Over The Garden Fence: Blogs From The Merrifield Garden Center Team

By Kevin Warhurst, Manager

“Dirty old street all slushed up in the rain and snow
Little boy and his ma shivering outside a rundown music store window
That night on top of a Christmas tree shines one beautiful star
And lying underneath a brand-new Japanese guitar.”

These are the opening lyrics to a song called “The Wish” by Bruce Springsteen, my favorite artist. This is a beautiful song that Springsteen wrote years ago about his mother and how she positively influenced his life.

Every time I hear this song, I think of my own mom, Billie Jean Warhurst. She means more to me and my family than she could ever imagine. When I think back to all the wonderful Christmases we’ve enjoyed together through the years, it was mom who made them special.

As anyone who knows her can attest, my mom is a kind and loving person who genuinely cares about people and their well being. She’s always there to offer a kind word or lend a helping hand. And if that weren’t enough, she also makes awesome iced tea, delicious home-cooked meals and gives the absolute best hugs in the world!

While shopping here at the nursery over the years, many of you have no doubt met my mother. She’s been here since the beginning, right by the side of my father, Bob Warhurst, as he and the Williams family started Merrifield Garden Center over 40 years ago.

My mom worked and tended to the kids, just like his mom did. The song continues…

“I remember in the morning ma, hearing your alarm clock ring
I’d lie in bed and listen to you getting’ ready for work
The sound of your makeup case on the sink
And the ladies in the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustlin’ skirts
And how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work.”

My mom still works here every day, making the world a little brighter for all of us who come in contact with her. Even after all these years, I can’t think of anyone who works harder than her. Heck, even my dad will tell you that. And, so by default, I guess that makes him the second hardest-working person in the world!

Mom’s always happy to do whatever needs to be done, whether it’s stocking shelves, ordering bulbs, assisting customers or sweeping the floors. And, of course, she always does it with a smile!

My dad’s a remarkable man with an incredible story. He grew up dirt poor in rural Alabama and saw first hand how tough life could be. So at the tender age of 15, he decided to leave home to build a better life. He came to Northern Virginia, got a job as a bricklayer, met my mother and started a family.

And just like in the song, it was a mom and a dad that worked together to build a life and raise a family…

“If pa’s eyes were windows into a world so deadly and true
You couldn’t stop me from looking, but you kept me from crawlin’ through
And it’s a funny old world, mama, where a little boy’s wishes come true
Well I got a few left in my pocket and a special one just for you.”

Although they were busy building Merrifield Garden Center from the ground up, my mom and dad always had time for us and made sure all our needs were met. We’ve always had lots of fun together, and we still do today.

My dad often worked seven days a week, just as he does now. It was mom who was there to raise us, feed us, teach us, drive us, love us, guide us and inspire us. Dad’s loving but firm hand was perfectly tempered by mom’s sweet Southern voice and warm, loving embrace.

Billie Jean is a great mother, wife, grandmother, sister, friend, co-worker and role model. She raised us to be good people - and in the process set a perfect example for us to raise our own children.

How can you even begin to express your gratitude to such a person and let them know how much they’ve meant to you?

“It ain’t no phone call on Sunday, flowers or a mother’s day card
It ain’t no house on the hill with a garden and a nice little yard
I got my hot rod down on Bond Street, I’m older but you’ll know me in a glance
We’ll find us a little rock ‘n roll bar and baby we’ll go out and dance.”

Well, I guess we must each find our own way of doing that. Since the song finishes with Bruce singing to his mom in the kitchen, I guess for him it was about giving back the gift of music that she in a sense had given to him. But for me – someone who doesn’t possess any musical talent – I guess a kiss and hug will have to suffice.

As we celebrate this holiday season and take time to appreciate all the wonderful blessings in our lives, I have many wishes that I’d like to extend. But my first Christmas wish goes out to my mother, Billie Jean.

She gave us life, she gave us love and she always gave us her all!

We love you mom! All of your kids - Debbie, Rob, Larry, Donny and I – wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy future that continues to be filled with all the things you love.

By David Yost, Plant Specialist

Careful observation of change and events in our gardens is one of the most enjoyable and important experiences in our gardening lives.

Watching the dramatic changes as forests and gardens turn from shades of green to yellow, red, orange and burgundy is always exciting. It can also be a bit disconcerting as this reminds us that the days are getting shorter, colder and winter is on the way.

That’s OK. We need winter to rest and restore ourselves to get ready for the following spring.

To me, it seems as though the fall color hasn’t been as intense this season as it was in previous years. In 2009 and ’10, the weather was very dry as we approached fall and this stress seemed to make the fall colors brighter. This year we’ve enjoyed ample rain since September, which has been great for our plants, but the colors are a bit muted.

Observing changes like this is interesting and we can try to use this information along with experience and judgment in managing our gardens.

During the past two summers, we’ve experienced record-breaking heat and prolonged dry spells. In the winter, we’ve seen back-to-back blizzards, very cold temperatures and now snow even before Halloween! I have lived in Virginia my entire life and the weather has always been erratic, but the past few years it does seem to be getting more pronounced. I’m certainly not qualified to comment on the circumstances of climate change, but it is changing the way I garden.

