Donna's Gardens

2011-11-21T05:09:00.000-08:00

We are all set for our annual Open House. The shop is filled with unique and handmade gifts for everyone on your shopping list. We will be open Nov. 25,26,27 from 9 to 4, with cookies, hot cider, and door prize drawing for all our customers. You can find a traveling directions on our website -- www.hearthstonegardens.com.

2011-08-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

Special for the week of Aug.21. Any two vines for $12.00.

2011-08-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

All shrubs are on sale this week--2 for $12.00.

2011-08-08T04:11:00.000-07:00

This week's special is rosemary. 3 pots for $10.00. Rosemary looks really good and this is a great buy!

2011-07-19T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hollyhocks are on special this week. 3 (gallon pots) for $10.00. They are in blossom and look beautiful.

2011-07-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

Special for this week is 3 delphinium in gallon pots for $10.00. Available in lt. blue, dk. blue, pink and white.

2011-06-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted. We still have a very good selection of perennials and planting has never been better. With all this rain, plants get a very good start. Anyone who spends $50.00 or more will receive a $10.00 gift certificate to spend at another time.

FYI- we will be closed July 2. Also on the 3rd and 4th but we are normally closed on Sunday and July 4. We will be doing a wedding here on the 2nd. I'll try to post some pictures on the Hearthstone facebook later.

2011-05-03T03:34:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have ordered statuary or bird baths, the order is here. We have a great selection if you need something for Mother's Day.

2011-04-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

We are opening on May 1 from 12 to 4, since it is a Sunday. Our official open house is always Mother's Day weekend starting on May 5.(this Year)

We have lots of plants ready but sure could use some sunshine to perk up the gardens. As of today, there isn't much happening--things are very slow coming up this year. If you are not seeing some of your favorite plants, dont dig. They are probably still dormant, waiting for the ground to warm.

2011-03-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

It is snowing again. I am ready for spring! We have over 100 trays of little seedlings up and almost ready for potting. We could use some warm sunny days!
We have a new red gaillardia that is looking good. If you have had good luck with the Arizona Sun, you are going to love this one. The Arizona Sun is the one that has been a show stopper in my rock garden!

2011-01-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

I have been seeing a bird at the suet that the bird book describes as a red-bellied woodpecker. Are they this far north and has anyone else seen them?

2011-01-14T06:08:00.000-08:00

Do you wear your gardening gloves? Here is a reason to put them on. There is such a thing as rose gardener's disease. It's comes from a soil-borne fungus and can enter your bloodstream through small nicks. Initially small, painless bumps appear on the skin and can turn into larger bumps that resemble boils. You will probably need to get a prescription to get rid of it, if you should get it. I have been gardening with roses for more than 35 years and have never had it so I assume it must be very rare.

2011-01-04T05:22:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting tidbit I read recently. Did you know that peat moss that is totally dried out sitting in a container on your deck in full sun is combustible? Some home fires have been attributed to this. Don't let those containers dry out, keep them well watered, remove dead material, and don't let anyone put out a cigarette in them.

Using herbs for salt substitute

2010-12-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

Instead of using salt on that beef roast try the following herbs to enhance the flavor: bay leaf, garlic, parsley, and thyme. On poultry you could use marjarom, oregano, pepper, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

2010-11-24T10:05:00.000-08:00

Are you thinking about a rain garden next spring or already have a wet spot that needs planting? The following are some really hardy perennials and also natives that like it damp: Swamp milkweed, New England Aster, Blue flag, Cardinal flower, and New York Ironweed.

2010-11-10T04:29:00.000-08:00

The shrub that has won the Carey award this year is Hydrangea paniculata-specifically the Limelight and PeeGee. This award is given to plants that have proven their performance in the home garden.

2010-10-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for plants that do not need a lot of water here are a few suggestions for next spring: coreopsis, daylilies, red hot poker, peony, artemesias, mountain mint, ice plants, portulaca, russian sage, asters, coral bells, lamb's ears,
chives, hens and chicks, sedums and yarrow.

2010-10-10T04:06:00.000-07:00

I have been asked several times this week when you prune sweet autumn clematis and lace vine. The recommended time by the grower is late April or early May depending on weather condtions. Prune hard by taking off old top growth down to where the new leaf axil buds appear. These bear their flowers on the new growth.

