The Big Dipper Farm News-ette is an occasional gardening e-newsletter for discussing new plant introductions, gardening tips, quotes, poems, ‘things-to-do-in-the-garden-now’, seminar reminders and much more.  It’s free, kept private, spam-less and fun!     Share it with a friend.     Happy Gardening!    

-Deidre Finley, Big Dipper Farm

Everything that slows us down and forces patience,

everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help.

Gardening is an instrument of grace.

- May Sarton

Gift Certificates
Mean never having to say you’re sorry!

Mother’s Day is this Sunday!

Let Mom get some new plants for her garden. Gift certificates can be mailed within 1 day of ordering!  A gift of plants is a gift of time in the garden and lets her get something she really wants. What could be nicer?                 Go to Gift Certificates. 

I appreciate the misunderstanding I have with Nature over my perennial border.
I think it is a flower garden; she thinks it is a meadow lacking grass,
and tries to correct the error.

-Sara Stein, My Weeds 

Calling all Locals!

Lots of new goodies are in or arriving this week:

Mixed spring baskets, fuchsia baskets, loads of annuals and all the herbs are full and lush. The tomatoes and some veggies are in too. We have a large beautiful crop of Bleeding Hearts in full bloom.

Peonies, Peonies, Peonies!  Most of the peonies are over 2 feet tall and COVERED with buds about to burst. The purple 'Yagumo' and the red ‘Hoki’ tree peonies are in full stunning flower already. Now that’s a Mother’s Day gift that will remind her of you for many years to come.

Mahonia ‘Charity’ is too large to ship. “Pick Up at Nursery sales only” Put simply, this is one of the finest winter shrubs there are.

Dozens of large fresh new vines: Passionflower, Akebia, Trumpet flower, Clematis, Climbing Hydrangea, Sweet Lace Grape, Kiwis and lots of Wisterias!

And some new unusual items like Hardy Olive trees and Pineapple Guava trees!

Make the beautiful scenic drive up Green Valley Rd and come visit the farm!

 

 

Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher. –William Wordsworth

 

 

The Hot & Wild New Salvias

Entire books are written on Salvias. Their long and intense bloom season make them a very important garden-worthy plant. If you haven’t started, you need to begin growing Salvias. Here are a couple incredibly hot new varieties:

Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'

Incredible red and white bicolored flowers begin in spring and don't stop until November in our area. The winter leaves turn a dark wine-red. Like all salvia, perfect drainage and full sun make her very happy. This fabulous plant can reach 30'' tall and spread up to 6 feet at maturity. How can you live without it?

Salvia greggii 'Wild Thing'

Aromatic mounds of dark, semi-evergreen foliage are covered with flushes of hot pink flowers much of the growing season. Best results gained when you cut back this woody perennial in spring.

See the Salvias

 

Tip:    Plant bee loving flowering plants (like Salvias) near your tomatoes and other vegetables and the additional bee traffic will mean more pollination and more vegetables!

 

 

I look forward to receiving the new order from you. 

 I am enjoying my thriving eucalyptus I received from you. 

 It is wonderful to know there are reputable companies still in this day and age.

Thank you.  Jennifer D. – Georgetown, S Carolina

 

 

Petasites palmatus ‘Golden Palms’  -  Golden Coltsfoot

A wild sport discovered by Chuck ‘Eagle-eye’ Pavlich. Shimmering metallic golden ‘palms’ a foot wide preceded by pink flower spikes. A wonderful spreading marginal / bog plant that’s also at home in a moist area of the garden. Shade in southern climes but the full sun elsewhere provides the best color. Caution, possibly an aggressive grower. A wonderful groundcover that's very different!   See Golden Coltsfoot

 

 

‘Gardens are a form of autobiography.’   -Sydney Eddison

 

 

May 1^st through 7^th is Washington State Native Plant Appreciation Week!

Check out our Newest Natives!

