Novalis® Plants that Work®

The following FAQ information was provided by the PR people from Novalis:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Novalis®?

Novalis®, an alliance of top annual, perennial and woody ornamental growers who market exclusively to independent garden centers, re-wholesalers and landscape professionals, is making its mark in the green industry and changing gardening for plant lovers from coast to coast. Novalis®, which means “to cultivate new ground” in Latin, is a growing power in the horticultural industry today. A national alliance of wholesale nurseries whose plants are available in almost 2,000 independent garden centers across the country, Novalis® sells distinctive, high-quality plants under its Plants that Work® brand umbrella and provides consistent marketing and merchandising power to its network. This equates to plant solutions for home gardeners everywhere.

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Two More New Plants Coming Out In 2008

In the last post, TheGardenLady reported about three plants that will be coming out in 2008, Hypericum ‘Mystical Beauty’, Philadelphus ‘Snow White Sensation’ and Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Mystical Emerald’.  Here are two more plants that are coming out in 2008, according to Novalis, the group that introduced the Double Knock Out and Pink Double Knock Out roses.

Gaillardia Commotion ‘Tizzy’

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What’s all the Commotion? Another world class introduction from Skagit Gardens: a stunning pair of  new, vibrant, fluted Gaillardias! Skagit’s very own propagator, John Dixon, is a plantsman and visionary who set out to bring red color into fluted forms of Gaillardia. His push was toward double petals with  strong garden vigor. We are thrilled to report that his breeding efforts have been met with success, and with Skagit’s help, we are able to bring you the 1st 2 introductions in the Commotion™ Series. The Series shows strong, hybrid vigor, but still has a manageable, mounding habit. The petal count per bloom is higher than other fluted forms, giving a full, almost semi-double appearance. And color: well, that indeed stirs up a flurry of Commotion™! Early in the season, both varieties offer more red and burgundy tones, with hints of yellow. By summer’s end, orange plays into the red, making these beauties naturals for fall combination plantings. Whether you plant the pair in your perennial border, or use as bold, striking container centerpieces you’re guaranteed to enjoy the incredible number of blooms all season long!

  • Deep russet-red blooms open to flowers that range from red to rosy cotta
  •  Outlined with a hint of yellow
  •  Exposure: Full Sun Spacing: 24” Height: 18-24”
  •  Water: Allow soil to dry before watering Cold   Hardiness: Zone 5

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What Are The Newest Plants This Year?

I am sure that TheGardenLady is not alone in wanting to know the newest plants developed for the garden each year.

Does TheGardenLady’s readers want to be the first in his/her area to have these new plants? Or is the gardener looking for just that special plant for just that special area in the garden – a new plant that might be deer resistant or color coordinated, like a hydrangea that changes from pale pink to emerald green, for the special garden or a  plant that grows a special height in the location planted.

To that end of being one of the first to know which plants are coming out in 2008, TheGardenLady has contacted Novalis, the group that introduced the Double Knock Out and Pink Double Knock Out roses.

Hypericum ‘Mystical Beauty’

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In recent years Hypericum has risen to the top 50 cut flower stems in the world, making it the most successful berry producing shrub ever. With the introduction of the Mystical Series, you can enjoy Hypericum that were exclusively bred for the cut flower industry in your own garden! What does this  mean? It guarantees beautifully colored fruits on perfectly branched varieties for your enjoyment whether it’s in the garden or as cuts for your home. A large red berried form, Mystical Beauty will fill your fall garden with interest and your floral arrangements with lovely colored hips! Hypericum can be used as a specimen plant or in drifts where they can truly show off. Rust resistant.

