002009-09-06T21:33:07.495-04:00WHERE’S ALLEY<p> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3">My friend and co-worker Julie…you know the one with the blue feet, found Alley yesterday hanging out in one of our dry fountains.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqRiy6sIyYI/AAAAAAAAAtI/BSwc3QKn2rU/s1600-h/DSC02138%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02138" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC02138" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqRizg3Uf3I/AAAAAAAAAtM/Hr0zZfzh4eY/DSC02138_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqRi0C_PO2I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/N-jJzPevXMc/s1600-h/DSC02139%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02139" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC02139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqRi0q2N-jI/AAAAAAAAAtU/2iI-Y8oN5Pg/DSC02139_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3">I have to admit I silently wished “my kingdom” for some water and an outlet so I could turn that fountain on.  OH come on…she needs the exercise.</font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-79306827814019266862009-09-04T21:23:00.002-04:002010-06-30T20:28:26.500-04:00Fall Flowers<p><span style="font-size:85%;">Speaking of fall blogs, I think if you asked, most people would equate chrysanthemum as the first flower they would think of if asked for a fall blooming annual/perennial. Many buy them as annual color in the fall though they are all somewhat hardy. Though the earlier in fall they are planted will insure their hardiness through their first winter.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">We provide the normal “pinch and trimmed” potted chrysanthemums for fall color every year starting in September. I’ve planted them in my landscape and have had them come back with decent results though I don’t find them particularly long lived.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">In lieu of the “pinched and trimmed” fall mum, you can still have lovely fall flowers with the chrysanthemums we stock year-round in our perennial greenhouses. These old timey chrysanthemums will grow and multiply, happily blooming in your fall gardens without any help at all (though a couple of prunings during the growing season keeps some from getting too tall and gangly). With their pastel shades they bring a lovely “touch of spring” while summer is waning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Here they are in all their fall glory.</span></p><p> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Venus</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9XUeBHuI/AAAAAAAAAsA/4PhyqNfjWVg/s1600-h/venus4.jpg"></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Emperor of China</span> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mary Stoker</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9ZXmyGPI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/sBzVdWXOc54/s1600-h/marystocker4.jpg"></a> <span style="font-size:100%;">Mei-kyo</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9afcPB4I/AAAAAAAAAsY/AMm9y2HTWS4/s1600-h/Meikyo4.jpg"></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sheffield</span> </p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9bIKaD4I/AAAAAAAAAsg/rlizKwKgaRc/s1600-h/sheffield4.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Fall Glory </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9cJc68WI/AAAAAAAAAso/Bjhe_J0l0AQ/s1600-h/nippon3.jpg"></a></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">All of these cultivars are 24-36” tall. Given a pinch or pruning midway through the season will keep them a bit shorter.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">But…if its shorter you want, you can always grow the species weyrichii or pacificum which top out at 12” and 18” respectively. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">weyrichii “Pink Bomb”</span></p><p align="center"> <span style="font-size:100%;">pacificum</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9eZ_0INI/AAAAAAAAAs4/0sn6WDDpUnA/s1600-h/619pxChrysanthemum_pacificum14.jpg"></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">pacificum “Pink Ice” </span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SqG9fmp_kzI/AAAAAAAAAtA/egsmETaW7Do/s1600-h/pinkice3.jpg"></a> </p>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-51621601672920176952009-09-01T22:48:00.001-04:002009-09-01T22:48:15.106-04:00Plugging Pansies<p> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="2">We have spent the past week plugging pansies and violas for fall sale.  They will be ready for planting in your garden about the end of September.  