Big Bloomers Flower Farm

Sunday, September 6, 2009

WHERE’S ALLEY

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.

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.

Friday, September 4, 2009

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.

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.

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.

Here they are in all their fall glory.

Venus

Emperor of China

Mary Stoker

Mei-kyo

Sheffield

Fall Glory

All of these cultivars are 24-36” tall. Given a pinch or pruning midway through the season will keep them a bit shorter.

But…if its shorter you want, you can always grow the species weyrichii or pacificum which top out at 12” and 18” respectively.

weyrichii “Pink Bomb”

pacificum

pacificum “Pink Ice”

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Plugging Pansies

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.

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.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Its Raining Lilies

A couple of days ago the rain lilies decided to all open at once.

Zephyranthes

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Aren’t they lovely!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

WHERE’S ALLEY?

I see you there girl…..

No.. that pumpkin mustache doesn’t

fool me one bit..

Silly girl

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Where is Alley?

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.

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.

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.

Many of my “Where’s Alley” blogs were from pictures taken by one of our “kids” leaving us this summer.

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.

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.