CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Many thanks for another wonderful season!  Have a Merry Christmas & a very Happy New Year!

-Anna Mary

Starlight Shopping

**Starlight Shopping**

Thursday, December 10

5:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Lights have been strung, little snacks are being prepared, and we've just unpacked some of our favorite solar-powered garden pieces for the occasion!  The greenhouse after dark is just magical- hope to see you there!

-Anna Mary

We have a winner!

Actually, several winners!

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for our annual Poinsettia Open House!  I know I've said it over and over, but we really do love being able to share the greenhouses with all of you.  And what better way to do that than by giving away some gift certificates?  Congratulations to all of our winners!

Winning a $20 Gift Certificate:

Denise Harris

Pat Schline

Elizabeth Koser

Mackenzie Hall

Peg Woods

Winning a $10 Gift Certificate:

Jess Lefever

Deb Coleman

Donna Landis

Sandi Jackson

Cindy Howell

Enjoy!

-Anna Mary

2015 Winter Hours

***WINTER HOURS***

November 20- December 19, 2015

Tuesdays 9:00- 5:00

Fridays 9:00- 5:00

Saturdays 8:00- Noon

***POINSETTIA OPEN HOUSE***

Saturday, December 5, 2015

8:00- Noon

Coffee, Cookies & Surprises...!

***STARLIGHT SHOPPING***

Thursday, December 10, 2015

5:00pm- 8:00pm

An evening of after-hours shopping!

Can you believe it? Today marks just 10 weeks until Christmas AND only 5 weeks until we're open for the Winter Season!  It may be only October, but it's hard to ignore the coming season when the greenhouse is bursting with poinsettias! Hope to see you soon! 

-Anna Mary

Summer Update

Near the end of each spring season we are are often asked "What do you DO all summer?".  The truth is, we all do a lot of things...summer things, family things, travel things, and plenty of greenhouse things!  So, in case you're curious, here's a few of the "things" we've found ourselves enjoying this summer.

Well, we kicked off the summer with a wedding!  It was a beautiful, rainy June day- but Miriam and Derek were unfazed by the weather.  The entire greenhouse crew was in attendance and Aunt Cin baked dessert for over 200 guests (three flavors of whoopie pies: chocolate, red velvet, and pumpkin...all were delicious and quickly devoured!).

July brought our annual field trips to greenhouse events and mid-summer visits with customers.   A highlight is always the trek to Columbus, Ohio for Cultivate, a greenhouse/garden center/nursery trade show and educational event to check out everything new and inspiring in the wonderful world of plants...it's a must for us!  Lots of fun pit stops too, like the Franklin Conservatory and Ohio State Trial Gardens.  Another "must" is visiting the Landisville Trials, which are much closer to home.  What's not closer to home?  New Hampshire.  So it was a happy coincidence that this year's Open House at Pleasant View Gardens (the home of the Proven Winner's brand) was perfectly timed with my in-law's Maine vacation.

Once we hit August, we're focused in on two opposing seasons.  Poinsettias are arriving and spring plants, pots and soil are being ordered.  Oh, and it's family reunion time!  We host two family reunions on the farm in August, one for Tom's family and one for Marty's family.  The reunion of Marty's side is known as the Chicken Corn Soup, and many of our greenhouse crew is in attendance.  No matter how hot the day is, we always break at noon for a bowl of chicken corn soup- it's tradition!

Finally, each summer we try to coordinate schedules so that the greenhouse crew can get together for an outing.  We managed to get together at the end of August for a trip up to the Hotel Hershey for lunch and some floral sight-seeing.  We might be a little less recognizable without our denim shirts...

And that's a wrap!  I can hardly believe it's already September and practically poinsettia season to boot.  Where does the time go?

-Anna Mary

Landisville Trial Gardens

Though the greenhouses are empty & closed for the summer we're still fully immersed in flowers!  We're already putting the final plans in motion for our Christmas season (and simultaneously  thinking about spring 2016!), last week was our annual trek to Ohio for a greenhouse & retail trade show, and just yesterday was a fun little field trip to the Flower Trial Field Day at the Landisville Trial Gardens.  

It's always a goal of ours to get up to Landisville at least once over the summer to see the trials.  There's always a wide variety of both new and standard annuals and perennials to compare and see what's up to snuff.  Plus, the Master Gardeners have a great demonstration garden for visitors to explore!  Yesterday's field day was an industry-related event, but the gardens are open to the public on a regular basis.  If you're interested in visiting (and I would definitely recommend it!), open hours and other information can be found on the Trial Gardens website.  

