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Here are some questions we hear frequently. If you don’t
find an answer here, don’t hesitate to contact
us or stop in and visit.
When
should I divide perennials?
Here are some rules to guide you:
It’s always best to divide plants when dormant, or just
before a period of active growth. Spring blooming plants should
be divided in the fall (late Aug. to mid Sept.)
Fall blooming plants divide in spring April-May
Come to our seminar on pruning and division. (see our Events
page)
Do you have
the plant I’m looking for?
We have thousands of types of plants; most that are listed
in the catalog are potted and available. Many that aren’t
listed are too. Come visit or give us a call.
When do I
prune?
 It’s
always fine to remove dead or damaged branches. The best time
to prune most flowering shrubs is immediately after blooming.
This gives them time to form buds for next spring’s
flowers. Shrubs that do this are referred to as plants that
bloom on old wood. Shrubs that make this year’s flowers
on this year’s growth are said to bloom on new wood.
Most shrubs that bloom after June bloom on new wood, so a
spring pruning doesn’t remove any flower buds. Try not
to bloom after August, since pruning encourages growth. The
new growth put on after pruning may be susceptible to winter
damage. For more complete information on pruning attend our
seminar in May.
Should
I use fertilizer?
We rarely recommend chemical fertilization except when a sick
plant may require a foliar fertilizer for a quick boost. Generally
fertilizer is not only unnecessary, it is bad. Compost is
what we recommend for plant and garden health. We carry Nutri-brew
compost, bagged and bulk.
What blooms
in shade?
Hundreds of plants! Search our catalog for suggestions. Remember
that the majority of flowering shade plants do their blooming
in spring, plan to use foliage, color and texture as the cornerstone
of your shade garden. The deeper the shade the fewer flower
options you have. Come to our shade seminar for more tips.
What is
a protected plant?
New York State prohibits the removal of any wild flowers from
public land. Private land is exempt from this protection.
That is why acres of trillium have legally been turned into
housing lots. If land is slated for development, get permission
from the landowner and save some plants before the bulldozers
get them! We only sell nursery-propagated plants.
Deer are eating
my garden, what do I do?
Keep them out with a fence or other obstacle, plant things
they don’t like or use a repellant.
A LIST OF DEER RESISTANT PLANTS:
Most plants with a milky sap or fragrant foliage are avoided by deer. That said, deer don't read lists!
• Achillea
• Aconite
• Allium
• Agastache
• Amsonia
• Arisaema
• Artemisia
• Asclepius
• Astilbe
• Dicentra
• Digitalis
• Epimedium
• Euphorbia
• Ferns
• Hellebore
• Iris
• Lavender
• Nepeta
• Origanum
• Ornamental Grasses
• Peonies
• Perovskia
• Sedum
I have a mossy
part in my lawn. How do I get the grass to grow?
Maybe you shouldn’t. If grass can’t compete with
moss, it may not be the best location for it. We sell many
good shade ground covers. If you’re determined to grow
grass, remember:
• Use shade tolerant grass seed
• Make sure soil isn’t acidic
• Scuff and remove moss before reseeding
• Open canopy of overhanging trees to allow more light
• Give grass compost or organic fertilizer when it is
actively growing in early May
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