Bright Columbine Thoughts

Monday, December 20, 2010

Almost 8 PM. 13.9° here on the mountain and very dark. Very much unlike a full moon and for sure we will never get a chance to see the lunar eclipse at 2 AM. Gail and Alex are very happy as they knew I would probably suggest we get up and take a look as we have done in the past. This much cloud cover will never change and even I will not hope to snap some images now. If any of you in other parts get some good images, think about sharing.

Received an email yesterday asking for pictures of the columbine we offered for sale this year. When we potted them up, I wondered how they would advance because it snowed shortly after we started potting. Just the same, they all came out and most all sold before the end of the season. High bud count and very good height. Also a hummingbird magnet!

If you haven't tried columbine in a while, take a look at the new varieties. Lots of hybridizing since the days of the smaller, wild, red Aquilegia canadensis I met when I first learned to garden in Vermont.



Writing in haste from the mountain above Peacham Pond where I wish my stack of Christmas greetings was smaller than what's left.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
Social networking available at Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa. On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Gift certificates still available with just a call to Gail. 802-426-3505. Homemade certificate with a color photo of one of our gardens. Nice if you cannot make up your mind.

A Little Different Day

Monday, May 31, 2010

A hazy morning here on the mountain as the sun pulls slowly to the top of Hooker Mountain casting orange rays on the fields below. Hard to believe that on April 28th, barely a month ago, Vermont Flower Farm was under 18" of snow and the prospects for an early spring were icy cold.


Karl the Wonder Dog and I had a great walk this morning although I made him stop for a minute so I could sit on the boulder bench and watch the sunrise. His sniffer was working overtime as a bear had passed between the boulder and the woods line last night and its scent was still obvious.

I have a ton of things to do at the nursery today and have a new person starting in a couple hours. Sarah will try her hand at finishing off the millions of undone tasks within the new shade garden and I just hope that she is the independent worker I think she is. Oddly, many people who apply for jobs cannot work by themselves and without constant chit chat from companions, they fall into a slower than slow pace which drives the guy paying the bills kind of nutty. I shouldn't generalize but fact is you need to be able to make this observation when hiring. All jobs do not take two or more people to be completed.

Today is Memorial Day. I remember our past and the men and women who have given of themselves to get America to where it is. I remember every day and I am thankful. Our family has given its share but everything has a price. My uncle George died at Normandy, an uncle lost to Cambodia, and my dad on the USS Kearny almost didn't make it as his ship was torpedoed in the North Atlantic even before WW II started. More members of our family including my son Adam, were in the Navy but all the services were covered. I recall my grandmother's stories of serving as a nurse and tracking possible west coast invasions during off duty time. Everyone played a role.

Today at the nursery we have a number of nice columbines either blooming or starting to bloom. 'Blue and White' is really purple and white to Gail and me but flowers abound and it is a very nice front-of-the-border plant or rock garden plant. It works well, especially during Memorial Day, with the red 'Songbird Cardinal' that is about the same height. Gail noticed that we have a few cardinals in the brush along the Winooski River and the color is a tad different. If you stop by today, these are displayed just in front of the office building.

The hostas are especially good and with over 2000 pots to choose from, you should be able to find one of over 250 varieties to fit with your gardens. Ask me about planting and care if you are new to this plant.

Have to get going here. Temperature and humidity will rise sharply today in anticipation of tomorrow's thunderstorms. Enjoy today and stop by if you are in the area.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens as well as my personal page: George Africa
No tweets today but on twitter as vtflowerfarm