While daphnes have a reputation for being tough to grow, many are actually quite easy if given proper siting. My life with daphnes changed significantly after my 2010 botanical expedition to Crete. I was shocked to find daphnes growing in full baking sun in bone dry regions among large rocks. Before then, I had obviously
Rock Garden Daphnes Read More »
When we finally discovered that sea kale (Crambe maritima) is indeed growable in our hot, humid climate, we’ve planted it all around. It’s also been rewarding that people have actually purchased it to try for themselves. Frankly, I’d grow sea kale for the ornamental value alone…a perennial with blue waxy foliage and an incredible show
Unless you’ve been hiding under a piece of concrete, you’ve no doubt heard of our crevice garden experiment, constructed with recycled concrete and plants planted in chipped slate (Permatill). It’s been just over three years since we started the project and just over a year since its completion. In all, the crevice garden spans 300′
When we completed our crevice garden, we wanted to see if it would be a good home to cyclamen, since they like to grow naturally in well drained sites, and sites that are very dry during their late spring/early dormant period. Here, they also get a couple of hours of morning sun, but shade after
Cyclamens in the cracks Read More »
We’re now 2 years into our first successful attempt at growing the European Sea Kale, and have just finished our first flowering season. They key to success with Crambe maritima seems to be growing it hot and dry, since it resides in our gravel crevice garden. How cool is it to have a plants that
If you haven’t been out lately, the last section of our crevice garden along the exit drive is nearly finished and being planted as we speak. Previous sections are starting to fill in nicely and really shining this spring. Be sure to visit during our upcoming 2019 Spring Open Nursery & Garden Days, May 3-5
Urbanite Crevice Garden Read More »
We have long admired the Aril iris, a group of dry-land species, mostly from Middle Eastern countries, which are renown for their ability to die quickly in wet, humid-summer climates. Well, armed with our new crevice garden, we decided it was time to try our hand at these once more, focusing on what is known
But, they don’t grow here Read More »
In addition to spring, one of the things we look forward to most each year is the members only seed exchange list from the North American Rock Garden Society. This amazing list of plants, shared by members from around the world, is truly the place to find seed of rare, hard-to-find plants for rock gardens
It’s pretty seedy around here Read More »
In case you missed visiting us at our Winter Open Nursery and Garden, our spring event is coming soon…the first two weekends in May. Here are a few images of the garden in winter that you missed by not visiting!
Winter gardens at JLBG Read More »
