Green Thumb Corner

The Hosta Red October, Hosta 'Red October', is considered one of the best of the red stalked hosta's. The long narrow leaves are blue-green on top and white underneath. What makes this hosta interesting is the stalks are almost red with the red fading into the leaf itself. The lavender flowers of this hosta appear on stems that are dark purplish red however, hosta's are not known for their flowers. Hosta's provide bright color in shade with wonderful foliage and Red October is no exception. Red October performs best if planted in full shade but will tolerate some direct sun. Plant in any moist and well-drained spot. This low care perennial is ideal for shady positions, tubs and patio pots, and is one of the most popular landscape plants. A great choice for any beginner gardener.

The Peony Lovely Rose, Paeonia 'Lovely Rose' is a semi-double bloom peony with pink blooms that resemble the shape of a rose. Peonies are one of the best cut flowers and are often used in the Midwest to decorate gravesites on Memorial Day. All of our peonies are widely adaptable to most soils across the country. They bloom in mid to late spring and have very large, colorful blooms that stand out in the spring garden. Peonies can handle dry to moist sites, and do best in full sun but can handle some light shade. Often thought of as a plant used on the farm or out in the country, they bring a little bit of that country feeling to your garden. It is not uncommon to see peonies planted along the driveway or lane in a mass.

The Daylily Purple D' Oro, Hemerocallis 'Purple D' Oro' (DeGroot, '00), has edge ruffled blooms that are lavender in color and with a yellow throat on semi-evergreen foliage. Purple De Oro is related to the very popular Stella D' Oro Daylily and will bloom from June through October. It is a reliable rebloomer. It can survive harsh conditions that many other plants can not and prefers full sun for the best performance.Daylilies are some of the easiest plants to grow and are a good choice for any gardener. They will grow in almost any soil and handle drought to wet soil conditions. Use for stand alone plantings, edging, in borders or in mixed containers and tubs.

The Geranium Purple PIllow, Geranium cinereum 'Purple Pillow', has dark purple flowers and a darker colored eye that blooms all summer long. This beautiful perennial is contrasted by wonderful blue-green foliage. Purple Pillow should be plant in full sun to partial shade. For best results, soil should be of average to moist and well-drained. The Geranium family is well known for its stunning fall colors that include reds, oranges, and yellows. It is a superb plant for cottage gardens, container growing, borders or informal borders in mass plantings. There is an attaction to bees and butterflies and it is very disease and deer resistant. A great plant for a beginner gardener.

The Hosta Striptease, Hosta 'Striptease', is a sport of the hosta Gold Standard and was hosta of the year in 2005. It has wide, deeply veined, green leaves with gold and white running down the center of each leaf. The violet flowers of this hosta appear in mid summer, however hosta's are not known for their flowers. Hosta's provide bright color in shade with wonderful foliage and Striptease is no exception. Striptease will handle partial sun or shade and should be planted in any moist, well-drained spot. This low care perennial is ideal for shady spots, tubs and patio pots, and is one of the most popular landscape plants. A great choice for any beginner gardener.

The Hosta Tokudama Aureonebulosa, Hosta 'Tokudama Aureonebulosa', is a sport of the hosta Tokudama and is a mainstay for any hosta garden. It has greenish yellow puckered leaves with variable blue-green margins. The heaviley textured leaves have a cupped appearance. The white flowers of this hosta appear in mid summer on 18 inch stems, however hosta's are not known for their flowers. Hosta's provide bright color in shade with wonderful foliage and Tokudama Aureonebulosa is no exception. Tokudama Aureonebulosa will handle partial sun or shade and should be planted in any moist, well-drained spot. This low care perennial is ideal for shady spots, tubs and patio pots, and is one of the most popular landscape plants. A great choice for any beginner gardener.

The Peony Adolphe Rousseau, Paeonia 'Adolphe Rousseau' is a double bloom peony with dark red blossoms. The beautiful flowers show there yellow stamens and light red stigmas in the center. Peonies are one of the best cut flowers and are often used in the Midwest to decorate gravesites on Memorial Day. All of our peonies are widely adaptable to most soils across the country. They bloom in mid spring and have very large, colorful blooms that stand out in the spring garden. Peonies can handle dry to moist sites, and do best in full sun but can handle some light shade. Often thought of as a plant used on the farm or out in the country, they bring a little bit of that country feeling to your garden. It is not uncommon to see peonies planted along the driveway or lane in a mass.

The Peony Dr. Alexander Fleming, Paeonia lactiflora 'Dr. Alexander Fleming' is a double bloom peony with pink blossoms and curled inner petals. Peonies are one of the best cut flowers and are often used in the Midwest to decorate gravesites on Memorial Day. All of our peonies are widely adaptable to most soils across the country. They bloom in mid to late spring and have very large, colorful blooms that stand out in the spring garden. Peonies can handle dry to moist sites, and do best in full sun but can handle some light shade. Often thought of as a plant used on the farm or out in the country, they bring a little bit of that country feeling to your garden. It is not uncommon to see peonies planted along the driveway or lane in a mass.

The Sedum Emperor's Wave, Sedum telephium 'Emperor's Wave' is a new variety of sedum to the marketplace. The blue-green foliage is accented by it's pointed leaves. Its sturdy, dark stems look wonderful with the reddish-purple flowers. The umbrella-like flower heads bloom from August to September and it has a plant height of 16" Emperor's Wave needs to be planted in full sun in well-drained soil. It will tolerate most soil types and is drought resistant. Emperor's Wave is a great choice for beds and borders and excellent as cut flowers. It is also a great butterfly and bee attractor and is disease resistant.

The Sedum Novem, Sedum telephium 'Novem' (PP16,972) is a distinct cultivar variety of sedum. The dark purple-bronze foliage is accented by strong red stems. The dark red stems look wonderful with the unusual apricot-orange flowers. The umbrella-like flower heads bloom from August to September and it has a plant height of 12" Novem needs to be planted in full sun in well-drained soil. It will tolerate most soil types and is drought resistant. Novem is a great choice for beds and borders and excellent as cut flowers. It is also a great butterfly and bee attractor and is disease resistant.

The Clematis 'Jackman', Clematis x jackmanii, is the best blooming Clematis in its family. With dark purple flowers that bloom in July, it ranges in height of 7-10' and has a spread of 3'. The foliage is dark green and makes a great contrast with the flower color. Clematis prefers full sun but will tolerate shade in the morning in a well-drained area. It is best to avoid heavy pruning on this perennial until it is fully established. Clematis 'Jackmanii' needs a supporting structure to grow properly but will also grow over large shrubs. The tops of Clematis prefer full sun while their roots prefer a cool, shady area. It is best to heavily mulch the root zone to provide this cool, shady area.

The Coneflower Sunset, 'Echinacea purpurea', is an easy to grow flower that produces vibrant orange daisy-like flowers, overlapping one another. The center of this coneflower is brownish, making it different than the rest. Blooming from July to October