4th Annual Christmas Tree Donation Weekends

by thomas on November 23, 2011

Just wanted to remind everyone that we are holding our now 4th year of donating proceeds from our tree sales to local charities December 3rd & 4th and 10th & 11th.  The charities we will be working with are the same as the past three years, which are The Kevin J Hannaford Sr. Foundation of Basking Ridge on the 3rd and 4th, and Homeless Solutions the 10th & 11th.  Over the last 3 years we have raised over $8,000 total for the two charities and hope we can continue to support these two great causes.

As always there will be FREE hot dogs, drinks, SANTA CLAUS and a jovial atmosphere to enjoy.  $10 will be donated for every cut tree over 5′ tall and of course greater donations are accepted as well.  Tell you friends so we can make this the best year yet.

Read more about the Kevin J Hannaford Sr. Foundation here: http://www.kevinhannaford.org/

Read more about Homeless Solutions of Morristown here:  http://www.homelesssolutions.org/

Have a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season! 

 

{ 0 comments }

Never Too Early To Think Spring

by dan on November 16, 2011

What a bizarre September and October, for me, I experienced my first Earthquake and Hurricane, but it was the last natural disaster (of sorts) that seemed to, in our neck of the woods, do the most damage.  Significant snowfall (particularly heavy WET snowfall) can apparently eclipse both hurricane and earthquake in terms of destructive force if the timing is right.  In this case the time was most certainly right.  So many of our customers lost power for days and in some case longer than a week.  We sold more firewood than we could’ve imagined in a very short period of time which was good for business, but at the same time it had the effect of ending the fall planting season a bit early as people focused on more pressing issues.  With the dust now settled it is clear that MANY MANY established landscape plants and in particular trees were damaged or completely destroyed.  Species such as Red Maple Acer Rubrum, Japanese Maple Acer Palmatum, Callery Pear (Bradford Pear) Pyrus Calleryana, and many others were severely damaged as heavy snow collected on leaves that had not yet fallen.  As a lover of plants it was sad to see some beautiful specimens ruined.

Lions Head Japanese Maple

We’ve already had some customers come in looking for large replacement plants for those that were damaged and in some cases now (although the window is closing fast) is a great time to replace them, but if you prefer to wait you can take your time and pick something unique as the next focal point for your landscape.  This is the time of the year when we as buyers can find almost anything and have it for you for Spring.  See something at an arboretum that you loved and wished you had a space for?  Give us a call or stop in.  In all likelihood we can get that plant for you.  If you prefer to shop from stock we will have some unique trees for spring that we haven’t stocked in many years and some others in larger sizes.  Just as a taste I already have on order some Fringe Tree, Seven Son Flower, Katsura, Carolina Silverbell, as well as new varieties of Magnolia, Japanese Maple, Dogwood, Cherry, and Crabapple.

Katsura Tree with Fall Color

 

{ 0 comments }

Firewood – Shortgage coming soon…Buy it now.

by thomas on November 4, 2011

Last year we sold about 120 cords of firewood and ran out in I would say late January. This year, we’ve sold about 110 cords and it’s November 4th. We anticipated selling more wood, but nothing like this. Obviously the power outages have forced a lot of people to use their fireplaces as heat sources, and we’ve sold a tremendous amount of wood over the last week. If you were waiting to buy wood, I wouldn’t wait much longer. We have about 50 cords left, and I don’t think we’ll have it much longer. I would imagine many places that sell wood are in the same boat. If you want fires throughout the winter, buy the wood now, because I doubt many places will have wood past December.

{ 0 comments }

Hydrangeas of Country Mile Gardens

by dan on June 22, 2011

If you got our weekly E-mail you are probably already aware that Hydrangeas this week (and this week only!) are 20% off.  When I walked the yard to see what we had in stock I was somewhat surprised that we had 19 different varieties of hydrangea from 6 different species   A pretty good selection if you ask me!  (We even have one variety that is currently unidentified because it came in incorrectly tagged from the grower which will be something of a surprise when it flowers in a few weeks making it a round 20) These are all new stock and looking great.

Hydrangea Macrophylla -Bigleaf Hydrangea

The most well known and popular hydrangea – most of the new varieties (and generally the ones we carry) flower more reliably then the older ones – Pinks, Blues, Reds, Whites (often dependent on the soil in which they are grown)…Large Mop type flowers or “Lacecap” types.  Prefer morning sun and shade in the afternoon.  If you must have Color (with a capital c) This is your hydrangea.

Currently In Stock:  Endless Summer, Endless Summer Blushing Bride, Endless Summer Twist-N-Shout, Midnight Duchess, Ayesha, Cityline Paris, Let’s Dance Moonlight, and Pink ‘N’ Pretty

Hydrangea Quercifola – Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea is the hydrangea for someone interested in 4 seasons of interest.  What it is missing in showiness in flower it makes up for in other ways – Beautiful foliage, excellent fall color, and handsome exfoliating bark in winter.  Does well in shade but tolerates full sun better than Bigleaf Hydrangea or Smooth Hydrangea.

Currently In Stock:  Alice

Hydrangea Paniculata – Panicle Hydrangea

Panicle hydrangea comes in an assortment of flower shapes that range from pure white to pale green to medium pink.  A survivor, this hydrangea is more adaptable and TOLERANT than many of its cousins.  Full sun and harsh winters are no problem for this robust species.  Can grow quite large (up to 12 feet or more) but because it flowers on new wood and can be aggressively pruned in winter it can be kept under 6′ tall rather easily.  Often seen in “Tree Forms” which are just the shrub pruned to have a single stem.