-Anna Mary

P.S. Apologies for the late notice, but this Saturday, July 25 is the Summer Garden Experience at Landisville.  More info here:  Summer Garden Experience.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Now that we're finished with greenhouses for the season, Marty has finally had the time to plant and decorate the farmhouse.  My current favorite pot is gracing the steps to the front porch- gotta love those summer-y succulents!

-Anna Mary

Porch Sale 2015

PORCH SALE at HENRYS' GREENHOUSES

Saturday, June 13

7:00 AM until we're done!

Rain or Shine

*Cash Only, NO CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED*

Well, we heard you!  We're squeezing in a Porch Sale before life gets any crazier around here with planning and putting together Miriam's farm wedding for the end of the month.  As always, you really don't want to miss out!  The porch has begun it's transition from housing Marty's personal antique chair collection to full Porch Sale mode, with flowers and greenhouse goodies galore!  We've got quite the lineup of gorgeous flowers, planters, hanging baskets and hanging cones that are looking fresh and are ready to find a summer home.  Garden decor, (perhaps some pottery), antique and vintage odds and ends, and just lots of great garden stuff.  Am I convincing you yet?!

See you Saturday!

-Anna Mary

Closed for the Season

Well, our spring season is officially over- and we're all dog tired!

Thanks so much to all of you for such a wonderful spring!  We love sharing our greenhouses and are so thankful to our loyal customers for giving us the opportunity to do just that.  Enjoy your flowers!

-Anna Mary

Last Chance!

What a gorgeous sight in the greenhouse this morning!  Hemerocallis 'Ruby Spider'- the blooms are as large as my outstretched hand.

And just a friendly reminder that we are in our FINAL retail week of the season.  So if you were hoping to snag a Ruby Spider for yourself, don't wait too long!  We'll be open on Friday, May 29 from 9:00- 5:00 and Saturday, May 30 from 8:00- 12:00 noon.

Happy planting!

-Anna Mary

Sunset Shopping

Sunset Shopping

Thursday, May 21

6:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Don't forget to swing by the greenhouse this Thursday for some Sunset Shopping!  This is our first ever after-hours spring event...and we're pretty excited about it.  We're still going strong in the greenhouse with lots of great annuals, perennials & veggies, planters of all sizes, our signature fun & funky stuff, and inspiration galore!

See you Thursday!

-Anna Mary

Gorgeous "Grafted's"

Oh boy, our grafted tomatoes are looking great and are ready to go!  If you've never tried planting grafted tomatoes, you just don't know what you're missing.  These grafted veggies are fabulous for their flavor and strength- heirloom plants (incomprable in taste, but traditionally weak plants) are joined to a stronger, more durable rootstock.  This marriage combines the best of both worlds:  the fabulous fruit of heirlooms and the vigor, disease-resistance, and all-around strength of non-heirloom plants.  Who could ask for more?

**The key to planting these grafted tomatoes is to keep the graft ABOVE the soil level.  The point of the graft is to offer a superior root system.  If you bury the graft, you will allow both plants to take root, which defeats the purpose of a separate rootstock plant.**

We've got some great grafted tomato and pepper varieties in the greenhouse this season.  Read on!

GRAFTED TOMATOES

Grafted Early Girl

Bright red, 4-6 oz. round slicers.  Early, dependable, and flavorful fruits in almost any climate!

Grafted Big Beef

Red, globe-shaped, 1 lb. fruits with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.  Abundant firm, crack-resistant tomatoes produced over a long period. 

Grafted Bumble Bee Pink

New, striped cherry tomato in glowing rose and gold combines standout visual appeal and superb flavor!  Round, 1 1/2" fruits are gorgeous and tasty in fresh salads.

Grafted Brandywine

The famous heirloom produces 1-2 lb., scarlet-pink beefsteaks with high acid and sugar content.  Considered one of the world's best-tasting tomatoes!

Grafted San Marzano

Famous Italian heirloom yields bright red, tapered 3" fruits.  Meaty and flavorful-- ideal for canning or sauce.  

Grafted Sun Sugar

Abundant candy-sweet orange cherry tomatoes with high levels of sugar and vitamin A.  Possibly the world's sweetest tomato!

Grafted Amish Paste

Heirloom paste tomato produces tons of meaty 6-8 oz. red fruits--one of the best for sauces and canning.  Thrives in short summer areas.