2010-09-25T04:11:00.000-07:00

Do you like vines? There are a few that will thrive in dry conditions. Sweet autumn clematis, honeysuckle, and Trumpet vine. I have all three of these and they are looking good. None have been hand watered and the rain has passed us by, once again!

2010-09-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

For those of us who are suffering from dry conditions this year, the following groundcovers tolerate this well. Plumbago, candytuft, epimedium, lavender, liriope, thyme, santolina, thrift, and wintergreen. The plumbago and epimedium are beautiful this year in the garden. I guess that it is true they don't mind it dry.

2010-09-13T05:18:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for fall color here are some ideas. Colchicum, Fall asters, Solidago, Japanese anemone, plumbago, Russian sage, cimicifuga, helenium, helianthus, coreopsis, chelone, hibiscus, tiarella, heuchera, caryopteris, tricyrtis, rose of sharon are just some of them. There is still time to plant and remember to mulch new plantings.

2010-06-23T02:45:00.000-07:00

This recipe received honorable mention in our herb cooking competition.
Cheddar Cheese Crackers
3 tbls. sesame seeds, 1 c. flour, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp. dry mustard, 1 stick butter, softened, 1/2 lb. sharp cheese.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scatter sesame seeds in a small skillet. Toast over low heat, shaking skillet constantly until golden. Combine flour, cayenne, mustard, butter and cheese in med. bowl, work with spoon until stiff dough forms. Measure dough by tbls. full. Roll into balls. dip balls in toasted sesame seeds; place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Press flat with a glass dipped in flour. Bake 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack with a metal spatula. Makes 2 dozen. Submitted by Kathy Bobst.

2010-06-21T04:11:00.000-07:00

This is the winning recipe for our first herb cooking competition in the category of snacks or appetizers. CREAMED THYME MUSHROOMS -- 3-4 dozen, button mushrooms, med. to large., 4 tbsp. butter, 1/2 tsp. minced garlic, 1/2 tbsp. thyme, 8 oz. heavy cream or sour cream, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tsp. lemon juice.
In a large skillet, saute mushrooms in butter, cap side down. Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover. When mushrooms begin to soften, add heavy cream or sour cream. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add lemon juice just before removing from heat. Spoon mushrooms into bowl or casserole, adding all liquid from skillet. Stir so all mushrooms are covered with liquid. Serve immediately.
This recipe was submitted by Norma Eckrote.

Actually, we sampled these cold and still found them very good and my granddaughter (age 13) loved them.

If you would like to participate in next months competition the information is on www.hearthstonegardens.com. Just click on the button. Our category is dips, sauces or spreads.

2010-06-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

Need a recipe for lemon verbena? Try this Quick lemon cake. 1 pkg. yellow cake mix, 1 cup water, 3 tablespoons dried lemon verbena, crushed, 1 pkg. lemon instant pudding, 4 eggs, unbeaten, 1 tsp powdered rosemary. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend all ingredients, and beat 8 minutes. Pour into 13 x 9 x 2 pan lined with brown paper. Bake 45 to 50 minutes. Yumm!!
Of course, lemon verbena makes great tea or add to your fruit salad.
Tip--to dry quickly place on paper towel and zap with the microwave. Do it by seconds so as not to turn it to cinders!! You can also use your coffee grinder to powder the rosemary.

2010-05-01T02:12:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder what someone means when they say they carry herbaceous perennials? Herbaceous means the plant dies down and does not leave behind a woody stem that will eventually grow again. These perennials store their energy in the roots.

2010-03-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Bergenia cilata will grow in dry soil, dappled to partial shade. Slugs, deer and rabbits hate it. Partial shade are areas that receive full sun early in the am or late in the afternoon. Dappled shade is the area under trees where the light peeks through post of the day.

Drying flowers

2010-03-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

If you have ever considered raising flowers for your own designing needs the following are perennial and very easy to do.
Achillea-coronation gold or the pearl, aconitum, alchemilla, artemesia, astilbe, tansy, delphinium, echinops, gypsophila, hydrangea, lavender, lunaria, liatris, german statice, sea lavender, peonies, poppy pods, roses, solidago, stachys, centaurea, catananche.
All can be dried successfully by hanging upside down in a hot, dry, dark environment.

