Plant Picks 5/17/12
Fresh, and oh-so-appealing, perennial mints make great additions to vegetable and herb gardens. A word to the wise right from the start – mints are spreaders and will gladly take over (give them and inch and they’ll take a mile!) wherever they are planted.
Easy to care for, mints will do well in sun or shade, and well-drained soils (mints growing in full sun need to be watered regularly). Sure to be unruly, overgrown mints can be cut back during the growing season to produce new leaves for future use. Remember - plant in containers to keep mints well-behaved.
There are many mints to choose from – peppermint, spearmint, mojito mint, variegated mint, chocolate mint – you get the idea! Snippets of mints are best used fresh in teas, salads, and soups.
Looking for a small attractive flowering tree for the landscape? Magnolia sieboldii ‘Colossus’ delights with beautiful fragrant flowers (5-6” in diameter) that appear long after other deciduous magnolias have bloomed (think early spring). Thankfully, ‘Colossus’ will flower for a number of weeks in late spring through early summer.
Best used as a specimen tree or large shrub for the landscape, ‘Colossus’ will grow 20’ plus in height and slightly less in width (this variety is a vigorous grower). Hardy in zones 4-9 (we are zone 7), plant in full sun/partial shade, in rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.
It’s time to invite spiders to the garden; spiderflowers that is! Cleome, its formal name, can be easily used in beds and borders. Flowers in shades of pinks, lavenders and white, cleome stands tall in the garden as a strong background plant. Full sun, well-drained soils are best for easy-to-grow spiderflower! An added plus: If you plant cleome this year, chances are you will have seedlings volunteering in your garden for years to come.
Lovely lilacs; perfect for adding fragrance to any garden or landscape! Here are two favorites for smaller spaces that delight with intoxicating fragrance when most lilacs have finished flowering – ‘Miss Kim’ and ‘Tinkerbelle’.
‘Miss Kim’, native to Korea, is deliciously fragrant and hardy on Long Island. Best grown in full sun (partial sun will reduce the number of blooms) and well-drained soils (not drought-tolerant so be certain to supply water as needed). Its compact growing habit makes it ideal for smaller areas; ‘Miss Kim’ will grow 6-7’ tall, 5-6’ wide. Beautiful sprays of fragrant flowers are surrounded by attractive green leaves during the growing season; and then turn burgundy red in fall. Another plus: this variety of lilac is reported to be resistant to powdery mildew.
‘Tinkerbelle’ is another fragrant beauty for smaller properties. Beautiful wine-colored buds produce sprays of spicy, rosy-pink flowers after many other lilacs have bloomed. Best grown in full sun (partial sun will reduce the number of blooms) and rich, moist, yet well-drained soils (just like ‘Miss Kim’). Use in mass plantings, landscape beds, borders, foundation plantings.
Plant Picks 5/10/12
Can you say s-a-l-s-a? Cilantro (aka coriander) is the mainstay herb in Mexican cooking. Let’s not forget that Middle Eastern cooking uses cilantro in yogurt-based sauces and dips.
Cilantro prefers cooler weather; hot summers can cause it to flower and go to seed quickly. So, how do you deal with a short-term crop that begs for long-term harvest? Easy; replant several times during the growing season to ensure a steady supply. Transplants can be added to the garden anytime they are available. Or grow-your-own from seeds; every 2-3 weeks, scatter seeds in the garden or in a container. Provide morning sun, and then some afternoon shade during the hot, summer months. Remember to harvest the outer leaves regularly.
If you’re looking for an incredible flowering vine for arbors or trellises, look no further than the perennial favorite - clematis. Clematis prefers sunny locations (some afternoon shade from hot summer sun is ideal) with moist, yet well-drained soils. For best results, plant clematis where its roots will be shaded and cool. Use an inch or two of organic mulch over the root system or plant a ‘cover crop’ of hostas to accomplish this. A word to the wise: do not plant in hot, dry or wet locations! Clematis is a climber with showy flowers that begs to be used on an arbor, trellis, fence, obelisk or such.
Caladiums are adored for their amazing leaves that look like they’ve been hand-painted! Got shade? Caladiums are the perfect choice.
How to grow: shady spots with warm soil; soil needs to be moist (do not allow the soil to dry out completely!), but well draining (soils that are overly wet will cause the tubers to rot). Although caladiums are not heavy feeders, you should fertilize a few times during the growing season – liquid or granular – according to package directions.
Uses: landscape beds, pots, planters or window boxes. Caladiums can transition inside (bring in before the first fall frost) if you supply adequate sunlight & humid conditions. If left outdoors, these tropical tubers will not survive the winter on Long Island.
It’s May and that means rhododendrons are blooming all over Long Island. This always-popular landscape plant grows best in locations that offer filtered sun and organically-enriched acidic soil. (Translation: mix-in compost or composted manure to the soil to assist with drainage and aeration.) It’s all about the flowers when you grow rhododendrons! Their flower trusses can be real showstoppers; look for just about every color imaginable – whites, yellows, pinks, reds, purples. Rhododendrons are evergreens that make great additions to landscape beds, borders and foundations. A word to the wise: any needed pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Waiting to do this could reduce or eliminate next year’s flowers.
Plant Picks 5/3/12
Clematis ‘Blue Bird’ is a real showstopper with its to-die-for violet blue flowers in late spring and summer. Very hardy (to zone 4; we are zone 7); Blue Bird is happy in full sun locations with soil that is alkaline, moist, yet well-drained. (Heavy soils should be amended with compost or compost manure prior to planting.) Best grown on arbors, pergolas, trellis, obelisks, fences, walls; it’s a climber that will reach heights of 8-10’.
Angelonia, sometimes called summer snapdragon, wows with pretty spikes of colorful flowers (in white, pink or lavender) from May through October. Grow in full sun and fertile, well-drained soils.
A low maintenance annual, no deadheading is ever needed to keep Angelonia in ‘bloom mode’! However, good gardeners will fertilize with Blossom Booster to keep them happy.
Need another reason to grow Angelonia? It’s tolerant of typical Long Island summer heat and humidity! (That explains its common name of ‘summer snapdragon’. The flowers resemble a snapdragon, but unlike snapdragons, Angelonia likes the heat of summer!)
