Weather always seems to be on our minds as gardeners. This year we had an odd November with vastly different temperatures from nearly 70 degrees F. down to 22 degrees F. Growers are mourning the loss of some previously workhorse perennials and woody plants. For instance, Lakewold Gardens where my shop is located is the mecca for the Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis grandis). Four hundred plants are sold annually. This year the 2 growers who specialize in growing them for Lakewold, had almost total germination failure. Only 72 small plants survived.
On to happier topics…So far, the “hot” plant for the coming season seems to be Heuchera. Every grower has a wide selection of varieties. Foliage plants are more and more popular. Here in Western Washington, plants like Gunnera and Melianthus tend to be borderline hardy but we continue to try. Because of the odd November, all Phormiums and Dracaena, even ones that are 20 years old, will have to be replaced. I lost both of them.
The one thing I am noticing in my garden shop is the age of the gardeners…they’re getting younger! It’s great to see.
by Karen Platt
20 Apr 2010 at 18:52
We do so get hooked on weather especially when it is so changeable. It’s also amazing how we forget in good years that it takes so little to wipe out plants. It is still so cold here-it’s going down to freezing point for the next two nights. I always think this is danger point as plants have gone through a warm week and then the temperatures plummet. That’s not playing fair.