  • New rust resistant varieties
  • Bright yellow flowers in spring!
  • Salmon-pink berries are great for floral arrangements in the fall
  • Exposure: Full Sun Spacing: 3’ Average Height: 30-36”
  • Water: Well-drained soils Cold Hardiness: Zones 5-9

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Pruning Knock Out Roses

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TheGardenLady received the following question from Pat:

I have Knockout Roses that are not yet a year old – They were planted last April – They grew very fast and produced beautiful flowers all summer long and into winter – I want to know do I cut them back and if so, when, and how short do I do this – They are getting ready to start blooming again, so I really need to know quickly the answer to my questions? I live in south central Louisiana

This is the answer given by Sally Credille, a PR person from Novalis Plants that Work, a licensed grower of Pink Double Knock Out and other Knock Out Roses:

“When it comes to recommendations and suggestions for care of Knock Out roses most include comments about their ease of care and low-maintenance. I cannot speak for all Knock Out rose varieties, but it is likely that general rose care is best for these landscape shrub roses, as with any others like it. This is because they were all bred by the same man, Bill Radler, for their hardy, low – maintenance, disease – and pest-resistance attributes.

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The 2008 New Jersey Flower Show

 

Photo titled “Mossy” taken at The New Jersey Flower Show - by Corx 

Spring is almost here. So what can garden lovers across the country do before and during spring? Well, one thing is to go to the garden shows in your area or make a destination trip to one of the garden shows in an area of interest. This is the time to see flowers that you might want to grow in your garden or in your home or get landscaping ideas, and it is the best way to get an early taste of spring.

TheGardenLady is remiss in not writing this column earlier because an excellent garden show that TheGardenLady went to was the NJ Flower Show in the Conference Center in Edison, NJ.  TheGardenLady has been going to this show for many years. When I first went to this show I thought it was pathetic. But in the last few years the show has been getting better and better. And this year the show was excellent.

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Gardening In Maine Near Acadia National Park

 

Acadia National Park – Photo taken by beforethecoffee

TheGardenLady received this question from Clive:

I am a UK citizen and live in England.  Recently I purchased some waterfront land looking out towards Acadia National Park, in Down-East Maine. In the next year I hope to have an all-year-round house built on the land, which I hope to visit a few times each year. For the most part the land is wooded with some cleared areas going down to the tidal beach, with a deepish gulley as the boundary to one side of the land going down to the water. I am keen to find about any plants that I could introduce. I intend to keep the land (apart from a small grass-mowed area around the house) in a ‘wild’ state for the benefit of the plants and wild-life. Can you suggest any plants/shrubs/trees etc., that I might consider planting – given the fact that they will not be tended? The total area of land is about 7 acres. Any help that you can give would be much appreciated.

Congratulations on getting a summer home in one of the prettiest states in the US and wanting to garden there.  As a Brit. I feel certain that you will create a showplace. My suggestion would be to plant plants native to Maine. Of course, you can plant other, non-native plants, but this column will support planting native plants.

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Plants That Brighten Up The Dorm Room

 

TheGardenLady received this question from Chance.

I’m going off to university next school year, and I’d like to grow something in my dorm room (hopefully organically) to brighten things up.  I’d like to have something I can throw on salads or sandwiches and something else that’s a bit bigger (maybe flowering?)  I’m not too hot on having a bunch of vines, though…

TheGardenLady is so pleased to hear from so many college students or college bound students who plan on having plants in their dorm rooms. Nothing can be lovelier.

Because of the questions about appropriate plants that grow in dorm rooms, please let TheGardenLady direct her readers to the archives. Many plants that grow well indoors have been suggested and discussed in earlier posts.

For example What Flowering Plant is Good to Grow in a Dorm Room?. The plants mentioned in this column are favorite indoor plants like Amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus that are easy for the busy student to try.

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Planting Flowers in Maine

 

TheGardenLady received this question from Maryjane:

I summer in Maine under white and Norway pines.  The soil is acidic.  I want to plant flowers. What suggestions can you make for raised beds?

How lovely to summer in Maine and create your own flower gardens.

Your letter does not say whether you want to plant annual or perennial flowers to enjoy during the summer. Do you want a show garden or a cutting garden? Or do you want to plant flowering shrubs like azaleas, hydrangeas or roses?

There are many annual and perennial flower suggestions for flower beds. To decide what you would like that grows well in your area, it would be nice to walk around and see what is growing nicely in your neighborhood.  Besides the soil acidity,  you have to consider the amount of sun or shade where your beds will be located; so looking at your neighbors gardens or public gardens will let you know which plants are most successful and which plants you like. Since you are writing to TheGardenLady at this time, you apparently want to get an early start on choosing your plants or seeds and won’t have the time to look.

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