The Wonder of Spring!
This is the face of joy…JOY is on all of our faces right now because it’s nearly time to plant the annuals, and in most cases, it’s time to plant our trees and perennials!
Our gardens are waking up! Rebirth has begun again. Gardening can bring peace…gardening can bring joy…gardening is making a creative statement!
Perennials, and why we love them
What’s better than a plant that gives you an amazing show year after year? The answer is nothing! Perennials return every year…there is no better investment you can make in your garden than that of adding perennials! Want to know the best perennials to plant in the inland northwest? We have them, but here are a few of our favorites!
HOSTAS
And it’s hard not to love these perennials! These beauties are available in a huge range of colors and textures, with varieties that thrive in the shade, as well as varieties that tolerate the sun! There are hostas that can become huge, such as Empress Wu, achieving 4’ tall x 4’ wide, or larger, while others stay small and petite. And if that wasn’t enough, they can produce amazing stalky blooms in shades of whites and lavenders! Look at the shades of green that are available! Even alone, they stand proud and vibrant in the garden!
DAYLILY
Another winner! So many amazing colors, so many amazing varieties! Daylilies provide multiple blooms on a single stem, which extends the life of the color on the stem. The daylilies provide mounds of lush green foliage, with tall graceful stalks, with the blooms clustered at the top.
CONEFLOWER
Coneflowers, or echinacea, are available in a myriad of colors to brighten your garden! Hues of pinks, oranges, reds, and yellows, add texture and a pop of color amidst the natural green tones of the garden. Sometimes described as ‘happy’ flowers, indeed, they do bring a smile to your face! They can grow as tall as 4’, and spread that far as well. You’ll usually see them in June, and they can bloom to the first frost. They love full sun but will grow in a partially sunny spot as well
HEUCHERA
Another large ‘family’ of plants with many cousins and aunties! So many varieties to choose from! These plants love the shade and partner up with hostas to create a unique array of foliage colors throughout the growing season. The foliage is a huge part of the appeal of the heuchera, but they do offer up some delicate blooms atop tall, graceful stems that add even more interest to the garden. When they arrive (a bit later in the year) you’ll find them in Greenhouse 1, where all shade plants will be found.
HARDY GERANIUM
Again, another plant with a big family tree! Geraniums can bloom for months, in varied tones of blues and purples, some variegated, some solid, and grow fairly low to the ground, making them a perfect delicate ground cover. They can trail and vine along a path or grow up a domed topiary trellis. How you use them is limited only by your creativity! The Blue Fusion variety sports lacy lime green leaves, making it nearly irresistible to a seasoned, or a new, gardener. Deer tend to shy away from these blooms as well! The blooms like either full sun, half sun, or partial shade, making them extremely desirable in the garden. Grow them thru a field of white hydrangea! The green and white and blue tones are lovely together!
PEONY
No conversation about perennials is complete without mention of the majestic herbaceous peony! Native to North America, they must be the queen of the garden! Watching them develop into massive blooms is gardening nirvana for sure! Hard to believe the deer won’t generally eat them! They can produce flowers for decades, with little care. They can be divided by digging up the root ball and cutting it in half. They can easily grow into 4’ tall x 4’ wide plants. Cutting them and bringing them indoors will add beauty to your home or office. But rinse them well, as the ants love them too. They love full sun and well-draining soil. The newest variety of peony is the Itoh Peony, named after Toichi Itoh, a specialized peony grower from Japan. He successfully blended a tree peony with the herbaceous variety, and created a plant with a large bloom, on an extremely strong stem and the colors are remarkable. They are prized belongings in a gardeners’ collection of peonies. Below are some of the Itoh varieties that are popping up in gardens in the Inland Northwest.
And the herbaceous peony…
Every newsletter, we introduce you to members of our team. If you have ever been to the nursery, you have most likely met Ciro!
One of Italy’s native sons, Ciro has an amazing desire to be of assistance to customers, and, with his winning smile and personality, and pleasing Italian accent, it’s no surprize that day in and day out, our customers, say, ‘Is Ciro here?’ Ciro joined the team at New Leaf nearly 7 years ago, and continues to be an amazing member of the team. You’ll see him zipping around the nursery in any number of vehicles…one day he may be loading soil into trucks, the next, building a new structure in the garden.
Is there anything he can not do? Actually, no, there is not! Ciro is a talented artist, having painted many pieces within the nursery and he is a stellar craftsman. He has created cherished garden gates, and displays for our trade shows, that later have become displays in the nursery. Last year he created a tranquil seating area amidst the trees at the nursery. He has a heart of gold, and it is our extreme pleasure to shine our spotlight on him this week!
What’s New at the Nursery?
Just about everything is new! From loads of plants, to beautiful new fountains, along with a great NEW selection of large frost proof outdoor pots to enhance your terrace or deck, you need to stop by soon! Vibrant blues, aquas, reds, greens, yellows and orange pots galore…and some outstanding neutrals, greys and blacks!
Along with the outdoor pots, get into the barn and find the whimsical and unusual containers and baskets to dress up your indoor plants for spring! And the garden art…oh my, the garden art! Wind spinners, trellises, obelisks, rain chains, and statuary…you really need to see it all!
Greenhouse Color
The perennials are rolling in! All the plants we carry are grown specifically to be planted in the Inland Northwest. Note that all our plants have tags that identify the zone that the plant will do best in, along with information about what the plant needs to live and thrive. We live in an area with many microclimates. If your zone is not listed on the plant tag, ask one of our friendly staff to make sure your plant will do well in your zone.
We do our very best to keep the freshest and best quality plants in our nursery and love to see them go to great homes, like yours! Come visit frequently to see all the varieties, or to simply stroll through the beauty of nature.
Seed Reward Program
There is nothing better than getting a little reward for your loyalty at New Leaf Nursery. Sign up online, or the next time you are in the nursery, and start earning rewards on every dollar spent in our nursery or on our web site. It’s easy, and free! It’s a great deal for you, and it’s a fantastic way for us to show our appreciation to our loyal customers! And you can check your rewards using your phone number online! What could be better?
Classes
Want to have fun? Want to be creative? Grab your besties and come join our classes! Be sure to check our web site frequently as we are adding classes as the year progresses.
You can find our classes listed in the Events tab on this website. Class sizes are limited, so if you find one you like, sign up soon!
Easter Weekend
Easter Weekend
On Saturday, bring your loved ones to New Leaf Nursery to experience a day connecting with nature. Enjoy walking through the nursery, and discover unique plants, gifts and beautiful décor accents for your home, along with gift cards to tuck into the Easter basket of your favorite gardener! We also have freshly planted, beautiful Easter baskets, filled with colorful annuals. They are the perfect Spring gift for Easter Sunday!
Opening hours 9:00 am-5:00 pm
New Leaf Nursery will be closed on Easter Sunday