Uses: in landscape beds in combination with other annuals and perennials, as border edging along walkways, driveways, or in pots and planters. Or as cut flowers in informal summer or fall bouquets or arrangements.
Plant Picks 4/26/12
Call them crucifers, or call them cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts! These cool season vegetables are perfect candidates for Long Island gardens. Why are they called ‘cool season’ vegetables? These veggies grow and produce in the cool weather of spring or fall. Summer’s heat causes them to flower, making the crop bitter and unpalatable.
Crucifers (members of the Cruciferae family) love full sun (6-8 hours each day) and well-drained garden soil. Poor soils should be amended with compost or composted manure prior to planting. With your cell packs in hand, plant directly in the garden, raised beds, or planters. (You can mix cool season veggies with cool season annuals!) Plant now for harvest later this spring; then plant a second crop later this summer for fall enjoyment.
And if you need another reason to eat your veggies…research suggests that a healthy diet that includes crucifers may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Asparagus sprengerii is a killer foliage filler or spiller for planters and window boxes! Often grown as a houseplant, Sprengeri translates beautifully to outdoor summer use with its arching branches that sport delicate, green needle-like leaves. Full sun to light shade (yes, light shade!) keeps plants happy and lush. Use potting or container mix (not garden soil) to allow for needed drainage (make sure that pots or window boxes have drainage holes!). Soil should be kept slightly moist, never saturated or bone dry.
Centaurea, aka Bachelor Buttons, is a sun-loving, hardy perennial for landscape beds and borders. Prized for their amazingly beautiful, fringed flowers, plant in multiples of three (if space allows) to make a true landscape statement.
Two popular varieties of Centaurea – ‘Amethyst Dream’ and ‘Amethyst in Snow’ – provide interesting blooms in May and June on Long Island. ‘Amethyst Dream’ delights with intense purple, fringed flowers that reach 2 ½” in diameter. Its silvery gray leaves add interest to the flowers and shingle-like buds. ‘Amethyst in Snow’ sports bi-colored fringed flowers of white and purple. Like its cousin, pretty leaves and buds complete the package. Both will grow 20-24” in height. Centaureas are best grown in full sun (light afternoon shade during the summer months is okay!); and soil that is moist, yet well-drained. Heavy soils should be amended with compost or composted manure prior to planting. Soils that are frequently wet or slow-to-drain should be avoided.
Just when you begin to believe that all rhododendrons are pink or purple… Rhododendron ‘Capistrano’ comes along to dazzle us with its stunning yellow flowers! A perfect choice for Long Island gardens and landscapes.
Rhododendron ‘Capistrano’ is hardy in zones 5-8 (we are zone 7). This dense, mounding variety will grow 3-5’tall, and 5-6’ wide. Like all rhododendrons, grow in acidic soils with adequate drainage (amend poor soils with compost or composted manure prior to planting). And just as a reminder – never grow in full sun! Morning sun/afternoon shade or dappled shade is best.
Should you need to prune, do so immediately after flowering. If you wait to prune, you will remove next year’s flowers.
Uses: rock gardens, woodland gardens, foundation plantings. landscape beds and borders.
Plant Picks 4/19/12
Japanese Stewartia, aka Stewartia pseudocamellia is an attractive flowering tree with 4 seasons of interest. Why grow Japanese Stewartia? For starters, its multi-stemmed habit showcases beautiful exfoliating bark of dark brown to red hues. Late June through early July, white flowers with striking yellow stamens appear. Living up to its reputation as a multi-season interest tree, Japanese Stewartia also has terrific fall foliage that ranges from orange to scarlet. Need a few more reasons? It’s pest-resistant; and requires very little, if any pruning. When mature, this tree will ultimately reach 20-40’ tall.
Japanese Stewartia grows best in light shade; soil should be moist (not wet), organically rich (amend with compost or composted manure prior to planting), and acidic.
If you are looking for a hardy tree (zones 5-7) that will be signature in your landscape, Japanese Stewartia is a smart choice.
L is for lush, lovely lettuces! Besides being edible, lettuce is incredibly ornamental in planters and gardens. Tuck some lettuce transplants in your annual planters for some amazing texture, color and interest!
For best results, grow lettuce in 6 hours of sunshine and well-drained soils. Not only is it easy to grow, it’s a quick crop in the garden. Plant transplants now and you’ll be harvesting your first ‘salad’ in a few short weeks! Leafy lettuces (such as oak leaf, romaine, and mescluns) continue to produce new leaves from the center, so harvest the outer most leaves first. If you’re growing head lettuce (like iceberg, Boston, and radicchio,) harvest the entire head by severing it at the base with a sharp knife. It’s time to plant - lettuces are cool weather lovers; summer’s heat will cause them to bolt (translation – go to seed) and become bitter. But don’t despair; you can plant lettuce again in late summer or early fall.
Plant Pick 4/12/12
Bleeding Hearts, formally known as Dicentra spectabilis, is an incredibly hardy (hardy in zones 2-9; we are Zone 7) spring blooming perennial. Delicate chains of dangling heart-shaped flowers in pink or white gracefully appear in landscape beds and borders during April and May.
Culture and Care: Soil should be moist, yet well drained and fertile. Heavy soils should be amended with compost or composted manure prior to planting. Provide adequate moisture (do not overwater!) while actively growing. Plant in sun or light shade. Avoid hot, dry areas.
Uses: Bleeding Hearts are naturals in beds and borders or woodland areas; they make attractive additions to spring planters. Plants can reach heights of 36 inches, with similar width so plant accordingly. Interplant Bleeding Hearts with other perennials, such as Heuchera, Hosta and ferns, to fill the gap left behind when the foliage fades away in mid-summer.
Osteospermum, commonly called African daisy, is a perfect annual for spring plantings! Prized for its incredible daisy-like flowers, African daisy is a natural for sunny pots, planters, window boxes, and beds and borders. Helpful hints: keep soil barely moist; never allow it to dry out. Remove spent flowers to encourage more blossoms. Fertilize regularly and according to package directions.
