Dear Gardening Friends: Another year begins and it promises to be the most challenging we have have had for many years. The drought issue is one of grave concern for the whole state. As some of you know, this is a sideline business for John and I; we both work full time to support what we hoped would one day become a self-supporting business. At the end of last year, which proved to be very expensive for us, we discussed closing the business knowing full well that the coming year would be equally as bad if not worse for anyone in the gardening, landscaping and lawn business. However, the joy that we get from sharing our love of plants, the pleasure of meeting and talking with such wonderful people has encouraged us to persevere another year. We have searched for more drought tolerant plants, desert plants and grasses as well as new and exciting plants ( I will detail some of these items in the news letter) . We have close to 300 new varieties we are trying for the first time as well as another 300 varieties we have grown before at one time or another. We are also doing our 100 tomato varieties (65% Heirloom). We think our hanging baskets will be even better this year with the addition of some new discoveries. Remember, anyone that lives in a city/town/district that allows watering once or twice a week will be able to plant and establish flowers. A non- Xeriscape plant requiring average watering requires only 1 inch of water a week after it is established. At the time that I write this, only Aurora has forbidden any new plantings of any sort. Any plant requiring average water will be able to survive and become drought tolerant. We have encouraged our lawns and gardens to be thirsty by over-watering and even when the rains come again (and they will) we need to remember the lessons we have learned during these drought years. At any rate, we look forward to this year with both excitement, dread and a real sense of challenge. Mary and John

2003 PLANT SELECT This cooperative program, administered by the Denver Botanic Garden and Colorado State University has announced the 2003 selections of plants recommended as the best plants for gardens from the high plains to the inter- mountain region. They are: Gazania Krebsiana, Geranium ''Laveta Lace'. Heuchera sanguinea 'Snow Angel', Jamesia Americana, Paxistima Canbyi, Veronica 'Reavis' CRYSTAL RIVER, and Viola corsica. We are very fortunate to have found a source of all of these plants and are growing them. We also have most of the plants recommended from the previous years.

LAVENDER We have a 16 varieties of Lavenders. They proved to be excellent drought tolerant plants last year and we have found 2 new Lavandula angustifolias; 'Buenta Vista' and 'Cynthia Johnson'; 2 new Lavandula x intermedia; 'Super' and 'Alba'; and one new houseplant Lavandula stoechas 'Kew Red'.

DAYLILIES We have 24 varieties of daylilies this year (it was difficult to chose this few since there have been over 30,000 varieties named and introduced this century. This was another plant that did exceptionally well last year. Once daylilies are established, they seem to keep going with minimum care year after year. They are tolerant of a wide range of soils, love sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun each day), and can withstand drought conditions (you may notice decreased numbers of blooms and smaller bloom sizes, but who cares when they will survive to bloom another day). We have tried to get a variety of colors and patterns as well as sizes and bloom seasons (we try to get as many rebloomers as possible). We have selected some small flower and miniatures (16-24") for those of you limited in garden space or wish to plant day lilies in containers. We have red, lavender, purple, orange, yellow, doubles, and plants with contrasting eyes.

2003 PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE YEAR The Perennial Plant Association Plant of the year is Leucanthemum 'Becky', An exceptionally long-lived plant. This reliable shasta daisy has large single white daisies on stout stems for cutting.

ROSES Last year, we had so many requests for more own-root roses that we looked for and found some new varieties, some heir- loom and some smaller varieties. We have six antique roses, four miniature roses (not the tiny ones you see at the grocery stores) and three Meidiland shrub roses. Own-root roses tend to be more hardy, both to cold and to drought. At this time, I do not know if, when, or what Jackson-Perkins Roses may be available from the other greenhouse on site. The heirloom roses are ‘Baronne Prevost’ bred in 1842, bright pink, ever so slightly shaded with lilac; ‘Ferdinand Pichard’ dating from 1921, crimson and white striped; Gruss an Aachen from 1909 creamy white, but can just as often range through blush, soft pink and salmon, the American Rose Society lists it as one of only five roses specifically mentioned as tolerant of shade; Mme. Isaac Pereire introduced in 1881, dark, raspberry-purple, heavily fragrant; ‘Paul Neyron’ from 1869, deep, glowing lilac- tinted pink; and Reine des Violettes , 1860, violet-red. All were chosed for their fragrance and re-blooming capabilities. The miniature roses grow from 12 to 18 inches tall and are excellant for small spaces and in containers. We have 2 new colors of the Meidiland roses that we did not have last year.

