Container Updates Before and After

One of the fun things about container gardening is that its always a work in progress. It's totally different than any other project that you can do at your house. It is constantly changing and transforming into something entirely new. Sometimes you like the transformation, and sometimes you don't.
I've taken pictures of most of my containers a few weeks after I planted them. With all of the time that I've been away to tradeshows and such this year, there hasn't been much photo time at home.
So with camera in hand here is a June shot, and an August shot of my container.
Sunflowers are so short lived, but they do add some dramatic flare. After it put on its three week show, the Sunflower was culled out, and the rest was left to grow.
The Tinytunias in the back stopped blooming completely. The Artist Purple Ageratum on the other hand filled in nicely, and took over for the Sunflower.
Overall, this is not my favorite container. For its August look, I would only give it a B-.

Pretty Much PIcasso™

It's been awhile since I've gotten a chance to update the blog. There's been lots of travel, and not much of a chance to be online. I was out on the West Coast visiting other garden centers with Garden Centers of America™. I came home for the fourth, and my son Dakota broke his foot, and then I went to Ohio for the Ohio Florist Association 'Short Course.' (I'm currently at the airport waiting for the plane home.)
The Short Course is one of the few places to see the new annual varieties for next year. One of the first plants I noticed this year was this new Supertunia variety from Proven Winners™.
The variety is called Pretty Much Picasso™. It is a pinkish purple with a striking green edge. Since it is very different from most petunias on the market, I'm thinking that its going to be one of those flowers that is going to be either loved, or hated. Personally I thought it was really cool, and it will have a place in my garden next year.

Frost Free?

One of the most common questions that we get this time of year is "when is the last chance of frost?"

Since weathermen seem to have a hard enough time predicting yesterday's weather let alone tommorow's this is a tricky question to answer.

We've had years where we haven't had a frost after the 10th of April. We've also had years where there has been a frost towards the end of May. This is generally the exception to the rule. Generally the chances of a frost after the first of May is fairly low. The trees have also leafed out by this time, and this actually offers protection to the plants that are under them.

Some plants have more tolerance to frost than others. The cool season annuals such as pansies, primrose and rannunculus can handle a frost with no problems, and can actually tolerate temperatures in the low 20's. Annuals such as impatiens are far less tolerant of the cold weather, and can not take any frost.

The national weather service does have a probability chart that covers the westfield/cranford area.

Temperature		Probability
will fall below		90%	50%	10%
	36F	1-May	14-May	26-May
Frost	32F	14-Apr	30-Apr	17-May
Freeze	28F	30-Mar	15-Apr	2-May

What this means is that there is only a 10% chance that there will be a frost after May 17th.

Spring Pansy Flowers Arrive at Williams

Spring Pansy Flowers at Williams
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

Our Spring Pansies have just arrived. This is a new ruffled variety, 'Frizzle Sizzle Yellow/Blue'. Over 50 other varieties.

Slowly I Turn ---Niagara Falls

My Dad turned 70 several years ago, and I had bought him a gift certificate to the Fallsview Casino Hotel on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Last weekend Mom and Dad (pictured at the left) decided to make the treck up to Canada, and I volunteered to go along as their tour guide.

Niagara Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world, but for those that don't know, it is also one of the must see places for garden lovers. If your only mildly interested in plants, you may want to know that there is also a huge concentration of really good vineyards within a half hour of the falls that offer tours and tastings.

The weather was a bit on the rainy side, but there's so much to do, that it didn't dampen our spirits. (Also for a family that has their business based outside, we're quite used to an occasional rainy spell. ) It did keep me from taking quite a few pictures of the gardens, but the sun did break out on the last day, and it gave us an opportunity to get some great pictures.

The series of pictures posted are part of the Floral Showhouse, which is about 1/4 mile from the horseshoe falls. In a few weeks they will remove the annuals on display here, and switch the greenhouse to a reiger begonia exhibit.

Inside the greenhouse they had an amazing orchid display. The third picture is of one that I thought was extremely fascinating. (Please excuse me for not getting the name of it...I'm blaming the above mentioned vineyards as the main reason).

If you do make the journey to Niagara Falls, make sure you do drive to Niagara on the Lake. I've visited quite a few towns, and looked at their gardens, but I must say that Niagara on the Lake is the most beautifully landscaped towns I've ever seen.

Time to Inventory the Garden

It's time to start thinking about transitioning your pots and gardens into a new season. Before you begin, its the perfect opportunity to evaluate what performed great, and what were the duds.

You may be convinced that you'll remember what you planted next year, and what did well, but I think when Spring excitement starts, most people forget what was going on in the garden two seasons ago.

If you have a camera, take some pictures of your containers, your annual beds. and your perennials. If you know the names of the plants I've created a simple inventory spreadsheet were you can keep notes. You'll be amazed at how much time you'll save next year by filling it out.
You can see the spreadsheet below, but I've also created two other links. One is to access the full screen version, and the second is the excel spreadsheet version. (The excel version has a few extra features) If anyone wants to fill their's out and email it too me, I'll post it for my blog readers. I'm also open to suggestions as to modifying the form.

Great Container Gardening Photos Part 2

A few more of the photos that Joanne K. sent me along with her commentary:

Photo 1: 2-Flambe coleus and 1-wave petunia

Photo 2: Here's my water garden container (in the plastic whiskey barrel) with bamboo, rush, spiralis juncus, water lettuce.
The black elephant ear is underplanted with wax begonias
The third container has varigated carex and houtonia
Mixed begonias in the hanging basket. (Dave's note I love the planter with the water lettuce. Well done!)

Photo 3: Here's green panda bamboo that has over-wintered successfully for 3 seasons in the container.
I leave it on the deck for the winter, and just move it into a corner by the house for some protection
Thanks for the gift of the bamboo - you can see how it's grown and is so elegant, with a great shape.

New Hanging baskets arrive!

I was just down in Atlantic City for the Pennsylvania Nursery & Landscape Trade show. I found a grower that had some great mixed proven winner hanging baskets in 12" pots. They just arrived today, and they have lots of color. If your baskets are a bit tired, or your having a weekend party these are really nice.

New for 2009 - Coleus Mint Mocha

I'm at the Ohio florist associations show in Columbus Ohio scoping out
new plants for 2009.

One of the first varieties that had caught my attention is this new
coleus variety from Ball. Its Coleus Mint Mocha. Leaves if yellow
green and purplish pink. The leaves have quite a bit of texture. The
shape of the leaf reminds me if a dinasaur foot.

Very cool!

Favorite Annuals. Poll Results in Decending Order

Here's the list of the poll results:

• Impatiens 34% 15 votes
• Geranium 18% 8 votes
• Petunia 11% 5 votes
• Snap Dragons 11% 5 votes
• Verbena 9% 4 votes
• Morning Glory 9% 4 votes
• Vinca 6% 3 votes
• Other 6% 3 votes
• Coleus 4% 2 votes
• Dianthus 2% 1 vote
• Salvia 2% 1 vote
• Marigold 2% 1 vote
• Begonia 2% 1 vote
• Gaznia 0% 0 vote :-(

Impatiens Color Planting Poll Final Results

Thanks to everyone for voting.

Here are the results for this years color choices:

What color impatiens are you planting this year? You may choose more than one.

• Blue 17 (32%)
• Carmine 6 (11%)
• Deep Pink 19 (35%)
• Mixed -Regular 6 (11%)
• Mixed -Pastel 8 (15%)
• Orange 10 (18%)
• Red 10 (18%)
• Salmon 6 (11%)
• Violet 18 (33%)
• White 22 (41%)
• I don't plant impatiens! 4 (7%)