Plant Pick 4/5/12
Hey rockers from the 70’s & 80’s – have we got a plant for you! Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ (are you humming Aqualung in your head?) is now playing at Martin Viette! This sun-loving perennial, (hardy in zones 5 – 8, we are zone7), is prized for its brilliant yellow flowers with fluted petals. Plant in well-drained soils; heavy soils should be amended with compost or composted manure prior to planting. Its compact habit – 18” high and wide - make it an ideal candidate for landscape beds, borders, along walkways, and in planters.
Helpful hint: Jethro Tull will provide lots of color throughout the summer if you ‘deadhead’ spent blooms. Are you thinking the Grateful Dead?
Plant Pick 3/29/12
Lungwort, formally known as Pulmonaria longifolia, is a great spring bloomer for part shade/shade gardens. Lungwort (not a pretty name for what IS a pretty perennial) ‘Diana Clare’ produces purple-blue flowers that rise above long, speckled green leaves that become silvery as later growth emerges.
How to grow: Prefers a rich, well-drained soil. (Poor soils should be amended with compost or composted manure prior to planting. Heavy soils that are continually wet should be avoided.) Mounding in habit, expect heights of 12” to 18” wide. Hardy zones 4-8; we are considered zone 7.
Uses: shady groundcovers in beds and borders, woodland, and rock gardens.
Plant Picks 3/22/12
What is that early spring plant? It has bright colorful flowers that bloom in rock gardens or spill over walls, and it looks so carefree and old-fashioned. No spring garden is complete without Phlox subulata, commonly referred to as creeping phlox. Here’s why: hardy in zones 2-8 (we’re zone 7) for many to enjoy in their gardens; tolerates drought and heat; prefers full sun locations with well-drained soils. Plus it’s virtually pest-free; another good reason to plant varieties of Phlox subulata in your garden. Creeping phlox makes a statement when used as a groundcover in the border, along walkways or in rock gardens, or large planters. It’s a low-grower, so place it in the foreground so it can be seen and enjoyed.
A flowering shipment of Phlox subulata has just arrived at Martin Viette; perfect for planting this weekend! Popular varieties include: ‘Scarlet Flame’, ‘Fort Hill’, ‘Red Wing’, and ‘Candy Stripe’.
Plant Pick 3/15/12
Imagine juice dripping down your arm from your own fresh-picked nectarines! ‘Honeyglo™’ nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is a dwarf fruiting nectarine that’s hardy to Zone 5 (we are Zone 7 on LI). Perfect for backyard plantings, ‘Honeyglo™’ only grows 4-6’ high. Pretty spring flowers give way to tasty medium-size, gourmet quality summer fruit that’s ideal for canning or fresh-eating. For best results, grow all fruit trees in full sun and well-drained soils.
Plant Pick 3/8/12
Forget-Me-Nots, formally known as Myosotis sylvatica, are easy to remember for their charming spring blooms.
Here’s the skinny on FMN’s: hardy in zones 3-8 (we are Zone 7); prefers shady locations; moist, yet well-drained soils. It’s considered to be a short-lived perennial, so allow the plant to reseed/self-sow in the garden. Too much of a good thing? Excess seedlings can be transplanted or shared.
How to use: in rock or woodland gardens, landscape beds and borders.
If you garden in deer country, Myosotis is reported to be fairly deer resistant.
Plant Pick 3/1/12
No one ever calls this beautiful flower by its common name – Persian Buttercup. We’d rather be formal and get tongue twisted when we say Ranunculus. When you break it down, it’s actually easy to say: rah-NUN-kew-lus!
Ranunculus, adored for their full, showy flowers in a wide array of bright colors, are cool season bloomers for outdoor spring planters and window boxes. They will bloom now through early summer. Once temperatures heat up, Ranunculus fade to make room for warm season annuals to fill their spaces. No space for outdoor planting? They easily transition for indoor display in cooler rooms with adequate light.
Culture and care: Plant in bright sunny locations in the garden or planters. Keep soil barely moist for best results. Flowers can be cut for indoor enjoyment, as well.
Although generally treated as an annual, Ranunculus can be considered a perennial if you dig up the tubers in late summer. Tubers should be stored in a 50-55 degree location until you are ready to start them once again in mid-winter.
Plant Pick 2/23/12
Mahonia japonica ‘Bealei’, aka Leatherleaf mahonia, is an evergreen shrub that dazzles with fragrant yellow flowers when little else is in bloom in the winter landscape.
Shade-loving MJB is a hardy (zones 5-8, we are considered Zone 7) evergreen shrub that grows 6-10’ tall, 4-5’ wide. Its fragrant yellow flowers give way to bountiful clusters of grape-like blue fruits in summer that birds adore. Prefers well-drained, acidic soils (heavy soils can be amended with compost or composted manure). Helpful hint: avoid full sun locations that will bleach the leaves.
MJB is best used as a specimen, barrier plant (the leaves are spiny – ouch!), or for hedges/screening.
Plant Pick 2/16/12
Tired of winter; can’t wait for all the glorious colors of spring flowers? Here’s a great plant to get you out of the winter blues. Primula malacoides, commonly called fairy primrose, is adored for its interesting clusters of showy flowers in white or shades of pink and purple. Fairy primrose is happiest in bright to medium light areas with soil that is kept barely moist. Best uses: place blooming pots of fairy primrose in any room of the home, office or dorm where you want a quick pick-me-up of color that lasts for a few weeks. Unlike some other primroses, this one is not hardy in our climate (zone 7) and will not overwinter from year to year; zones 8 and warmer treat this plant as a perennial.
Plant Pick 2/9/12
African violet, formally known as Saintpaulia species, is one of the most easily recognized houseplants in the world. Chances are you’ve grown an African violet, hopefully with success.
African violets have come a long way since the late 1800’s! Thanks to incredible interest and breeding work done over the past 100 years, we now enjoy a wide range of flower colors, growth habit, bloom type, and leaf shapes! Flowers can be single, bi-color, double, bell or star shaped, ruffled and so on. From standard size plants to the ever-popular miniatures, it’s safe to say there’s a different African Violet for every day of the year!
