June is Perennial Garden Month
Aralia ‘Sun King’, Perennial Plant of 2020
We are still in The Time of The Beast, but … who knew?
If nothing else positive comes out of this time, one truth has become self-evident:
The garden is essential
One state after the other shut down, one company after the other closed doors, one job after the other was lost. Like a belching volcano, the coronavirus was all about, essentially invisible but for the havoc it wrought. If unemployment hit 20%, if food lines included our friends, if Nieman Marcus went bust, then without doubt, horticulture was doomed.
However, a funny thing occurred on the way to ruin. A garden happened.
Who knew? It turns out while so many other things faded away, we were discovered. People who normally bought a few plants bought a few more. Folks realized this war was not going away quickly, and unable to travel, traveled to their garden. We were force-fed this thing called time – and while the generals bickered, those in the trenches used that time to plant some vegetables, herbs, flowers and trees. They went out to the local garden center, masked and gloved and bought back plants for victory gardens or their containers on the porch. If they remained closeted, instead of going to the garden center, they went online - and the Internet hummed.
I picked up the phone, or simply asked local garden centers and landscapers how they were faring. Everyone was moaning about something, nothing new there, but the moaning was colored with surprise.
“I can’t even get mulch for my jobs, so many new gardeners are buying it up.”, a local residential landscaper.
“Margarita sweet potatoes, you’re kidding - none of my annual growers have anything left!”, a local IGC
“Our calls for jobs were three times the number we had this time last year. I think people have more time to notice jobs that have been put off.”, a tree maintenance contractor.
“My online sales have gone through the roof”, a national grower
“Allan, I can’t wait to plant some tomatoes and okra this year, where do I buy soil for my new raised bed?”, my new gardening neighbor.
“Where are all these people coming from?”, this writer - who found 1900 people following him on Facebook Live during an evening walkabout through his garden.
We don’t hold a candle to the health workers who risk their lives every day treating the infected, my daughters included. Perhaps we should not compare ourselves to grocery stockers, mask makers or those producing ventilators. However, while we may not provide dollars for the rent or oxygen for the lungs, we provide something almost as important - therapy for the soul. We are essential. I just wish it didn’t take a pandemic to make us realize this.
June is Perennial Gardening Month
June is Perennial Gardening Month: So, let’s not only go gardening, let’s celebrate a few great perennials as well. Here are a few of my favorites that may still be available in the IGC or online. Much more easy-to-read information including deer pressure and cultivars for the following plants may be found on my App, “Armitage’s Great Garden Plants”.
So many more fabulous perennials ...
Which brings me to the good news – nay, The Great News!!
Herbaceous Perennial Plants 4th ed. is now available: Pre-publication information:
This is just not any book on perennials – it has been called the Bible of Perennials. That may be so, or not, but there is no doubt that it is one of the very few new references of perennials published in the last 10 years. Not only is it new, with the newest cultivars and more genera and species, it provides up-to-date nomenclature changes (is the name Dicentra or Lamprocapnos, Cimicifuga or Actaea? What do mean Joe Pye weed is no longer Eupatorium).
The new edition also provides a great deal more space for the issue of Invasive Plants and links to every state’s list of Invasives. Nomenclature and Invasives are moving targets, changing every year. So, while these lists may change, at least this book allows us to be as up-to-date as we ever have been - in a single place.
Of the many excellent reviews of this book, perhaps the one fact that the book is enjoyable to read by the professional botanist and horticulturist as well as by the amateur gardener speaks volumes to the writing style of Dr. Armitage.
Excellent information, interspersed with Dr. Armitage’s straight talk and pithy opinions have made this book a classic, this edition only makes it better.
April is National Gardening Month
A few words from the garden.
In a strange and historic time, we need to focus on what is still beautiful around us.
“I am anxious, I am scared, I am restless but I am staying put. I am fortunate to have a roof over my head, I am blessed to have a garden to enjoy, I appreciate all my friends and colleagues who understand the need for social distancing, I am dumbfounded at the stupidity of all those who don’t.
My friends and daughters (and son) are going crazy
They all have a keener appreciation of teachers, that is for sure. Heather has children, Laura has 2, and Jon has a 3-year old. As Heather states, this pandemic has proven that birth control makes sense. Staying safe is the number one priority for all parents, staying sane is a bit more of a challenge. However, this too shall pass.
For those who are reading this, I am but one voice, but I know we will get through this. I have made a video of my thoughts – here is the link – if you agree with me, then feel free to pass it on.”
The garden may be our savior, and we are all trying
Let’s understand that while we are anxious, we are not cowed. Getting outside, playing in the garden, allowing dirt to spill between our fingers and doing a little weeding is not only a pleasure but wonderfully therapeutic. Here are few of my thoughts:
Let’s support our local garden centers and nurseries.
They are part of the community, and they are trying their best to provide open spaces, outdoor cash registers and/or drive through options for plant material. They are one of the few businesses you can easily help whose products not only provide pleasure but provide long lasting gratification. Support them, please.
If you are a garden retailer and would like your company listed in a special section on our website (www.allanarmitage.net), please provide the following information:
Follow these Simple Instructions to have your Garden Center listed for FREE!
1. Provide current contact information - name, phone, address.
2. Provide your website address.
3. Provide photos of your Garden Center.
4. Tell someone why they want to visit in a short paragraph. Be creative! Take a look at other listings on the App - they are the best guides to emulate.
5. Send everything to Dr. Armitage at amarmitage123@gmail.com
Don’t Forget!
Promote the App to your customers and fans through your website, e-blasts, social media and other forms of promotion.
Places I turn to for sustenance and joy
I cannot be without my bulbs or vines
Common sense
I have done enough preaching on common sense behavior in this the time of Covid-19 so let’s enhance our outdoor experience with some common-sense gardening tips. It is spring so:
Cleaning the garden: Do the best you can, weeds are part of the garden – don’t try to be Mrs. Doubtfire
Cut out dead branches, they are simply a pain to look at. But don’t get skewed by sharp twigs or pierced by dead rose stems, of which there always seem to be more than the year before.
More tips in the next newsletter.
We are not the problem, we are the solution. Let us never forget that.
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Online classes on perennial (http://www.allanarmitage.net/online-courses)