Tricolor or Bicolor?

As much as we sometimes want and try to make plants fit into a formula, something pops up to remind us- it's nature!  We're certainly not in complete control!  

Case in point:  this exotic geranium.  It's name is Tricolor for a reason, but it looks like this particular plant wants to be a bicolor. It's unexpected and imperfect, but it's also unique and beautiful.  Just another gentle reminder that some things are out of our control.  And sometimes, that's a good thing.

-Anna Mary

W.O.W. !

Wow, right?!  The recent warm weather has been good to our Delosperma.  Delosperma (also known as Ice Plant) is a perennial favorite- literally, it is one of our favorite perennials!  This year we were lured to the new "Wheels of Wonder" series by promises of exceptional coloring and massive flower sizes (twice that of traditional delosperma).  We have not been disappointed!  Pictured is W.O.W. Hot Pink Wonder; we also love Fire Wonder (red/orange), Golden Wonder (yellow), and Violet Wonder (lavender).

This plant is tough as nails, drought tolerant, and perennial.  It makes for a great ground cover and works well for containers, too. Try using it in succulent combinations- it's able to vine through your planter to cover the soil, spills beautifully, and the flowers are a colorful accent.  

-Anna Mary

Get Out of the Comfy Chair...

A few weeks ago at our Garden Gathering, our friend Sue spoke on approaching your garden with an open mind and artistic eye.  Sue is a longtime greenhouse helper, an former art teacher, an artist, a traveler, and so, so much more!  I always appreciate her perspective and found her part of  "The Talk" at this year's Garden Gathering quite inspiring.  It's something that we all need to hear every now and again... enjoy!

-Anna Mary    

***********************

Out of the Comfy Chair to See with New Eyes

As an artist (just happens to be my occupation but applies for any field) I have found that if I keep doing the same creative process over and over the life in my artwork diminishes. I may create a series of paintings in order to work out an idea but, once the idea has been developed several different ways then I need to move on. In other words if I become too comfortable with my art procedure, the metaphoric comfy chair, literally I stop seeing and creating new art. So I am always looking for innovative ways to communicate an idea and find new mark-making techniques in order to keep my work alive. This way my art and my mind continue to grow and evolve.

This notion of trying new things so to see with new eyes, I apply also to my backyard. My garden and containers are another creative process every season, I am always trying new things. Some work some don't. But with each failure and each success I learn more about plants. I learn more about sun and shade and wet and dry. I learn more. And in the end I have a living painting in which I find tranquility, and beauty. I love to just sit and observe the garden just like a painting. And it is wonderful to share with others.

A long time artist at this point I have studied and applied the Elements and Principles of Design over and over. ( I also enjoy going outside the rules too.) When painting or gardening I think about these compositional standards such as: repetition, visual movement, line, color, and contrast. Contrast and repetition may be my favorite Principles. I enjoy contrasting color, shape and line. And repeating a certain color across your yard, will draw the eye along the color path. Just some things to think about.  More on the E&P of design here.

This metaphor for the comfy chair and seeing with new eyes I also apply to my life. From paintings, to gardening, to living, I want to experience as much as I am able. From small feats to big feats I like to try things differently than my normal procedure. I want to have my coffee as you do, or as the nomads in Tunisia do, or as the Turks in Cappadocia do, or as the indigenous people of Northern Thailand do.....see my point? And in the end I have tasted coffee a hundred different ways. What fun is that!

Life is our greatest creation. It is up to each of us how we choose to plant our gardens. I encourage you to get out of the Comfy Chair. And do not worry about failures, that is the only way we can keep our eyes open. And I don't know about you but, I don't want to miss a thing.

-Sue

****************************

For more about Susan Gottlieb & her art:

http://susanjgottlieb.com/

http://connectingthreads.tumblr.com/

Lil' Georgie

Meet "Lil' Georgie"!  Isn't he sweet?  This tiny guy is a micro-mini... in other words, he's pretty much full-grown.  Amazing!  

Our friend, Gary Hunter, of Gary's Specialty Plants (formerly Hunter's Greenhouse in Drumore) has made Lil' Georgie his pet project.  It's easy to see why!  This dear little plant is a micro-mini sinningia.  It's the perfect addition to a miniature fairy garden, or as a specimen plant.  Quite the conversation piece, don't you think?  For specifics on care (and more!) from the real expert, check out Gary's blog here. 