African Violets can be simple to grow and care for, once you know the rules. Light - African Violets prefer bright, indirect light – think western exposure. Avoid full southern exposure as intense direct sun can cause the leaves to ‘sunburn’. Northern exposure would yield insufficient light that can cause the plant’s leaves to stretch and become ‘leggy’. Watering – soil should be kept slightly moist, never soggy. It’s best to allow the top inch of soil to dry somewhat between waterings. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering, carefully water around the crown of the plant – not overhead! This can cause leaf spotting that’s unsightly and lasting. Another option – place pot in a saucer of water for 5-10 minutes, allowing it to soak up water from the saucer. Then drain saucer of all water. Use room temperature water whenever possible; never cold water straight from the tap. Humidity - boost the humidity around your African violets. Use a pebble tray and place the plant on top of, but not in, the water. Temperature – a constant 68 – 72 degree F temperature is ideal. Avoid cold drafts or air below 64 degrees F.
A little bit of TLC goes a long way – remove spent flowers and flowering stems to encourage additional blooms. Fertilize with an African Violet food freely during the spring and summer according to label directions. Cut back on fertilizing during the winter; once a month should be adequate. African violets do take a vacation – so don’t expect them to be in flower all the time. They, too, need a rest!
We have a wonderful selection of standard and miniature African violets – many on sale - in our greenhouse. You’ll also find a new selection of decorative pots and all the needed supplies – potting soil, fertilizers – for successful African violet growing.
Plant Pick 2/2/12
Are you looking to brighten up the dark, gloomy days of winter with a pot or two of indoor color? Look no further! Primula obconica, commonly called German primrose, is adored for its interesting clusters of showy flowers in white or shades of coral, pink or purple. German primrose is happiest in full sun or bright light areas with soil that is kept barely moist. Best uses: place blooming pots of German primrose in any room of the home (or in the office) where you want a quick pick-me-up of color for a few weeks. Unlike some other primroses, this one is not hardy in our climate (zone 7) and will not overwinter from year to year; zones 9 and warmer treat this plant as a perennial.
Plant Pick 1/26/12
Here’s a jewel of a plant! Pothos Pearls and Jade®, formally known as Epipremnum aureum Pearls and Jade®, is a great for hanging baskets or planters. This clean air plant instantly brightens any space with its creamy white and green leaves.
P & J is best used in medium light areas. A word to the wise: avoid overwatering at all costs! Potting soil should dry slightly betweens watering. Repot only when necessary. Fertilize during the growing season (late February through October); read and follow package directions for rate of application.
Plant Pick 1/19/2012
Hoya carnosa, aka hindu rope vine or wax plant, is an easy-to-care for houseplant. Curvy, waxy leaves can be green, though sometimes are variegated with yellow streaks. Most often grown in hanging baskets (hence the ‘rope’ in the common name) or trained on a trellis, give Hoya plenty of bright light for best growth. A word to the wise – avoid overwatering at all costs! Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering.
Hoyas can be slow to bloom, but are definitely worth the wait. Enjoy scented clusters of waxy pink or white star-shaped flowers on this vining plant. Pruning is never a necessity as you may remove potential flower buds.
Don’t be too quick to repot; Hoyas prefer to be slightly pot bound to encourage flowers. And when you do, use a clean pot (no more than 2” larger in diameter than the existing pot) and well-drained potting soil. Fertilize very sparingly during the growing season.
Plant Pick 1/12/12
Fatsia japonica, commonly called Japanese aralia or fatsia, is a fabulous tropical foliage plant. Adored for its bold, deeply lobed leaves, FJ can be used to create interest in the home, office or dorm. For best results, FJ should be grown in medium to lower light locations. Potting soil should be kept barely moist – never dry and never soggy wet. Planting pot should have adequate drainage to allow for excess water to escape.
Helpful hints: The large leaves of FJ can be dust magnets, so an occasional rinse may be necessary to keep leaves clean. Fertilize from late February through October according to label directions. FJ needs to spend the winter indoors, but easily transitions in outdoor planters in late May.
Plant Pick 1/5/12
Think cool, think cyclamen! Cyclamen, formally known as Cyclamen persicum, provides a long period of indoor bloom during the cooler months. No wonder it’s a favorite with our customers and staff!
Cyclamens, adored for their incredible flowers and interesting heart-shaped patterned leaves, are must-have plants for the home. Cyclamen flowers, thought to mimic the grace of swans, come in beautiful shades of pinks, reds, and white. Some are spotted with color; others are two-toned with a defined edge of a contrasting color along the margin of the flower petals.
Cyclamen are grown from corms. If you sneak a peek at the soil in the pot, you should see the corm with its many leaves and flowers growing out of it. Cyclamen prefer bright light areas, so look for an eastern or western exposure in the home. Keep them cool - day and night. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees F. (Avoid temperatures lower than that; they are not hardy in our climate.) It’s best to let the soil dry ever so slightly between waterings. If you can, water from the bottom (similar to the way many people water African violets). The intent is to keep the corm dry to avoid rot. Best way to water: place the cyclamen in a saucer of water for 5-10 minutes. Then drain excess water.
If you’re looking for cyclamen, we have several size pots for you to choose from - irresistible miniatures to larger potted specimens. You’ll find them in the greenhouse at Martin Viette. We will gladly foil and wrap your plants free of charge.
Plant Pick 12/15/11
Norfolk Island pines, sometimes thought of as mini indoor Christmas trees, can often be found stealing the spotlight during the Holiday Season.
Norfolk Island pine (NIP), formally known as Araucaria heterophylla, is an exotic conifer native to Norfolk Island in the southern Pacific Ocean. Hardy in the United States to zones 10-11 (think Miami); NIP is cold sensitive to temperatures lower than 40 F. We grow it as an indoor plant except during the summer months. Daytime temperatures should be in the 60-70 degree F range; somewhat cooler at night.
Easy care tips for Norfolk Island pine: Norfolk Island pine grows best in very bright light areas in the home. You’ll know if it’s not receiving enough light; the plant’s branches will droop. For best results, keep the soil barely moist. (Do not let excess water to collect in the pot’s saucer.) If and when you repot, use a potting soil that drains readily. If you want to spoil your NIP, provide ample humidity. Use a humidifier in the room or a pebble tray to boost needed air moisture.
