Crocosmias for Hummingbirds

Saturday, July 31, 2010

42 degrees on the mountain and there is the feel of fall instead of what are supposed to be hot summer days. Vermont has set new records since January with 6 months in a row exceeding all heat records since weather records were started in 1880. Karl the Wonder Dog had a nice walk this morning as he likes days like this when wildlife abound. No big animals for him to see this morning but lots of tracks, cool weather and smells from early morning.

Things have been busy at the farm and days are long but never long enough to finish what needs to be done. People remind us every day as they stop that they are amazed at what the two of us have done during the past three years. That's the encouragement that keeps us going. This piece which I started on the 20th is an example though of how two gardeners can get behind real fast.

A week ago the crocosmias were stopping people in their tracks. Now the flowers are fading and customers are disappointed because we are sold out. Every year Gail increases the number of pots we plant and every year we still sell out. Lucifer is a red that catches a gardener's and a hummingbird's eye.

This is a flower that is native to the plains of southern Africa. It comes in red, pink, white and yellow colors but only this red is hardy here in Vermont. Some try to plant it where it is often damp and it doesn't do that well with wet feet. Sometimes it fails to survive the winter as a result. We have large plantings at the house that have been here for several years despite me angering Gail by digging huge clumps at times to sell to sad gardeners feeling left out because they didn't come early enough.


This plant has a corn just like a glad and in a couple years it will grow more corms and grow taller and wider. Some might say it becomes unruly but when you have the opportunity to watch hummingbirds in sizable numbers frequent your gardens each day, all day, you'll see why we grow them. This is a great plant to slide into the perimeter of fields if you have big properties. Plant it back inside regular gardens as it will exceed 3 feet tall in a couple years and look odd as a border plant.

Today starts our bare root daylily sales at the nursery so I have to get going. We clean out any daylilies that are not selling and the prices are right. These are in fact bare root as we dig the clumps, wash and separate them. Non gardeners always give me a dose of disappointment when they repeatedly ask when the expensive daylilies will go on sale. We don't sell expensive daylilies but it's always an eye of the beholder thing I guess. I still resent the way the box stores have abused plant producers, dropped prices and established an attitude that everything a farmer does should be given away for free. I got secretly mad enough the other day and I suggested to a customer in a Mercedes that she might want to work with me for a day and find out what is involved in operating a nursery. Although there was a strange sigh, her offered comment was "But I can't find these varieties any place else." "Cake and eat it too" is the part of America I'm still trying to understand. Be kind to all farmers. They are hard workers!

Right now I have to get to the nursery and get ready for another day. The sun will warm things in a couple hours and it will be a great day to pack a lunch and head into Vermont's Northeast Kingdom for the day. If you are out and about stop by in between farmers markets, summer craft or music events, and a hike or paddle. Vermont may be cool today but it's a great place every day!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where my neighbors guests--five cars and a boat-- are here for their annual weekend pilgrimage from Massachusetts. They are breaking free from sleep on unfamiliar beds and heading out for fresh air and the quiet of Vermont. They have been coming since before we moved here in '89 so I guess Vermont is more than a memory for many. Come visit!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
Find us on Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
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Daylily Fields In Color

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Just in from a morning walk with Karl the Wonder Dog. Encountered a complacent doe deer and three turkeys in the quiet of a sunrise accompanied by the morning songs of warblers I still cannot identify. The temperature hangs at 59 degrees and the humidity continues at 98% as if the instrument is broken because it's been that way for days. There's a serious storm scheduled for tomorrow but today should be ok.

I got to the nursery yesterday morning and began picking flowers right away. Gail was down and out with a cold virus and I had to keep things going. She is so much better than I am at handling multiple garden tasks under pressure but I was possessed to do a good job. Within half an hour the first thunderstorm announced itself over East Montpelier and I headed back to the safety of the office. Some people think they are impervious to lightning strikes but for us, retreat is the norm.

Before the morning showers ended there were thousands of new daylily flowers in bloom in the fields and my task of deadheading before customers arrived seemed impossible. It was. First came the berry pickers--older folks who get out early to a berry patch on Thistle Hill. When they have filled their pails and containers they head home, stopping to see our daylilies. Yesterday was on target and it's always fun to watch other drenched people arrive and leave. Sharing smiles is nice. The raspberry and blueberry picking was especially good yesterday.