Grafted Cherokee Purple

Dusky rose, 8-12 oz. round fruits with complex, old-time flavor.  19th century heirloom.  Perfect for slicing and sandwiches.

Grafted Mortgage Lifter

Dark pink, 1-2 lb. fruits are meaty with good old-time flavor.  Heirloom known for it's productivity.

***

GRAFTED PEPPERS

Grafted Big Bertha

Extra large, thick-walled bell peppers can reach 7"  long, ripening from bright green to shiny red, with crisp sweet flesh and few seeds-- perfect for fresh eating.

Grafted Red Bell

This pepper is hard to beat for its earliness and large size. Big, blocky 4 1/2" bells have thick, meaty walls with sweet flavor and crunch.  Sets well even in heat.

Delicious!  So which ones will you be trying?!

-Anna Mary

Looking forward to Spring Open House!

Spring Open House

Saturday, May 2

8:00- 12:00

How can it be May this weekend?!  This Saturday, May 2 is our annual Spring Open House.  Swing by for coffee, treats, and plants too!  The flowers are looking just fabulous and rumor has it Aunt Cin has been baking up a storm...yum!

See you Saturday!

-Anna Mary

Garden Gathering Recap: Wet & Wild!

We're onto the second installation of our Garden Gathering recaps!  In case you missed it, you should definitely check out Sue's "Designing with Food & Flavor".  Now it's my turn to share a little bit from my Garden Gathering topic "Wet & Wild!"... so here we go!

***

Wet & Wild!

Fiberoptic Grass, Water Celery, Creeping Jenny

I've always found water to be an attractive feature in a garden.  Fountains, fish ponds, bird baths... they all add a refreshing and unexpected element to a garden of any size.  It's not difficult to incorporate a water feature into your own garden.  You can get just as much enjoyment out of a small, concrete leaf bird bath as you can from the impressive fountains at Longwood Gardens.  A bonus:  with a small feature like this, maintenance is simple.  Just wash it out and change the water when you water your plants and planters.  Easy!

But you don't have to stop here!  Just like in ponds, small water features are enhanced by adding plants.  Some of my favorite water plants are not for use in water exclusively.  There are a number of versatile annuals that can be used just as well in patio planters as they can in pond planters.  I've compiled a small collection of some of my go-to "marginals", or plants that are happy to have their roots submerged in the water.  (This is not a complete list of water plants by any means!  Just a few of my favorites.)

Colocasia

AKA Elephant Ears, these plants offer height and drama- perfect for a larger scale installation.  Colocasia come in a wide variety of heights and colors.  I especially like 'Mojito' for it's splotchy, varigated leaves.

Cypress

Perhaps a gimme, but there so many to choose from!  We often think of 'King Tut' and 'Baby Tut' as plants to use in patio containers, but they'll thrive in the water as well.

Cannas

Great for a sunnier location.  They provide height and will flower for some extra pop!

Ensetes

Similar to cannas, but these plants are all about the foliage.  They will not get a flower, but their rich, dark leaves are just gorgeous!

Asclepias

AKA Butterfly Weed.  Another flowering option, plus they attract butterflies as the name implies.

Water Celery

A gorgeous accent foliage!  Gotta love those lavender edged leaves.  (In photo above.)

Fiberoptic & Twister Grass

Texture adds depth to any planting, and what a better way to add it in than with some grass?  Two of my favorites for water use are Fiberoptic grass and Twister Grass.  Fun! (In photo above.)

Lysmachia

Perhaps another gimme, Creeping Jenny adds a nice spot of color. (In photo above.)

Lindernia

Blue Moneywart is just so sweet!  It covers itself in tiny blue flowers...irresistable!

These plants work well in mixed containers for larger water features, as well as in trios, pairs, or singles in a birdbath!  As with any other planting, I like to mix colors, textures, heights, and habits for extra interest.  Maybe even add in some other elements like shells or stones...or whatever you like!

I absolutely encourage you to try out some water plants or water gardening this season, no matter your scale!  Get you feet, hands, whatever wet and try something new!

-Anna Mary

Ketchup 'N' Fries

Every year there are a few plants that we're exceptionally excited about.  A few years ago we were thrilled to be able to grow grafted tomato and pepper plants for the first time- and we loved them! We're still growing a wide variety of grafted tomatoes this spring, and added into the mix is a funky new plant:  Ketchup 'n' Fries. Ketchup 'n' Fries is a cherry tomato grafted onto potato rootstock... so it will bear both tomatoes and potatoes.  Get it?  It's Ketchup 'n' Fries!  This is the first real push for this plant in the U.S., after it has found great interest and success in Europe as the 'TomTato'.  While it's not an entirely new concept (I've read about similar plants grown in the 1990's or so), it's definitely a fun one!  They'd be great in a garden bed or in a pot on your patio.  Tasty, unusual, and what a great conversation starter!

