Christmas; What a Season!

 Our Christmas Shop has had a lot of activity since it opened in October.

Full shelves and pegs in October

Most of our orders arrived; some were a bit late, but holiday shoppers took heed of the media's warning that there were shortages in the marketplace and that we should all shop early. And, we did. In our greenhouse/plant department, we sold out of our larger poinsettias by the second weekend in December. Out in our fresh-cut trees, early orders were canceled and our buyer bid on trailer loads of Fraser Firs at a Pennsylvania auction. Trees are still available, as are fresh wreaths and greens. Our ornaments, artificial trees and wreaths, and lights all sold early and did have some supply issues, but even as late orders arrived, they were soon sold.

Many styles of artificial wreaths and garlands are available early

Our Department 56 Villages sold early as well. Valley View Farms' buyers and department heads have never worked harder to procure goods this season. We are not alone in the retail world. Our challenge is to buy correctly for next year. Our crystal ball is at the ready. 

In the meantime, garden goods, houseplants, wild bird supplies, and other staples are in good supply. Garden seeds also seem to be plentiful for the new year. 

Cyclamen will continue to bloom thru March

How about you? Were you able to get the gifts and supplies you wanted this year? Any ideas of what you'll be looking for from garden centers in 2022? Please share your ideas with us. Our first garden trade show is coming fast. We will be meeting with growers the first week of January. 

Thanks to all of you for your support, not just during COVID, but during the last 60 years. We will be celebrating 60 years as a family business on April 13, 2022. 

Thanksgiving and Gardening

 November 2021 feels so far from November 2019, the last Thanksgiving that I was able to spend with many in my family.

Luckily, last year was mild enough to enjoy the holiday on the screened-in porch of my sister's house, with a custom-made table that kept five of us at a distance of six feet from one another. This year, a dozen or so of us will be together; the number will more than triple for our Christmas get-together. Reflecting back on the changes that many of us have made in that time has been quite remarkable. The changes at work here at Valley View Farms to those at my home have been numerous. I've noticed my coworkers and our customers have evolved as well; here are some behaviors that are different.

Two years ago, our Hip Houseplant Revue event

At the garden center, there are fewer of us than before. We're working harder, are more focused, and have been dwelling on the necessary day-to-day tasks of keeping items in stock, plants maintained, and assisting our customers. Gone (for now) are weekly seminars, big events, and planned assemblies. Instead, we've noticed a surge in gardening interest, people growing their own herbs, looking for projects that keep them together at home, and asking questions about what to try next.

Jen's raised bed for lettuce

Building raised beds last spring, planting more vegetables and fruits, and generally connecting with nature have been the order of the day. Houseplant sales have topped all expectations as they have surged in popularity over the past couple of years. Pottery, patio furniture, and other accessories to outdoor living have been popular as well. Creating fish and bird habitats,

Families enjoying the koi pond

Nick and Ava Marie immerse themselves in water gardening

native plant gardening, growing more from seed, and finding ways to connect over social media have all become a part of our store's culture.

She is finding some fun new varieties of seed to try

Oh, we are having supply chain issues; isn't everyone? Freight charges and inflation have crept in, despite trying to do as much locally as possible. 

We're lucky. We live in an area where farm markets, fresh, local produce, and independent restaurants are side-by-side to chains and larger retailers. We're finding ways to buy food, plants, and supplies closer to home. 

Our gardens are more productive, my friend's chickens are able to supply me with fresh eggs, and local farms have turkey orders to fill for next week. 

Family ornament shopping

Over the past months, local garden clubs are meeting in person again, families are gathering to do their traditional ornament buying and we're seeing old friends. That's great, but the changes that remain are good too. Being outside hiking trails, in the garden, or watching the sunset from a neighbor's farm fence, allow us to stay connected to nature, and a bit of our past, as we navigate the new normal. 

Thank you to friends, family, coworkers, and customers who have been a part of this wonderful life. 

Special Bulbs---Beyond Tulips and Daffodils II

I love tulips and daffodils like the ones pictured above at Longwood Gardens. But there are so many more bulbs that deserve some space in our gardens. Special bulbs, or minor bulbs, do not get the same attention as their more famous cousins. Let's take a look at some other species that are often under-utilized in the garden. This is by no means a complete list. 

Galanthus elwesii

Galanthus elwesii, also know as Snowdrops, have nodding, 3-lobed bell-shaped flowers on short stems. They bloom late winter to early spring. The flowers are fragrant; the bulbs are animal-proof. Galanthus are great for rock gardens and naturalized areas. Plant them closely, about 9 per square foot, for best results. 

Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'

Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' has double flowers. An heirloom bulb, 'Flore Pleno' dates back to 1731. Its grass-like foliage grows to 6 inches. Plant these bulbs 3 inches deep. 

Hyacinthoides hispanica

Hyacinthoides hispanica, Spanish Bluebells, were previously classified as Scilla. These adaptable bulbs will grow in shade or sun. Spanish Bluebells date back to the late 19th century. They are critter-resistant and grow as prolific perennials. 

