Awesome African Daisies

One of our favorite flowers for bridging the gap between winter and summer is African daisies (Osteospermum). Their bright, daisy shaped flowers come in wonderful colors and the Symphony series (to the left and below) has purple centers.

African daisies in the Symphony™ series are very compact evergreen, flowering shrubs that originate from South Africa. These bloom all season, and produce striking daisies that may be in shades of orange, lemon yellow, apricot and white, depending on the cultivar. These contrast nicely with their dark green foliage.

Another variety that we enjoy is 'Nasinga Purple Spoon'. The tips of the lavender petals are cupped, giving the bloom a funky, spiked look. These flowers always get compliments.

A new variety we are trying this year is named 3D because of the distinctive shape of the bloom. A pom-pom shaped center of florets is surrounded by a double row of lighter colored petals. Unlike other African daisies, 3D stays open at night.

African daisies are drought tolerant and perform best in full sun and well drained, average soil, but they also prefer cool weather. In temperate climates like ours, this tender perennial is commonly grown as an annual bedding or container plant.

 

Cheery Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums perfectly fill the gap between winter and summer flowers. They love the cool weather and produce loads of large, brightly colored flowers.

Nasturtiums have delighted gardeners for centuries with their brilliant flowers and round, apple-green leaves. Originally from Peru, these beauties have travelled the world since discovered by Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century. The original species sported orange, spurred flowers and pale green leaves. Now there are many types with various bloom colors and spotted, mottled or lovely blue-green foliage.

The flowers and leaves of nasturtium are edible, with a spicy, sharp flavor. Use shredded leaves or snipped petals in a salad of young greens for color and interest. Just be sure to carefully rinse the inside of the long spurs (like tails) trailing out behind the flowers.

Nasturtiums are easy to grow. Plant them in a sunny location with well drained soil. Do not over-fertilize as this causes foliage growth but inhibits flowering.

Once the weather starts to heat up, nasturtiums start to wane. Move them to a spot with afternoon shade and keep them well watered for best results.

Trailing nasturtiums make dramatic hanging baskets and leaving them in a basket makes them easy to move in and out to protect from freezes.

Heavenly sweet peas

SWEET PEAS (Lathyrus odorata) have charmed gardeners since the early 1900’s. The spicy scent of the flowers is lovely and the plants bloom in many colors. We like to grow mixed colors that include shades of purple, rose, red, pink and white. The plants are climbers by nature and will scramble up a trellis or fence in no time.

 

 

They grow well in our climate during the spring and early summer producing an abundance of flowers. A morning sun location is ideal.

 

To keep your plants blooming cut off old flowers before they develop seeds. Sweet peas make long lasting, fragrant bouquets, so cut newly opened flowers to bring inside for fabulous flower arrangements. 

 

 

We now have 1 gallon plants to be put out in the garden now and a great selection of seeds which should be sown before the end of February. Sweet peas like cool weather so it is best to get an early start on them.

Spring Crops!

Winter life at the nursery is as busy as ever. We use this time to accomplish chores and pot all the baby plants we can in preparation for spring. Several times a week, herb and perennial shipments arrive and everyone gets involved in the process of planting. Chris sows seed weekly and cuttings are done every morning. We all dress in layers with lots of hats and scarves on the cold mornings.

Kendel is enjoying the work. Of course it's always fun to plant and watch things begin to mature.

 

 Getting as many plants into the greenhouses as possible is a challenge. It seems like it doesn't take long and they are full.We start to run out of room each year right before spring starts.

Poppies are growing nicely and should be ready in just a few weeks.