So who's up for some Ketchup 'n' Fries?!

-Anna Mary

Garden Gathering Recap: Designing with Food & Flavor

Over the next few weeks I'll be doing my best to get recaps from our Garden Gathering "talks" up here on the blog.  Up first is the fabulous Sue!  She is a traveler, and artist, and a friend.  We always appreciate the unique perspective and insight she brings.  Last year she told us all to "Get Out of the Comfy Chair!"- great advice, and worth re-reading for some springtime inspiration!  

Anyway, kicking off our roundup of the 2015 Garden Gathering is Sue, in her own words, on "Designing with Food & Flavor".  Enjoy!

-Anna Mary

***

Designing with Food & Flavor

All of you know by now that the garden that is my life grows the flowers of art, travel, and teaching, to name just some of my flowers. We are all gardens. We tend, sometimes, different flowers in our gardens from each other. But, Gardens we are.

You come to the greenhouse, and we work here, to learn and grow our (G)gardens. You see what I am saying? I am talking about gardens and Gardens, the micro and the macro.

What does this have to do with the recent Garden Gathering and my chat on Designing with Food? Well there is pesto and then there is Pesto. There is the known recipe for classic Pesto Genovese which uses Sweet Basil to create a luscious sauce to use for pasta and pizza.

And then there are all the other possible Pestos. But, these Pestos require you to try new things, to experiment and sometime fail but, other times, succeed. And when you succeed your taste buds are offered something new to savor.

This is creative processing. And I have found in my Garden of art, teaching and travel that the more I expand my senses the more my mind/life expands. So I take the risk and try new things, and my Garden gets larger.

All that being said about trying new things...traditions give us frame work, from which we can begin to create. The structure of tradition creates foundation, a launching pad. The rules of cooking and art act the same way, they are the beginning. Learn them well through disciplined practice. Then break them. 

Here is a start of how to expand your use of the beautiful herbs (and your G/garden) that you will grow this summer...

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MAKE PESTO

In terms of PESTO think leaf, nut, cheese - 3 cup leaf - 1/3 cup nut - 1/2 cup cheese = 1 cup pesto

Leaf - basil (try Pesto Perpetuo), parsley, cilantro, mint, kale, arugula, spinach, romaine, watercress

Nut (toasted ?) - pine nuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, sesame seeds etc etc...

Cheese - parmesan , asiago, pecorino, manchego, cheddar, gouda etc etc...

Extras: Seasoning 1/2-1 tsp, plus a little salt

Choose garlic, lemon or orange zest, red pepper, thyme, oregano, tarragon, rosemary all chopped.  Now pulse in your food processor and slowly drizzle in a 1/2 cup good extra virgin olive oil....

Extra Finish:

Try ricotta, fresh or sun-dried tomatoes chopped up, olives, roasted red pepper, mascarpone.

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USING FRESH OR PESTO-ED HERBS

-Pizza on grill or oven - finish with fresh herbs and blobs of ricotta or mozzarella cheese. In ROME this is a perfect meal in one, or drop pesto on top of the pizza.

-Add herbs into leaf salads or salads of just veggies and herbs, dress lightly with good oil, a touch salt or squeeze of lemon or grate of lemon.

-Freeze a lemon so you will always have one to grate.

-Slather pesto on a wonderful slice of bread.

-In a sandwich layer herbs like lettuce or pesto.  Try an INDIA SANDWICH - cilantro chutney layered with cheese, chopped peppers, tomato, red onion, and boiled potatoes on buttered bread then pressed and grilled.

-Use fresh herbs in savory dishes like quiche or muffins (Like Cindy's Garden Gathering muffins!).

-Chop and freeze for soups, stews during the winter.

-On eggs, in eggs.

-Use in soups like PHO, a traditional Vietnamese soup.  Use freshly torn herbs, and lots of them!

-Chop and sprinkle on grilled meats, fish.

-Chop, blend in little oil and spread on anything!

-Ennhance the taste and look of your food... beauty matters.

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USING STEVIA

STEVIA - to the sweets!