Snapdragons, annual dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale were also done.</font>   </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sp3c6zxerpI/AAAAAAAAAr4/wiFgxw3PDMw/s1600-h/DSC02103%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02103" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC02103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sp3c7hBsIXI/AAAAAAAAAr8/C2l1wnw_oyw/DSC02103_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="2">I’ve enjoyed these last couple days of cool weather.  I love this time of year when summer dies down a bit.  Perennials can breath a sigh of relief and the fall bloomers can really start to kick in.  I’m thinking some fall related blogs might just be in order.</font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-39480749573010786522009-08-31T21:29:00.001-04:002009-08-31T21:29:32.224-04:00Its Raining Lilies<p> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3">A couple of days ago the rain lilies decided to all open at once</font>.  </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="2">Zephyranthes</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Spx49_ygRnI/AAAAAAAAArs/rUkQahZ3DNk/s1600-h/DSC02105%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02105" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC02105" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Spx4-UBT97I/AAAAAAAAArw/vJl2rmAIcCo/DSC02105_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:c4b34684-59ab-4e8f-926c-65948e417f91" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-1a5ab6a86a66c171.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=1A5AB6A86A66C171!106&ct=photos"><img style="border:0px" alt="View rain lilies" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Spx4-7dbIRI/AAAAAAAAAr0/fCOKA9g1ymc/InlineRepresentationcd1af7e1-6ac6-4c32-be2b-e3c7ab5d1426.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-1a5ab6a86a66c171.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=1A5AB6A86A66C171!106&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">Aren’t they lovely! </font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-83690662705201122632009-08-29T21:38:00.001-04:002009-08-29T21:38:30.301-04:00WHERE’S ALLEY?<p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3">I see you there girl…..</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SpnYC3tRdeI/AAAAAAAAArU/iex-MCqC3vo/s1600-h/DSC02099%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02099" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC02099" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SpnYDTlDJ3I/AAAAAAAAArY/-XeWlUNN2n8/DSC02099_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="right"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3">No.. that pumpkin mustache doesn’t </font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="3">fool me one bit..</font></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SpnYDwNUufI/AAAAAAAAArc/Ya_psA0Qd-8/s1600-h/DSC02101%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02101" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="DSC02101" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SpnYEVtSx5I/AAAAAAAAArg/9mcH3gA2KUs/DSC02101_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">Silly girl</font></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SpnYE9ynlEI/AAAAAAAAArk/kEKG0yFLeQ8/s1600-h/DSC02102%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02102" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC02102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SpnYFeI5x3I/AAAAAAAAAro/PS7KN-kEnJA/DSC02102_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-43851031325157142972009-08-19T23:33:00.001-04:002009-08-19T23:33:11.685-04:00Where is Alley?<p><font size="2">Throughout the years, the owners at Big Bloomers have employed  many teenagers as summer and part-time help.  They usually end up doing much of the grunt work.  Putting up an endless supply of annuals, moving them around here and there and everywhere as well as weeding and a huge list of other chores. </font></p> <p><font size="2">I am still somewhat of a “teenager” in my heart and so I thoroughly enjoy working with them.  Too many names, faces and smiles come to mind to name them all but every one of them have brought something unique and singular to our nursery.</font></p> <p><font size="2">This year, like every year, we will be losing some as they leave to make their own way in the world.  We will miss each one and are wishing them the very best of everything.