Mary’s Plant Farm & Landscaping
2410 Lanes Mill Road, Hamilton, OH 45013
Spring 2015
“The longer I live, the more the earth’s beauty grows on me.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
It’s February already! I’m sowing twelve types of tomato seeds, Swiss chard ‘Bright Lights’, niembergia,
two types of stocks, dahlia seeds and Alaska nasturtiums. I’ll sow five other types of nasturtiums in a few
weeks, for if I sow them now they will be too leggy for spring sales. These early ones will be used in my
combination pots that need to be ready when we open April first. We will direct sow many of the other annual
cut flower seeds in rows in the cutting garden as soon as it can be plowed. I love the fact, that there is hardly a
time when I cannot make a cut flower bouquet from my garden. The witch hazels are full of fragrant blooms
right now and the hellebore in the woodland have thick fat buds, and the other spring bulbs are not far behind.
I have been working on a landscape plan that I hope to install this spring for a customer. And with that
thought, perhaps some landscape ideas in this newsletter would be of help. Just forming beds or borders isn’t
enough. Hardscaping is essential for an interesting landscape. My garden was started on a sloping piece of
acreage. Actually, it was a rocky hay and corn field, and not very good for that. I used the available rocks for
walls and paths. It gives the eye something to focus on and breaks up the monotony. A piece of statuary or a
birdbath at the end of a path can be used. A pretty small flowering tree with a bench is pleasant for any garden
to be viewed from. Or a large colorfully planted decorative container, set in the border can attract the eye, as
will a large boulder to add structure. These things make what I call the bones of a garden. From there you
begin adding your plant material.
In January Sherri did a talk on wildflowers for the Federated Garden Clubs winter meeting. Afterwards, one
of the ladies told me she was going over the list of plants in her garden and in checking she noticed that all of
the plants she bought at our Plant Farm were alive, but many plants from other sources were not. I felt
complimented, but told her that it was simply the fact that our plants are potted in soil. We do add Canadian
sphagnum, plain 5-10-5 fertilizer, and perlite for drainage. Other nurseries pot in a mix of bark mulch or who
knows what else, as it is called a soilless mix.
I read an article titled “The Buck Stops Here”, from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. It reports that the
following plants are resistant to deer; Paw Paw, Mahonia, Buxus (common boxwood), Nyssa sylvatica (Black
Gum), and Cephelotaxus which looks like Taxus that the deer love, but it is a much better evergreen that loves
shade and tolerates dry conditions. I will add silver foliaged plants such as Artemisia or fuzzy foliaged plants
like Viburnum rhytidophyllum varieties that the deer do not like. I was asked by a customer why her
Hydrangea macrophylla did not bloom. Many gardeners prune back too sharp and cut off the buds. Never
prune these until the plant is out of dormancy, then only cut off what stems have no green growth. Also for
those who say their hydrangeas are no longer blue, a bit of acid fertilizer will do the trick. They need acidic soil
to be blue and it even helps intensify the color on the ones that are blue. Another bit of information I’ve learned
from a garden writer is that, it is not birds nipping off the flower heads from my Echinecea and sunflowers, it is
a head clipping weevil. It clips the stem below the flower to make a hole to lay its eggs in and then the flower
head falls over. There are no pesticides yet found to kill it, so the best method of control is remove and destroy
the infected stem. This prevents the weevil larvae from completing its development.
Congratulations to one of our customers from Oxford, who won a garden design award for her garden we
designed and planted a number of years ago. She (a Mary also) is a great gardener and a lovely person who
deserved this recognition.
