THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE 2023 SPRING & FALL OPEN GARDENS A SUCCESS!

We will host a one last Seed Sale and seeding demonstration on 18 & 19 November 2023

WHEN: Saturday 18 November 2023 2-4pm; Sunday 19 November 2023 2-4pm

WHERE: 7628 Troy Stone Drive Fuquay-Varina, NC 26526

WHAT: Free, No Registration event to sell cool season flower and vegetable seeds and demonstration how to properly sow them

For your convenience, below are the plant descriptions for everything that was sold at the Spring and Fall Open Garden

Cool Season Seed Sowing Instructions

In the coming weeks I will be posting YouTube videos with specific intructions for every seed that was sold during the Open Garden. Generally speaking these COOL SEASON SEEDS should be sown once the soil temperatures are below 65F. Ideally AFTER the first hard frost. DO NOT SOW THESE SEEDS TOO EARLY!

PREMIUM FLOWERS 1/4 ounce $5 per pack; 1/2 ounce $10 per pack

Bachelor Buttons- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Breadseed Poppies- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; DO NOT COVER SEED; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Campion- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Carrots- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

California Poppies- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; DO NOT COVER SEED; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Cilantro- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Corn Poppies- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; DO NOT COVER SEED; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Lunaria- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Lupine- Soak seed in warm tap water for 4-6 hour before sowing; Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Nigella- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

COOL SEASON MIXES 1/2 OUNCE $10 PER PACK

Mixed Greens to deter animals: Arugula, Kale, Lettuce, Swiss Chard- Direct seed along edges from October- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Brie’s Custom Cottage Garden Mix: Bachelor Buttons, Carrots, California Poppies, Larkspur, Nigella, Rhoeas Poppies- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

FLOWERING COVER CROPS: 1/2 ounce $5 per pack

Buckwheat- Direct seed in October & March (this is frost tender but will self-sow); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 1 week.

Crimson Clover- Direct seed in October & March (this is frost tender but will self-sow); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 1 week.

White Cloud Crimson Clover- Direct seed in October & March (this is frost tender but will self-sow); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 1 week.

Daikon Radish- Direct seed in October- March; Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 1 week.

Purple Top Turnip- Direct seed in October- March; Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 1 week.

GRAINS 1/2 ounce $5 per pack

Barley - Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Oats- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Rye- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

Wheat- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.

THE ULTIMATE COTTAGE GARDEN KIT $50

3 packs of Barley, Rye, Wheat; 3 packs of poppies, 3 packs of Bachelor Buttons; 1 pack Buckwheat, Carrots, Cilantro, Crimson Clover, Nigella, Purple Top Turnip- Direct seed after hard frost (November- January); Full Sun is best; Sow on top of compost; Rake in after seeding; Mulch lightly; Germination should occur within 3 weeks.


2023 SPRING OPEN GARDEN PLANT DESCRIPTIONS

Quantities are limited so plan to arrive at noon for the best selection!

seed grown native deciduous azaleas from carolina naive nursery

Rhododendron arborescens 1 gallon $20 (native smooth deciduous azalea): requires full sun to partial shade in sandy soil with an acidic pH. Moist soil with good drainage is preferable. Fast growing and spreading by underground runners, smooth azalea can reach a height and width of 8 to 12 feet tall.

Rhododendron atlanticum 1 gallon $20 (native coastal deciduous azalea): native to coastal plain areas from New Jersey and Pennsylvania south to Georgia. It prefers full sun to partial shade, consistent moisture, and well-drained sandy soil.

Rhododenron canescens 1 gallon $20 (native Piedmont deciduous azalea): also called the southern Pinxter azalea this grows 6-8’ and wide and prefers moist, acidic soil. Though it can tolerate full sun, part shade is best to avoid leaf scorch. Fragrant pink flowers attract pollinators in spring.

Rhododendron periclymenoides 1 gallon $20 (native pinxter deciduous azalea): a dense, bushy, suckering shrub that typically grows 2 to 6 feet tall.  Has a slow growth rate and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils in dappled shade with protection from afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves.

Rhododendron viscosum 1 gallon $20 (native swamp deciduous azalea): tolerates damp, moist environments but requires enough drainage to avoid roots in constant standing water. The swamp azalea likes part shade and can tolerate some sun but avoid afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves. This shrub has very fragrant, sticky, white flowers that bloom from May to July and attract hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. It grows 2 feet to 8 feet tall and about as wide and is a spreading shrub. 

native shrubs grown by carolina native nursery

Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic’ 3 gallon $30 (native black chokeberry): 6’+ clump forming habit with delicious black fruits in autumn along with brilliant fall foliage. Excellent for creating bird habitat in sun- part shade conditions.

