The Blogging Nurseryman by Trey Pitsenberger

Pieris is one of our favorite plants for the shade. It starts blooming in late winter and continues through spring, providing a long bloom season. In addition some pieris, like “Mountain Fire”, have new growth that is bright red, providing further interest. In the foothills deer resistance is important, and pieris has good deer resistance.

There are a number of different varieties of peris, each with it’s own attributes. Two of my favorite are “Prelude” and “Mountain Fire”. “Prelude” is pictured above. It grows to about two feet tall and wide, with clusters of white bell shaped flowers that stand above the foliage. Its shape is a neat, rounded form. Place it in the foreground of your planting beds.
“Mt. Fire” is a taller grower, up to six feet plus. It has of bell shaped flowers that hang in pendulous clusters. While flowering, new growth that is bright red appears creating a spectacular display. Since it gets tall, use it in the background of smaller plantings, or as a screen.

If you would like to explore the world of pieris now would be a great time.

This is the garden center after the snow of last night. We received about two inches, with more scheduled for tonight.

Yes, pigs do fly. This little piggy looks cold.

After a week or so of temperatures in the low 70’s it has turned cold. 22 degrees yesterday morning. Good time to clean up the branches and have a fire. We are told it might snow this weekend. We are at 2000 ft. elevation, so snow is not out of the question.

Spring is right around the corner when flowering quince start to bloom. This one is on Marshall Rd. in Georgetown, right in front of Black Oak animal Clinic. Quince can grow to about seven feet tall and wider. Monica stands next to the shrub to show the size. Deer tend to leave it alone, and it is quite tough. Full sun is best.

These are crocus, blooming along the banks of Empire Creek, here at the garden center. Crocus is an early blooming bulb available in the fall and early winter. They are one of the earliest blooming bulbs. A true sign of spring.