There were lots of visitors and customers yesterday but a few drove off in impatience. Today Gail and I will be there most of the day and one helper should arrive around ten. If you get a chance, stop by and walk the fields and enjoy the color. We're happy to answer questions and walk with you if it's not too busy. Late afternoons and early evenings are times I'm happy to schedule a walk. See you then!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where a noisy lumber truck just passed with a load of logs. Probably heading for a mill in Maine.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
See more garden pictures on Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens

Weekend Visitors

Monday, July 19, 2010

60 degrees this morning on the mountain. An hour ago as Karl the Wonder Dog and I were walking the woods road, the stillness was disrupted by a doe deer jumping from the brush in front of us. Don't know who was the most startled but in a flash the quiet returned until just now when the ravens are making strategy for a morning of interruptive talk. They always have lots to discuss as if no one else has anything to say.

This weekend the nursery was busy as the hot weather pushed thousands of daylilies into bloom, providing color along Route 2 and entertainment for tourists. Customers appeared as soon as we opened the gates and we hardly had time yesterday to pick representative samples of each daylily and get them on display. Both days when we closed for the night, Gail and I remarked how many visitors we had and how very few people we actually knew from before.

There are many great nurseries in Vermont and no matter where you reside or visit, the distance to another nursery is not that far. We are fortunate at Vermont Flower Farm because our Route 2 location means that we are visible from travelers moving along one of Vermont's main east-west highways. Yesterday as example we had nice conversation with a family from Georgia who were bringing their 88 year old mom back to Northfield for a visit. After a discussion of daylily hardiness in Georgia, they made choices and we'll ship out their order when we know they are back home.


When you see people enter the display fields and then wander from row to row, you know questions will eventually follow. Part of running a successful gardening business is helping new gardeners with planting instructions. Gail and I try to make sure when each customer leaves they have the information they need to be successful with their new plants. No matter how long the lines were this weekend, it was apparent that this information was appreciated as we didn't encounter one example of "I'm in a rush today."



When our friend Mike volunteered to help restore Gail's 1957 John Deere 320 U tractor, he was firm that it would serve as a different form of advertising. He was right. This weekend we met a number of people who looked it over and had questions about when it was last used and did it really run. Yes, it really runs and it is going to continue to be a part of Vermont Flower Farm. It's not shiny and new but like Gail and me, it's dependable and it has an understanding of agriculture and has dirty feet.

Out and about today? Pack a lunch and some gear and head for the Northeast Kingdom. Stop for a few minutes and see the daylilies. Kinda nice!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where blue jays and crows compete for a snack at the compost pile.


George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm Place an order if you just can't visit in person!
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Daylilies Galore

Sunday, July 18, 2010

One of those "got to get going" mornings. The 98% humidity doesn't seem to leave us and the stale air clings without popularity. I have to get to the nursery and work on the tractor. Grass to mow before customers start to arrive at 8.

Today I am guessing but the field is full of daylilies in bloom and there are more varieties blooming than we have time to pick for show...well over 160. I have had so many requests for info on how and when to divide daylilies that I'll have to put something together for folks. The web is full of videos but apparently people have a thing about trust. One person advised she would look no more when a daylily video started with a woman holding up a lilium bulb. Need to get these things right. Daylilies are easy to divide but confidence is not an easy thing to encourage so I will put something together soon.

If you are out and about today, stop by and see us. No directions needed. If you are heading through Marshfield from any direction, the field of color will be apparent. Bring plenty of water for pets, hiking, paddling, picnic type gear. Plenty to enjoy here! Local newspapers like the Hardwick Gazette or Caledonian-Record have good lists of events.

I'll be back with some daylily info in a day or so. Get your shovels ready!


Writing with haste from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the doe with one fawn visits today, one ear twitching as it processes potential danger signals, one eye on the fawn.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Hot Weather & Sedums

Monday, July 12, 2010

A light fog settles in the valley near the house. Last night's 60 degrees made for better sleeping after another sticky afternoon. 98% humidity and windless is not a way to start another day at the nursery but so be it. As long as customers and visitors keep arriving, we'll lemonade and water ourselves through the day.

