Well after last week we were all convinced Spring was here and we were madly scrambling to catch up and get out there. Then it snowed! The extended forecast looks pretty good, but sometimes I just need to tell myself to slow down and get a grip. We are not behind and the garden is not passing us by as everything is still kinda sitting there and just thinking about waking up. Our plants are smart, they know we will get something crazy in April or even early May. We are just seeing the early Witchhazels blooming, and most people are just getting their veggies and flowers to germinate inside. I am in the middle of sowing flower seeds for the coming season, and going back and forth from pants to shorts but mostly pants.
During this quiet, early season, I recently reconnected with a wonderful nursery down in Wesport, MA called Sylvan Nursery. This is a place rooted in plants and people who are passionate about horticulture and growing amazing plants.Years ago, I would stop by for quality native material, but they are a full-service wholesale nursery for the trade, with most any plant you might want. Additionally, they are open for a few days a week to retail customers. Check their site for retail days.
It looks like it will be another crazy year for nurseries, and Amy Hayes, one of their sales people said, “it’s anticipated that there will be continued high demand this season, especially for large evergreens, so we are telling folks if you want it don’t hesitate as it may not be there tomorrow.” I think this is important advice for the season.
Here are some new introductions at Sylvan this year, not new to the trade, but it may get you to visit this special nursery:
Nyssa sylvatica ‘Gum Drop’ – Our native Tupelo tree, this is an improved version with red new growth in the Spring that turns green and stunning scarlet red fall color. This medium-sized tree (30-40′) loves normal to moist soil and is remarkably free of pests and disease.
Spirea ‘Double Play’ series – This newer series of improved forms of Japanese Spirea has some crazy colors and some extra long and repeat blooms. ‘Candy Corn’, ‘Doozie’, ‘Big Bang’, ‘Gold’, ‘Pink’ and others are exciting additions to a long-flowering summer season.
Aronia melanocarpa ‘Ground Hog’ – A Chokeberry ground cover for the hot spot that you won’t grow anything else, or maybe gets salt from the road, or always gets so weedy. This native spreads so densely that it chokes out weeds. It has beautiful white flowers in spring and great red color in the fall with dark berries for the wildlife.
Just a couple of fun ideas to whet the appetite for the coming season.
Everyone seems to be growing something from seed at home, whether it is vegetables, herbs or some flowers, and the seed suppliers were sold out pretty early on a number of items. Looks like this season will be another of people continuing to spend time in their gardens and that is very exciting!
With the snow melt and sudden warming all things are popping out of their Winter hibernation. Last week I saw the early Witchhazels: the yellow ‘Pallida’ and ‘Arnold’s Promise’, the red ‘Diane’ and the copper ‘Jelena’. Always my favorite way to start the year. On the ground the yellow Winter Aconite and white Snowbells were enjoying the 60+º sun, as well as some early hybrid crocus and ‘Tommies’ . Rock Iris are just starting to pop up too.
With this I declare that the season has begun. Yes we have had a couple of cold days to remind us that Winter can come back at any time, but the next two weeks are looking good to start progressing through our earliest flowers.
Barking Dog Gardens - Gardening in New England 