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, known as English Bluebells, are smaller than hispanica. The flowers are dark blue and fragrant. Excellent to use in a naturalized setting.

Ipheion 'Alberto Castillo'

Ipheion uniflorum has a six-petaled starflower. This long-lasting spring bloomer can be used in a naturalized setting. Ipheion attracts pollinators. 

Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant'

Leucojum aestivum, Summer Snowflake, blends well with tulips, daffodils, and other late spring flowers. The 'Gravetye Giant' variety resembles a large Lily of the Valley, growing 18-24 inches tall.

Lycoris squamigera

Lycoris squamigera, Surprise Lily, is easy to grow, tolerating part shade to full sun. Plant 5 inches deep, alone or with low-growing perennials. The lily flower emerges with no leaves in the summer. Attractive to pollinators, Lycoris can tolerate dry spells. 

A river of Muscari at Keukenhof Garden in the Netherlands

Muscari armeniacum, Grape Hyacinth, produces short spikes of flowers in clusters. Bloom colors range from shades of blue to white. Great for use as a ground cover. Muscari has a slight grape-like fragrance, attracts pollinators, and is animal resistant.

Scilla siberica

Scilla siberica, Siberian Squill, bloom in very early spring. An heirloom dating back to 1796, Scilla is best planted en masse at the rate of 12 per square foot. 

Sternbergia lutea

Sternbergia lutea, Autumn Daffodil, has yellow flowers that reach a height of a foot tall. They like well-drained soil in a sunny area. Blooming in the fall, this member of the Amaryillis family is pest-proof.

There are hundreds of other bulbs that deserve mentioning. For more information, visit Netherland Bulbs at Dig, Drop, Done, or visit our extensive display of bulbs every fall at Valley View Farms. 

Thanks to Rene Burcksen, Don Tyson, and the folks at Netherland Bulbs for allowing us to share photos from their library. Thanks also to Becky Heath of Brent and Becky's Bulbs for her insight, and thank you to my co-workers, Brian and Cindi for their help.

Thanks to this man, Willem and his wife, who hosted me and my friend on a tour of the bulb fields in Holland 20 years ago. 

Special Bulbs---Beyond Tulips and Daffodils Part I

 

Fall-planted/spring-flowering bulbs are proof that gardeners are true optimists. Planting a brown orb into a garden, or even a pot, then waiting through the winter for the emergence of beautiful flowers is what makes us a positive bunch of people. 

Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are the stars of the spring garden, but the minor bulbs deserve some of the spotlights too. In a few lectures given to garden clubs recently, these special bulbs took center stage. Here are a few excerpts from those presentations. 

Species tulips, and their bulbs, are much smaller than their Darwin hybrid cousins. They tend to be better perennials, more deer resistant, and can provide a nice border in the front of the garden. The following varieties tend to get 4-8" tall, blooming in mid-spring.

Tulipa vvedensky 'Tangerine Beauty'

Tulipa batalinii 'Bright Gem'

Tulipa bakerii 'Lilac Wonder'

Alliums are, in my opinion, underutilized in the garden, even though the Perennial Plant Association named Allium 'Millenium' as a Perennial of the Year recently. The ornamental onions are pollinator-friendly, deer resistant, great cut-flowers, and, come in an amazing assortment of varieties.

Allium caeruleum

Allium schubertii

Anemone blanda, Grecian Windflowers, have a small daisy-like flower. They are borne on 3" plants with fern-like foliage. Anemones create a nice groundcover for taller bulbs and perennials. Soak the small corms overnight before planting. 

Anemone blanda is in the foreground

Camassia leichtini is one of my personal favorites. The tall spikes of blue flowers grow 2-3 feet tall. 

They will tolerate damp soils around ponds and grow in full sun and at forest edges.

Camassia leitchtinii

Chionodoxa luciliae, also known as Glory of the Snow, has blue flowers that fade from lighter blue to white in the center. Two or three star-shaped flowers bloom on 8-10" stems. 'Blue Giant', one of the large species, blooms in early spring. Glory of the Snow will naturalize in woodland gardens. 

Chionodoxa luciliae Glory of the Snow

Crocus chrysanthus, Snow Crocus, is among the earliest blooming bulbs in the garden. Their 6-petaled cupped flower is wonderful in rock gardens, crevices, and other small spaces. Snow Crocus are lovely in the early spring lawn. 

Crocus chrysanthus 'Snow Bunting'

Crocus tommasinianus, Wild Crocus, is known by the narrow white strip down the center of its leaves. 

Squirrel resistant, they bloom from late winter into early spring. Plant in large drifts in borders and garden beds. 

Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'

Eranthis cilicica, Winter Aconite, blooms very early. The yellow buttercup with the frilly green collar is a favorite of a friend who works with the Netherland Bulb Company. It's easy to see why. Tolerant of partial shade, plant this cheery yellow flower with other early bloomers like Hellebores and Forsythia.

Eranthis cilicica

The Fritillarias diverse bulbs come in many sizes, from the dwarf meleagris that grows 12" to the imperialis, which grows 2-3'. They prefer rich well-drained soils, like a good bit of plant food, and can have a skunk-like smell that may be what keeps critters away. 