I have always been interested in sedums, probably from the days when my mother started one of Vermont's earliest rock gardens and plastered it with sedums that relatives brought her from New York and Connecticut. Various sempervivens, the garden hens and chicks, prevailed and people came to see them and take home a generous trowel full my mother would share via a clay pot--no plastics back then. Today the number of varieties available to gardeners is enormous and it's no longer uncommon to see them worked in with other plantings.

Here are some quick pictures of what we offer this year beginning with a couple shots of how Gail has them displayed.

Just below is Voodoo, a contrasting mix of browns and reds and greens that spreads well and contrasts nicely with river rocks, green schists and granites.

Next is Vera Jameson, a 12"-14" sedum that offers that blue gray/purple combination to counter associated blues, yellows and whites.

Matrona is a larger sedum, in the Autumn Joy class, but strong and with good seed heads later in August.
Black Jack has nice early flowers and the red in the center of each flower catches attention.

Purple Emperor darkens some as the summer progresses but is close to this picture when planted in lots of sun. I like the way the fleshy leaves always grasp rain drops as if they'll need future refreshment.
Angelina is a very easy to propagate sedum. I like to stuff pieces in and around cracks in walls. Some visitors stuff a piece into their pockets. This irritates me as farmers work hard for what they get but I leave them with the thought that they did something they should not have.

If you are interested in sedums, stop by and review what we offer. These plants are not on our website but if you can't locate them, I'm sure Gail could arrange a shipment for you. For other ideas, Debra Lee Baldwin has a couple books out and I recently picked up Hardy Succulents by Gwen More Kelaidis. The photography by Saxon Holt merited an American Horticultural Society Award and it's special!


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where neighbor Michelle just walked by with Jelly, her new puppy. Karl the Wonder Dog barked a morning hello suggesting a desire to walk with a friend. If you get a chance today, stop at Vermont Flower Farm and I'll walk down to the hosta garden with you and point out what I'm creating.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm Our website with lots of "how-to" info
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Sadly for gardeners, no one found the kokopelli plant sticker that was most obviously stuck in a fine pot of the daylily Lime Frost. The Kokopelli Challenge continues today but the secret location will change within the hour. Come visit!

Foggy Morn

Sunday, July 11, 2010

6:30 AM. Time is flying. 60 degrees, the coolest morning in over a week, 98% humidity, windless. Gail just brought Karl the dripping Wonder Dog back from a morning walk and now she is loading the truck for me to head to the nursery. Hope Mike has some eggs this morning as that one lone egg on the plate this morning has little hope of keeping me going until noon.

If you're out and about today, stop by the nursery. The heavy rains were just what the daylilies needed and they are in their glory today. We had 80 varieties on display yesterday with a bloom of each arranged on tables with name and prices for easy review. I expect that by noon today as the sun rises, additional varieties will bloom for the first time. The field is a palette that deserves a look even if you just drive by.

I had some nice pictures prepared for display here today but Blogger is up to its tricks again and nothing is uploading. The lone picture of the daylily 'Fooled Me' up top will have to serve as a reminder that we have some unusual daylilies that come with very good prices. There are over 5000 in the field ready for digging and +1500 in pots in various state of growth.

If you are interested in bee balm, monarda, Oswego tea, 'the great hummingbird attractor' stop by and see the six varieties Gail has for sale. From the short pink 'Petite Wonder' to the 5.5 foot Jacob Cline, this is a nice collection to start with. They are arranged at the entry to the shade houses with a nice hydrangea named 'White Moth'. We have 9 other hydrangeas for sale but most haven't started to set bloom yet.

We really needed the rain and factually could use some more. Bring your rain gear and head for Marshfield today. Lots to do from the Cabot Creamery to local wineries to the mountains, streams and ponds for hiking, biking or paddling.

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where I can just see the outline of a doe deer over the bank by my office window. Spooky fog right now. Carl Sandburg "The fog comes on little cat's feet" fog.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm With directions and phone numbers
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Daylilies Beckon

Thursday, July 10, 2010

A light fog holds tight to the valley below my office window as red colors the sky above the tree line. The sun pulls itself out of bed and brings with it another day of unrelentless heat and almost no customers at Vermont Flower Farm. When the heat index is running 100-104 and when the thermometer on Gail's car sitting in the parking lot registers 105, the reality of a Vermont heat wave is obvious. This hasn't occurred like this since 2002 but unlike many parts of the country, Vermont has woods and waters in which to hide and still enjoy what is otherwise a little much.