PEONIES We are offering 4 peonies this year after several years of not growing them. After seeing how well they did last year in our neglected garden, we felt sure they were an excellent choice for the tough times to come this year. An old-fashioned favorite, they are certainly tougher than they look. The 4 varieties are ‘Catharina Fontijn' light pink and white, ‘Edulis Superba’ bright mauve-pink, ‘Pecher’ fragrant white edged in red, and ‘Red Magic’ pure red.

CLEMATIS Another plant we are growing again is everyone's favorite vine, the clematis. We are offering ‘Florida Sieboldii’ 3" white flowers with purple stamens, ‘Minuet’ a small-flowered variety offering no fewer than 3 colors (white, light green and purple) in heavy abundance, ‘Princess Alexandra’ pale purple red with a violet purple central stripe, ‘Rhapsody’ sapphire blue, '‘Rouge Cardinal’ rich crimson, and Clematis terniflora - Sweet Autumn Clematis a small flowered fragrant plant to cover eyesores as well as a trellis.

TOMATO PLANTS

101 VARIETIES

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

 AMISH PASTE

AMISH SALAD

ANNA RUSSIAN

AUNT RUBYS GERMAN GREEN

BANANA LEGS

BETTER BOY

BLACK CHERRY

BLACK FROM TULA

BOX CAR WILLIE

BRANDYWINE

BRANDYWINE, RED

CARBON

CARMELLO

CASPIAN PINK

CELEBRITY

CELEBRITY,BUSH

CHEROKEE PURPLE

COSTOLUTO FIORENTINO COSTOLUTO GENOVESE DEBARAO

DRUZBA

EARLY GIRL

EARLY GIRL, BUSH

ELBERTA PEACH

EVA PURPLE BALL

FIREWORKS

FOURTH OF JULY

GARDEN PEACH

GARDNER'S DELIGHT

GERMAN

GERMAN QUEEN

GIANT VALENTINE

GOLDEN QUEEN

GOLIATH

GOLIATH, BUSH

GRANDMA MARYS PASTE

GRANNY SMITH

GRAPETTE

GREAT WHITE

GREEN ZEBRA

HUSKY GOLD

ILDI

ISIS CANDY

JELLY BEAN

JERSEY DEVIL

JOLLY

JUANE FLAMMEE

JULIET

KALMAN'S HUNGARIAN PINK

LEMON BOY

LIME GREEN SALAD

LIMONY

MANITOBA

MATINA

MEXICO

MORTGAGE LIFTER

MOSKVICH

NEPAL

NORTHERN LIGHTS

OLD IVORY EGG

OMAR'S LEBANESE

OPALKA

OREGON SPRING

OXHEART

PANTANO ROMANESCO

PERSIMMON

PINK PINK PONG

POLISH

POLISH LINGUISA

PORTER

PRINCIPE BORGHESE

PRUDENS PURPLE

REIF RED HEART

RIESENTRAUBE

ROMA

ROSE DE BERNE

RUSSIAN ROSE

SAN MARZANO REDORTA

SIBERIA

SILVERY FIR TREE

SIOUX

STRIPED GERMAN

STUPICE

SUGAR LUMP

SUN GOLD

SUPER SWEET 100

SWEET BABY GIRL

SWEET CLUSTER

TANGERINE

TAXI

THESSALONIKI

TIGER-LIKE

TOMMY TOE

TUMBLER

UKRAINIAN PEAR

VALENCIA

VIOLACEUM KRYPNI-ROZO

WONDER LIGHT

YELLOW PEAR

ZAPOTEC PINK RIBBED

GRASSES

This year we are growing 25 varieties of grasses, both short and tall. In nature grasses are an integral part of every scene - fields, roadsides, streamsides, sand dunes and even in the shadowy depths of woodlands. Grasses may be annuals or perennials; short or tall; spring or fall flowering; prolific self-seeders or sterile; invasive spreaders or well-behaved clump-formers. In the garden, ornamental grasses not only fit in with most designs but also can accentuate the visual impact of a garden. Use short clump-forming varieties as edging plants. Tall varieties are effective background plants or are striking when used alone in islands set in lawns. The one we are most excited about is a new buffalo grass as a lawn replacement called Legacy. We also have a new blue fescue called 'Boulder Blue' which was developed in Colorado and a new fescue named 'Golden Toupee' for reasons that will be obvious when you see it growing. We have some colorful grasses such as purple muhley grass and a wood rush named 'Ruby Stiletto'. We try to provide a wide variety of color, height, and texture; I think we have succeeded this year.