Fritillaria meleagris

Frittilaria imperialis

We will explore other special bulbs within the week. Thank you to The Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland who asked for the information in this blog. Thanks also to the folks at Netherland Bulb Company, who graciously let me use many of their images, and to Becky Heath from Brent and Becky's Bulbs. Finally, thanks to Brian Brannan and Cindi Fielder, who maintain our bulb selection here at Valley View Farms. 

Year of the Sunflower 2021

 Is there a flower that makes us smile more than the sunflower? I don't think so. For years, area sunflower fields have been the backdrop for family photos, selfies, and pictures of the family dog. I certainly took advantage of their beauty in the fields where they were planted in Baltimore and Harford Counties. 

Love the trees as a backdrop!

2021 is the Year of the Sunflower at the National Garden Bureau. We've known for years that sunflowers are a favorite of our customers and gardeners. Several years ago, 77 varieties were featured in our seed section. We have pared that down a bit, offering the top 30 or so varieties, ranging in height from about 12 inches for varieties like Teddy Bear to The Russian Mammoth Sunflower that may top 15 feet! 

Potted sunflowers growing to about 2 feet

Our growers at our farm greenhouses and other area greenhouses have had sunflowers for years grown as pot crops. Names like SunBuzz, Solsation, Suntastic, and Sunfinity have been our favorites to grow on our porches, patios, and garden borders.  

Our grower John and GM Tim evaluating a new variety

Jen selling our potted Sunfinity Sunflowers

Taller sunflowers, like Titan and Russian Mammoth, should be directly sown into the garden after all danger of frost has passed in the spring, usually by mid-May in our area. The large taproots on these varieties do not like to have their roots disturbed. Shorter varieties can be sown indoors and then transplanted outside. Sow seeds about a 1/2 inch down. Plant in full sun and be careful to water plants during dry periods. 

Sunflowers outside Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburg

Part of our pollinator initiative

We have provided children under the age of 12 with sunflower seeds for years as part of our Pollinator Initiative. Two separate pollinator gardens are present on our property. In addition, we have our signs labeled for pollinators and a beautiful handout about Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies. 

Bee kind

Swallowtail at work

Most of the taller sunflowers produce pollen. Some of the dwarf sunflowers, like SunBuzz, are pollen less to encourage longer blooming times for porch pots and patios. While these sunflowers bloom an incredibly long time, they do not provide anything for our pollinators.  

Some fun facts: 

Sunflowers are heliotropic, meaning they follow the sun. It is fascinating to watch this phenomenon. 

North Dakota grew an astonishing 540,000 acres of sunflowers in 2019.

Sunflowers originated in the Americas; seed tested in Mexico dated as far back as 2,000 years BC.

Russian farmers grew as many as 2 million acres of sunflowers in the early19th century for oil.

Today, Ukraine and Russia lead the world in growing the most sunflowers. 

Sunflowers, a painting by Vincent van Gogh, is among the world's most famous paintings.

Winter sunflowers

Plan now for varieties to plant next spring and summer. Learn more at the National Garden Bureau site about sunflowers and past 'Year of' plants. 

Plant sunflowers and keep smiling!

Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow

On my first day working at Valley View, my new boss, Retail Greenhouse Manager Carrie Engel, called a meeting and asked each of us to name our favorite plant. Favorite plant? Singular?

Angelonia in a local plant trial

Panicked, I chose Angelonia, a pretty yet sturdy annual I’ve used in containers for years. When a co-worker chose ferns, I thought, “Dang! Can I change my answer?” How could I have forgotten ferns? They’ve been around since dinosaurs for good reason. They’re perfect. Why change?

Boston Fern...traditional

Staghorns and more

Having been at Valley View for a couple of months now, my favorite plant changes daily (sometimes hourly). One day it might be showy Crossandra, the firecracker flower, or the dainty white Vinca with the hot-pink center, or Gartenmeister, a cheery upright Fuchsia that I’m ashamed to admit I bought the last of.

Soiree Kawaii Peppermint Vinca

 By the end of a week, I’ll have fallen in love with a fat-leafed begonia or the Caladium imaginatively

Shade combo: begonia, caladium, torenia

Euphorbia Diamond Frost

named “Frog in a Blender.” (Green leaves, red flecks.) And what about Euphorbia, with its cluster of white buds like a handful of stars, or Torenia--those little trumpets‑-or any of the inventive petunia hybrids, NightSky, Blue Stardust, Bee’s Knees? Then there’s the classic Geranium, with its vibrant, peppery scent. Speaking of scents, don’t forget the herb section, where scent reigns supreme and the plants are edible to boot.  

Crossandra Orange Marmalade

As Carrie surely knows (I think the question was a test!), asking plant people to choose a favorite is like asking a mother to choose among her children, if she had a thousand of them. At Valley View, we pretty much do.  

Fragrant Heliotrope Marine

 Editor's note: Today's guest blogger is Lisa Beyer. Stop in to see her for some great ideas for your garden!