The latest dirt from...
Dirty Hands Garden Center!
November/December 2001
"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time."
--Anna Freud
We are greatly remiss in just now
producing another newsletter, and we apologize. World events, along
with daily living, have produced the delay. Rest assured we have never
waivered in our commitment to you, our valued patrons. Amidst all the
chaos, the gardens have brought many rewards. Summer has melted into
Autumn, and several varieties have become standouts, with regards to
hardiness as well as excellent color and/or texture for the
transitional garden:
- Dianthus "Velvet 'n Lace"
exhibits double maroon flowers with a white picotee edge over grassy
green foliage. Needs good drainage and prefers full sun to light shade.
It reaches 10-12 inches in height, is drought tolerant (once
established) and evergreen. Zone 4
- Sedum spectabile "Neon"
is not your usual sedum. While at first glance it resembles "Autumn
Joy" it sets itself apart with bright pink (neon) rounded flower
clusters over pale green foliage. It prefers full sun and well-drained
soil. It remains compact and grows to about 18 inches. Zone 3
- Clematis paniculata,
or "Sweet Autunmn" is not the run-of-the-mill clematis, either. It is a
hardy perennial vine that prefers mostly sun, but this wonder is
semi-evergreen and produces an abundance of small white fragrant blooms
in the fall, at a time when most plantings are on the wane.
Additionally, the open seed heads provide excellent winter interest. It
requires little or no pruning and will reach an impressive 8-12 feet.
- Aronia arbutifolia, or "Chokeberry",
native to Eastern North America where it is a common understory shrub,
this species grows to six feet with many vertical stems forming
spreading clumps. White flowers in the spring are followed by bright
red berries in the fall and early winter, popular with birds. Naroow,
oval leaves turn bright red in fall-this is best in"Brilliant" (also
listed as "Brilliamtissima") Zone 4-9
Camellias are a wonderful way to bring color and an air of
festivity to your late fall/early winter garden. Despite their delicate
appearance, they are remarkable hardy, require little care, and provide
much pleasure. They are evergreen, prefer a protected northern
exposure, and good drainage. Camellia Sassanqua blooms in the fall, and
the flower forms range from single to Formal double. They range in
height from 4 to 8 feet, and are useful as holiday decorating accents
within the home, as well. Our favorites include:
- Cleopatra: Medium, semidouble with rose pink, wavy petals. It has an upright growth, about 6 x 6.
- Setsugekka: Medium to large, semidouble flower form with fluted petals. Vigorous, upright growth, about 8 x 4.
- Yuletide: Small, single flower form. Slow, compact, upright growth, suitable for containers. Average size 6 x 4.
As the holidays roll upon us, we are pleased to announce the
arrival of numerous items, suitable for gift giving, for yourself or
others. Included in the bounty are fabulous millstones!
These are accurately reproduced, using solid granite. They are
available in a variety of colors, patterns, and dimensions. They make
quite a statement, as a work of art, focal point, in the water garden,
as stepping stones, imbedded in a patio---use your imagination!
We are also pleased to have acquired a limited number of genuine solid oak wine barrels.
These originated in either France or Germany, and were used to ferment
several varietals, including Cabernet and Merlot. They are "intact",
and may be used as rain barrels, upright water gardens, tables, or cut
in half as planters. Again, you are limited only by your own
creativity.
With that in mind, we hope you will join us as we kick off the holiday
season with our annual Holiday Open House. It will be held on Saturday,
November 24, from 12-4 pm. Expect lots of fun, including refreshments,
special sales, lots of ideas, and perhaps a wild animal or two.
Additionally, our signature pottery will be available, in exclusive
designs made for Dirty Hands. We will have raffle tickets available for
a small tree decorated with original pieces, among other items.
Proceeds will benefit our Relay for Life Team. PLEASE COME!
However you celebrate, we wish each and everyone of you a joyous
holiday season, filled with much laughter, many friends, and happy
memories.
As always, your input is both encouraged and appreciated. Your
support is cherished. Thank you, for choosing Dirty Hands Garden
Center! Woo-hoo!
Folks, please remember to ALWAYS bring plant and bug samples in a plastic bag.
It is very important that everyone be aware of the possibility of contaminating businesses, homeowner properties, and the Earth in general (think of it as a horticultural condom).
THANK YOU!
As always, all information given in the newsletter and on the website in general apply primarily to the zone 7/partial zone 6 regions of Virginia.
There are many new and fabulous things in store for you, at Dirty Hands Garden Center.
We always appreciate your suggestions and opinions. Please feel free to contact us directly
at Dirty Hands Email.
Or, better yet, come see us in person!
Woo-Hoo!
Peace out.
Rock forward.
Newsletter Archive:
As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact us directly, either through the contact form, or by calling 804-598-8945, or visiting us at 2603 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA. 23139
(This information pertains to the greater Richmond, Va. area and may vary slightly with each locality).
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