Happy Mother's Day!

This weekend we focus on the greatest moms in the world! They believe in us, they shuttle us around as kids, they sacrifice for us, and they want the very best life has to offer for us!

Most of all, they love us! No matter what!

Enjoy the weekend with family and friends, and if you have time, come on down to the nursery! The trucks have arrived, filled with annuals and flowering perennials.


Have you seen the latest and greatest thing to happen to gardening? Premium hybrid petunas continue to bloom ALL season long, WITHOUT DEADHEADING! Yes, you heard it right, WITHOUT DEADHEADING…and we have them! It’s a gardener's dream come true!

And the calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, are also a ‘self cleaning’ annual.

Click here to read a great article about Million Bells! Gardeners World is a UK based gardening show, and while their zones are different than ours, they are quite informative and share a wide base of great gardening know how!


You want more Annuals?

What is prettier than a big pot of marigolds and alyssum greeting guests at the front door?

And, if you remember a few newsletters ago, we shared beautiful blue perennials for your garden in the ‘very peri’ color palette that is so popular this year, and now here are some annuals in that same hue.

Lobelia and verbena are two great flowers to create an effect of a river, either spilling from a large tilted pot, or creating a border in a flower bed!

And what discussion about annuals is complete without talking about geraniums? For those of you new to North Idaho, especially if you came from warmer southern climates, geraniums were most likely perennials. But here, they are annuals.

That doesn’t stop the North Idaho gardeners…the vibrant tones found in geraniums add life to just about any landscape, and for pops of color drop them into large planters on a deck, a walkway, or hanging from a handrailing! We have a great selection of containers to enhance your landscape, from stone and ceramic, to wood and metal with coir liners!


But before all that...

We went straight to the source, and talked with Eric Christen, owner of New Leaf Nursery, who loves to talk about dirt! Seems like he might have the best dirt in town! Eric says, 'Soil specialists! That’s what we are! It all starts with the soil.' Eric goes on to say, ‘Our soil is the best, because we specifically blend it for every application, be it for your lawn, or your vegetable garden…we have it!’

Eric continues, ‘The soils are mixed at the facility in Hayden, using locally sourced forest products, top soil, manure and compost.  The result will show in your gardens!’   

We can deliver our soils, bark and rocks directly to your house, or job site.  Call us today at the nursery for more information and if you are trying to figure out how much product you need, click on www.newleafnurseryhayden.com and go to our ‘material calculator’ found on the Products and Services page that will help you decide how much is needed to complete the project! 


One more word about roses

If you missed the rose pruning class this week at the nursery, taught by our resident pruning guru, Laurie, be sure you click this link to get some tips on pruning roses from Elaine Christen.

Elaine says, ‘the very best thing you can do for your roses is to feed not only the rose bush, but the soil as well!  And I recommend Rose & Flower from G&B…it’s an organic fertilizer that feeds both plant and soil, and is environmentally friendly! We have it in stock at the nursery.'


This year alone, we have grown more than 1200 roses at New Leaf Nursery and they are selling fast!  We have many varieties: hybrid tea roses, grandifloras, floribundas, rugosas, climbers, shrub and ground cover roses. There are lots of colors and lots of varieties, some more fragrant than others!  Not sure which one to buy?  Come in and talk with our friendly staff, and they will direct you to several options that will work for you! 


A rose, is not, just a rose…and yes, we have arbors too, so, yes, you can grow a beautiful path of roses! 


Hey captain!

Every week we introduce you to a team member at New Leaf Nursery. This week, it’s the man at the top…king of the hill…the guy where the buck stops…yes, the manager, Ben Christen.

Almost everyone that walks in the doors of the nursery, leaves knowing Ben. He has a way about him that makes you feel right at home. Yes indeed, a nice guy! But most importantly, Ben sincerely cares about his staff and his customers. He will go far out of his way to make sure you know that! He’s smart, and funny, and he is loved by his team, and his customers.

So next time you’re in the nursery, give him an ‘attaboy’ and let him know how much all his hard work is appreciated. Thanks Ben, for all you are to the team!


Seed Rewards Program

Remember to sign up for our Seeds Rewards Program. It’s easy, it’s free, and you earn rewards every time you shop at your neighborhood nursery! Go to www.newleafnurseryhayden.com to sign up!

And remember, we love to get your empty pots. Instead of tossing them, bring them back! We recycle them!


Spring is in the Air

Can it be? Maybe? Hopefully? Have we seen our last frost of the season for 2022? Those of you ‘seasoned’ north Idaho gardeners know these sayings well! ‘Wait til after Mother’s Day to plant those annuals’ or ‘When the snow is off Rathdrum mountain, it’s safe to plan annuals’…

Truth is, no one knows for sure…but one thing we do know for sure, is we are certainly in a much better position now that the sun is shining and the warmer temps are here!

Hop in the car, and take a drive around town…vibrant bursts of bright yellow forsythia are in full glory, as well as many gorgeous flowering trees, and yards a’popping with tulips and daffodils! And come on down to New Leaf and see what is new!


