What’s Up and New

After several years of less than ideal weather conditions we have finally had a really good if not perfect weather year. If you are one of those people who have told me you are waiting for perfect conditions to plant, get on it, your opportunity is here!

Following the worse drought on record in at least 25 years we had a spring where we were blessed with regular rains that brought us out of those less than desirable conditions. As a result our plants look great!

People have finally caught on to the fact that the Emerald Ash Borer is going to win in regards to the ash trees. This is sad due to the prevalence of ash trees in the woods and the over planting of ash trees in our residential areas in the past 30 years. However, it is a lesson in the fact that good landscapes are comprised of diversified plantings. It’s much like a stock portfolio, you do not want too much of one thing. We have been planting a lot of trees as a result of the drought last year and the borer. Do you need a new tree? Come out and see us we have a wonderful collection of beautiful trees!

We have designed and planted some new flower beds and renovated others, but there has definitely been an increase in our tree plantings. This is a good thing!

Last year while doing some design and planting work in front of a red brick house with white trim in Warsaw we started experimenting with a new color scheme. We used purple, orange, soft yellow, white and a orangeish red. I refer to it as the Easter egg color scheme. It’s really easy to get using some of the new Cone Flowers and Coreopsis that are available. The cool thing about this color scheme is it looks good in front of a blue house or even one of the many shades of beige as well. It’s a happy color scheme to be sure!

I have mentioned in our Facebook postings and blog that we have been growing perennials in greenhouse 1 again after many years of having that house off limits to guests due to our propagation operation.

The next new thing is growing perennials in front of greenhouse one and two like we use to before we put the 3 and 5 gal pot in pot growing system in that area known as the sun section. We saved about 2500 square feet in that area and did nothing with it and I am glad we didn’t. This area will serve us well as a go between area between houses 1,2,3, and 6.

The area next to greenhouse 2 that has been used for ball and burlap trees is going to be rededicated to growing perennials and small shrubs in the future as well.

Change is good! We brought back large evergreen trees into the nursery which is great but this just is not the best place for them. I think they may end up over between greenhouses 6 and 7 for a while until we carve a proper area out for them in the front of the nursery. Naturally there will be some work involved in doing that right so for the time being between 6 and 7 will be the new area to find ball and burlap conifers such as White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Serbian Spruce and White Pine amongst other things.

Even though it has been quite hot you can still plant and garden. Do not waste this golden opportunity of a perfect weather year to plant a tree or redesign the front beds of your house. If you follow the instructions in our planting and care guide found on the home page of our web site you should have no problems. We also have videos on YouTube of how to plant trees correctly. Just type in Blue River Nursery in the search box and it should take you to them.

Keep on growing!