Garden Tour in Philadelphia, Part IV: pictures from the beautiful Linden Hill Gardens retail nursery for rare plants

Can a retail plant nursery be beautiful? Yes. These pictures do not do justice to the beautiful display gardens, outbuildings, and farm animals that make this a truly delightful place.
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"We scour our favorite plant sources for weird and wonderful perennials, shrubs, trees, and climbers to please even the pickiest plant geek, and we raise a wide variety of new and heirloom annuals and edibles from seed. We don’t do mail-order, so we invite you to visit our retail site in Ottsville, Pennsylvania (see About Us for information and directions)."

http://lindenhillgardens.com/

Related Posts: Garden Tour in Philadelphia, Part I: Chanticleer; Garden Tour in Philadelphia Part II: Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College; and Garden Tour in Philadelphia, Part III: Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

The First Tree to Flower in the Garden: Witchhazel (Arnold's Promise) Blooming in Late February/Early March in New Jersey (Zone 6b)

I've wanted a witchhazel for a few years now and, after planting my first one last spring, am now enjoying my first blooms. I planted a small specimen of Arnold's promise (the name is from Harvard's Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts), a common and widely available witchhazel (my specimen is from Forestfarm Plant Nursery). The flowers are unique and have a strong fragrance. In addition, they get bonus points for blooming while the rest of the garden is still asleep. The picture was taken this weekend before today's heavy snow.

Twelve Great Nurseries for Heirloom Plants: Roses, Perennials, Annuals, Bulbs and Seeds

In the past year or so that I have been writing this blog, it's been my pleasure to mention a number of the wonderful nurseries which specialize in heirloom plants. Given how frequently that I am asked about where you can buy rare plants, I thought it might be helpful to gather all of the recommendations in a single post. I am sure that this list excludes many fine nurseries, but these are just from my own personal experience. Feel free to make additional recommendations in the comments, as I am always looking for new nurseries. The following list is in no particular order:

1. Antique Rose Emporium (mentioned as a source for various roses in 12/07, 1/08, 2/08, 6/08, and 12/08): http://www.antiqueroseemporium.com/ "Antique Rose Emporium is your source for antique and old garden roses."

2. Ashdown Roses (referred to as a source for a great DVD on 3/08 and roses on 12/08): http://www.ashdownroses.com/ "The best antique, climbing and garden roses."

3. Rogue Valley Roses (mentioned as a source of roses on 12/08): http://roguevalleyroses.com/ "Specializing in antique, rare and exceptional roses."

4. Perennial Pleasures (noted as a source of phlox in 1/08, of cranesbill gernaiums in 5/08 and sweet pea in 8/08, sells perennials): http://www.perennialpleasures.net/ "We grow over 900 varieties of flowers, herbs and shrubs, specializing in heirloom and medicinal plants."

5. Geraniaceae (mentioned in 5/08 as a source for some cranesbill geraniums, specialty geranium nursery): http://www.geraniaceae.com/ "Geraniaceae is a small nursery in Marin County, California (Zone 9b) specializing in some of the plants of the Geranium family."

6. Select Seeds (cited in 2/08 as a source of some of my self seeders, sells annuals, perennials and bulbs): http://www.selectseeds.com/ "...offers gardeners a fabulous selection of unique, high-quality flower seeds and plants, specializing in old-fashioned fragrant varieties, flowering vines, and rare cottage garden annuals."

7. Annie's Annuals & Perennials (source of heirloom annuals and some perennials, noted in 3/08 as an inspiration for my terrarium): http://www.anniesannuals.com/ "Rare, unusual annuals & perennial plants, including cottage garden heirlooms & hard to find California native wildflowers"

8. Old House Gardens (subject of a post on 1/08, with a focus on heirloom dahlias; mentioned as a source of winter aconite in 11/08, dahlias in 9/08, lilies in 8/08, and tulips in 5/08): http://www.oldhousegardens.com/ "Antique Flower Bulbs for Every Garden - Unique, Endangered, Amazing!"

9. Well Sweep Herb Farm (subject of a visit and post in 5/08, sells perennials and herbs): http://www.wellsweep.com/ "Our farm, a family endeavor, is located in the picturesque mountains of Warren County and is home to one of the largest collections of herbs and perennials in the country."

10. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (subject of a post in 1/09): http://rareseeds.com/ "Preserving our gardening heritage, offering over 1275 unique varieties!"

11. Seed Saver's Exchange (mentioned in 4/08 as a source of heirloom seeds): http://www.seedsavers.org/ "Since 1975, Seed Savers Exchange members have passed on approximately one million samples of rare garden seeds to other gardeners. We are a non-profit organization of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds."

12. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (indicated in 4/08 as a source of heirloom seeds, also sells a limited selection of heirloom plants): http://www.monticello.org/ "The gardens at Monticello were a botanic showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world."

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: the best heirloom seed offerings I've seen anywhere

I recently received my Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog. I love it. The whole thing deserves a cover to cover read. The heirloom seed offerings are phenomenal--the best I've seen anywhere. The descriptions and histories of the various seeds are interesting and illuminating. For instance, I'd never heard of some of the cucumbers offered, particularly those from India. There are cucumbers in many colors: white, yellow, green, and even brown.
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The seed selection is vast and diverse. They have so many of my favorite black and green tomatoes that I was out in the garden looking for more places to grow tomatoes. The catalog notes that Baker Creek offers more melons than any other catalog. I was happy to find a 60 day maturing watermelon. Also, you will not find any GMOs in this catalog, not even GMO corn.
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The story of Baker Creek and the company's aims are also to be applauded. It is a family owned business from Missouri (my home state) which has been able to grow every year in size and offerings. In the back of the catalog is a reprint of an article about the founder, Jeremiath Gettle. I love the story of how his love of heirloom vegetables and seed saving has grown into a thriving business. This is truly a story of how following you passion can reap vast personal rewards.
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In addition to offering seeds for sale, Baker Creek also publishes a magazine (with a great name) "The Heirloom Gardener;" has a poultry farm for historic, rare breed chickens; and hosts several festivals at Bakersville, the historical village they are creating.
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For more information, check out their websites:

http://rareseeds.com/
http://heirloomseedsmen.com/
http://theheirloomgardener.com/ (no relation to this blog)

Plant Delights Nursery: A Slide Show of One of Heirloom Gardener's Favorite Nurseries

Ken Druse of the New York Times put together this great slide show of the gardens at one of my favorite nurseries: Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Also, if you've never seen it, they also have the most humorous illustrations mixing gardening and political satire on the front of their catalogs.

How to Garden on a Budget: Four Ideas to Reduce Spending in a Recession (Updated)

Well, even if Congress does manage to pass the Paulson Plan, it seems like the economy may still be headed for a recession. My husband and I are actively speaking about how we can reduce our spending, so here are four ideas related to gardening:

1. Reduce spending at the gardening center/plant nursery.

a. To the extent possible, reduce the number of plants you buy: take divisions and cuttings from your own plants; grow plants from seed; over-winter tropical and non-hardy plants, bulbs, and tubers; and/or barter for plants with your friends.

b. When you do buy plants, choose them wisely: avoid the new cultivars which are usually more expensive and buy tried and true or heirloom cultivars; buy the smaller, less expensive specimens and let them grow to their full size; and/or buy them in the off-season when they are no longer in bloom and the nurseries are usually happy to move them out of their inventory.

c. Instead of buying ready-made containers and hanging baskets, create your own. You can even re-use last year's potting soil by refreshing it with soil amendments.

d. Make your own compost and mulch.

e. Consider building your own flower/vegetable boxes.

f. Be a faithful, regular, friendly customer. In my experience as a well-known customer on a first name basis with all of the help, my local garden center offers me specials and discounts on volume purchases.

2. Reduce spending with the landscaping company. It's expensive to hire someone else to install plants, mulch beds, pull weeds, and/or do any number of gardening chores. Sure, it's more work to do it yourself, but you'll save a lot of money and probably do a better job. You can get your spouse ("we'll save money") and/or children ("I'll pay you") to help.

3. Reduce spending at the grocery store/florist. You can grow your own food or shop at the farmers' market. You can grow and cut your own flowers.

4. Reduce spending on entertainment. If you make your home and garden a more desirable place to quietly relax, play with your children, and/or entertain guests, you are guaranteed to spend less money going out.

White Flower Farm - Anne Raver Visits One of Heirloom Gardener's Favorite Nurseries

In the Garden - Creating a Mixed Border - NYTimes.com

A Wonderful Day Trip to Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, New Jersey