We have planned our 2015 events and in looking back we feel the classes, garden teas, seminars and events
were a success. The Wildflower Class has long been a favorite for those who enjoy native plants including the
earliest wildflower, and then to see where to plant them as they tour the gardens. During our Container
Gardening Class our participants learn design, what type of soil and how to choose plants for their container
location in the landscape. Fragrance Week is designed to give gardeners new ideas of fragrant plants and their
uses. It’s wonderful to have fragrance throughout all seasons in the garden, and we can tell you how. It is hard
to believe that we have served Tea in the Garden for over 12 years, and it is still selling out in advance of the
dates. Everyone wants to come back and bring a friend to enjoy the afternoon tea and tasty delicacies in the
garden. This past year we hosted a new event, Art in the Garden. What a wonderful day, watching people walk
the gardens viewing a piece of art as they strolled the paths then coming upon the artist booth where they could
talk with the artist and purchase all types of art work. Sherri is serious that this is an art show of different
mediums and has increased the number of artists attending this year, including a stone mason, stain glass art,
metal sculptures, ceramic and pottery pieces, oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, and photography. We have
refreshments, wine and beverages available for purchase and relaxing music and seating under the old oak tree.
And even guided garden tours are available. What a special afternoon. Our last class is making a Hyper Tufa
Trough. Over the years many class members have come back to say that the trough they made in our class
using our recipe have held up and lasted even in severe winter conditions. Thanks for the compliment.
If you get nothing more from this newsletter then knowing that gardening can relieve tension, give you
peace of mind, and a hope of renewal every spring after the long winter months I feel I have done my best.
It is the best exercise you can get by bending, lifting, and digging. And the beautification and increased value
you give to your property is in addition to improving your health. I am always out in my gardens and the
nursery, so I hope you stop by and say “Hi”, while you are visiting the Plant Farm.
Schedule of Seminars and Events for 2015:
Sunday, April 26, 1:30 pm - Wildflower: Talk & Tour – a comprehensive class on native wildflowers. Not
only spring blooming varieties but summer ones also. Then join Mary, in a walk through the
woodland to view the extensive wildflower collection. Class: $8.00 with reservation please.
Sunday, May 3, 1:30 pm – Container Gardens: Design & Planting – bring a container, tufa trough or
purchase one at the nursery and learn how to design and plant an attractive combination pot
of annuals, perennials or succulents. Fee: $10.00, for instruction and soil mix. Bonus 10%
off all plants purchased to fill container during class. Reservations please.
May 5th – 10th - Fragrance Week – during regular business hours, learn about and view all types of
fragrant plants, including scented geraniums, perennials, herbs, bulbs and shrubs for the
garden. Ideas for uses including recipes, container combos, and great gift ideas for Mother’s
Day. Reservations accepted for Tea & Scones served Saturday May 9th and Sunday, May 10
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm $10.00 per person. Seating in the garden, weather permitting or in Café.
Sunday July 12 and July 26 at 2:00 pm
Thursday July 16 and July 23 at 1:30 pm High Tea in the Garden – enjoy a four-course high tea served
in the garden, under a tent. An afternoon of delight for your senses. Reservation only with
pre paid fee: $30.00 Limited seating.
Sunday, August 9, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Art in the Garden – enjoy a walk through three acres of gardens
viewing fine art in many different mediums by local artists, including living art with plants.
