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If you like your benches full and your heating bills low, we've got the perfect early-flowering perennials for you.In the thrall of lovely autumn, it's hard to think of next spring. But as you know, that's exactly what's on an experienced grower's mind.Modern breeding offers a helping hand for an earlier start with elegant, easy-to-grow Aquilegia. We offer two series that require less vernalization than other columbines. These are tough, programmable perennials, performing on schedule with littl

Flights of Fancy in the Backyard Zoo!Don’t look now, but critters have taken root in your garden. Relax, they’re friendly – and they’re animals in name only. Let’s meet one... heck, make it two – in one plant! Aquilegia: Bird of prey, or bird of peace? The genus name comes from the Latin for eagle (aquila), because the long petal spurs reminded Linnaeus of an eagle’s talons. But the common name, columbine, is from the Latin for dove (columba), because someone else thought the flower resembled d

“And the eagle flies with the dove.” – Stephen StillsYou know “cool crops” as a description of certain annuals that don’t need (or like) lots of heat to finish for spring sales. Well, it’s not just for annuals anymore. Pick the right early-flowering perennials, and you can realize significant energy savings.If you like your benches full and your heating bills low, we’ve got the perfect perennials for you. And if you like your symbols scrambled, we’ve got you covered there, too. Aquilegia is

What gives a grower the blues? Small plants and disappointed customers.Forget what the song says. There IS a cure: Plant this fall instead of waiting until spring. It’s not just for trees!It’s a simple equation: Build a firm foundation under that crown. When your plants go into winter with a bulked-up root mass, they’ll do three things quicker in spring: Fill out, look gorgeous – and sell.The principle applies to many genera, but we particularly recommend it for these three:AquilegiaThis early r

We know. It’s hard to conjure April showers and May flowers while December frost and January sleet lurk just below the nearer horizon. But dates on the calendar are like objects in the side-view mirror: Closer than they look. Spring sales are really not so far away. Now’s the time to do the kitchen prep for two early risers that will be key ingredients in your future inventory. Phlox subulata “Moss phlox” One of spring’s earliest harbingers, tough, colorful and cheerful. If it wer