This past year I planted an assortment of Elephant ears and the hotter it got - the faster they grew! I’m using gardenia, previously only for Southern gardens, as one of the feature plants in a new bed.

Although the trend of using tropical and Southern plants started many years ago in our region, I’ve been reluctant to incorporate this into my own gardening. Of course, the real trick to this is how to get these plants through the winter, which also seems to be getting more extreme.

We accept crape myrtles, Southern magnolias and camellias as common landscape plants. However, when I started gardening 35 to 40 years ago, these plants were considered marginal for our region. Plant breeding and selection have improved their cold hardiness, and now we’re seeing the same thing happening with loropetalum, gardenias, rosemary and many others.

I still rely on coneflower, summer phlox, butterfly weed and Joe-pye weed for summer color, but love the option of including heat tolerant Southern and tropical plants.

Now my Elephant ears have been dug and are being prepared for winter storage. In the weeks ahead, I’ll provide some extra winter protection for the gardenia. I’m finding the extra work of preparing these plants for winter is more than compensated by the beauty and easy of care they offer during the growing season. I’ve been converted.

It’s always fun to try something new. I encourage everyone to come into Merrifield Garden Center for ideas and inspiration. Attend the seminars, look around at the displays, check out the plants. I’m sure you will find something you have NEVER seen before. We’re always changing.

As the seasons, the climate and the plants all seem to be changing around me, two things come to mind. Who says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks and it’s all good!

By Kevin Warhurst, Manager

Greetings! I hope you’re all enjoying your summer.

OK, so it’s been a little on the hot and humid side this summer, but hey, this is the Washington area. We may not get Minnesota summers and Florida winters – but we also don’t get Minnesota winters and Florida summers.

So we look on the bright side and graciously accept our beautiful mid-Atlantic seasons just as they are. Because as gardeners, we know that each season brings its own unique challenges, opportunities and rewards.

After all, spring is nice, but the pollen is not. And summer may be hot, but those tomatoes, peppers and basil you grew in your garden sure were tasty!

To tell you the truth, summer is actually one of my favorite seasons. For me, summer means going to the beach, having the kids home from school, playing some golf and enjoying the somewhat slower pace.

But it’s also a great time to enjoy the garden. There’s nothing quite like having friends and family over for a cookout on a nice summer evening and enjoying all the beautiful colors that come alive at this time of year.

Whether it’s hydrangeas (hopefully you read about all the many beautiful varieties in Robert Woodman’s last blog), crape myrtles or Knockout roses, these plants kindly show off their brilliant colors just when we have a little more time in our lives to appreciate them.

Yeah, summer is good.

But summer is also quickly coming to a close and here at the nursery we’re gearing up for the fall season. In addition to putting out new displays and stocking up on beautiful fall color, we’ve been visiting lots of growers and attending trade shows. We’re always searching for something beautiful for your home and garden.

As the kids get ready to head back to school, we eagerly embrace the arrival of autumn. It’s truly one of the best times of the entire year to be outside and working in the garden. Warm days. Cooler nights. And the perfect soil temperature for establishing new plants, seeds and bulbs.

The choices of plants that will illuminate your landscape this fall are endless! Whether it’s chrysanthemums, aster, anemones, ornamental grasses or shade trees, we have exactly what you need.

As we make the transition from summer to fall, I hope you will visit Merrifield Garden Center and see all the wonderful things we have in store for you. Our free gardening seminars begin at all three stores on Saturday, September 10. The complete schedule is available here on our website, so be sure to check it out and attend as many as you like.

It’s time to get ready for a great fall season in the garden! We hope to see you soon!
 

By Robert Woodman, Plant Specialist 

At Merrifield Garden Center, we’re all gardeners at heart. I know I’m not the only one who leaves work only to jump right back in the garden once I get home.

In my garden, you’ll find several hydrangeas. They’re one of my favorite plants, especially the varieties with those big, globe-like blue flowers that resemble a bowl of grapes.

These hydrangeas bloom like crazy in the cool shade of a large tree. On hot days, we all seek the refuge of shade. And, if we're lucky, we enjoy the company of these beautiful plants.

I’m describing a macrophylla, one of five different types of hydrangeas:

1 - Macrophylla or big leaf, including lacecap and mopped flowers
2 - Panicle (paniculata)
3 - Oakleaf (quercifolia)
4 - Smooth (arborescens)
5 - Climbers

The macrophylla is the most sought after hydrangea. It’s easy to see why. Who can resist their gorgeous shades of blue during the summer? Other than roses, they’re one of the most requested cut flowers.

To that point, macrophylla was used in the bridesmaids’ bouquets during my wedding. So naturally, it has earned a special place in my garden. ‘Endless Summer’ is a popular collection, known to have the ability to re-bloom, providing that spent flowers are removed. It’s not the only re-blooming type available, though. Some others include 'All Summers Beauty', 'Penny Mac' and the new ‘Forever and Ever’.