 

Myrica californica  -  California or Pacific Wax Myrtle 

A wonderful, easy to grow broadleaf evergreen shrub. Can be left in a natural loose form to 15 feet or sheared for a hedge. Shear in mid summer. Can tolerate extremely wet soil, seaside conditions, sand and clay. In contrast to Myrica pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry), the leaves of Myrica californica are not aromatic when crushed. Bark and wax have many medicinal properties. Also a wonderful food source for birds. Considered one of the best looking native western shrubs for the garden. A ‘Great Plant Pick’ as well. Zones 7-10

See Pacific Wax Myrtle

 

Rosa Rugosa  -  Wild Rose

Highly prized in the landscape for its beautiful flowers, foliage, and bright red rose hips! Super easy to grow and one of the hardiest plants you can plant, but it can get away from you. Makes a great hedge and the birds love it! When kept in bounds with occasional pruning, the foliage stays attractive. Naturally drought tolerant. The flowers can range from white to dark pink, and they never lose their timeless appeal!  Zones 4-9

See the Wild Rose  

 

 

To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.
-Helen Keller

 

Event Reminders!

May 21^st Saturday, 1pm                    Marianne Binetti                          

The farm is happy to welcome Marianne back once again for her wonderful mix of landscaping, plant knowledge and humor. Join us for this free, information packed seminar. A prolific and accomplished Northwest gardening author and always one of our most popular speakers. 

 

Every Saturday through Spring from 10am - 2pm            Master Gardener's Clinic

What a pleasure it is to have these plant lovers on-site. These volunteer gardening experts are available to answer questions, diagnose pests and diseases and recommend treatments. Numerous handouts and lots of problem-solving literature. The clinic will be at the farm every Saturday from 10 to 2 all the way through June! Bring your samples and questions.   Free  

 

Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.  -Rabindranath Tagore

 

 

Mallow Madness!  -  Hibiscus

Went a little crazy with the hibiscus this year. Might as well get that out up front. 17 varieties is a bit much, but I can’t help it….          Maybe there’s a 12-step program.

 

You’ll understand the first time you find yourself in front of a mature plant. Have you ever grown a flower that’s a full foot across? Have you ever seen a plant covered with them? I grew the tropical small-flowered ones in San Diego but these gorgeous monsters are hardy down to zone 4!  What a treat for us northern gardeners!

Hibiscus love the sun and need moist, well-drained soil but are very easy to grow. Keeping these plants well watered will result in larger flowers and lush foliage. In fact, their love of moisture make them extremely valuable to gardeners with problem wet spots in the yard. They will even grow slightly submerged once established! When using in the pond, start shallow, tolerates deeper water with maturity. Some call these ‘Swamp Mallows’.

 

The individual flowers last just a day or so, but you can expect one or more flowers to open each day over their long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Deadheading may prolong the bloom period. It is best to plant Hibiscus in the garden before the heat of the summer arrives, and should be heavily mulched the first winter. In fall or spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. Be advised that this species is always one of the last to emerge in spring so be careful when working near them and be patient. Its vigorous growth rate more than makes up for this late start, however. Note, Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious.

Go Bold this year. Grow hibiscus!  MAIL ORDER ONLY

See pictures of all Hibiscus here

 

Hibiscus syriacus 'Lavender Chiffon' Very different! Large, single lavender flowers adorned with a lacy center to create an anemone-like bloom. Bold yet delicate this is an award winning selection bred to perform even in cooler climates. It is one of the strongest growing cultivars. Each stem is packed with numerous buds giving it superb flower power. Make some room, this is a fabulously huge plant.

 

Hibiscus 'Fantasia'                 Large, dinner-plate sized ruffled lavender flowers make this hardy perennial a real eye catcher.  Prolific blooming from late summer through fall.  More compact and fuller looking than most Hibiscus. 

 

Hibiscus 'Fireball'                 Burgundy to red flowers are up to 12'' across with petals that overlap very nicely. Fine textured foliage glows with a purplish blush. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge. Be patient, these beauties are late to break dormancy.

 

