Hornbaker Gardening Blog

Iris Bloom Update

David Hornbaker — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:30:12 +0000

Peak bloom has been amazing this year, and the good news is, it’s not over! The heat this weekend will make for beautiful bloom. Get out here before it’s too late!

Free Flowering Arranging Workshop Saturday

Marcie Jaggers — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:49:35 +0000

Flower Arranging Workshop on May 19th

Saturday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m.— Learn the basics of flower arranging from David Hornbaker, who is always bringing fresh arrangements into the house. Dave will demonstrate how to do a wonderfully simple arrangement in an ikebana vase, as well as more traditional small and large arrangements. Also, learn what to plant in order to have the flowers you want in early June. After the workshop, we will turn on some music, provide some refreshments, and play with flowers. We will have a supply of fresh-cut material and some inexpensive florist vases on hand for 20 people to make small arrangements to take home. Please call ahead to reserve a spot for that portion of the workshop. The only charge will be for the vase (something like $5.00).

Hybrid Red Maples

David Hornbaker — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:46:24 +0000

When you cross a silver maple with a red maple, you get, what I like to call, a super maple. Both Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’ and Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Fantasy’ belong to this group of super maples. Their growth rate is that of a silver maple, while having the stronger branches and brilliant fall color of a red maple. Dad planted a row of ‘Autumn Blaze’ up by the iris field sometime around the turn of the millennium. Below are pictures of these in 2002 and 2011.

Fairy Garden Workshop

Marcie Jaggers — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:17:00 +0000

We hope you can be here Saturday at 10:00 am for our free Fairy Garden Workshop. Molly Hornbaker Blogg will present a workshop on how to make a Fairy Garden for your home. Fairy Gardens can be created in their own special garden box, but you can get creative with all sorts of containers, or even make a fairy garden in a special spot right in the ground. We have a huge selection of mini accessories and the perfect plants that will stay small and not grow too quickly. Invite the wee ones into your garden space with a fairy garden!

Picks of the Week

Marcie Jaggers — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:03:14 +0000

As we spend our days here at the nursery, we would love to talk to each and every customer that visits. But we know that isn’t always possible. The Picks of the Week will be a great opportunity for us to share with you our suggestions for good, reliable plants we think you should know about. We hope it’s the next, best thing to speaking to you in person!

Hibiscus 'Pink Elephant'

When Hibiscus ‘Pink Elephant’ blooms, it tends to stop people in their tracks. Eyes widen, jaws drop, and an overwhelming sense of wonder comes over them. At 12” wide, their flowers demand attention while the 5-6’ tall, soft green foliage creates a beautiful backdrop. The root systems on these are robust enough to give you a mature looking plant the same season you get it into your garden. When the majority of your perennials are starting to fade in mid-summer, ‘Pink Elephant’ will be just getting started. -Dave Hornbaker

Heuchera 'Caramel'

Heuchera ‘Caramel’ is one of several Heuchera villosa types, which are known for their outstanding heat and humidity tolerance. ‘Caramel’ is a robust grower with foliage that is a mix of peach, bronze, and yellow-orange leaves with purple-red undersides. It can handle sun or shade, although as with many Heucheras, it performs best in partial sun. You could plant 3 or 5 in a mass planting, place among your hostas for a pop of color, or use as a border perennial. Heuchera ‘Caramel’ forms a compact, uniform mound about 12 inches tall and 14 inches wide and produces cream flowers. – Molly Hornbaker Blogg

Pinus contorta ‘Taylor’s Sunburst'

Taylor’s Sunburst Pine’ (Pinus contorta ‘Taylor’s Sunburst) is one of my favorite evergreen trees. It is an intermediate grower, eventually reaching around 20-25’ tall and 8’ wide. Every spring the new growth emerges bright yellow, and holds that color for several weeks. The tree is very hardy and easy to grow. This is one that the neighbors will be asking you about if you plant one in your yard. – Rich Hornbaker

Irises in Peak Bloom!

David Hornbaker — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:18:26 +0000

The Iris field has officially exploded into peak bloom. Come and enjoy it while it lasts!

Iris Field - May 8th, 2012

Iris Bloom Update

David Hornbaker — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:40:25 +0000

A lot of irises decided to show their colors after a couple days of hot weather. Peak bloom is only days away!

Iris Field

Kids’ Containers for Mother’s Day

Marcie Jaggers — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:13:18 +0000

Saturday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m.—Here’s a chance for the kids to come get their hands dirty and create something pretty for Mom or Grandma or someone special in time for Mother’s Day. We’ll give them some ideas, and then help them, as needed, to get something potted up. They can bring their own container, and we will have a good selection of inexpensive containers available here. Cookies and lemonade will follow.

Iris Bloom Update

Marcie Jaggers — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:48:51 +0000

Here are a couple photos taken this morning in our iris field. There is a fair amount of bloom out there now, and the expected heat this week should bring them on fast! By this weekend, and then for the next two weeks, should be the peak of the season.

Picks of the Week!

Marcie Jaggers — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:25:21 +0000

Melinis 'Pink Crystals' in the center of this photo with attractive pink plumes. Photo taken last fall at Hornbaker Gardens.

Melinis ‘Pink Crystals’
Every fall we have many customers asking what the name is of that beautiful grass with the pink plumes. It is an annual grass called Melinis ‘Pink Crystals,’ and if you want to enjoy the show that these pink shimmering plumes put on in the fall, now is the time to get it planted. The blue-green foliage is very narrow and the bright ruby and silver plumes sparkle in the autumn sunlight. The plumes reach about 24” tall and it forms a nice round clump. This annual grass is well worth planting each season.
- Molly Hornbaker Blogg

Variegated Solomon's Seal

Variegated Solomon’s Seal
If you like to cut flowers in your garden to make bouquets, then a patch of Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum ‘Variegatum’) is a must-have. The arching stems, with their variegated leaves, make perfect foliage fillers in bouquets. And when the pendulous, white, spring flowers are on the plant, they are even prettier. The colonizing plant is best in some part shade, and is hardy as a rock. Get a patch going—you’ll use it all the time. -Rich Hornbaker

Hosta 'June'

Hosta ‘June’
My pick of the week is Hosta ‘June’. This 2001 Hosta of the Year seems to be at the top of most hosta lovers’ lists, and for good reason. Its gold center grabs your attention, while its blue margin softens its overall, subtle, elegant appearance. ‘June’ is a sport of ‘Halcyon’, and has Halcyon’s thick, durable leaves that are still looking good well into late fall, while other hostas start to fade. ‘June’ is a medium sized hosta, and seems to work well in almost any sized garden. It won’t take over a smaller space, and it doesn’t get lost in your larger beds. ‘June’ will most likely be one of your favorites too, as soon as you take it home and get it into your garden. -David Hornbaker