Ground covers

2010-03-02T04:34:00.000-08:00

I have just read an interesting article on ground covers. Some of the varieties suggested to use are:autumn fern, Christmas fern for shade as they stay evergreen(mostly). Also tiarella cordifolia grows well in dry shade and comes in many varieties and has the benefit of being a native. For a sunny spot try blue-eyed grass (also a native) and Blue star creeper and sedums. Sweet woodruff is a favorite of mine because it has pretty blossoms early in the spring but the foliage stays nice all summer--also a shade plant. Mazus reptans, thyme, crested iris and oregano also do well in the sun. One I am trying in shade is ceratostigma plumbaginoides because it has wonderful blue flowers and leaves turn red in the fall. Another variety I am trying this year is stachys macrantha also referred to as big betony, has crumpled green leaves with blue flowers.

Dye garden

2010-02-17T04:08:00.000-08:00

If you would like to try dying your own fabric or wool here are some plants to try: bedstraw, fennel, foxgloves, hollyhocks, hyssop, lamb's ear, larkspur, marigold, sage, sorrel, spiderwort, sweet woodruff, woad and marguerite. Even if you never dye anything it would make a pretty theme garden for you herbies out there.

Fragrant flowers

2010-01-29T04:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some long lasting fragrant flowers you may like to consider in you garden:
peonies, lilacs, koreanspice viburnum, hyacinths, daffodils, lavender, catmint, mock orange, roses, butterfly bushes, nicotiana, sweet peas and lilies. If you are making a scented garden you could also add carnations, scented geraniums, and sweet william.

Birds

2010-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to feed your birds. Most birds like sunflower seeds. Cardinals and woodpeckers particularly like safflower seeds. Nyjer seed attracts small finches. As this seed is very small you need a special feeder for this. Corn can be used to attract doves, blue jays, bluebirds and sparrows. In the winter, suet is good for energy in insect-eating birds. Robins, thrushes, orioles, and bluebirds also like fruit. Apples, grapes and oranges are good choices.

Asian beetles

2010-01-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

I was reading something about asian beetles(you know those little beetles that get in your house that kind of look like lady bugs) that says a compound made of catnip oil appears to repel them. I wonder if you put sprigs of catnip or catnip oil on a cotton ball on your window sill where they find their way in, if it would help to repel them. Peppermint oil on cotton balls repels mice so maybe it would help. I'll try to remember to try this next fall and let you know how it goes.

Deer resistant plants

2010-01-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

As you are poring over your new seed and plant catalogs here are a few deer resistant plants to consider: perennials--aurinia saxatillis(basket of gold), bleeding hearts, lambs ear, lily of the valley, russian sage, beautybush, daphnes, amelanchier, and spireas. Annuals to consider are globe amaranth, lantanas, snapdragons, and cleome.

Holly

2009-12-22T07:48:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year when we think of decorating our homes and holly is very popular. If you would like to plant a holly in your landscape remember to get and male and female plant of the same species. You can have several females that will bear berries, but you must have a least one male within a few hundred feet.

Thought for today

2009-12-17T06:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a thought for today: The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.

Baptisia

2009-12-12T05:03:00.000-08:00

Baptisia australis is the 2009 plant of the year. It's a great plant that gets about 4 feet tall and has blue flowers. It is slow to come up in the spring but grows very quickly and will be blossoming in June. It has charcoal colored pods that stay all winter and rattle in the wind. It has a tap root so plant it where you want it to stay as it hates to be moved. It will eventually seed down and you can move those little seedlings. Every garden shoud find room for one (or two) of these.

New address

2009-12-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

We had a very successful open house. Thanks to all that participated. I also have a new email address. It is hearthstone@frontier.com.

Frost

2009-10-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

We finally got our first frost on Oct. 18. Interestingly enough we actually got several inches of snow before we got our first freeze! I have been putting away the perennials for the winter--we trim them back and let them freeze. They need at least 6 weeks of dormancy to perform well next season. Now the begonias and canna lilies have been frosted, I can start taking up my bulbs and drying them for another year. Next up--get ready for the holiday season!!

Bats

2009-09-30T05:22:00.001-07:00

It's the time of year when we start to see bats used for Holloween decorations. These misunderstood mammals are very beneficial . In the U.S., most bats are insect eaters. The little brown bat consumes an average of 600 insects an hour. They feed several times a night. That's a lot of bugs that won't be bugging you!!!

