Sunday, May 29, 2011

Iris and Hosta

 I love iris and hostas.  I have a fair amount of both in my flower gardens.  A wonderful garden spot exists in central Illinois where the Iris and Hostas are plentiful.  In the spring 450+ varieties of Iris are in bloom and one can walk through the iris field and check their favorites off a list to order.   When the iris are done blooming in July the bulbs are dug up and one can either pick them up or arrange for them to be shipped.  For me it’s the ideal way to buy an Iris bulb—to see it in all its splendor first.  It is not for those who are impatient—it will be another year before you see the iris in your own yard, but I guarantee it will be worth it.  Over 500 varieties of hosta are also on display in beautifully landscaped spots which inspire even the novice gardener. 


The garden spot I refer to is Hornbaker Gardens.  Their homepage (www.hornbakergardens.com) states, “Hornbaker Gardens is a family owned and operated nursery, specializing in perennials, located 5 miles southeast of Princeton, Illinois. Our large collections of hostas, daylilies, irises, grasses, aquatics, and other perennials, along with an excellent offering of trees and shrubs, draw plant enthusiasts from not only the Midwest, but from all across the country.”   They have a neat story about how they’ve grown and changed over the years and the work of their hands is evident.


Their weigela are among the finest I have seen and their collection of pottery containers is spectacular.   I’m itching to get my hands in some dirt just thinking about it.   The staff was also very kind and helpful to this novice.  I’m lucky to live within a few hours of the nursery but if you plan to be in Illinois during the spring, summer or fall, it is well worth the trip.

Write about it:   Growing something shows us the power of God at work.  Plant something today as a way of demonstrating God’s nurture and care and document the small weekly changes in its growth.  Turn over a new leaf for yourself by tackling one small self-improvement project and along side the entries for your plant, document how you are growing and changing also. 


Do it:  Look up nurseries in your area and plan a day trip to see several and compare their offerings.  What kind of plants really jump out at you and why?  Your taste and preferences should not be diminished or overshadowed by what everyone else is doing.  Do your own thing!  Know your soil, lighting and moisture conditions well before buying and utilize the staff’s expertise—most will be happy to share their enthusiasm for gardening.  And if you don't have any land in which to dig, there are plenty of blooming plants that will look beautiful in a window box, hanging outside, or hanging in a sunny corner of your home.

Have a creative day!
Susan
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