The Garden Gazette

The Autumn Gold Ginkgo, ‘Ginkgo biloba “Autumn Gold”, is a male cultivar (which are “fruitless”). ‘Autumn Gold’ is an all-male cultivar typically growing at maturity to 40-50′ with a symmetrical, broadly spreading habit. The Gingko tree, Ginkgo biloba, is the sole surviving species of a group of Gymnosperms that flourished 65 million years ago, the time when dinosaurs existed. Gingko trees are also called Maidenhair trees. This tree can have a lifespan as long as 1,000 years. It is the only living gymnosperm (which includes pines, firs, and spruces) that sheds its leaves during the fall. Ginkgo are not native to North America, rather they are indigenous to China, Japan, and Korea, where they may still exist in remote mountainous parts. Today the tree is often planted in cities because of its remarkable resistance to urban smog and to insect pests. The Autumn gold is grown in average, medium wet soil in full sun. They prefer moist, sandy, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including both alkaline and acidic soils and compacted soils. Also tolerant of saline conditions, air pollution and heat. Adapts well to most urban environments. No smelly fruits with this Gingko cultivar.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Redspire Flowering Pear, ‘Pyrus calleryana “Redspire”, produces beautiful large white flowers in early spring. The flowers are larger than Bradford or Aristocrat flowering pears. The leaves emerge as red/purple and then turn a glossy green with a red tinge. The leaves turn to a yellow/orange color for an awesome fall display. The Redspire Flowering Pear develops small, pea sized reddish fruits that are attractive to birds and other wildlife. The fruits are quite persistent and may hang for up to a year. This tree has many uses including lawns, buffer strips, median strip plantings, small shade tree, specimen and as a residential street tree. The Redspire provides 3 seasons of interest: spring flowers, glossy summer foliage and spectacular fall color. It is tolerant of pollution, compacted soils, restricted rooting areas, drought and heat.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

This Olde Tyme Chapel Birdhouse is perfect for bird lovers! This birdhouse is made of cypress with an antique crackle finish. Tall steeple and columns are complimented with rusty red shutters and door. The cyress roof will weather to beautiful grey patina.

Check Prices at OutdoorDecor.com

Brians favorite activity by far is bird watching. He just adores watching the birds fly by over head and he loves helping them in anyway that he can. When ever any of the Gnomes have any questions about birds they ask their resident bird watcher Brian. Cast from durable resin, Brian will be able to watch the birds with you for years to come. Stands 15inch tall. TIP: For a longer lasting color on your gnome, use an acrylic spray sealer at least twice a year.

Check Prices at Krupps.com

New Arrival Date March 2008The Gingerbread Cottage birdhouse was patterned after the original Victorian Cottage birdhouse which remains one of the most popular sellers. This is topped with pine shingles and has a removable back wall for easy cleaning. Mounting bracket included. May require some assembly.

Note: Climate and the elements will weather the house and change its appearance over time; however, weathering will add to the house’s natural charm without compromising its function.

Check Prices at Krupps.com

The Ponderosa Pine, Pinus Ponderosa, will grow on most soils including very sandy soils and sites with very little topsoil. Once established, it is very drought resistant. With good care, Ponderosa Pine trees will grow to a height of six feet in six years, starting with a 2 year old seedling. It is a tall stately tree that is widely used in windbreaks. The Ponderosa Pine is the most frequently planted of the large, long-needled native pines. The soft dark green needles, 6-10 inches long, are arranged in bundles of three. Cones are 3 to 5 inches long. It is sometimes called Western Yellow Pine or Bull Pine. This evergreen conifer tree thrives in full sun and poor soil, and it is one of the tallest and most important timber pines in the western states.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Fraser Fir Wreath is hand-crafted from premium Fraser Fir tree tips, this fragrant wreath has the blue green tones the most requested Christmas tree, and features short soft needles with silver undersides. This wreath is hand-made, is hefty and dense, weighing close to 6 pounds. Each unique wreath is dressed with REAL Michigan pine cones, hand-cut holly and REAL holly berries, and a beautiful red ribbon, attached at the top. Each wreath offers excellent needle retention and comes with a free over-the-door hanger. This wreath is 24 inches in diameter and starts shipping on November 19th.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

Our Tree Pedestal will fit right in and add some charm along with your other garden accents. The natural shape of the base in an antique finish really sets this piece apart. This pedestal fits all Rome sundials.

Check Prices at OutdoorDecor.com

The Zinnia Thumbellina, ‘Zinnia elegans’, is a charming extra dwarf Zinnia with flowers that will delight everyone who sees them. For long hot summers, nothing beats Zinnias for brilliant bloom color and long blooming period. The small 1 to 2 inch flowers range in colors including white, pink, salmon, rose, red, yellow, orange, lavender, and purple. They bloom continually from early summer through fall until first frost. Thumbellinas prefer full sun and rich, deep, well drained soil. They need to be well watered but not soggy. Plant in late spring, 2 weeks after the last average frost date. The Zinnia Thumbellina makes great cut and dried flowers. They are excellent in pots and containers.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Lettuce Leaf Salad Bowl Blend, ‘Lactuca sativa’, is one of the most heat tolerant and bolt resistant leaf lettuces available. Red Salad Bowl is absolutely beautiful. The delicate, burgundy red, deeply lobed leaves are accentuated when grown with the long, wavy leaves of green salad bowl. It looks even better when served on the table! Red Salad Bowl color is even more intense during cool weather. They do not get bitter as the temperature rises. Combine all our lettuces and greens for an incredible mesclun mix. Lettuce is a cool season annual. Successive plantings can produce lettuce spring through fall. Plant in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before the average last frost date, and successive plantings thereafter every 3 weeks until 5 weeks before fall frost. Lettuce likes light, fertile, moist, and well drained soils. They will grow in light shade. Lettuce grows well near cabbage, beets, carrots, chives, garlic, and onion.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Tulip ‘Long Lady’, ‘Tulipa single late’, a fall planted bulb, produces large and vibrant orange and yellow flowers on tall stems. Single Late Tulips finish off the tulip season. They bloom in late spring. The blooms are large, oval, almost egg-shaped, on a long, sturdy stem. Single Late Tulips are good as cut flowers, for beds, and borders. They do not require the very cold winters of many other tulips, and are a good choice for warmer climates. They have tall strong stems and well-shaped blooms.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Tulip ‘New Design’, ‘Tulipa triumph’, a fall planted bulb, is a new to our lineup this year. This variety has a pink blooms. Triumph Tulips are the largest and one of the most important class of Tulips. They come in every possible shade of color possible for tulips, including some wonderful pastels. They are particularly esteemed for their beautiful, traditional “tulip” flower shape. Triumph Tulips have sturdy stems and withstand windy weather. They are great for cut flowers and they have a long vase life. These are mid sized tulips with compact leaves and shorter flower stems. They are ideal for pots or even a spring color hedge. Triumph tulips respond well to a cooling period of six weeks in the fridge prior to planting.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.