</font></p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD4ol28uI/AAAAAAAAAqg/leTj0WT7BO0/s1600-h/untitled%5B3%5D.png"><img title="untitled" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="135" alt="untitled" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD5PZGx2I/AAAAAAAAAqk/v0o2c0kpQjQ/untitled_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="332" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Many of my “Where’s Alley” blogs were from pictures taken by one of our “kids” leaving us this summer.</font></p> <p><font size="2">Over the years her and Alley have created a unique friendship.  Alley can usually be found somewhere around Ashley whenever she was working.  I think Alley thought of Ashley as her personal publicist considering all the great poses Ashley has caught her in.   So for Alley a working relationship turned into a lovely friendship.</font></p> <p><font size="2">One of the last days Ashley was here she “captured” Alley in an extremely rare hiding place.  None of us have ever seen her there before.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD5t58kDI/AAAAAAAAAqo/aLgUv6GK5qE/s1600-h/DSCF0200%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0200" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="148" alt="DSCF0200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD6LeDJoI/AAAAAAAAAqs/4pO-nG06f6k/DSCF0200_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Can you see her?  That pot in the left hand corner.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD6qrkrmI/AAAAAAAAAqw/HSzUq36rlxQ/s1600-h/DSCF0201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0201" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF0201" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD7PqnIbI/AAAAAAAAAq0/8wxSjd6OHFY/DSCF0201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Ah yes there she is…the little rascal</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD7rx11lI/AAAAAAAAAq4/1wm8fqCX430/s1600-h/DSCF0199%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0199" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF0199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD8JN0mYI/AAAAAAAAAq8/Y7ZEzNEYNcI/DSCF0199_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2">Can’t you see I am resting…I mean doing some undercover work.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD8aptBrI/AAAAAAAAArA/ZmWuzEOOKRY/s1600-h/DSCF0202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0202" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF0202" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD81K1VAI/AAAAAAAAArE/9sjXj7MXdM4/DSCF0202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD9XWudxI/AAAAAAAAArI/gLbPp7mflo0/s1600-h/DSCF0204%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0204" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCF0204" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/SozD9tpmP5I/AAAAAAAAArQ/rrbAtgDIjA4/DSCF0204_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2">This one’s for you Ashley.</font></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-27124312055156986042009-07-28T21:27:00.001-04:002009-07-28T21:30:24.491-04:00HUMMINGBIRD DAY-2009<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lU69zgbI/AAAAAAAAApE/zJgIk5CAPtQ/s1600-h/5528_1194609509285_1349852109_30552203_5638074_n%5B1%5D%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="5528_1194609509285_1349852109_30552203_5638074_n[1]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="5528_1194609509285_1349852109_30552203_5638074_n[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lVu_lMbI/AAAAAAAAApI/TxKUIkZDysM/5528_1194609509285_1349852109_30552203_5638074_n%5B1%5D_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">This year’s Hummingbird Day was the best ever.  Susan Campbell caught a record (for us) 9 hummers and tagged 8.  One got away.  Sneaky rascal.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">Heather and Ashley manned the caging and did the actual capturing which I am pretty sure made their day.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">Heather</font></p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lW8Ojg7I/AAAAAAAAApM/juSECHVA_Fk/s1600-h/7%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="7" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lXhI1WdI/AAAAAAAAApQ/3erorBtnyL0/7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></font></p> <p><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">Ashley</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lYdErVII/AAAAAAAAApU/Wu-W925KxVg/s1600-h/6%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="6" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="6" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lY1bNIWI/AAAAAAAAApY/n6Ly9tZseHQ/6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">When a hummer came to feed they pulled the string and caught them in the cage.