Hibiscus 'Lady Baltimore'                 Valued for its late summer display of 5-6 inch wide, pink blooms with satiny, red centers and ruffled petals. Strong, shrub-like foliage, which is more compact than standard hibiscus, supports these beautiful blooms in mid to late summer. The maple-cut leaves are consistent with their dark purple colors. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Pink Clouds'                An outstanding large flowered selection features intense deep pink flowers that catch the eye from a long distance. This 4-5' tall and robust plant blooms over a long period and has beautiful mature leaves that are the size, color and shape of Norway maple. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus 'Ruby Dot'                Stunning, pure white giant flowers with a bright red eye. These beautiful, crepe paper-like flowers have ruffled, slightly overlapping petals and each flower has a showy red dot in the center. These hardy forms are valued for their late summer display.  Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus moscheutos x 'Crimson Wonder'                                Large 10" crimson-red, ruffled flowers from summer to frost on these large hardy perennials. These hardy forms are valued for their late summer display. The maple-cut leaves are consistent with their dark purple colors. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus 'Super Rose'      The flowers are 8-10'' across and are a vibrant rosy pink. More compact than most mallows and one of the first to bloom and keeps going all the way to frost. These hardy forms are valued for their stunning late summer display.  Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus 'Clown'                The large, 10 - 12 inch flowers are pink with fuchsia veining and dark red eyes. Among the largest flowers produced by any hardy perennial. Each flower lasts only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus 'Kopper King'      Named from its maple-like, coppery-red leaves that are orange-red underneath. This colorful foliage extends through the entire growing season. Gigantic flowers up to 12" wide sit atop robust, shrub-like plants from mid to late summer. Each successive spring will bring larger flowers. The white flowers have striking red eyes which bleed out through the veins in the petals. It's hard to believe this tropical-looking beauty is hardy to zone 4!

 

Hibiscus 'Old Yella'     Huge, dinner plate sized flowers sit atop robust, shrub-like plants from mid to late summer. Each successive spring will bring larger flowers. Pale yellow buds open to huge 10-12 inch wide, creamy white, slightly ruffled flowers with a red eye. This selection has a conical habit that stays compact. It's hard to believe this tropical-looking beauty is hardy to zone 4 and are valued for their late summer display. The maple-cut leaves are consistent with their dark purple colors. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus 'Plum Crazy'    The large, bold ten-inch plum flowers have purple streaking centers. These hardy forms are valued for their late summer display. The maple-cut leaves are consistent with their dark purple colors. Loves consistently moist soil and can even sit in the water at the pond's edge.

 

Hibiscus 'Lord Baltimore'                Dinner plate-sized, (to 10”), 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers which are among the largest flowers produced by a hardy perennial. Crimson red flowers with ruffled, slightly overlapping petals. A long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Medium green leaves on reddish-brown stems. When using in the pond, start shallow, tolerates deeper water with maturity.

 

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Southern Belle Mix'                        Dinner plate-sized, (to 10”), 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers which are among the largest flowers produced by a hardy perennial.  A mixed hybrid of white, pink, or red flowers with ruffled, slightly overlapping petals. A long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Medium green leaves on reddish-brown stems. When using in the pond, start shallow, tolerates deeper water with maturity.

 

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Mallow Marvels'                 A popular mix of red, rose, pink and white dinner plate-sized, (to 5-9'') flowers which are among the largest flowers on a hardy perennial. Shorter 3' plants. When using in the pond, start shallow, tolerates deeper water with maturity.

 

Hibiscus 'Turn of the Century'                A very tall, vigorous, sturdy, erect but somewhat bushy, cultivar that typically grows 6-8' high with dinner plate-sized, (to 5-9'') flowers which are among the largest flowers on a hardy perennial. Bi-colored flowers are pinkish red on one side fading to light pinkish-white on the other with red centers. Flower colors produce an unusual pinwheel-like effect.

 

 

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment.

My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.

The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.

-Abram L. Urban

 

 

My Mom loved gardening. Do you have great gardening memories of your Mother?  I do.

If you’re lucky, you’re still gardening with her.

 

M… is for Marigolds, My Mother grew them every year and one of my earliest memories is of watching the butterflies on them.

O… is for the Oranges we grew at my grandparent’s in California. Mom and I could go out in the morning and pick them for fresh squeezed juice.

T… is for the Tomatoes she grew. I would get a quarter for every tomato caterpillar I could find. Tomato sandwiches on Rainbow bread, yeah.  (Hey, it was the 60’s)

H… is for the Hydrangeas she grew by the front door and she would throw old nails into the soil to change the flowers blue.

E… is for the Eucalyptus that she put into her holiday arrangements and would simmer on the stove to make the house smell great.

R… is for the Red Pepper Jelly she often made with peppers she grew with ease.  Great stuff with cream cheese and crackers.

 

Enjoy the day with your Mom and make some new memories!

 

Flowers are love's truest language.   -Park Benjamin

  

Big Dipper Farm 
360-886-8133
www.BigDipperFarm.com