Heirloom plants, especially non-culinary herbs and plants of the American prairie, run throughout my garden. This weekend I found some wonderful new additions at Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, New Jersey, about an hour away from Chatham. For a while, this has been on my most-wanted-to-visit list of nurseries. Boy, what a treat it was.
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The setting of the nursery is beautiful. It's four acres, surrounded by over 100 acres of undeveloped land. The parking lot is a grass field. Sheep graze along the periphery. An informal herb garden meets you as you get out of your car, then there are plants for sale, the gift shop, and a formal herb garden. It was a treat to talk to Cy who started the nursery forty years ago. He knew each plant's history, how to use it, and cultural information that only comes from years of experience.
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I was amazed by the breath of the collection. One of my favorite herbs is rue. Well Sweep had at least seven varieties from which to choose. I didn't even know there was such variation in rue. As for thyme, there are over 100 varieties for sale. If you can't get to the Herb Farm, plants are described and available in their mail order catalog which is available on their website:
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"...In 1966, husband and wife, Cyrus and Louise Hyde, purchased an old run-down house and a piece of property. With a background in farming and a passion for gardening, what began as a homestead gradually transformed and grew into a national attraction...Our farm, a family endeavor...is home to one of the largest collections of herbs and perennials in the country...Our butterfly, herb, medicinal, perennial and rock gardens burst forth with breathtaking displays throughout the farm and have been featured in national magazines and books. Our brick-pathed formal herb garden boasts a knot garden, as well as a display of the 37 basils, 75 lavenders, 54 rosemarys, 108 thymes, and 72 scented-leaf geranium varieties that we stock. Whether for pleasure, inspiration, or ideas ... come see the possibilities..."
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On a side note: those native orange rocks that I was recently posting about,Cy has cleared all of them and used them to make large, attractive walls. Next time, I'll bring my camera.

Mad for Cranesbill Geraniums: Where to Plant, How to Maintain, Where to Buy

My cranesbill geraniums have just begun blooming this week. I love them. As cut flowers, they make great fillers or can be used for posies. Even without any flowers, the leaves themselves are highly ornamental. If you are not familiar with these hardy geraniums, now is the time to think about planting some.
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Where to Plant Cranesbill Geraniums. These little plants are my favorite mixers along the outside of all my borders. Wherever I can put them, I do. Cranesbill geraniums are hardy, easy to grow, and suited to a variety of situations. There are some for the shade garden, others to use as ground cover, and others that are suited to sunny beds and borders.
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How to Maintain Cranesbill Geraniums. Geraniums edge, they weave, they spill over. Most bloom over a very long period of time and will repeat if they are cut back after flowering. Some of the larger geraniums will require mid-season maintenance. To prevent these ones from flopping or splaying open, I cut them back hard after blooming and fertilize. Soon, new fresh leaves appear and the plant remains compact.
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Where to Buy Cranesbill Geraniums. My first geraniums were from Perennial Pleasures Nursery which specializes in heirloom perennials. I also got others from Heronswood before they were sold. Another wonderful source for hardy geraniums is Geraniaceae, a California nursery which also has an online catalog. The selection at Geraniaceae is phenomenal. I am wanting to get some more mourning widow geraniums. Geraniaceae offers 26 different varieties. I don't know how I will be able to choose. I think this will be a paralysis of choice.

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Related post: My Love Affair with Clematis

How to Prune Roses, Part II: Old Rose Pruning Secrets from Mottisfont Abbey and John Scarman

It was fifty-some degrees in Chatham today, so it was a perfect day to go out and continue my rose pruning. Today, I pruned another nineteen of my 150+ roses over two hours, including Ferdinand Pichard, pictured after his pruning (http://heirloomgardener.blogspot.com/2007/11/tbd_492.html, pictured in bloom).

As a follow-up to my prior post, "How to Prune Roses, Part I" (http://heirloomgardener.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-to-prune-roses-part-i-introduction.html), here is some additional, hard-earned advice on rose pruning.

When I first started growing old roses, I followed the traditional pruning instructions to prune once bloomers after their summer flush. This did not work. Each spring, as the roses pushed out new growth and became laden with blossoms, the shrubs would splay such that they obstructed the paths in the garden, toppled over the perennials around them, and often brought each other down. Those that weren't laying on the ground remained upright only with the support of many bamboo stakes. There had to be a better way.

I found the answer in a book called Gardening With Old Rosesby John Scarman published in 1996. He has vast experience with old roses through his work at Rosemany Verey's Barnsley House (http://www.barnsleyhouse.com/THEGARDENS.html), with David Austin (http://www.davidaustinroses.com/), and at his own nursery which specializes in old roses (http://www.cottagegardenroses.com/).

Scarman prunes his old roses three times a year. The first pruning is done during the dormant season and the roses are cut to what he calls pruning height. This is a little below the height you want the roses to be during the summer and it is at the height where there are enough strong canes on the outside to provide support to the more flexible inner canes. The second pruning is done just as the buds are showing color. Its aim is to remove non blooming vegetative growth. This showcases the flowers and redirects the rose's energy to produce more stems. The third pruning happens in late summer where the roses are pruned back to where they flowered and are shaped.

