Are We There Yet?

Wednesday, April 12th, 2017


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This weekend was not the first evidence of spring but, Wow! What a February. Who would of thought we would be firing up the grill and having a bonfire in February (yeah, I did that). Well, this is NW Indiana and spring surely was not here to stay. Beware of March. We saw everything from an 80 degree day to a blizzard, all of which were hard on not only us, but plants as well.

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Fall for Winter

Monday, October 24th, 2016


Fall for Winter

As I look out my window about half of the trees have transformed into gorgeous displays of oranges and reds. Rhonda just finished installing my fall container display and they look wonderful, as they always do. While I am the last person to start looking for the Christmas decorations (just ask my wife) I am actually looking forward to see what Becky and Rhonda come up with for the winter displays. Every year they get more interesting and unique while maintaining just enough tradition.

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The Big Easy

Monday, March 21st, 2016


Name this plant;

  1. Show-stopping Blooms
  2. Has been cultivated for over 1000 years
  3. Deer resistant
  4. Blooms year after year

Ready?

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Adding Elegance

Monday, August 4th, 2014


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Ferns are among the first plants to inhabit the Earth; existing for nearly 350 million years. Due to their long history they are also one of the most versatile plants. There are ferns that grow in sun as well as shade and in water as well as dry sand. Their sizes range from several inches to several feet in span. Crazy!

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Succulents, Uncommon Plants

Monday, June 2nd, 2014


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Succulent; what a great sounding word. It rolls off of your tongue, like “undulating” or “juggernaut”. Succulent in Latin is “succos” meaning juice. Succulents store water in their leaves, stems and roots which makes them exceptionally resilient to drought. Succulents can be found in almost any climate from scorching hot deserts, which we typically relate to these plants, to cold alpine regions with strong winds and poor soil.

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Elegance & Beauty, Rhododendron & Azalea

Thursday, May 1st, 2014


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Nothing shouts Spring to me quite like the blooming of Azaleas and Rhododendron in May. Way back in our day (I don’t care to say how long ago) our dad Walter Small had Rhododendrons imported from Holland as small baby plants. To this day a few of those old glorious beauties still alive in LaPorte.

When planted in masses, the flowering stalks can be breathtaking. Rhododendrons can also be utilized as foundation plantings. They can be a backdrop for perennials. Small groupings of Azaleas can have a similar effect with a different texture.

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