Currently In Stock:  Limelight, Quickfire, Pee Gee, Snowcone, (and the unidentified one)

A Tree Form Limelight Hydrangea

Hydrangea Anomala sub. Petiolaris – Climbing Hydrangea

Generally regarded as the best clinging vine for use in landscapes.  Tolerant of Sun or Shade with or without flowers the beautiful glossy green leaves make the plant worth having.

Currently in Stock:  Mirranda and the species

Hydrangea Arorescens – Smooth Hydrangea

Native to the forests of the Eastern United States this hydrangea is perfect for shady spots, native gardens, and those interested in a white hydrangea with reliable massive white flowers!  Invincibelle Spirit is a newcomer that has added pink to the pallet of this species

Currently in Stock:  Annabelle, Invincibelle Spirit, and White Dome

Hydrangea Serrata

Easily confused with Bigleaf Hydrangea this species typically has smaller flowers, smaller leaves, and flowers earlier but it has one major advantage – it is in our experience cold hardier and a more reliable bloomer than many of the Bigleaf varieties.

Tokyo Delight, Preziosa

{ 1 comment }

Huge Perennial Shipment, Roses looking Awesome

by thomas on June 1, 2011

We received today over A THOUSAND perennials from 1 to 3 gallon pots.  Sedum, Veronica, Heuchera, Hibiscus, Hosta, Lamium, Lavender, Daisies, Ligularia, Lupine, Lysmachia, Bee Balm, Phlox, Poppy, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Ferns, Baptisia, Snake Plant, Clematis, Coreopsis, Crocosmia, Ice Plant, Bleeding Heart, Fox Glove, Echinacea, Fragaria, Geranium, Catmint, and many many more.  Plenty of DEER RESISTANT PLANTS.  Here are some pictures of the fresh shipment.

 

A Plethora of Perennials

This whole row is Perennials

More Perennials

More Perennials

Still More

Still More

Finally, our roses are blooming and look great.  Take a look.

 

Roses

The Roses

{ 0 comments }

Internet Only Special – 20% OFF All Perennials, Hanging Baskets, and Annual Flats

by thomas on May 30, 2011

This week only, 20% OFF All Perennials, Hanging Baskets, and Annual Flats in Packs.

ALL HANGING BASKETS

ALL HANGING BASKETS

{ 0 comments }

Shade Perennial Gardening…With Deer!

by dan on May 16, 2011

One of the most common questions were are asked here at the store is “What perennials are good for the shade?”.  When I start to show the customer the options that are available they are typically pleasantly surprised even when the question is followed by “That the deer don’t eat”.  The list is extensive.  A diverse group of plants that have adapted to life in the under story of a forest where deer browsing (or some other hoofed herbivore) was common and light was rarely abundant.  Today I will touch on some of my favorites that fit the bill.

Siberian Bugloss – Brunnera Macrophylla is a woodland plant native to Europe with green heart shaped leaves and tiny blue flowers.  We carry several cultivars (and are always looking for others) including Jack Frost (Silver Foliage), Variegata (green leaves edged in white), and emerald mist (spattering of silver on the foliage), we also occasionally have the straight species (plain green leaves).  These plants are really great for the shade garden forming a medium sized clump that stands out in flower but also in out of flower.  They are generally a pest and problem free plant.

Lungwort – Pulmonaria is another group of woodland plant native to Europe that is perfect for the shade garden here in New Jersey with its attractive foliage and beautiful flowers in an assortment of colors.  This particular group also is well suited to the poor clay soils we have in much of the surrounding areas.  Currently we have a half dozen cultivars selected for different characteristics – Mrs. Moon (Pink to blue flowers with speckled foliage), Samurai (silver foliage blue flowers), Raspberry Splash (pink and purple flowers with speckled foliage), and several others.

Ligularia - is a large growing group of perennials with rounded green or brown (almost black) leaves.  Summer flowers are a deep yellow.  This plant is a standout for poorly drained soils with its massive foliage and tall flower spikes.  Some of the varieties we carry are ‘The Rocket’, ‘Little Rocket’, ‘Desdemona’, ‘Othello’, and ‘Britt Marie Crawford’

I could write all afternoon but I don’t think that’s what ‘Blogging’ was meant for.  I’ll leave you with a quick list of other plants that work well

Ferns (LOTS and LOTS of varieties in stock), Dead Nettle, Sweet Woodruff, Snake Root, Lenten Rose (Hellebore), Foam Flower (Tiarella), and Astilbe.

I’m sure there are more that I’m forgetting right now but that’s for another day.

{ 0 comments }

Tomato Varieties in Stock

by thomas on May 10, 2011

Here are the current tomatoes we have in stock. More coming later this week.

Cherorokee purple, celebrity, brandywine, pineapple, old german, rutgers, patio, jet star, beefsteak, better boy, burpee big girl & boy, cherry yellow, supersonic, sweet 100, cherry, and moreton. More coming later this week

{ 1 comment }

Customer of the Day

by thomas on May 7, 2011

This little customer decided that this swan planter would be good to get inside. I agree.

Customer of the Day

Customer of the Day

{ 1 comment }

Encore Azaleas are in

by thomas on April 28, 2011

A new & exciting shrub for us last year was the Encore Azalea. A re-bloomer, the azalea has a strong spring bloom, then continues blooming through out the summer with another strong bloom in late summer / early fall.  We have four different varieties including Autumn Twist, Autumn Royalty, Autumn Lilac, and Autumn Amethyst.  We have about 30 of each variety.

 

Encore Azaleas

Encore Azaleas

{ 2 comments }

← Previous Entries