Our field of daylilies continues to mature and although the predominant color continues as yellow, this weekend is certain to begin the transformation to a rainbow of colors, save for blue, and an opportunity for gardeners to see mature plants in colors and sizes they have yet to include in their gardens. Every morning we pick one open bloom of every daylily willing to share itself with the world. We put the blooms in individual jelly jars on a table in the shed area, each jar labeled with name and price. This has proven to be an easy way for folks to see what is blooming on the day of their visit and then make choices from there. It's great for senior visitors who want new plants but find walking the gardens difficult.

I wish I had an irrigation system in place at the daylily field. The Winooski River parallels the field but getting the water in quantity to the field is something I haven't figured out yet. I am considering a pump for the tractor but that's the easy part of going that route. Everything has a price but irrigation has been on our list as watering with a hose is just not practical.

A quick walk through the field and shades of first yellow and then orange become obvious. The species daylilies shared these colors so it is obvious why they are the first to bloom. First Show, pictured just below, is a vigorous bloomer that draws early attention to your gardens. We recommend it with Lemon Lollypop for mass plantings as it is inexpensive and produces masses of color. Lemon Lollypop blooms all season so that increases its value, especially for institutional plantings such as schools, hospitals or senior community care homes where visitors might return past the same gardens time and again.

We like to add punctuation marks to our gardens and Chicago Star is a big, bright daylily that becomes a beacon from afar. Like most all the Chicago daylilies, bloom is plentiful and large and growth is vigorous with thick scapes and multiple bloom for some time.

Red is always a good seller although there are so many shades that it quickly becomes an eye of the beholder thing. Tuesday a customer asked for some recommendations for daylilies with long bloom time during early July through mid August when she is in Vermont at her camp. I included some reds in my list and then she said she was different than others and did not like red. So be it!

Some of our earlier reds are not as bright as some might like but the muted reds works so well with other plants. Here are Red Rum and Jeune Tom which might seem pale until matched with some blue, lavender or purple delphiums, some Magnus echinacea and a few helianthus. Suddenly the "pale" becoming striking and the balance is complimentary.


I have always liked Ruby Throat, named after the hummingbird, which comes on a little later here. Tall, straight scapes with lots of flowers makes me happy and it is a red that is strong. This year Gail picked up Prairie Wildfire, shown up top, and I have to say this is a match for me. Good substance, nice throat, and a strong red, bold and earlier than Ruby Throat and something to consider. Unfortunately my opinion is shared by many and other than this picture, I'm not sure there will be any left for sale by tonight. Next year is always a different story.


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where Mrs Turkey just brought out 6 maybe 8 kids for me to see. This was a late hatch as the little kids are having trouble with the grass in the field that hasn't been cut in two weeks. There must be some insects hatching as I can see mom pecking away even from my desk. Life, even on hot days, is good. Take good care of yourself, you friends, seniors, kids and animals today!


George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm A website that makes preparing for a visit to see daylilies a bunch easier
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Kokopellis Have Arrived!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Been trying to get going since 4:30 this morning but there has already been a series of interruptions. "Someone" put the trash as far as the back steps last night and the bear family have it scattered with indignity from here to the road. Not their fault, and the trash recollector, Gail, is out there right now using uncomplimentary words pointed towards the ground as she bends and picks, bends and picks. Heck of a way to start a Sunday in Vermont!

Yesterday was a fun day at the nursery. I was there early as were the first customers, a couple heading to their camp on one of the Averill lakes up north. That's a beautiful part of Vermont and a place I wouldn't mind being today as the heat increases. It's already 66 degrees here so today will be well into the 80s I am sure. They purchased some astilbes that Gail has on sale now and said they'll stop on the way home next week for a Japanese lilac to plant at their Montpelier home.

When Gail and I work together we try to use each others skills to best benefit. There are some gardens I can plan for people but sometimes the color combinations that someone has in mind are too difficult for me to get right and I turn things over to Gail as I head into the garden to dig daylilies or cash people out. Only once in a while does someone from out of the area show impatience and although we try to accommodate people as they come along, we have an expectation that everyone should show some respect and calm down for just a bit. The world spins fast enough without trying to suggest you're more important than the next person.