Just adorable!

-Anna Mary

Gotta "Dig" These!

The perennial question... "What's new this year?!".  This spring, like most, there are just oodles of new plants out!  We're always on the lookout for updated versions of old favorites and plants that we have simply never seen before.  Here's some of the plants we're extra excited about this season:

Glamouflage Grape

A really great twist on the classic petunia from Hort Couture!  This petunia is the perfect combination of flower and foliage.  As soon as we saw the variegated foliage, we were sold!  We tried out Glamouflage Grape last spring in a limited quantity and were absolutely thrilled with it's color, habit and performance.  Unique and attention-grabbing foliage allows the bright purple blooms to really pop.  What's not to like?

Platinum Blonde English Lavender

Speaking of variegated foliage, Platinum Blonde lavender is a great option for your perennial collection.  There's nothing better than a plant that doesn't need to bloom to be beautiful!  Just like traditional lavender, it's perfect for full sun.  Another great update to an old favorite.  It even has it's own facebook page!  

The Whirlpool Coleus

The Whirlpool comes to us compliments of the folks at Proven Winners.  The past few seasons we've come to love the chartreuse color of  the Wasabi coleus from Ball Seed, and now there's PW's The Whirlpool.  It's always good to have options!  One of our unspoken "rules" is that most planters look even better with a pop of that bright green color.  We're excited to give The Whirlpool a go this spring!

Pink Zazzle- Hybrid Gomphrena

If there were no other new plants this year, Pink Zazzle would be more than enough to keep us happy!  After seeing it, reading about it, and getting wrapped up in all the hype surrounding it, we are beyond excited about Pink Zazzle!  This plant is a hybrid gomphrena- think the traditional cut flower on steroids.  Just like gomphrena, Pink Zazzle likes it hot and dry (this point alone seals the deal!).  But to top it off, the flowers are unlike anything we've ever seen before.  Hot magenta flowers that are at least the size of a golf ball- some sources claim it will get up to three inches across.  This would make a great specimen plant, or group it with portulaca, sedum lemon coral or another rugged sun-lover.  Irresistible!

Four of our favorites!  (But there's plenty more...)  Do you "dig"?

-Anna Mary

2014 Spring Hours & Events

SPRING HOURS

April 15- May 31, 2014

Tuesday 9:00- 5:00

Friday 9:00- 5:00

Saturday 8:00- Noon

************************************************************

SPRING EVENTS

"Another Garden Gathering"

April 12, 2014

9:00- 9:30

* Coffee, Tea & Muffins

9:30- 10:30

"The Talk"

* Delicious & Delightful

* Color Outside the Lines

* Little This, Little That

* Gotta Dig It!

10:30- Noon

* Shop, Browse & Visit

Please R.S.V.P. to the Garden Gathering: henrysgreenhouses@gmail.com

Annual Open House

May 3, 2014

8:00- Noon

Coffee*Treats*Surprises

No R.S.V.P. necessary!

If you would like to be included on our mailing list for future seasons, please send your email address to henrysgreenhouses@gmail.com.  

See you soon!

-Anna Mary

Get Ready, Get Set...

We're one week in! Last week was the first that we've really had a crew in the greenhouses this season and we couldn't have asked for more gorgeous weather- warm inside and outside.  (Rumor has it that we're not totally in the clear and there will be more snow soon, but if you can't control it you might as well enjoy it!)

Speaking of snow, this is the first winter that our newest greenhouse has had to deal with major ice and snowfall.  It's held up like a champ, but Tom was still itching to push that snow out of the gutters.  If you google "greenhouse snow collapse", you'll understand why.  

My favorite little thing today was transplanting these little guys!  Just like that stalks of Swiss chard can be so colorful (like this variety, Bright Lights), their roots mirror the bright colors of the plant.  It's always a treat to see their little red and yellow roots in the midst of everything else.

Laura and Miriam didn't move too far from this potting table all day. One of the first orders of business is to transplant perennials. They're another fun one to plant- the little guys come either as jumbo plugs or (my favorite!) with "bare roots".  So no dirt, just super strange looking roots.  They make for a pretty impressive before and after comparison!

Just a little proof for you that preparations are being made and spring certainly is in the greenhouse air!  

-Anna Mary