Mother’s Day 2022

What to get something special for your mom, grandmother, aunt, or daughter? If they are gardeners, the gift of a flowering tree is truly the gift that keeps giving.

This is THE time to buy a fruit tree that rewards you with beautiful flowers in the spring, and fruit during the summer! We have a good selection right now, including cherries, crabapples and pears!

Flowering Cherry

Flowering Pear

Flowering Crabapple

Grow your own Veg!

The perennials are rolling in, along with annuals and veg! Why not consider gifting mom with some fresh veggie plants that she can grow in her own back yard to provide amazing harvests of healthy food, along with helping to defray some of the high food costs we are all experiencing? We have great wood raised beds in stock, along with all the right soils, and lots of veg to choose from…and a friendly staff to assist you!


Hanging Flower Baskets

What mom (or anyone really) could resist a stunning and colorful flowering hanging basket or two, or three?

We've got a load of them and we will continue to bring them in through the Mothers Day holiday! Feast your eyes on these beauties and see how many new varieties of annuals you can see in this snippet of our collection!


Last call for Spuds, Onions, & Cole Crops!

What is a cole crop? At a basic level, they're plants that belong to the mustard (Brassica) family and are all descendants of wild cabbage. As a group, these plants grow better in cool weather. This leads many people to think that the word “cole” is a variation of the word “cold” and they may even refer to these plants as cold crops.

We have onions, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, bok choi…all the good stuff, and really, folks, if you want to plant them for the season, the time is now. Come in and get them soon, or the weather will be too warm to plant!

For more information, visit https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/cole-crop-plants.htm


All Star Team Member...

The team at New Leaf Nursery wants to recognize the amazing contributions of this young woman! Her name is Selah, and if you’ve met her, you’ll never forget her

“Selah” is a Hebrew word  found at the ending of verses in Psalms as an instruction calling for a break in the singing of the Psalm or it may mean "forever."

Selah is indeed a song, and her heart is ‘forever’ true and honest! Selah is always there to help, listen to a story, tell a story, and give a hug, or shine her amazing smile your way…a kind word is always on her lips, and this young lady has a personality like no other!

Selah can be found working behind the counter at the garden center, or outside amongst the plants, or driving heavy equipment, or riding her bike around the 10 acres!

Selah, we thank you for all you are to the nursery, its customers, and your fellow coworkers!


The Nursery Happenings

We’ve got excitement and color bursting out of every corner, from our annual baskets to the classes on our beautiful property. It’s the perfect time of year to treat yourself or a treasured friend to one of these fantastic events!

Upcoming Classes

Our last few crafting classes have been an absolute delight! We have one more DIY yard accessory coming up, along with gardening courses that will come in clutch with the warming weather.

Due to popular demand, we’ve added another Mother’s Day Birdfeeder Cup & Saucer class! Talented local artist Deb Beissel will teach us how to make a contemporary version of the ‘tea cup’ favorite, adorned with a teaspoon perch for the birdies. You will receive a bag of bird seed and a Mother’s Day card to go with the bird feeder. All supplies will be provided, including cup/saucer, spoon, beads and wire with hanging hook.

If you're interested, sign up by friday by clicking here !

New Leaf Nursery landscape designer Cassie Hardy shares her knowledge of how to create a landscape design plan for your yard or garden. She’ll give an overview of elements to bring to your outdoor space, and the different plants and soils that can help you design something unique to your tastes.

Space is limited, so sign up soon by clicking here

New Leaf Nursery plant expert Laurie Wilson shares her knowledge of how to prune roses for excellent growth and disease prevention. Space is limited, so click here to sign up!

Laurie Wilson studied Horticulture at The Lake Washington Institute of Technology, as well as studying Environmental Horticulture, and Master Pruners Classes, at the University of Washington. Laurie has worked with trees, plants and shrubs for over 20 years, and joined the team at New Leaf Nursery in 2021.


More beautiful pots!

We have more and more large, colorful pots perfect for cultivating a garden on any surface you’d like. From houseplants to porch and patio gardens, the possibilities are endless with a few of these on your property.


Summertime Outdoor Candles

Fragrant, beautiful candles from Skeem Design have arrived in our retail space. Along with their delightful scent, (including an updated citronella aroma) each candle is crafted with a soy/vegetable base, and shipped with as little packing material as possible.

Stop by the Nursery soon if you’d like to bring one into your home!


Beautiful Garden Décor: Wind Spinners

When the breeze rises, these metal sculptures will spin and twirl along with it. Each one is a unique metal sculpture, and a guaranteed eye catcher for your garden. Stop by the retail building soon to pick one up for your property!


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?

Click here to sign up today!


As always, we look forward to seeing you and providing you with a great experience when you visit our nursery!

Welcome to Spring 2.0!

Welcome to Spring 2.0

Who isn’t ready for Spring? What a carousel of seasons we have experienced in the last two weeks in the Inland Northwest!

Sun, rain, wind, snow, cold, repeat! But the weather man says high 50’s, and this time we're holding him to it!