Fertilize when actively growing. Allow the plant to ‘rest’ (translation: no fertilizer) during the winter months. When you do fertilize, read and follow label directions.
Plant Pick 12/8/11
A is for Amaryllis! The beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers of amaryllis announce the arrival of the Holidays with such style! Amaryllis, formally known as Hippeastrum species, is an absolute favorite with customers and staff at Martin Viette.
Easy to grow and enjoy, potted amaryllis – in bud and bloom – make your holiday decorations shine. They are beautiful to use as a centerpiece on your dining room table or as an accent plant in the foyer or on the mantle.
Helpful hint: Flowering amaryllis will last longer when you provide the proper growing conditions. Cooler locations in the home allow the flowers to last longer. (Amaryllis that are placed in hot rooms fade very, very quickly!) Keep the soil moist but never saturated. Once they begin to bloom, amaryllis are not that fussy about available light.
If you have a few gardeners - young or old, novice or seasoned - on your holiday list, consider giving kits of amaryllis or paper whites. Everything is packaged– bulb, pot, soil and directions. All you have to do is give it – with love!
Plant Pick 12/1/11
Schlumbergera, commonly called Christmas cactus, is native to the jungles of southern Brazil. CC’s are prized for their beautiful flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, salmon, and white that make you say ‘WOW’! A true statement of their durability, many enjoy their Christmas cactus for 15 or more years in the home.
Care: CC’s are easy to grow. Provide bright, indirect light in the home. (CC can spend the summers outdoors – late May through September) in bright but never direct sunlight. It’s best to allow soil to dry ever-so-slightly between waterings (soil should never be bone dry or soggy wet). A word to the wise: Don’t place it in areas where there are drafts or fluctuations in temperature. Fertilize with Blossom-Booster during the growing season (March – October) but not when it’s in bud and bloom.
Christmas cacti have arrived – in bud and bloom – at Martin Viette. Enjoy 4” & 6” pots, and 8” hanging baskets.
Plant Pick 11/23/11
Gaultheria procumbens, aka Wintergreen or Checkerberry, is a member of the Ericaceae family (think rhododendrons and azaleas). Often found growing in forested areas in the Northeast, GP is ideal when used as a creeping groundcover (6+ inches high) for woodland or rock gardens.
GP is prized for its year ‘round glossy green leaves that tinge red with winter’s cold temperatures. Enjoy dainty white flowers in summer that give way to aromatic red fruit in late fall through winter. For best results, grow GP in organically-rich, acidic soils that are moist, yet drain readily. Light to full shade is ideal, never plant in full sun.
Did you know? If you gently crush the leaves of GP, you’ll enjoy a wintergreen fragrance.
Plant Pick 11/17/11
Winter fern, aka Selanginella kraussiana variegatus, isn’t a fern but rather a member of the Selanginella family (common names can be so misleading!). ‘Winter Fern, a South African native, produces creeping mats of green foliage tipped with white. Easy to grow, WF is best suited to medium light areas in the home, never direct sunlight. Keep soil barely moist – avoid soggy and bone dry conditions. They thrive on humidity making WF a good candidate for terrariums. Fertilize during the growing season – late February through October. Another plus, WF can be placed outside from late May until early September, and then bring it indoors for continued enjoyment.
Plant Pick 11/10/11
A perfect centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table, Pelee mums delight with large, colorful flowers. Unlike outdoor mums, Pelees are ideal for indoor use. To enjoy their beautiful blooms for as long as possible, use in rooms with adequate light (but not direct sunlight), and keep the soil moist (never soggy wet or bone dry). Cool temperatures are better; avoid placing Pelees on or near heat sources (fireplaces, radiators, etc.). You can dress up ‘ordinary’ pots with decorative ceramic planters – the finishing touch for your Thanksgiving table.
Plant Pick 11/3/11
Some might say this houseplant ‘glows’ in the dark! Pothos ‘Neon’ makes a ‘WOW’ statement with its intense limey green (chartreuse) leaves.
Best to grow ‘Neon’ in medium to bright light (not direct!). Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Water thoroughly so the water drains through and out the drainage holes in the pot; never allow the plant to ‘sit’ in water. Fertilize ‘Neon’ during the growing season (March through October), according to label directions, with Jack’s All Purpose 20-20-20.
A low growing, vining plant, use ‘Neon’ as a table top plant, mixed in with larger planters or in hanging baskets. Make a note of this plant for summer 2012: tuck a few pots of ‘Neon’ in with your summer planters. (Avoid full sun locations.)
Plant Pick 10/27/11
Nepthytis (Nep-thigh-tis) is a foliage plant native to tropical Mexico and South America. Easy to grow, easy to enjoy, it’s a wonderful low maintenance plant for homes, offices or dorms.
Love interesting leaves? When you grow Nepthytis, it’s all about the leaves! And you can take a cue about the shape of the leaves from one of its common names - Arrowhead. (Some will refer to Nepthytis as Syngonium, too.) Green-leaved varieties are better suited to medium light conditions. White or pink-leaved varieties will do better with brighter, but not direct light.
Care: Indoor temperatures of 60-80 degrees F are ideal (some extra humidity during the winter months would be an added bonus for Nepthytis). A few words about watering: too much water can cause root rot; allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid planting Nepthytis in pots that do not have drainage holes! Excess water must ‘escape’. Fertilize with Jack’s all-purpose houseplant fertilizer March – October. Read and follow label directions.
Uses: table-top, terrarium, hanging basket (as the plant matures, it produces interesting vines or runners that will cascade over pots or hanging baskets).
Plant Pick 10/20/11
Winter squashes – acorn, carnival, crookneck, butternut and spaghetti (& cheese pumpkins for pie!) – perfect for hearty winter dishes! Don’t be afraid to buy extra and store for future use. Here are a few helpful storage tips.
Store winter squashes and pumpkins at about 50 degrees with moderate humidity and good air circulation. An attic or insulated garage is fine, just as long as the pumpkins and squash are on shelves off the floor. When properly stored, acorn and carnival squashes will last one to two months, and pumpkins, butternut and gooseneck squash from two to three months. Hubbards can be stored for five to six months.