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lZnJq_fI/AAAAAAAAApc/oE2u_eTRHKo/s1600-h/8%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="8" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="8" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-laupNApI/AAAAAAAAApg/uj3uHlZ2p6s/8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"><strong>They got one!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lbS99_1I/AAAAAAAAApk/Z-JddgKKIQw/s1600-h/13%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="13" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="13" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lb7m-7JI/AAAAAAAAApo/ME1OfK-ctNw/13_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">This is a video of Susan bagging the hummer.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:94381e52-9225-4313-b939-cb63e238a4f0" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div id="fa9e823b-1008-4b13-b436-018888bce6a7" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=8529aed6-d698-4179-b8d5-f7a76e1b1fec&from=writer" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lcRZsBjI/AAAAAAAAAqI/pdhjPs9VS4A/video0fc73c711b5f%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('fa9e823b-1008-4b13-b436-018888bce6a7'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><embed src=\"http://images.video.msn.com/flash/soapbox1_1.swf\" quality=\"high\" width=\"432\" height=\"364\" wmode=\"transparent\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage=\"http://macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" flashvars=\"c=v&v=8529aed6-d698-4179-b8d5-f7a76e1b1fec&from=writer&mkt=en-US\" ><\/embed><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">after catching</font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lcwBoPDI/AAAAAAAAApw/80ASc8aXnuw/s1600-h/2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="2" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-ldVJt4NI/AAAAAAAAAp0/LovMIGHiTKU/2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">Banding the Hummer</font></p> <p> </p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3adbc628-de6b-45ba-9db0-9029d7cb7393" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div id="d7adc86e-bce2-4242-b128-c60e5ea36caf" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=760c92c0-ce68-4415-9092-dfce05ffa391&from=writer" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-ld0wlurI/AAAAAAAAAqM/NHcrJi5SvuQ/video1974c256cfba%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('d7adc86e-bce2-4242-b128-c60e5ea36caf'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><embed src=\"http://images.video.msn.com/flash/soapbox1_1.swf\" quality=\"high\" width=\"432\" height=\"364\" wmode=\"transparent\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage=\"http://macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" flashvars=\"c=v&v=760c92c0-ce68-4415-9092-dfce05ffa391&from=writer&mkt=en-US\" ><\/embed><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">and then letting it go</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:710de31c-0062-4745-9e3f-356cab31541e" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div id="9338e71a-d350-4827-a189-06255a8dc549" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=f2a3761f-d54a-4336-b7a5-8f7647fbf824&from=writer" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-leRmTSgI/AAAAAAAAAqY/7NwzU4XPY7A/video9e6664d4e4bc%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('9338e71a-d350-4827-a189-06255a8dc549'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><embed src=\"http://images.video.msn.com/flash/soapbox1_1.swf\" quality=\"high\" width=\"432\" height=\"364\" wmode=\"transparent\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage=\"http://macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" flashvars=\"c=v&v=f2a3761f-d54a-4336-b7a5-8f7647fbf824&from=writer&mkt=en-US\" ><\/embed><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4">What a wonderful way to spend the day!</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy" size="4"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lflIQScI/AAAAAAAAAqA/Fs1hobIZC4A/s1600-h/DSC01981%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC01981" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC01981" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/Sm-lgcYLVhI/AAAAAAAAAqE/-Hnbo83WLmU/DSC01981_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-47790715305699932372009-06-21T23:13:00.006-04:002009-06-22T08:37:27.906-04:00PLANT OF THE MOMENT-COREOPSIS GRANDIFLORA "PRESTO"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMB2_qygIBwNeTjyeNADHpkrkhHCQXgNGoQ4X9M0v3zMRDkokGR9OiwHOZDgufFwKggALlh0xMMtaEChesT4Got1Jtd5VfH88QJgtYAd-wSjtybk-gToU_1g4Mce3pT49CRyFgjsu2nLu/s1600-h/40804z%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349995736506211746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMB2_qygIBwNeTjyeNADHpkrkhHCQXgNGoQ4X9M0v3zMRDkokGR9OiwHOZDgufFwKggALlh0xMMtaEChesT4Got1Jtd5VfH88QJgtYAd-wSjtybk-gToU_1g4Mce3pT49CRyFgjsu2nLu/s400/40804z%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So...I've been wondering??? What does it mean when customers are selling YOU plants? Hummmm.......