With great excitement, the kokopellis arrived yesterday, delivered in the back of a pick up from some friends on the hill. If you are not familiar with kokopellis, they are said to be fertility deities from the American Southwest who overlooked agriculture, childbirth and rain. I have always been interested in kokopellis and have always been surprised that it took so long for them to be used as garden art. Perhaps 5 years back I found some beautiful sand blastings by Chris Cleary in Jericho and I have been looking for someone with metal skills to cut some for our gardens and for sale. Finding success is fun!

When you work with metal and an unfamiliar topic, there is an evolution involved. The three kokopellis shown here are about 4 feet tall, they are made from thick steel and they have a sharpened re-bar spike on the bottom for setting in the garden. The first three are each different, two are peacock house green and one is geranium red. The colors are satin finished to work well with any garden colors. We will probably have another on display that's unpainted so you can finish them off your self.

As we work along with these, we may change the flute size or the length of the hair or the shape of the body but pretty much what you see is what we have. If you are interested, we can discuss the pricing and explain how to order from us. Probably the two biggest lessons I have learned is the price of good steel and how it is sold and the workings of plasma cutters which use electricity to cut by melting very fine cuts. The end product is primed and then painted and they really do add a musical quality to an otherwise silent garden. Many products of garden art are mass produced in China now but these are sketched, cut and prepared by a friend here in Marshfield where life is guaranteed and the freedoms of Independence Day prevail.

Like our flowers, I love our new garden neighbors, the kokopellis, and I have an even greater respect for the skill of my friend down the road, her interest and her new found plasma cutter skills. Come visit Vermont Flower Farm soon and consider ordering a kokopelli for your garden. They really are imaginatively musical!


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the sound of last night's fireworks has calmed to the bullying sound of two ravens discussing to gets the end of a loaf of crusty, stale bread that tops the compost pile.

If you're out and about today stop by and see the hostas Gail has on sale as well as her 3/$15 astilbe sale with +50 varieties on sale. Good time to visit, great time to get into the country where it's cooler.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Help us spread the word about good gardens, great flowers!

Daylily Opportunities

James Marsh now in bloom

Friday, July 2, 2010

Last night's temperature dipped to an even 40 degrees after scaring vegetable growers the way it dropped as the sun set. This morning is quite a contrast. As the sun is pulling itself up above Peacham Pond, we are already up to 48 degrees. The sunshine yells at me "Get going, George. Get going, George!" as there is so much to do today. Even the raucous ravens at the compost pile are using inappropriate language to try to get me started today. Among other things, today's 70 degree high will have to be savored as by Monday it will be +90 and not so pleasant.

Blogger is on temporary strike today and images won't load from here. I'll catch up tonight. The daylilies at Vermont Flower Farm are heavily budded and yesterday there were 21 varieties in some stage of bloom. The rising temperature after a couple inches of rain will flower many this weekend so if you are out and about, you'll notice the color at 2263 US Rt 2 Marshfield even if you don't stop.

I always refer folks to our website, http://vermontflowerfarm.com to see what we have for daylilies. The images are fair to good and the descriptions are above average for sure. What I am noticing is how many daylilies we offer that never made it to the site. If you have something in an older daylily that you're looking for and don't find it with us, just ask away because it might be hidden in one of the rows. There are over 5000 daylilies in the field for digging, 2000 potted and who knows how many still at the house, yet to be moved.

Every year Gail adds to what we offer and for the sake of time I'll just list out some of those new additions. Most of these are available in pots but some are growing in the garden. Included this year are: August Frost, Bama Bound, Black Eyed Susan, Duke of Earl, Eyes of Fury, Inwood, Just Plum Happy, Modern Design, My Sweet Rose, Prairie Wildfire, Red Razzmataz, Siloam Peony Display, Spiritual Corridor, Velvet Thunder and Woodside Romance. Of these, Prairie Wildfire has been out for three days and it is one of the best reds that Gail has ever brought in. Having said that, if you stop by today it might not be in bloom but it's still a worthwhile purchase.

As Independence Day approaches remember what America is all about. Anyone, any day, can find something to complain about but never forget our freedoms. No one will ever tell you what daylily to plant, what daylily book you can/cannot read, what nursery you can visit, what day you can make visits, what words you can share. That's part of why I live here.



Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the truck needs to be unloaded before I start a new day. Ugh! But the sun is making me smile. Hope to see you this weekend. Travel with care.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm & Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

PS: Any birders out there? I have a woodpecker id question that is bothering. Ask me.