A word to the wise: keep stored pumpkins and squash away from apples and pears. They release ethylene gas which hastens the decay of stored squash. Be sure to check on your stored pumpkins and squash once a week and remove any that are turning soft.
Plant Pick 10/13/11
Mysterious to many, but amazing to all, Venus Fly Traps are carnivorous plants found in the bogs and swamplands of North and South Carolina.
VFT are easy to care for as long as you provide the right conditions for growth! Lots of bright light, ample humidity and boggy, wet soils are essential ingredients for success. Translation - uncap the plant and place in a bowl of water in a bright, sunny location once you bring it home. (If possible, use distilled or rain water. Tap water contains too many dissolved salts that can harm them.) A word of caution - never feed them hamburger meat (a diet no-no for these carnivorous plants!). They'll feed themselves when unsuspecting flies or gnats pass by and are lured in - gulp!
Plant Pick 9/29/11
Montauk daisy, formally known as Nipponanthemum nipponicum, is a great perennial for Long Island gardens. Mistakenly thought of as a native (common names can be so misleading), MD’s roots hail from coastal Japan. Thankfully, Long Island’s climate is suitable for growing and enjoying this fall blooming beauty.
MD is a large, mounded perennial that can grow to 3’ in height and 3+’ in width (allow for adequate spacing so MD can fill in and not be cramped). Attractive leaves during spring and summer give way to large white flowers (2-4” across) with yellow centers in late summer and fall, providing weeks of interest in the garden or landscape. Its daisy flowers are magnets for friendly bees and butterflies. MD is hardy in zone 5-9; we are considered zone 7.
Plant Montauk daisies in full sun and well-drained soils. Poor or heavy soils will benefit from the addition of organic matter - compost or composted manure - prior to planting. After planting, water thoroughly, and then allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Pick the right location, plant it correctly and MD should be trouble-free!
Hate leggy MD’s? Want more flowers? Pinch new growth in late May and again by early July to create beefy, bushy plants that will still bloom right on cue.
Uses: in large containers, beds and borders, or in combination with ornamental grasses. Open blooms make great cut flowers for informal bouquets.
Plant Pick 9/22/11
Perfectly pleasing pansies are back in our fall market! These easy-to-grow beauties are known to bring a smile or two because few can resist their darling ‘faces’.
Good gardeners know that pansies can be ‘bedded out’ now for long-term enjoyment. Translation: plant cold-tolerant pansies now for 3 seasons of enjoyment – this fall, winter and spring 2012!
Pansies require little care, so they’re ideal candidates for beds, borders, window boxes and planters. During the fall, water and deadhead spent blooms as needed. Generally, little care is needed during the winter other than watering during periods of winter thaws. If Mother Nature is kind and provides us with a warm winter, pansies will continue to bloom. If severe winter weather is predicted, cover with cut branches of evergreens to protect them. Come spring, your pansies will be blooming once again.
Plant Pick 9/15/11
Anemones, hardy perennials, are prized for their beautiful flowers that grace the late summer and fall garden. Strong stems hold pink or white flowers high above the attractive whorls of leaves. Depending on the variety, anemones begin to bloom in August and continue until frost. Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ has been planted and enjoyed by gardeners since the Civil War – a true testament to the hardiness and continued interest in this very popular variety of anemone!
How to grow: Plant in rich, moist yet well-drained soils. Good gardeners will prepare the soil prior to planting – add compost or composted manure. Sun or part sun (afternoon shade can be helpful during the heat of the summer) is preferable.
Uses: Fall blooming anemones are perfect for beds, borders or containers. Use as accents in the background of a border as some varieties can grow to 36”+. Another plus – they can be used as cut flowers for floral arrangements for the home.
Thankfully, fall blooming anemones are virtually trouble-free, making them a sure best for years of enjoyment. And if you garden in deer country, anemones are reported to be deer resistant.
Fall is the perfect time to plant anemones and other perennials in your garden. Many varieties – in bud and bloom – can be found in the perennials yard at Martin Viette.
Plant Pick 9/8/11
Purple Fountain Grass, aka Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, shows off its beautiful, fluffy pinkish-purple bottlebrush-like flowers (that sway in the breeze!) that arch above burgundy-red leaves in late summer through fall.
How to grow: PFG is best planted in full sun, but will tolerate light afternoon shade. Avoid wet, saturated soils; always choose a well-drained site. PFG can grow to 4’ high and 2’ wide so allow some room.
How to use: Multi-purpose, PFG is perfect for landscape beds, borders, or slopes, or as a welcomed addition to sunny pots or planters. Used an as annual, PFG is not hardy on LI (hardy in zones 8-10, we are considered zone 7).
Points worth mentioning: Use the spikes of PFG in informal flower arrangements. If you garden in deer country, PFG is reported to be deer resistant. Thankfully, few, if any, pests or diseases have been noted for this plant.
Plant Pick 9/1/11
Early fall blooming mums are perfect for colorful pick-me-ups in garden beds, borders and planters. Hardy on Long Island, these mums will come back year after year when planted in the garden.
Popular fall colors - deep crimson reds and crisp yellows - early blooming hardy mums are best planted in full sun locations that offer well-drained soil conditions. Did you know? Hardy mums that are used in planters, pots or window boxes can be replanted in the garden later this fall. So don't toss them; replant them.
Cleaner air, little care, and tropical flare. . .these are just a few of the reasons to grow and enjoy aglaonemas in the home. Aglaonema, aka Chinese evergreen, is popular for medium to low light indoor areas. And with so many varieties to choose from (we currently have 11 different varieties in our greenhouse), you're sure to find one or two that suit your fancy. Click here for more information.
Easy, versatile, & generous are a few worthy adjectives that describe Hostas. Sometimes dubbed (unfairly) the ‘diva’ of perennials, the truth is - hostas offer so much and require so little!
The hardest part - deciding which hostas to grow (think kid in a candy store!)! Thanks to plant breeders the world over, there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. Deciding how and where you want to use hostas can help to narrow the list. Commonly used as leafy groundcover in landscape beds and borders, hostas are wonderful when used for accent in the garden and planters.