</span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The other day a couple of our "regulars" came in. The couple are a "couple" and I always enjoy seeing them and what they are buying. You can always spot "kindred spirits". People that enjoy growing things and being able to appreciate hard work and the beauty of what you can create. Of course all the hard work is never appreciated as much as one simple bloom on a flower.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I asked if I could help them find anything and they showed me two plants they were looking for.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The first was a salvia and we happened to have a four-pack of the one they were looking for. Gotta take advantage of those four-packs of perennials whenever you can.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The second plant was a coreopsis. They had picked a stem cutting with flower and leaves to try to match it to some they are growing already, since they were not sure of the name. They told me it was very short six to twelve inches tall. I was a bit intrigued by their short stature but I am not usually swayed by coreopsis, for reasons you will later learn.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We went down the bench that contained all our coreopsis, looking at size and flower color and couldn't find one we could be sure was the right one. He walked down with me looking and comparing flowers and leaf structure while she stayed behind. We were all the way down the bench when she said she found it. Actually, right where we had started looking. It was Coreopsis grandiflora "Presto". Actually.... a very cool name for a very cool plant.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I commented after looking at and admiring the short and stocky growth habit of this nice little plant, that I don't really grow coreopsis that much. I love the threadleafs but I just can't seem to make them happy enough to grow in my sand and the grandifloras need too much deadheading for my liking. He got a sly smile on his face when I mentioned the latter and said,"Its no problem for me, I just wack em with the weed wacker". We laughed and I thought that wasn't a bad idea at all. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Didn't think much else about it till the couple came up with their purchases. He had eight of the coreopsis and I commented "Oh my, I guess you really DO love this plant". They laughed and explained they were starting a new bed and really wanted that solid splash of yellow up front. He commented that they bloom for a good, long time and when they get tired he just wacks them with the weed wacker and in two weeks they are blooming their little heads off again.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">OKAY....I told him...you sold ME.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">After they left, I walked back into the greenhouses and retrieved one for myself and and for this reason Coreopsis grandiflora "Presto" is my plant of the moment.</span></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-83819232224404582832009-06-11T22:26:00.005-04:002009-06-14T20:34:49.833-04:00Plant of the Moment-Rosa Zephirine Drouhin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCPyxoV6qLx2H2HAEairO9kOU5Gx84aWqocqirJLX0XsvmJaVLVV0SqX-tdiH9dCQHkg9RokZJeYMg3zXKPxdJCt2zmvJfLMBCKhuUHT6YMEh8Y5eHnaFjtievqzPjMiD1mukpXn4yU8e/s1600-h/W510-0901020%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346262073917528770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCPyxoV6qLx2H2HAEairO9kOU5Gx84aWqocqirJLX0XsvmJaVLVV0SqX-tdiH9dCQHkg9RokZJeYMg3zXKPxdJCt2zmvJfLMBCKhuUHT6YMEh8Y5eHnaFjtievqzPjMiD1mukpXn4yU8e/s400/W510-0901020%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So.....Today at work I was in the "white fenced area". This is the area we keep most of our roses. I was there to collect some Knockout roses to restock an area where we also have them closer to the entrance of the nursery as a convenience to our customers.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">While I was there I noticed a rose that was growing very vigorously about two feet taller than the other climbing roses in that area. I also noticed that this rose was almost fully green to the bottom, which is a bit unusual here in the south where older growth usually starts showing signs of black spot even for the most diligent gardener. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hummm</span>, I thought...It has a name I can't pronounce and I don't know very much about this rose. So I picked out the Knockouts that I needed and made a beeline into our office to "google" this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Zephirine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Drouhin</span>. I clicked on the first link that was listed and saw that I NEEDED to grow this rose. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://roses.toytrains1.com/zephirine_drouhin.htm">http://roses.toytrains1.com/zephirine_drouhin.htm</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div></div><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zephirine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Drouhin</span> is considered an heirloom rose. It is vigorous, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">floriferous</span>, highly scented and blooms spring through fall with the strongest flushes of bloom being of course in the spring and in the fall. OH OH OH did I say it was completely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">thornless</span>? Well I guess I just did.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span></span></div><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I promptly walked back out to the "white fenced area" and claimed one for my own. My only problem being now where do I put it. I have an archway at the entrance of the walkway leading to my house and thought I would put it there but then after much rethinking, I was sure it would be to vigorous a rose to use in that area since the archway is very lovely and decorative and I was worried it would be completely hidden by this vigorous grower.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the meantime I pulled Cinda (one of our greenhouse managers) into the "white fenced area" to show her this vigorous rose that SHE needed to grow too and also showed her the link that made me fall in love with it. I expressed to her my concern about it taking over my lovely, metalwork archway. She said to me "well...don't you have a deck". EUREKA..."Yes...YES" I said (well I might have screamed that part). "I do...I do have a deck, and...and..and I have a nicely dug and amended spot right in the corner where I recently lost a shrub." To which I added "You are a GENIUS" (I might have screamed that last part also).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></div><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Tonight after I got home from work I planted my lovely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Zephirine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Drouhin</span> in that already amended spot on the corner of my deck right next to the stairway that my husband and I love to sit in the early morning and look out into the back fields and woodland. I imagine that in the coming years when we sit there with our morning coffee we will have the added pleasure of enjoying the fragrance of this strongly scented and lovely rose and for this reason <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Zephirine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Drouhin</span> is my Plant of the Moment.</span></span></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-59265506335746836962009-05-31T21:12:00.006-04:002009-05-31T21:37:45.769-04:00WHERE'S ALLEY?<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Our girl Alley is well known, far and wide for being a counter-potato. She is a plopper. She loves to plop herself here and there and everywhere but she especially loves to plop herself down into just about anything on our counter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">She was gone for a couple of days and she is very happy, as are we, that she is back here in a "box" on our counter.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VD6I-GkygwqDRrGTv_oiPDiuy-a_JlAlL-L5nSmgPhoA7wZraJjio6AYsSrhLx1VsvWdyEksqDoU5YH4jROPy7sjh39_USWuZa2MgY-RkMojHOT9JFS5wSh9mOX0WKXEulnNbzDJrjtS/s1600-h/DSCF5386.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VD6I-GkygwqDRrGTv_oiPDiuy-a_JlAlL-L5nSmgPhoA7wZraJjio6AYsSrhLx1VsvWdyEksqDoU5YH4jROPy7sjh39_USWuZa2MgY-RkMojHOT9JFS5wSh9mOX0WKXEulnNbzDJrjtS/s400/DSCF5386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342162702655534834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Gotta love our girl Alley!