Green Thumb 'Raises The Roof'

One of the questions I'm frequently asked at the nursery is, "What do you do in the winter?" That is assuming, of course, we have a winter!

Well, this year, besides the usual daily deadheading of pansies, primrose and cyclamen, we raised the shade garden's roof. What a difference six feet makes!

The new structure allows us to stock larger specimens of trees, bamboos and those humungous plants that "instant gratification" requires. We relocated the herbs and veggies to a sunny spot near the nursery's back. Like rearranging the furniture, it just looks better!

We also repainted the back greenhouse to provide ambiance for our upgraded wrought iron and ivy topiary selections. strives to be an experience rather than a destination. So we are always looking to be innovative, yet maintain the quaint environment our clients have come to expect.

Okay, enough P.R. Let's get to the good stuff! We're getting more spring color every day! The ranunculus are almost obnoxious as they lift their faces and scream, "look at me!" I'm mad for them in every color. The sunsation 'nemesia series add choices for complementary color in any pot. And come smell the boronia, heliotrope, Daphne and pink jasmine ... nature's aromatherapy! 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my little darlings, the succulents. I've made it my personal quest to return these much-maligned florets to their rightful place in the plant kingdom. Repeat after me, "not all succulents are cactus and drought-tolerant is not synonymous with ugly!" I'll climb down off my soapbox now and leave you with this happy thought. Welcome to spring!