"Don't Miss" Camellias & Gerberas in the Lollipop Forest

Whew! There has been a break in the weather here and we are actually expecting some balmy 50 degree days. SO MUCH FOR THAT SNOW COVER. I've actually been blamed for all that snow 'cause I was begging for it. Well, now February is upon us and that means a couple of things.

First off, Camellias at Planting Fields! This collection is top rate and and not to be missed. I had the pleasure of a private tour last year after hearing about these plants for years. You too can see them in the flesh by visiting the Planting Fields (State Park) in Oyster Bay. I've passed along a poster highlighting their special weekend. My buddy, Vinnie Simeone, will speak as will longtime garden aficionado, Charles Cresson.

And how about these new Gerberas? The industry is a buzz about these new hybrids that promise superior garden performance. They ain’t cheap, but well worth the investment, so I'm told. We're starting off with 4 varieties: Pamela, Cindy, Yosemite, and Everglades. The flowers are as fanciful as a party dress and the plants produce scads of blooms. Very loud, very intriguing, very very - that's what we are hoping for. Below are some photos from friends in the trade, as these plants are that new. We think they are the perfect underscore to the Lantana trees in the Lollipop Forest. Are we losing our minds? Ask Gene Wilder.

We'll be chatting again soon. TTFN Gartenmeister

Our Clivia are killer. These long, cool, frost-free autumns have done them well. After a major repotting and dividing session several years ago, the new divisions are established and setting loads of spikes.


I think that’s true for a lot of potted plants after major surgery. Roots need time to settle in and plants won’t bloom well ‘til they are comfy, cozy in their pots.

Our Clivia collection is comprised mostly of “Flame” Hybrids, which I think are Australian. We were also given one of those “coveted-by-collectors” hybrids ‘Sir John Thouron’.

You know them from the Philadelphia Flower Show—those incredible pale yellows that remind one of lemon gelato. Last year, a long time guest surprised us with a box load of divisions from yet another one of these yellows.

The “youngins” are still in 4” pots so we have some time (5 years) before we can expect spikes. Why doesn’t everyone grow Clivia? They are just too easy.

Lower light levels are preferred, not too hot; they can dry out between watering. (You actually have no choice.) POC as they say online. There enough said, it’s Clivia time and this is a better year than most.

New Blog from Der Rosenmeister

Good News! (we could use some) Our "go to guy" for hardy, fragrant, can't-kill-'em-if-you-tried roses is hosting  a new blog. Its title is  "Thorny Issues"............cute. He (Leon Ginenthal) has a small container nursery at his home in Ithaca and specializes in mainly European varieties that are tough as nails. Who doesn't need that in a rose? Please become a follower - derrosenmeister.blogspot.com 

 

Just in case you forgot what roses can look like, I found these babes, all from our rose garden and all for you on this frigid, snow ensconced February day.

Rosa "John Cabot"

Rosa "Autumn Sunset"

Rosa complicata