How to use: Imagine large leaved varieties that make a background statement in landscape or perennial beds and borders. Popular small leaved varieties are great when used as edging along walkways, paths, in rock gardens, and in planters. Color plays a big part, too. Some varieties scream with color; others are more subtle with their presence in the garden. Flowering time varies, too. As an added bonus – some varieties are fragrant; adding to their charm!
How to grow: Sun versus shade? Many varieties will tolerate sun – the key to survival is adequate soil moisture. Poor soils (that retain too much moisture or not enough) can be amended with compost or composted manure prior to planting.
Not sure which varieties to use? Ask any of our knowledgeable perennial associates for assistance!
Plant Picks 8/11/11
Looking for a great flowering annual for sunny planters, window boxes or hanging baskets? Calibrachoa, aka Million Bells, is a perfect choice for Long Island gardens. Prized for its smaller version of petunia-like flowers, million bells are easy to grow and enjoy. Considered low maintenance - – no deadheading is required.
Helpful hints: Calibrachoas do not like to ‘sit’ in water. Adequate soil or potting soil drainage is key. This is especially true if you plant them directly in the garden (garden soil is generally heavy and can be slow to drain.). Fertilize, according to package directions, with Jack’s Blossom Booster for continued flowering.
You’ll toad-illy love Tricyrtis ‘Samurai’, commonly called Toad Lily! ‘Samurai’ is a light to moderate shade-loving perennial that delights with spikes (up to 30” tall) of beautiful flowers beginning in August and continuing into fall. Hardy to zone 6 (we are considered zone 7), ‘Samurai’ appreciates organically-enriched moist soil. Pretty flowers and attractive leaves; plant ‘Samurai’ so it can be enjoyed up close and personal.
Plant Picks 8/4/11
Helenium is a native North American perennial that’s commonly called Sneezeweed. Why sneezeweed? Lore has it that the dried leaves of Helenium were used in snuff to induce sneezing to rid the body of evil spirits.
Helenium, hardy in zones 4-8 (we are considered Zone 7), is a member of the Aster family. Its pretty daisy-like flowers are butterfly magnets in the garden. Depending on the variety, flowers can be yellow, orange, red or combinations of, and appear in the mid-summer garden through fall. Lots of sun and moist, yet well-drained soils are best for Heleniums. A must-know: they are intolerant of dry soil locations!
Heleniums are easy to use in perennial borders; allow some room as some varieties can grow 3-5’ tall and 2-3’ wide. Great as a cut flower for informal, seasonal bouquets and arrangements.
Eupatorium maculatum, commonly referred to as Joe Pye Weed (JPW), is not a weed at all. (Those darn common names can sometimes be so cruel!) This hardy perennial, a northeast native, continues to charm gardeners and butterflies wherever it’s planted!
Here’s the dirt on JPW: this sun to part shade loving perennial enjoys moist, fertile humusy soil. Spend a little time preparing the soil before you plant and you will be rewarded. The addition of compost or composted manure will improve the quality of existing soil. A word to the wise: provide ample soil moisture for Joe Pye weed to grow and thrive. Avoid dry soils that can lead to leaf scorch (marginal burn of the leaves).
Why plant Eupatorium? They’re wonderful as cut flowers for informal bouquets. Persistent seed heads (after the flowers) can add interest to the winter garden; some gardeners claim that goldfinches love them. Plants can be cut back to the ground in late winter to prepare for spring growth. And if you garden in deer country, Eupatorium is reported to be deer resistant.
Echinaceas, commonly referred to as coneflowers, should be on everyone’s top ten list of favorite butterfly-attracting perennials! Why? For starters, they’re easy to grow and very hardy. Give them plenty of sunshine and well-drained soils. Plus, they have a long season of bloom, providing color and interest through the summer months. Cut and enjoy them in fresh or dried arrangements.
Like to feed the birds? If so, do not deadhead the spent blooms of your coneflowers. Finches can often be spotted feeding on the remaining seed heads. Coneflowers have been known to reseed in the garden, so whatever the birds don’t eat could produce volunteer seedlings in the garden.
Plant Pick 7/28/11
Vitex agnus-castus, commonly called lilac chaste tree, is a deciduous (translation: loses its leaves in winter) large shrub/small tree for the home landscape. VAC sports attractive green palmate (finger-like) leaves with silvery undersides (that are sometimes mistaken for Cannabis sativa). Fragrant lilac-colored flower spikes begin to bloom in mid-summer, and once they do, so do the visits from butterflies and friendly bees!
VAC is hardy in zones 6-9 (we are considered zone 7) and grows best in full sun locations that offer well-drained soils. Once established, VAC can be somewhat drought-tolerant (that does not mean NO water!) Allow space, VAC can grow to 12’ in height and width. Virtually problem-free, just grow and enjoy.
A word about pruning: VAC blooms on current season’s growth (think butterfly bush), so don’t be afraid to cut it back in late winter/early spring before growth begins.
Plant Pick 7/21/11
Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), adored for its enormous colorful flowers, is a perennial showstopper in the mid to late summer garden. Do not confuse hardy hibiscus with tropical hibiscus. Hardy hibiscuses are just that – hardy in our zone. In fact, some varieties are hardy to minus 20 degrees F! On the other hand, tropical hibiscuses are perennial in Florida, not on Long Island!
Hardy hibiscus enjoys full sun and moist, yet well drained soils. It’s best to allow for ample space in the garden as varieties of HH can grow to 3’ tall and nearly as wide.
Ever popular varieties – ‘Lord Baltimore’ (red flowers), ‘Lady Baltimore’ (pink flowers with red eyes), ‘Fantasia’ (lavender flowers), and ‘Kopper King’ (pink flowers with fuchsia-colored eyes) – can be found at Martin Viette.
Venus Flytraps, mysterious to many, but amazing to all, are easy to care for as long as you provide the right conditions for growth! Lots of bright light, ample humidity and boggy, wet soils are essential ingredients for success. Translation - uncap the plant and place in a bowl of water in a bright, sunny location once you bring it home. A word of caution – never feed VFT’s hamburger meat (a diet no-no for these carnivorous plants!) They’ll feed themselves when unsuspecting flies or gnats pass by and are lured in - gulp! You’ll find these incredible plants in our greenhouse at Martin Viette!