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbMR18BhJWHtVQM5U7aU1qXBSDRvbV-tv4w5lqtxJxT5qQ44WFQTPh0V1PvknYvkdLDds3jPAH10sVba7rfKumDIUEwNMZAwxDVuzzW5lyi3jk9U9BrL6lDDlwIRUCRs_bvzhuqBrGWdw/s1600-h/DSCF5387.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbMR18BhJWHtVQM5U7aU1qXBSDRvbV-tv4w5lqtxJxT5qQ44WFQTPh0V1PvknYvkdLDds3jPAH10sVba7rfKumDIUEwNMZAwxDVuzzW5lyi3jk9U9BrL6lDDlwIRUCRs_bvzhuqBrGWdw/s400/DSCF5387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342162711885607650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-85160624051090032942009-05-22T21:18:00.014-04:002009-05-22T22:21:07.866-04:00FOR FATHER'S DAY..HOW BOUT GIVING AN AGAVE<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In my experience at the front desk at Big Bloomers I have noticed that agaves are a particular favorite of our male customers. It seems most of our agave "collectors" are men.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agaves are one tough and dangerous plant. They make really great stand alone specimen plants and they are drought, heat and humidity tolerant which we have our share of here in North Carolina. I have small dogs so I mostly use agaves in large pots.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">John was excited to bring in some really great new specimen agave this spring.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave 'Burnt Burgundy'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkPgSxGrVVZ05tmLdm19mUqYAc73EeQr_acz-QRcrU6yesNGJvzEp2SyChvegTODrhgw2APh9QgjR1R1chxXJY3MlzOMChMBUFx9Id72Q8TXDsDfK4zK3-Fe9FxyRYkbCmQZ3EfWNu2mD/s1600-h/agaveburntburgundy.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkPgSxGrVVZ05tmLdm19mUqYAc73EeQr_acz-QRcrU6yesNGJvzEp2SyChvegTODrhgw2APh9QgjR1R1chxXJY3MlzOMChMBUFx9Id72Q8TXDsDfK4zK3-Fe9FxyRYkbCmQZ3EfWNu2mD/s400/agaveburntburgundy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338825385774369154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This agave hybrid has blue-gray leaves with a sharp burgundy edge. It grows 12-15 inches tall and is hardy to zone 7b.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave funkiana 'Blue Haze'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSi9xf_chYfkf4yJX6vPFb8DOlnRthz8FytlXTEWcRwJhHhuIXkquqleCq_32EG5EPGqS1nuY6aJb5lhCdo0UzzfVsiaXGrLyQx1BSSNaxCQLIQiTNlCrpMmzF6o9anTJ5HmClTUNw5uW/s1600-h/agavefunkianabluehaze.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSi9xf_chYfkf4yJX6vPFb8DOlnRthz8FytlXTEWcRwJhHhuIXkquqleCq_32EG5EPGqS1nuY6aJb5lhCdo0UzzfVsiaXGrLyQx1BSSNaxCQLIQiTNlCrpMmzF6o9anTJ5HmClTUNw5uW/s400/agavefunkianabluehaze.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338824882403177202" style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This funkiana has beautiful powdery-blue leaves with a near-white central midstripe. It will grow to about 2 feet and is hardy to Zone 7.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave funkiana 'Fatal Attraction'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtVZkEJG8VvxRXU0FHIHWjEneLyfKbDsuz6pLiMoYpnE3kWb2nKmdhb7a5f2eDK5ALqLRfLEwGjFkRbnDqv6dp6Rl8kTjFKNJCqn8ZmHcz2GKBWHa-l6YbuFs1Ws1Y1Gf1gglkbTAiylu/s1600-h/agavefunkianafatalattraction.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtVZkEJG8VvxRXU0FHIHWjEneLyfKbDsuz6pLiMoYpnE3kWb2nKmdhb7a5f2eDK5ALqLRfLEwGjFkRbnDqv6dp6Rl8kTjFKNJCqn8ZmHcz2GKBWHa-l6YbuFs1Ws1Y1Gf1gglkbTAiylu/s400/agavefunkianafatalattraction.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338825956722599954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">'Fatal Attraction' has narrow dark green leaves with a lighter central midstripe. It grows to two feet tall and wide and is hardy to zone 7.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave parryi ssp huachuensis 'J.C. Raulston'</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hoKhOp0X-8C1TBEP5fYWgBCoFOZAXsd1NTlzI-HMh-3mDbarMySLmXUESu5-XH7hNNQvlgfHnZHu5ZQZM0LYZVuKxvM_wMuYZlPpuxvZYn0omL13HLSenE9YERzI6oRq_gXxN_YZeB8Z/s1600-h/agaveparryissphuachuensisjcraulston.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hoKhOp0X-8C1TBEP5fYWgBCoFOZAXsd1NTlzI-HMh-3mDbarMySLmXUESu5-XH7hNNQvlgfHnZHu5ZQZM0LYZVuKxvM_wMuYZlPpuxvZYn0omL13HLSenE9YERzI6oRq_gXxN_YZeB8Z/s400/agaveparryissphuachuensisjcraulston.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338826297013212594" style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This is one very special agave and is a clonal selection of parryi growing at the J.C. Raulston Arbotetum in Raleigh. It forms a perfect 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide tightly held clump of blue-gray wedge-shaped leaves. 'J.C. Raulston' is hardy to zone 7.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave 'Silver Surfer'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8IMs-jkMIn7y3MFhTXC66Xv3cXfo_nPMpxO7vHGPTggwq_wf8qmECiINsXHTqldR5q8MfRT_6T_46d3Sggh3i-Hyg-stDnd00Nk6bcQfuso1bAMrh566gAdp9fULy4xERE-o6W8VD-bs/s1600-h/agavesilversurfer.