Obviously, growing a repeat flowering plant has enormous appeal. But don’t discount the rest of the group. The old heirloom types carry a charm that can't be matched in flower size, structure or color. In my opinion, 'Nikko Blue' has the best blue color, while 'Blue Bird' has an air of understated sophistication with its lacecap blooms. Newer types, such as ‘Big Daddy’, offer the largest flowers and the ability to take more heat with thick, leathery leaves that don’t easily wilt.

For those who seek to grow hydrangeas in sunny locations, the panicle types have definitely commanded attention. Leading the pack is 'Limelight', which is a rival to the popular PeeGee cultivar. With a height of about 6’ plus – about half the size of a PeeGee – ‘Limelight’ is a great choice in confined landscapes. The attraction that hooked many of us is their dense clusters of lime green blooms that turn white, and then fade out to pink. Old flowers can be left on the branches to dry, carrying its aesthetic into the winter season, much like how we use ornamental grasses.

'Quick Fire' is the earliest blooming of all panicle cultivars, while ‘Pinky Winky’ features a two-tone color variation of its white flowers. A surge of new compact varieties have hit our stores in recent years with 'Dharma', 'Little Lime' and the latest - ‘Bombshell', boasting an eventual stature of only 2.5’ to 3’ with smaller but in-scale flowers.

Flowers aren’t the only appeal of hydrangeas. Foliage should always be considered when you wish to extend the season past bloom. The oakleaf hydrangeas definitely corner the market on that. It’s actually hard to believe that you're looking at a hydrangea when you see an oakleaf for the first time, but the cone-shape flowers give it away. Fall color lights up this shrub in reds, oranges and yellows. It’s followed by light brown peeling bark during the winter to give a subtle, but desirable feature. Noteworthy cultivars include 'Alice', which matures at about 8’ tall with beautiful form, and 'Snow Queen', which is a little shorter at about 6’. Like panicles, oakleaf hydrangeas can take some sun, even in the heat of the day.

‘Annabelle’ is one of the best known and the widest grown of the smooth hydrangeas. But in recent years, ‘Incrediball’ has crashed the party and turned heads. Claims of larger, basketball-sized flowers with stronger flowering stems have made us all revisit using them in the garden. This was closely followed by ‘Invincibelle Spirit’, the first pink colored arborescens that opened up new opportunities in color combinations in the garden.

This year I was introduced to the latest member of the group - ‘Bella Anna’ - a limited release that came from the creators of the ‘Endless Summer’ collection. Their rich, magenta pink flowers have a vibrancy that makes them so irresistible that you have to find a spot for them in your garden.

If space is a premium but you can’t resist hydrangeas, the climbing varieties might be your answer. Their lacecap, white blooms have an airy nature that contrast beautifully with their dense, glossy foliage. Be warned this is a woodland plant, so too much sun exposure will scorch the outer margins of their leaves. Rather, find a shady spot for them to climb.

Surely, there is a place in every garden for a hydrangea. Or two. Or three …

By David Yost, Plant Specialist

This week I saw my first hummingbird of the season! 

I started adding flowers and feeders to my garden about three years ago to attract insects and hummingbirds. Now I look forward to the return of these phenomenal birds with the same excitement and anticipation as I do the first flowers of spring.

Making your garden inviting and hospitable to birds, butterflies and other insects is easy, exciting and extremely important.

In 2007, Doug Tallamy, Chairman of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, authored “Bringing Nature Home.” Dr. Tallamy encourages us to take a different look at our gardens and view them as a food chain. He connects the dots between the plants, insects that feed on the plants and the birds that feed on the insects. As natural habitats decline, there are fewer native plants to support the insects that birds need to feed their young.

As gardeners, we can have a positive influence on preserving these food chains. We need to create diverse gardens, utilize native plants and learn to live with insects. Changing our mindset from seeing insects as enemies to seeing them as friends may be one of the biggest challenges to making this happen.

This is a win/win endeavor for all. Did you realize that the hardy Cranesbill geranium can support up to 23 different species of butterflies and moths? Now, who doesn’t love geraniums and butterflies? Did you know that Joe-Pye weed, with its magenta/pink blooms in late summer, can support 42 species of butterflies and moths. Or that the under-appreciated, misunderstood goldenrod is capable of supporting up to 115 species? This is great stuff!

These same flowers also offer nectar and pollen to bees, flies and beetles, including many that will prey on other insects, helping to limit pest outbreaks. All we need to do is to plant the garden!

Several years ago, I moved into a pretty sterile environment surrounded by asphalt and turf. Gradually the turf has been replaced with flowers and groundcovers, and the insects have been accepting my invitation to visit. It’s exciting to find bees gathering pollen from the geraniums and verbena, and hummingbird moths feeding at the phlox. For awhile, I had a praying mantis that visited me every morning. It’s not much, but every little bit helps.

You’ll discover new ways to enjoy your garden if you make it more inviting to insects. And you’ll help restore and preserve long-established food chains that support life everywhere. Now tell me, does it get any better than this?