Indeed it is time for the bulbs to pop open, and the trees to show their leaves…who wouldn’t welcome a stroll through an idyllic garden filled with tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, crocus, and other exotic bulbs! We wanted to share a beautiful garden with our readers called Keukenhof.

The Keukenhof, Netherlands

Located just south of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, Keukenhof is open from end of March to end of May every year, and it attracts visitors from around the world. It is an international experience when you visit the “grand daddy” of the annual bulb shows! If you have been, you will likely never forget it…and if you haven’t, it’s time to add it to the ‘bucket list.’

Click www.keukenhof.nl/en/ for more information about the show.


A bit closer to home

The Skagit Valley, north of Seattle, is home to an impressive show of tulips and bulb flowers! While it is not Keukenhof, it is well worth the trip! Nearly all the cut tulips grown for distribution in the Inland Northwest, come from Skagit. And, most of the bulb flowers distributed to the western US (unless directly imported from the European market), come from Skagit and neighboring communities. And, a huge bonus to the trip to Washington state flower growers, is you can easily bring home bulbs for planting in your own gardens!

The show runs the month of April and the link to the festival is www.tulipfestival.org


Earth Day 2022

Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by www.earthday.org.

Read more about the movement, and its accomplishments so far, along with simple changes you can make in your own life, to help preserve the planet for future generations!

Here are a few more links that you might like to read that can give more information on ways to preserve the planet

www.preserve.nature.org

www.cleanwateraction.org

And a subject near and dear to the hearts of gardeners world wide, is sustainable gardening…below is a link to the American Horticulture Society’s web site. On the site, you will learn the ways to interact with nature, and create sustainable ways to work alongside with nature. It is a great resource to gardeners, and explains the many ways that we, as gardeners, can create a better future for the earth thru sustainable gardening! From composting, raising earthworms (vermiculture), planting habitat gardens and using native plants, all family friendly ways to be active in the movement.

www.ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/sustainable-gardening/


What can I do?

Save Electricity…turn off unnecessary lights

Recycle!

Go Digital…reduce paper usage, buy e tickets, cut down on junk mail (Use www.directmail.com  to remove yourself from direct mail registries and serviceslike www.catalogchoice.org and www.paperkarma.com can help get your address removed from catalog listings) Use on line banking and reduce paper statements.

Reuse and Repurpose…find ways to reuse items that have instantly gone into the trash 😊

Carpool and Rideshare (also a great way to save on gasoline costs!)

Energy efficiency in your home…start watching that thermostat!

Shorten your shower, brush your teeth with a cup of water…

Go meatless one day a week to save money, eat healthier, and help the environment…cattle is often grazed on deforested land; by cutting the demand for beef, you are helping save important areas such as the Amazon Rainforest.

Buy a water bottle and keep refilling it. Cut down on plastic bottles, which sadly only are recycled 5% of the time.

Recycle metal coathangers by returning them to your drycleaner for another use!

Condense your laundry loads and save water!

Use reusable shopping bags.

Recycle your pots!

Did you know that New Leaf Nursery will recycle your garden pots? Instead of dumping them in a landfill, bring them over to the Nursery’s retail building, and we’ll be sure to put them to good reuse! Please make sure that these pots can fit a gallon or more of soil.

We can make a difference!


Last week: What a class!

Friend of the nursery, Deb Beissel, and locally known artist, set a group of ladies free with paint and brushes, and some very cute garden art was created!

You want in the fun? Check out our EVENTS page on the web site, and click to see what’s coming next…from pruning classes, to potting classes, to windchimes and birdfeeders…the fun is just getting started! We keep our classes small so our teachers can interact with students! Come treat yourself to a little fun!


Employee Spotlight

While three radiant beauties are featured in this photo, it’s Meaghan in the middle that is our spotlight team member this week!

Without a doubt, we have the kindest, and most caring people in the entire world working on our team and Meaghan leads the way! Meaghan handles customer sales at the front counter inside the garden center, like she was born for the job!

Her kind manner, and sweet disposition, are only two of her talents…and this gal can create beautiful crafts, specializing in hand made gifts for your baby that can be found on her Etsy stoe, currieandco.etsy.com

Meaghan is also knows a lot about garden soil, composting, and hands on knowledge of plants and trees. Come see her and see why she is our spotlight team member this week!


What's happening in the nursery?

Our greenhouses are full, our retail space is full of goodies, and we’ve got annuals, perennials, and ground-covers that can help your garden welcome Earth Day in style!

Ground Cover Plants

Our perennial greenhouse has an excellent selection of ground covers to choose from. These plants are low maintenance, and will thrive without taking over your property.

This same greenhouse has a beautiful set of 4 inch perennials as well. These are a fantastic way to bring color and value to your garden, while returning each year along with their blooms.

A daffodil and tulip menagerie

If you were inspired by the Keukenhof and Skagil Valley gardens, why not pick up your own bulbs from our annual greenhouse? Our tulips and daffodils are at their peak of vibrant color, and would make a gorgeous addition to your home. 


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?

Click here to sign up today!


The Wonder of Spring!

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 


Happy Spring!