LATEST SPRING COLLECTION..... PLANTS 2010

January 31st in Illinois; sunny, freezing, snow on the ground........

However, just returning from the 'Mid-Am' horticultural show for the industry, excitement builds with the new introductions available in Spring 2010.

Here are some of my favorites;

LILAC 'BLOOMERANG'

• Repeat, YES, repeat bloom on and off  all spring until frost....plus they are fragrant
• Zone 4-7,  4' high,  full sun

HYDRANGEA 'INCREDIBALL'

• Improved 'Annabelle' meaning strong beefy stems that WILL NOT FLOP!
• Massive flower heads in full sun  to part shade
• Zone 5+, 4-5' tall

HYDRANGEA 'INVINCIBELLE'

• This is major, a PINK MACROPHYLLA HYDRANGEA!
• From the Annabelle family, not only pink but near continious blooming.
• Zone 3-9,   3-4' high (good in containers) 

 

SUN PATIENS registered

• As the name suggests, impatiens for the sun, or shade arrives in many colors
• Thick showy petals and dark leaves
• Drought tolerant

WEIGELA 'RAINBOW SENSATION'

• Fragrant spring flowers are a magnet to Hummingbirds  

• Compact and very hardy  

• I love the foliage color of variegated chartreuse, green and pink which will stand out all season

 HOSTA  ' BLUE IVORY'

• Maintains a true blue splash all season
• Thick leaves are slug proof
• Low water needs!

 

FIVE FAVORITE TRENDS

Succulents
   Low maintenance, gorgeous colors,  major texture

GREEN ROOFS

  And Chicago leads the trend. We have the most green roofs in the world for the third consecutive year running.

 

 

 Permeable surfaces; any surface that is not concrete or asphalt and allows for water penetration.

 Lose the Chemicals. Each of these "trends" will receive their own post in the future and this is a BIG topic. Here are two quick points

1. I used to tease my Father-in-law...."Mr. Chemically Crazed".....that he could get Parkinson's Disease. His entire life was devoted to which chemical would solve every problem, in massive doses.He did and lost the battle.
2. My own garden has it's issues; weeds, bugs.........but i have allowed an eco-system to evolve and a multitude of birds and beneficial insects have naturally kept the destructive bugs at bay.

 PS: bunnies NEVER bother my gardens, naturally. Can anyone guess my secret?   

 

 

Living walls....indoors and out

I could not say we are perpetually charming  ;-)  and try we do........but as a full landscape design/build firm, our aim is to always
"make your soul blossom"

NEXT POST.            I am so excited to extend a huge give-away, $600.00 value!

Who is eligible? Do I have to live in Chicago?  No, everyone, living anywhere is eligible
Any hints?  Yes, it is a service we already offer.... Your home and a makeover

                                                       Stay tuned...................

                                                                xxo   Debra