- Grind 2 fresh leaves into a smoothie - steep with mint in ice tea, hot tea, or try a Mojito.

-Use to sweeten sauces.

-Dry the leaves (they are sweeter dried) or use fresh.

Recipe for Simple Syrup

-One cup of warm water to 1/4 cup of fresh, finely-crushed leaves

-Set for 24 hours in air tight container

-Strain and refrigerate (cook to reduce if you wish)

Benefits - no calories AND plaque retardant and anti-cavity (so they say)...

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Just some ideas to play with and help expand your (G)garden. But remember traditions are the foundation that help us build wings to fly. So...now that that leap. 

Susan

Opening Day

2015 Spring Hours:

Tuesday 9:00- 5:00

Friday 9:00- 5:00

Saturday 8:00- 12:00

Today's the day!  We kick off our 2015 Spring Hours today, Tuesday, April 14.  Come on over for a little spring- we can't wait to see you!

-Anna Mary

Another Garden Gathering

Well, yet another Garden Gathering has come and gone!  Over the past few years this event really has become one of our favorite spring traditions.  It really is wonderful sharing the new and exciting in the greenhouse with all of you!  

Over the next few weeks I'll do my best to get a roundup of as many of the "talks" as I can.  (Somehow we just get busier and busier this time of year...ha!)  Don't hold me to it, but I think the first one up will be a few highlights from Sue's segment "Designing with Food and Flavor", followed by a collection of my favorite water plants from "Wet & Wild".

Anyway, many thanks to all of you who joined us this morning to kick off our spring season!  We'll be beginning our regular spring retail hours this coming Tuesday, April 14.  So swing by on Tuesdays 9-5, Fridays 9-5, or Saturdays 8-12 and get a taste of some spring!  

See you soon!

-Anna Mary

Getting Ready for Another Garden Gathering!

We're getting ready for tomorrow's Garden Gathering!  Even Beiler has been doing his part...testing out the seats!

See you tomorrow,

-Anna Mary

Come on Spring!

Spring is such a fun season in the greenhouse!  It always feels like we get a head start on the seasons around here, with poinsettias arriving in late summer and spring starting while there's still snow on the ground.  (That sounds much less impressive on a year like this!)  Here's a little look at what we've been up to, snow and all...

Gotta love those succulents!  Somehow, they transport me beyond spring to summer.  In the early weeks of planting everything green, green, and more green it's such a refreshing jolt to see these vibrant colors.

Speaking of green, take a look in this growing house.  Cindy, Ellie, Laura & Miriam filled this little greenhouse in just about one day- they're planting machines!  And they're on to the next house...

These elephant ears are so tiny... for now!  Of all the plants we grow in the greenhouse these might have the most pronounced transformation.  It's just incredible to know that in one season they'll go from a few inches to tall to a few feet in height.

Also fun to watch grow are the hanging baskets.  They're one of our first and favorite projects each spring... filling with soil, planting, and hanging.  (Actually, the hanging part might be the favorite. The instant gratification of getting those baskets up in the air has not lost its luster yet!)

So that's a little peek into what's been going on in the greenhouse.  It's just too spring-y not to share!  And here's to some spring weather & warmth outside too!

-Anna Mary

2015 Spring Retail Hours & Events

2015 Spring Retail Hours

April 14- May 30

Tuesday 9:00- 5:00

Friday 9:00- 5:00

Saturday 8:00- Noon

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2015 Spring Events

Another Garden Gathering

Saturday, April 11

9:00-Noon

9:00- 9:30 Coffee & Treats

9:30- 10:30 "The Talk"

-Notable Natives

-Wet and Wild!

-Designing with Food & Flavor

-Ketchup N Fries

10:30- 12:00 Shop, Browse & Visit!

RSVP by April 8 to henrysgreenhouses@gmail.com

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Spring Open House

Saturday, May 2

8:00- Noon

A morning of coffee, treats, surprises... and flowers, of course!

***

New! Sunset Shopping

Thursday evening, May 21

6:00pm- 8:00pm

Swing by the greenhouse for some after-hours shopping and fun!

***

Happy spring!  We're so excited for this new season in the greenhouse.  Retail hours begin Tuesday, April 14 but don't forget about the Garden Gathering the Saturday morning before!  As always, we've got lots of new, fun and funky plants (and ideas) up our sleeves! If you're not following us on facebook or Instagram, be sure to swing by... there's lots of good behind the scenes stuff happening there year round.  

See you soon!

-Anna Mary