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8IMs-jkMIn7y3MFhTXC66Xv3cXfo_nPMpxO7vHGPTggwq_wf8qmECiINsXHTqldR5q8MfRT_6T_46d3Sggh3i-Hyg-stDnd00Nk6bcQfuso1bAMrh566gAdp9fULy4xERE-o6W8VD-bs/s400/agavesilversurfer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338827319912044418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This is a large agave. It sports rigid silvery-blue leaves 5 feet fall by 9 feet wide. Quite a stunning specimen plant and is hardy to zone 7b.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave toumeyana</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAId52qcEylP8xaSewau3wwX-LPzWaiUEjXFw1w88wNQ33y9cTg3KTpVgyrhLhLwogbVEIceW7CBSVa1zcUj5qqFYotef8Z5snQE9v9gpa-v_L8m76ufoZdE7D9CQTRbMfjwrG-1TdBY4J/s1600-h/agavetoumeyana.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAId52qcEylP8xaSewau3wwX-LPzWaiUEjXFw1w88wNQ33y9cTg3KTpVgyrhLhLwogbVEIceW7CBSVa1zcUj5qqFYotef8Z5snQE9v9gpa-v_L8m76ufoZdE7D9CQTRbMfjwrG-1TdBY4J/s400/agavetoumeyana.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338827975784213730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 399px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave toumeyana has thick, upright gray-green leaves with unraveling filifers along the leaf margins when mature. It is a small agave, 12"x 12" and being so would be perfect in rock gardens, front of the border or added to a container garden. It is hardy to zone 7b<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave utahensis ssp utahensis</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipF7gMCqq7nBNqIbAgIVQr5ePqVl_ZbAxmwqj-1ACJeh6CacKVSE7Bv6A1udP4T2UgSjTA2w2sHq6N5G_FepAZOuMIFpiNwu_shbB9A6iilN5Rdci3pKLP0WFtD0GM6Twmxzr1GT8SQHl/s1600-h/agaveutahensisssputahensis.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipF7gMCqq7nBNqIbAgIVQr5ePqVl_ZbAxmwqj-1ACJeh6CacKVSE7Bv6A1udP4T2UgSjTA2w2sHq6N5G_FepAZOuMIFpiNwu_shbB9A6iilN5Rdci3pKLP0WFtD0GM6Twmxzr1GT8SQHl/s400/agaveutahensisssputahensis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338829775529905170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This is another small agave forming a small clump of 6-8 inches. Like toumeyana it would be great in rock gardens or added to a container garden. This one is hardy down to Zone 6 so my sister in Connecticut could actually grow this one in her landscape.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave 'Zebra'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAP8vQh2mAxyIlNn6a9pzCwr0wLaqzsv0mBMCgeqJD0sl7zidXOzqKq17u9nzLS2zbAw8sXvfMcQVStpyxH2zdfr3XYnQ4IQksFWYVlZBgH7z9XZtH1mi-py3KuKiYL4rilf_TdKpnwvF/s1600-h/agavezebra.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAP8vQh2mAxyIlNn6a9pzCwr0wLaqzsv0mBMCgeqJD0sl7zidXOzqKq17u9nzLS2zbAw8sXvfMcQVStpyxH2zdfr3XYnQ4IQksFWYVlZBgH7z9XZtH1mi-py3KuKiYL4rilf_TdKpnwvF/s400/agavezebra.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338829467462417570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Agave 'Zebra' has marbled broad bands of pale green running horizontally through its v shaped leaves when it is mature. It grows about 3-4 feet tall and wide. This one is fast growing but will be slower growing if it doesn't have regular water. Its hardy to Zone 7.<br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-7973141063641614682009-05-21T22:58:00.001-04:002009-05-21T22:58:08.058-04:00A New Blog<p>Testing testing</p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7593777188171497670.post-70343457744953499152009-05-18T22:53:00.001-04:002009-05-18T22:53:42.220-04:00WHERE’S ALLEY<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/ShIfMcA5ypI/AAAAAAAAAnE/j0zI-LPOFr0/s1600-h/DSC01642%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC01642" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="232" alt="DSC01642" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/ShIfMmQtw3I/AAAAAAAAAnI/lr_BL4_YCus/DSC01642_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">Our girl Alley is in denial about her “size”.  She still thinks she can fit a size 12 body into a size 8 box.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/ShIfNDZ9_NI/AAAAAAAAAnM/aWLu8JJlXQA/s1600-h/DSC01644%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC01644" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="190" alt="DSC01644" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4mDHiNvEyRE/ShIfNZ4PyTI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/TPYOKwi6hOg/DSC01644_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" border="0" /></a></p> Big Bloomershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808725031946509699noreply@blogger.com1