For more information on how to do the first pruning and to see it done, there is an invaluable DVD available from Ashdown Roses (http://www.ashdownroses.com/) of a seminar they held with David Stone from Mottisfont Abbey (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-mottisfont/), the garden of Graham Stuart Thomas. He demonstrates the technique to get totally self supporting shrubs with no bamboo supports in sight.

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For "How to Prune Roses, Part I: An Introduction" click here:
http://heirloomgardener.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-to-prune-roses-part-i-introduction.html.
For "How to Prune Roses, Part III: Why Prune?" click here:
http://heirloomgardener.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-prune-roses-part-iii-why-prune.html.

Gardening with Children: How to Make a Succulents Terrarium

I recently mentioned to my children that I created a terrarium when I was a little girl. Since then, they have been asking me to help them make one of their own. Yesterday, I was ordering some plants for the upcoming season at Annie's Annuals (http://www.anniesannuals.com/), one of my favorite nurseries, and they had a video on Succulents Terrariums as featured on Martha Stewart (http://www.marthastewart.com/article/succulents-terrariums?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show). With this inspiration, we went to our local nursery, the Farm at Green Village (http://www.thefarmatgreenvillage.com/), bought our supplies and made our terrarium.

If you don't have time to watch the video, here is a simplified step-by-step guide:

1. Gather together your supplies: a suitable container, succulents, gravel, soil, sand, a small paintbrush, and a spray bottle.
2. Pour the bottom layer of gravel and the middle layer of soil.

3. Place your succulents on top of the soil.
4. Add the top layer of sand.

5. Level and brush the sand off your succulents with the paintbrush.
6. Spray the sand off the succulents and walls of the terrarium with the spray bottle.
7. Your succulents terrarium is complete.

Witch Hazel: Winter's Cheerleader, Yelling for Spring

As a follow-up to my prior post (http://heirloomgardener.blogspot.com/2007/12/common-witchhazel-blooming-in-december.html), this week's "In the Garden" section of the New York Times featured an article singing the praises of witch hazels, provides useful information about different cultivars, and lists three nurseries that carry a broad selection of them: Fairweather Gardens in Greenwich, NJ; RareFind Nursery in Jackson, NJ; and Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, CT.

Anne Raver writes: "Sunny, warm days in midwinter always send me in search of fragrant witch hazels, those graceful shrubs that unfurl their crinkled, confetti-like flowers from January to March." For the full article, including some great photographs by Andrea Mohin, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/garden/14garden.html?ex=1360731600&en=cf0cacc8f115ae37&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Living and Gardening Around Chatham, New Jersey

When non-gardening people move, they ask easy-to-answer questions such as, how are the local schools? For gardening people, moving is much more complicated by questions such as, how are the local nurseries?

In brief, Chatham, New Jersey and nearby commuter towns (such as Maplewood, Millburn, Short Hills, Summit, Green Village, Madison, Morristown, New Providence, and Berkley Heights) are great places for gardeners. I recently visited my father in another community and noticed how few nurseries were present. Further, while the homes and the community were attractive, I didn't drive by any home gardens that made me want to stop my car and take a second look. This made me appreciate all of the great gardening resources that I have at home.

For those who are nearby and/or for those gardeners who are thinking of moving here, here's the lay of the land:

1. Plant Nurseries Around Chatham, New Jersey
The Farm at Green Village (Green Village)
Great Swamp Greenhouses (Gillette)
J & M Home & Garden (Madison)

2. Gardening Resources Around Chatham, New Jersey
S. Johnson Landscape Management (Chatham)
Garden Cottage - Patio Furniture (Morristown)
The Birdhouse at Madison (Madison)
Dreyer's Lumber (Chatham)
Savatree Arborists

3. Farmers' Markets Around Chatham, New Jersey
Chatham Farmers' Market (Chatham)
Summit Farmers' Market (Summit)

4. Botanical Gardens Around Chatham, New Jersey
Reeves-Reed Arboretum (Summit)
Willowwood Arboretum (Chester Township)
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens (Montclair)

5. Other Outdoor Spaces Around Chatham, New Jersey
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (Morristown)
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (Chatham)
Noe Pond Club (Chatham)
The Raptor Trust (Gillette)
Morris County Parks Commission (Morris County)
New Jersey Tourism: Gardens (New Jersey)

6. Non-Gardening Information About Chatham, New Jersey
Chatham Borough
Chatham Recreation
Chatham Township
Money Magazine Best Places To Live 2005
NJ Transit - Commuting to Chatham
School District of the Chathams

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March 2008 Update: Chatham Township was named the best place to live by New Jersey Monthly

Old House Gardens Nursery & Heirloom Dahlias

My garden planning for next year is in full tilt now. I just received the Old House Gardens email newsletter which I had been waiting for to see what web only dahlias, glads, and cannas will be offered. The dahlia 'Giraffe' was first in my shopping cart.