Chat with the artists and enjoy a glass of wine and light refreshment while you relax at a
bench or table in the garden. Two guided garden tours. Art, plants and refreshments
available for purchase. Cash and checks accepted, limited acceptance of Credit Cards due to
the venue site. Entrance fee: $8.00 per person
Saturday, October 3, 10:00 am – Class: Making a Hyper Tufa Trough - materials and instruction are
included to make a 12” x 18” trough, with your choice or mold shape. Fee: $35.00 pre-paid
Spring Hours: April 1st to May 31
Tues. – Sat. 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm
CLOSED MONDAY
Summer/Fall Hours: June 2 to Oct 31
Tues. – Sat. 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
WWW.MARYSPLANTFARM.COM
marysplantfarm@zoomtown.com
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Mary’s Plant Farm & Landscaping
New for Spring 2015
Each season we notice specific garden trends and what our customers are looking for. We work very hard to
carry plants that are on gardeners wish lists. This past year we sold a lot of large trees, from natives to
blooming ornaments, all of which were in demand. Many of the native trees that sell out quickly are the Nyssa
(Black Gum), Nyssa s. ‘Sheri’s Cloud’ with variegated foliage, Cladrastus (Yellow Wood) which we have in
the ‘Perkins Pink’ variety also, Paw Paw, Sassafras, Persimmon, Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya Virginica) and
American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). Our selection of ornamental trees include 13 varieties of Cercis
(Redbud) some of which are the rarer weeping varieties, including the newest weeping Cercis c. ‘Vanilla Twist’
that blooms white and the variegated leaf weeping C. c. ‘Whitewater’. Many who view the borders during the
late spring and summer are interested in the Cornus (Dogwood) varieties. Along with the native dogwood there
are many new kousa and cross cultivars with stunning variegated foliage and beautiful bloom for the garden. A
few of our favorites are; Cornus x ‘Shadow’s Variegated Celestial’ that has tricolor foliage in the spring and late
summer, and C. x ‘Steller Pink’ with green and white foliage and pink bloom which is rarer. Our Cornus kousa
‘Limon Ripple’ with yellow and green leaves and the C. k. ‘Wolf Eyes’ with green and white foliage make a
beautiful statement in garden and are dwarf at 6’ to 8’ tall at maturity. Unusual rober oak cultivars are
‘Filicifolia’ with a fern like foliage and ‘Variegata’ with green and white leaves. A list of other hard to find
trees available include; Hepticodium, Magnolia ‘Woodsman’, Aesculus pavia (Red Horse Chestnut), Aesculus
briotti (pink blooming) and Styrax (Japanese Snowbell) with pink or white bloom. Our list of available shrubs
is impressive with 24 Buxus (Boxwood) varieties from the 8” to 10” dwarf Buxus ‘Kingsville’ to the tree
boxwood that can reach 18 feet tall and is 15” wide. There are 30 varieties of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) a late
fall and winter blooming shrub, many of which are fragrant, and 54 varieties of Hydrangea. There is a
hydrangea for any garden location. Lespedeza with its arching stems of late summer bloom creates much
garden interest. And everyone loves Lilac (Syringa) and with 42 varieties from tree form to the dwarf ever
blooming shrubs, there is one that will fit in any garden. But don’t forget the 45 varieties of viburnum from
dwarf to tree form that are an under used plant in gardens and the best screening shrub for any landscape.
Mom’s love of succulents has led to a huge assortment of this popular low maintenance plant. Many tufa
and mini succulent gardens are available in the sales area as ready made container gardens or choose individual
plants. Other mix patio containers using perennials, herbs and annuals are ready for pickup and instant
gratification in your landscape. I know we are known throughout the country (due to the mail order catalog) for
our plants, but we also have wonderful gift items for pickup at the nursery. Our concrete and clay patio pots
and garden ornaments, brass garden plaques, pewter wind chimes and brackets, gardening gloves or tools and
much more are also reasonably priced.
Many of our customers are calling and asking for ‘good’ roses, as many have pulled out their diseased
‘Knock Out’ roses. Info about that is in our fall 2014 Newsletter. So this season new rose varieties or many you
have asked for are available. This spring; ‘Peter Mayle’ is a beautiful fragrant large pink rose, ‘Fourth of July’,
‘Valentine’s Day’, and America are new climbing roses. Also ‘Yves Piaget’ and ‘Harrison’s Yellow’ sell out
quickly. We are trying to keep stock of the Griffith Buck roses but many varieties are limited, but we have a
good supply of his ‘Carefree Beauty’ and ‘Distant Drums’. Our rose standards on display in the lower garden
are always in bloom with clusters of single pink roses, and cause much interest as they are own root and have
survived minus 25 degrees. So we are pleased to again offer the ‘First Editions Polar Joy’ standard tree rose.
Remember our huge assortment of perennials, herbs, wildflowers and ferns, all of which are waiting for you at
the Plant Farm.
Good Gardening in 2015!