Fall blossoms

2009-08-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for something that blossoms in September-October other than rudbeckia?
Try some of these: Aconitum, anemone, asters, chelone, Sweet Autumn clematis, eupatorium, helianthus, hibiscus, and trycirtus. All are hardy and easy to grow!

Moonlight garden

2009-08-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some ideas for a moonlight herb garden. Artemesia, shasta daisy, baby's breath, russian sage, white rose, cerastium tomentosa, lavender cotton, lamb's ear, horehound, white phlox, boltonia, lychnis coronaria, white columbine, and wormwood.

More on natural repellents

2009-08-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

Lavender and mints are ready now for harvesting. Lavender makes a great sachet for your drawers and linens. Just dry your lavender(you can even dry some mint and rosemary to go with it) and make little sachets for you drawers. It makes things smell good and even repels moths.

Did you know mice hate the smell of peppermint? Dry peppermint and lay the stems on your attic floor to repel these creatures or use peppermint oil on cotton balls to keep mice out of you camper or attic or anywhere you see mice travel. They are like ants and like to use the same trail.

natural repellent

2009-07-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe for a natural bug repellent. Crush 1 1/2 cups rosemary leaves aand 1 1/2 cups pennyroyal leaves. Place in a jar and cover with 2 cups pure vegetable oil. Seal container and keep in dark place for 2 weeks, shaking it a bit every day. After 2 weeks, strain the liquid and store in sealed dark colored bottle for up to six months. Spray or rub directly exposed skin.

I just got in a big order of new statuary. Stop by and check it out!

Growing Native

2009-07-08T04:43:00.000-07:00

If you would like to try some native plants here are a few that you might like: amsonia, asclepias, boltonia, baptisia, cimicifuga, eupatorium, lobelia, monarda,tiarella and rudbeckia. All are easy to grow and very hardy.

Insect repellent herbs

2009-06-11T16:35:00.001-07:00

Here are some herbs to make your summer a little more enjoyable. These herbs help repel those annoying little bugs: feverfew, lavender, pennyroyal, rue, santolina, southernwood, tansy, and wormwood.

Attracting butterflies/hummingbirds

2009-05-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some flowers to plant to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden: Anaphalis, asclepias, echinacae, nasturtiums, valerian, borage, delphinium, monarda, calendula, verbena, joe pye weed, lemon balm, buddleia, garlic chives, yarrow, parsley, baptisia, globe thistle, lavender. Also hummingbirds especially like any flower that has a bell shape, like the campanulas and penstemons.

Early blossoms

2009-04-24T04:53:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for something that blossoms early in the spring? Try some of these: Arabis, English daisy, bergenia, caltha palustris, bleeding heart, helleborus, candytuft, lamium, forget-me-not, poppies, creeping phlox, polemonium, primrose, lungwort, tiarella, vinca, and violas are just a few.
We have them at Hearthstone!!

Bit of Wisdom

2009-04-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote I came across today. To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch their renewal of life--this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.... The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world. Charles Dudley Warner
If you believe global warming is happening, than indeed you are doing your part. Plant a few natives and you will also be helping to balance your little eco-system.

Plants favorite colors

2009-03-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Did you know some plants have favorite colors? For an increase in tomato production plant small plants in red plastic mulch. Potatoes and bell peppers prefer a white mulch.

Planting trees

2009-03-10T04:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know it can be up to 20 degrees F cooler under a tree in the hot summer sun? Plant trees on the west and south facing side of your house to reduce air conditioning by 10 to 50 %.

Pruning tips

2009-02-28T04:31:00.000-08:00

Prune spring or winter-flowering shrubs right after blooming. These include dogwoods, forsythia, rhodendrons and azalea, climbing and shrub roses. Summer blooming are usually pruned in winter while they are dormant. These include beautyberries, hibiscus and hybrid tea roses.

Water saving perennials

2009-02-18T04:44:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking of adding some new perennials to you garden, try these water saving mound forming plants: armeria, cerastium, euphorbia, and soapwort. Easy to grow, well drained soil and sun!

Peony

2008-11-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Has anyone ever started a tree peony from seed? How did you do it?