Old House Gardens--"Antique Flower Bulbs for Every Garden - Unique, Endangered, Amazing!"--is a great source for heirloom bulbs: cannas, dahlias, glads, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lillies, and a few diverse others. Every shipment is carefully checked and packed. Nothing which is sub prime gets out. The bulbs come with detailed instructions on planting, forcing, and winter care.

For the summer, dahlias are my favorite cut flower and are super easy to grow. One dahlia tuber produces loads of blooms which keep getting better and better as the season winds down and other plants are calling it quits. Cut flowers mix well in arrangements and hold well in water. The heirloom dahlias offered at Old House Gardens are not the super sized dahlias that are difficult to mix with other flowers, but come in a range from small pompoms to larger 5-6 inch diameter flowers.

Dahlias can be started inside in pots before the weather warms up for an early start. But, seeing that dahlias grow so quickly, I usually wait until the weather has warmed up and plant them outdoors when I plant my tomatoes. I always topdress the soil and incorporate a little compost into the planting hole when I plant my tubers. After they start growing, begin watering them and watch them grow.

The one thing to be vigilant about, however, is staking. When planting put a tall stake in next to the tuber. Don't think it's too tall because in about six weeks you will otherwise be wishing you had. The hollow stems of dahlias break very easily in a summer storm or strong winds, so be careful to begin tying them in when they are about 18 inches tall.

Once blooming, keep deadheading or cutting for the house. The more you cut, the more they bloom.

In the fall, I will post about storing dahlias for the winter.

Plant Delights Nursery & Heirloom Hostas

January. Oh, sweet January. Finally, the catalogs come. I love gardening catalogs not only to see if some plant on my most wanted list is available, but also for all the information. My favorite garden catalog and website is that of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina (http://www.plantdelights.com/). The nursery specializes in perennials and has a particularly large selection of hostas. The website is a gold mine of information. The descriptions of the plants are full and give great information about heat and humidity tolerance as well as what are the plant's tendencies--a spreader or stay putter. The catalog is so informative because they do a lot of research and testing themselves.

They are also able to offer many hard to find plants because of their relationships with other plantsmen and propagation efforts. They make available many plants that are difficult to propagate or are time consuming to grow. All plants are grown in containers which helps ease their transition into the garden.

Also, on the website you can find horticultural articles. Last August, I ran across an amazingly fragrant, double hosta at Willowwood Arboretum in Chester Township, New Jersey (http://www.parks.morris.nj.us/aspparks/wwmain.asp). On the Plant Delights website I found a great article on fragrant hostas which discussed their history and identified named, fragrant cultivars.

The proof in the pudding comes in the spring when you receive your shipment of plants. Plant Delights sends out good sized, healthy plants that have been packed with a lot of care. Every plant I've ordered from them has had no problem settling into the garden, even the new ones that were damaged from the fallen oak tree clean up appeared the next year even more robust.

The Garden in Winter by Suzy Bales

The winter is my time for armchair gardening. Also, during the winter I always give the garden a hard look to see how I can improve it next spring to increase its winter beauty. I was thrilled to read Suzy Bales recently published book The Garden in Winter. I have read many books on winter gardens, but this is the best so far because of the breath of the information. It covers not only the garden, but indoor decorations made from material cut from the garden and various other winter occupations.

As expected Bales highlights various plants that add to the seasonal beauty of the garden, but goes beyond the laundry list to include her own experience in growing these plants. She grows Petasites japonicus, for example. Although, the plant blooms in very early spring and has distinctive leaves, its size and spreading habit allows Bales to only recommende it with caveats.

Throughout the book are many short essays on topics related to winter which are very interesting and informative. In these essays, Bales profiles many people and gardens that make use of the season in spectacular ways. For example, she interviews Les Brake, a gardener in Willow, Alaska, who is passionate about making sculptural ice lanterns to fight off the winter doldrums. His work is amazing and inspiring.

I love snowdrops. Every winter when I walk the garden I look with anticipation to see if they have begun to come up. I was thrilled to find Bales profile on Temple Nursery which specializes in hard to find and rare snowdrop cultivars sold in the green.