Monday, February 25th, 2013 by P. Allen Smith, 22 comments
We've planted 280,000 daffodils at the Moss Mountain Farm Garden Home. You might say I'm a little daffodil crazy, but what's not to love about this cheery little flower? They are one of the first blooms to appear in spring, the fragrance is heavenly, and they are perennial. Plus the deer won't eat them.
Right now the daffodils are in full bloom out at the farm and it's a sight to behold.
If pictures aren't enough for your daffodil loving heart, make a trip out to farm for one of our Daffodil Days open houses. Click here to learn more.
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 by P. Allen Smith, 3 comments
Monday, June 6th, 2011 by P. Allen Smith, 46 comments
I am a hopeless collector of perennials. I can always find a spot in the garden for new additions. While I love trying new plants I have a few mainstays that I rely on for gorgeous flowers and foliage year after year.
SUN
Daylily (Hemerocallis sp.)
I'm excited that I now have developed 2 new varieties this year out of my daylily breeding program. I can't get enough of this old reliable favorite.
Hyssop Color Spires® Steel Blue (Agastache)
I love this plant. It has been a tremendous performer in my garden. No staking needed. After the flowers fade I cut back the old bloom stalks and it keeps on trucking.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
The wide drift at the farm is spectacular from mid May to late June. After the bloom I cut 25% off the top and it will flower again late August through September.
Mexican Sage 'Santa Barbara' (Salvia leucantha)
This plant is a mainstay in the late summer garden. It always gets comments from our visitors.
Summer Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
We trialed this variety Flame™ Purple last summer. It proved to be an excellent re-bloomer right through the intense heat we experienced in July and August.
Lamb's Ear 'Helen von Stein' (Stachy byzantine)
'Helen von Stein' has grown in the garden at the Garden Home Retreat for the last 5 years. Love the giant leaves and fuzzy texture.
Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
The frilly foliage looks great with Supertunia® Royal Velvet and Superbena® Royal Chambray Verbena.
Coral Bells (Heuchera sp.)
Heucheras are beautiful as singular sensations in containers. Plant 1 variety per pot. Many of the newer heucheras like Dolce® Key Lime Pie can take a half day of sun.
SHADE
Variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum')
The arching stems are a graceful addition to a shade border. Looks great poking up through hosta and ferns. Here I've combined it with Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica).
Hosta
Hosta are such a versatile plant. I use them in containers on my screened porch.
Hardy Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium)
Subtle yet inspiring. I so enjoy seeing their pink blooms in autumn when the leaves begin to fall from the trees.
Chinese Ginger (Asarum splendens a.k.a. Hexastylis splendens)
This is a great low growing plant for shade. So easy and beautiful - I love foliage plants and this is a good one.
