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“Why do you think I have this outrageous accent?” (Gaillardia Part 2)

“Why do you think I have this outrageous accent?” (Gaillardia Part 2)

Posted by John Friel on Mar 8th 2021

So you think Latin names are difficult, you silly English-speaking person? Hah!Let’s examine first a popular perennial, then the less-familiar story behind its name. GaillardiaA backbone of the sunny garden, “blanket flower” is known and loved world-wide for its array of bright, cheerful, often bicolor blooms.Complex daisy-like flowers feature a plethora of petals with toothy, pointed or fluted tips. Puffy gold/red centers remain attractive and interesting even after petals fade. As you mig
Where Does It All Go? Oh, yeah... Everywhere! (Pennisetum a. Rubrum)

Where Does It All Go? Oh, yeah... Everywhere! (Pennisetum a. Rubrum)

Posted by John Friel on Feb 26th 2021

We grow so much Pennisetum xadvena 'Rubrum' – bench after bench, whole greenhouses full of it – that we sometimes wonder where it all goes. And then we take a drive, anywhere in North America, and there it is!‘Rubrum’ is so well-known it barely needs an introduction. It’s that red-leaved annual grass you see everywhere you go: In big containers on Main Street, waving its burgundy blades and matching foxtail flowers in landscapes public and private, surrounding flagpoles, flanking entra
THE END TO BORDER WARS: Part III (Lavandula and Thymus)

THE END TO BORDER WARS: Part III (Lavandula and Thymus)

Posted by John Friel on Feb 23rd 2021

When the color experts at Pantone announced their Color of the Year for 2021, they gave us a rare double-header. Illuminating is a cheerful yellow. Ultimate Gray is exactly what it sounds like. They complement one another beautifully: Yellow for sunny optimism, gray for rock-solid reliability. We looked at yellow last time, so let’s go gray again!Obviously, gray – even Ultimate Gray -- is not sexy. Let’s call it silver. Either way, there’s a place for it in nearly every border. Colors
THE END TO BORDER WARS: Part 1 (Artemesia)

THE END TO BORDER WARS: Part 1 (Artemesia)

Posted by John Friel on Feb 18th 2021

When the color experts at Pantone announced their Color of the Year for 2021, they gave us a rare double-header.Illuminating is a cheerful yellow. Ultimate Gray is exactly what it sounds like. They complement one another nicely: Yellow for sunny optimism, gray for rock-solid reliability. Let’s go gray first. Obviously, gray – even Ultimate Gray -- is not sexy. Call it silver if it makes you feel better. As designers know, there’s a place for it in nearly every border.Magically, colors that clash
The Age of the Artisan- Echinacea xhybrida Artisan™ Collection

The Age of the Artisan- Echinacea xhybrida Artisan™ Collection

Posted by John Friel on Jan 20th 2021

An artisan is one who brings both finely-honed skill and heartfelt creativity to bear on what they make. The breeders of the Artisan coneflower collection deserve the title.These are the first true F1 hybrids from seed, meaning multiple ready dates are possible. And they’re just flat-out good-looking plants with all the right qualities: Heavy flowering, compact, and uniform in flower for consistent cropping. Artisan™ Red Ombre(‘PAS1257973’)Rich red daisies age to subtle antique shades

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