Echinaceas, commonly referred to as coneflowers, are on everyone’s top ten list of favorite perennials (if not, they should be!). Why? For starters, they’re easy to grow and very hardy. Give them plenty of sunshine and well-drained soils. Plus, they have a long season of bloom, providing color and interest through the summer months. Cut and enjoy them in fresh or dried arrangements.
Butterfly magnets! Plant echinaceas in the garden and wait for the butterflies to appear. Like to feed the birds? If so, do not deadhead the spent blooms of your coneflowers. Finches can often be spotted feeding on the remaining seed heads. Coneflowers have been known to reseed in the garden, so whatever the birds don’t eat could produce volunteer seedlings in the garden.
Plant Picks 7/14/11
Calling all butterflies! Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as butterfly weed, is a Monarch butterfly magnet in the garden. (Thanks to its colorful flowers and abundance of nectar produced by these flowers.) Asclepias tuberosa is a member of the milkweed family and a native to eastern North America.
A true sun lover, BW thrives in well-drained soils. (It can be drought-tolerant once established, but that doesn’t mean no water!) This ever-popular summer-blooming perennial is ideal for landscape beds, borders or planters.
Ready to attract some butterflies to your garden? Orange and pink (variety known as ‘Cinderella’) BW’s are available – in bud and bloom – at Martin Viette.
Angelonia, sometimes called summer snapdragon, wows with pretty spikes of colorful flowers (in white, pink or lavender) from May through October. Grow in full sun and fertile, well-drained soils.
A low maintenance annual, no deadheading is ever needed to keep Angelonia in ‘bloom mode’! However, good gardeners will fertilize with Blossom Booster to keep them happy.
Need another reason to grow Angelonia? It’s tolerant of typical Long Island summer heat and humidity! (That explains its common name of ‘summer snapdragon’. The flowers resemble a snapdragon, but unlike snapdragons, Angelonia likes the heat of summer!)
Uses: in landscape beds in combination with other annuals and perennials, as border edging along walkways, driveways, or in pots and planters. Or as cut flowers in informal summer or fall bouquets or arrangements.
Black-eyed Susans, formally referred to as Rudbeckia hirta ‘Goldsturm’, are perfect additions to sunny summer gardens. Showy, cheery, yellow daisy-like flowers are sure to bring a smile wherever they are planted!
Generally treated as annuals, BES’s look great when tucked into pots or beds & borders. Soil should be moist, yet well drained. (Avoid dry soils for best results.)
Fun reasons to grow BES: the flowers are hummingbird, bee and butterfly magnets. Plant extra and use as cut flowers for informal bouquets. Feed the birds - leave the seed heads if you want to attract birds to the garden. Another reason to save the seedheads, rudbeckia often reseeds itself in the garden.
Plant Pick 7/7/11
It’s time to grow some spiders in the garden; spiderflowers that is! Cleome, its formal name, can be easily used in beds and borders. Flowers in shades of pinks, lavenders and white, cleome stands tall in the garden as a strong background plant. Full sun, well-drained soils are best for easy-to-grow spiderflower! An added plus: If you plant cleome this year, chances are you will have seedlings ‘volunteering’ in your garden for years to come.
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ can often be found growing in the beautiful gardens of England; it can be easily grown in your garden, too. This clump-forming perennial, with exquisite spikes of orangey-red flowers, appreciates full sun and well-drained soils. An added plus, it tolerates our summer heat and humidity. Calling all flower arrangers – Crocosmia can be used as a cut flower!
Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’, commonly called Anise or Hyssop, is a showy summer blooming perennial for sunny gardens. For best results, plant in well-drained soils; excess soil moisture is a must-to-avoid! ABF can grow to 36” tall, making it a good background plant in landscape beds and borders. An added benefit, butterflies are attracted to its bluish, bottle-brush like fragrant spikes. And if you garden in deer country, Agastache is reported to be deer resistant!
Plant Picks 6/30/11
Geraniums – call them old-fashioned if you’d like, but they remain one of the most popular and recognizable flowers of summer! Plant breeders continue to spend countless hours propagating geraniums – looking for plants that produce strong, colorful blooms and attractive foliage.
Geraniums love the sun; they will grow and flower best in full sun. Shady locations will greatly reduce the number and quality of the blooms. Soil should be kept barely moist – never too wet or dry. Yellowing leaves signal improper watering.
There are specific geraniums for specific uses. Traditional geraniums (typically sold in 4.5” pots) are best used in beds, borders, planters, and pots on decks, patios, along walkways – anywhere that offers lots of sunshine. Plus, they’re great companion plants - use with spikes, bacopa, creeping jenny and other sun lovers. Ivy or balcan geraniums are spillers – so plant them in window boxes or hanging baskets. Ready-made baskets of ivy or balcan geraniums are very popular at Martin Viette!
Care tips: deadhead (remove) spent flowers to encourage additional blooms. Fertilize with Blossom Booster fertilizer according to label directions.
One potato, two potato, sweet potato vine! SWP, formally known as Ipomoea batatas, is a popular, vigorous annual for planters, window boxes, hanging baskets, and as groundcover in landscape beds and borders. Great for sun or part sun areas, you can expect an abundance of colorful leaves - bright chartreuse, tri-colored pink, white and green, or merlot - from this low maintenance stunner. SWP can be used in many, many combinations with favorite annuals – geraniums, new guinea impatiens, million bells, coleus, dahlias, angel wing begonias, bidens, strobilanthes, and more. BTW – this plant does produce tubers at the end of the growing season. And like the sweet potatoes purchased in the grocery store, they are edible but NOT as flavorful.
No one ever calls them by their formal name of Lagerstroemias (it can be tricky to pronounce); it’s so much easier to say Crape Myrtles (CM)! Southerners know of their charm, now we can enjoy hardy varieties of crape myrtles on Long Island.
Looking for the WOW factor? Crape myrtles put forth an incredible display of color (pinks, magentas, whites) during the summer when few, if any, trees or shrubs are blooming. For best results, grow CM in full sun and well-drained soils. We have different varieties to choose from – from small to large shrub (or small tree). Let us help you select the right variety for your landscape.