BUCHLOE dactyloides 'Legacy'®

New low growing, vegetatively produced female clone is a perfect choice for lawn areas. Blades are narrow and soft, making an ideal turf. Developed through years of research by the University of Nebraska, Legacy® buffalo grass offers an exciting new dimension in turf maintenance. Thrives on only 1/4" of water per week compared with most other turfgrasses that require 1 to 1 1/2" per week. The root system extends several feet deep, giving Legacy® the ability to go several weeks without watering. Grows to a maximum height of 4-6" in most environments and has a slow vertical growth habit. For a manicured turf, you may want to mow once every two to three weeks. For a natural look, leave the grass unmowed. It is recommended that you mow it at least once a year in early spring. Can be established using plugs after the last frost in spring until about one month before the first expected hard freeze in the fall. Plugs establish quickly. This selection is a real breakthrough!

DESERT PLANTS 

We have found a source of desert plants that we are trying for the first time this year. In addition to some hardy Agave and Yucca, we will have red Hesperaloe (commonly called red yucca). I have been trying to find a reasonable source of this plant for years. It is gorgeous in the landscape. We are also growing some desert/tropical plants for your house. We will have 2 types of prickly pear cactus, a partridge-breast aloe, and a bougainvillea. These plants will do well as accent pieces on your patio and overwinter inside your home.

BUTTERFLY BUSH This plant did so well last year that we increased the number of plants we are growing this year. We have 9 colors, only 2 are repeated from last year. We will have new 'Black Knight', 'Guinevere', 'Orchid Beauty', 'Potter's Purple', 'Silver Frost', ''Harlequin', and 'Honeycomb'. We are repeating the 'Royal Red' and Budleia alternifolia argentea which is the silver butterfly bush from the Plant Select program.

SEDUMS This year I went crazy with sedums, probably because we know how well they do in poor soils, drought conditions and burning sun (sound familiar to anyone?). We have 19 kinds of sedum. We have both short and tall and many different colors. I am especially excited about 3 of the new varieties. 'Angelina' is a low grower in a golden yellow color. I think it would look great in a rock garden along with the new 'Golden Toupee' fescue grass for a bright knock-your-socks-off spot of color. 'Green Expections' is a tall variety with greenish flowers in the late summer over blue-green leaves. Another new introduction is 'Purple Emperor'. It is also a tall variety with the darkest purple leaf color to date (my favorite color). I am picturing it planted with silver foliage plants and blue flowering plants. What do you think?

NEWS FLASH Boulder Farmers Market starts Sat. April 5 to Nov. 1 Wednesday hours start May 14 to Oct. 1 Wednesday hours changed to 4 p.m to 8 p.m.

HOSTAS ARE BACK We are growing hostas again for your shade garden. We have 6 varieties, all in a different variegation and several different shapes. Try a mixture of these plants with the spotted pulmonarias and hardy ferns for a shade garden that will be interesting to look at all season long without depending on the short flowering period of shade perennials.

CATALOG The tomato catalog is ready as John goes to the Boulder market in April. The plant catalog is still a work in progress. It is so large that I am in the process of editing it down. Even so, the cost to print might prove to be prohibitive. If we do have to charge the cost of the catalog to you, it will be refundable with your first purchase.

SITTING AREA/LIBRARY For those of you who did not make it out to the greenhouse last year, the sitting area that we have been working on part time is getting close to being finished. We will be taking our extensive plant library out to the greenhouse when we open. You are welcome to come visit and look around and use the books to get ideas or answers to questions. I promise I will not harrass you into buying anything (at least too much) if you just want to take a drive and sit around and relax and study. John and I usually sit there at closing time and go over our respective days. If you are nearby at the end of the day, we invite you to share this quiet time with us and let us know how your garden is faring this year.

ATTENTION DENVER PLANT LOVERS After much painful deliberation, we have decided we will be unable to attend the Cherry Creek/City Park markets this year. With the severity of Denver's water restrictions along with the significant cost increase of the Denver markets, we feel that we must sit out this year. We will be in Denver on June 6 and 7 at an event sponsered by the Botanic garden. We don't have complete details. Please come by to visit with us in Denver and come by our greenouse in Lyons. Make a day of it by either taking a drive in the mountains and wind up at the greenhouse, or make it a shopping day in Lyons or eat at one of the many fine restaurants in Lyons before returning to Denver.