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Asclepias tuberosa en masse |
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Matt & Mary's Picks - April
Each month Matt Stedman & Mary Russell will Select and Highlight 3) Trees or Shrubs & 3) Perennials, Grasses or Ferns and for the warm Seasons they will also feature 3) Annuals or Tropicals. Note: We will note if they are natives to the Northeast
Kalmia
latifolia – Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel is a lovely native broadleaf evergreen with dark glossy green elliptical leaves. It shows off magnificent clusters of mostly white with purple makings, cup shaped flowers in late spring. Many varieties are available with flower colors ranging from white to pink or reddish tones or a mixture of tones. Mountain Laurel are great plants for partial to full shade but will tolerate full sun and often bloom better in a sunnier location. They prefer cool, moist conditions and a layer of mulch after planting can help create that environment. Avoid poorly drained soils. Grows slowly to about 7-12' but that will vary and very old plants can be much larger. Laurels look great planted in a mass or as a specimen. Try using under trees or to help screen shady areas. Look for beautiful selections such as Olympic Fire (Red), Pin Wheel (Maroon edged in white), Sarah (Vivid red buds open to lovely bright pinkish red), Raspberry Glow (Deep burgundy buds opening to deep raspberry pink). SOUNDS DELICIOUS!
Edgeworthia
papyrifera – Paperbush
Paperbush is a peculiar unknown shrub native to China where it is used for paper, medicine and crafts such as basketry. Its stems are supple and will twist and bend without breaking. It blooms here in March and April before leaves emerge with lovely nodding clusters of slightly fragrant yellow flowers similar in appearance to a Daphne. The leaves have a tropical feel and are dark blue-green in color. This shrub will slowly grow to about 5' and can colonize into a small mass. Great novelty plant for collectors, plant geeks or someone who just wants something a bit different, gee, that's us! Plant in average to moist soils in light shade.
Cornus alternifolia – Pagoda Dogwood
If you like unusual natives and better yet plants with beautiful structure and bark colors for winter interests than you will love the Pagoda Dogwood. The stems of the small tree are glossy red and look great for the 6-7 months without leaves. The flower of this dogwood looks more like a Viburnum than a typical Dogwood. It is flat topped and fuzzy white about 1.5-2.5” across and blooms in May or early June. You may see interesting berry-like fruit called drupes. The foliage is like other Dogwoods in a medium to dark green color. It is a fairly horizontal spreading small tree that forms stratified layers (thus the name) giving it a beautiful shape and character. This is a wonderful small tree as an accent in a place you can enjoy it in the winter such as a view out of a window you enjoy. Come and see one for yourself here at the Nursery!
Caltha palustris – Marsh Marigold
Marsh Marigold is an herbaceous Northeastern U.S. native perennial growing to 12-18” tall. The leaves are rounded kidney-shaped, with a bluntly serrated margin. The flowers are a brilliant yellow, 2-5 cm diameter. It flowers April and May and is highly valuable to insects at this time as they provide nectar and pollen to them, especially for spring emerging bumblebee queens. Thrives in organically rich, moist soil. Part shade. Summer dormant. Works well in the garden when planted with ferns, forget-me-nots, toadlilies, & Astilbes. Also tolerates shallow water or bog conditions. They are in bloom right now at Fort Pond.
Arabis – Rock Cress
Rock cresses are mainly evergreen perennials. They are erect or mat-forming, with branching, often woody - based stems. The leaves are simple, toothed, and sometimes hairy. Small cruciform, 4 petaled, white to purple flowers bourne in racemes, 11/4-3” long. Rock cresses are easily cultivated, and are useful for growing in a rock garden, wall or dry bank or at the edge of a border. Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate hot, dry conditions.
Sesleria heufleriana – Moor Grass
This densely tufted, mound forming, semi-evergreen perennial adds lovely color and texture to your garden with linear bright green leaves, to 18” long, grayish green beneath. White spikelets, aging to deep purple, are bourne in panicles from spring to late summer. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun or dappled shade. This grass is an effective landscape plant. Small to large- scale groundcover.
We currently have these picks in stock, so come by and check them out! We are open 7 days a week from 8am – 5pm. Please feel free to email with any questions as well. Cheers!