Fothergilla ‘Mt Airy’ 3 gallon $30 (native hybrid dwarf Fothergilla): originally discovered by Dr. Michael Dirr this naturally occurring hybrid species offers a compact habit of about 5’. The fragrant flowers in spring and amazing fall color make this a standout for every sun-shade garden.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’ 3 gallon $30 (dwarf oakleaf hydrangea): a dwarf form of the native oakleaf hydrangea maturing at 4’ tall and 3’ wide. Panicles of white flowers age to soft pink while the green leaves turn shades of bronze, maroon, and purple. The bark on older branches peels; in winter, the cinnamon inner layers are attractive.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ 3 gallon $30 (Ruby Slippers oakleaf hydrangea): This is a hybrid between ‘Snow Queen’ and ‘Pee Wee’ introduced by the US National Arboretum in 2010. It has a medium size, growing about 6’ tall and wide and can be sighted in sun to part shade for best coloration and flowering.

Hypericum frondosum ‘Sunburst’ 1 gallon $20 (St. John’s Wort): this popular cultivar features slightly larger flowers on a more compact plant that grows to about to 3’ tall and wide in full to part sun.

Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Scarletta’ 1 gallon $20 (native drooping laurel): a denser, slower growing, more compact, and more symmetrical shrub than the species. It typically grows to 3' tall and wide. This variety is the result of breeding program conducted in Perry, Ohio in the late 1970s in which the goal was to pollinate this species with Leucothoe axillaris to create a new variety for better winter hardiness and a dwarf growth habit.

Rhododendron x ‘Nova Zembla’ 1 gallon $20 (native evergreen rhody): A small, dense, upright, evergreen shrub prized for its large trusses of showy, bright red flowers. A cold hardy rhododendron that thrives in cooler regions but benefits from protection from winter winds. Flower color develops a deep pink tone in sunnier exposures.

Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Roseum Elegans’ 1 gallon $20 (native evergreen rhody): a vigorous grower that has a great growing habit with large, glossy, dark green leaves. This large, dense, broadleaf evergreen rhododendron thrives in cooler regions. It’s a popular cultivar valued for its large, rounded clusters of rosy lavender flowers which can hold up to 20 attractive bell-shaped flowers with delicate reddish-brown dorsal spotting.

Rosa carolina 1 gallon $20 (native pasture rose): *I am not a rose enthusiast, but I make an exception for this great native shrub rose with large pink blooms that are fragrant.

Spiraea latifolia 3 gallon $30 (native meadowsweet): grows naturally in bogs, swamps, wet meadows, along stream banks, and shore areas. Boasting fragrant flowers and a beautiful yellow fall color. Locate in full sun for best performance.  It is sensitive to heat and does not perform well in dry conditions. 

Spiraea tomentosa 3 gallon $30 (native steeplebush): upright, multi-stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub in the Roseacae family is native to wet meadows from Nova Scotia south to Louisiana and Georgia. Grows best in moist acidic soils in full sun. Mature height of 4 feet with a slightly larger width.

Vaccinium macocarpum 1 gallon $20 (large cranberry): Did you know that cranberries are NATIVE? Large Cranberry is native low-growing vine, ground cover or trailing evergreen shrub and is usually grown in wet bog conditions. Full sun and moist but well-drained soils are best, and they can tolerate periodic flooding. Soil pH needs to be 4.0-5.2.

Viburnum dentatum 3 gallon $30 (native arrowwood): deciduous shrub that may grow 5 to 10’ tall. It is native to much of the eastern US. In spring, small, white flowers mature in flat-topped clusters up to 4 inches wide. The shrub produces a bluish-black drupe that matures in late summer and early fall. More than one genetic strain needed for fruit set. Plant Arrowwood in moist well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. 

Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’ 3 gallon $30 (smooth witherod): is a compact cultivar that typically grows to 6’ tall in cultivation. Leaves are somewhat glossier than those of the species. An introduction of Winterthur Gardens in Delaware thrives in full sun to part shade.

native ornamental grasses grown by hoffman nursery

$5 per pluG; 6 for $20; 32 for $100

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee Sedge landscape plug): Cherokee Sedge can be planted in sun-shade and thrives in moist conditions. Flowers are small, but the wheat-like seed spikes that follow gracefully droop and add interest in spring. Found primarily in lower Southeast U.S.

Carex lurida (Lurid Sedge landscape plug): With a widespread native range encompassing the eastern half of North America, Lurid Sedge is found in wet or moist sandy, acidic soil. Its foliage is bright yellow green and grows in an attractive cascading clump. It spreads by short rhizomes.

Carex muskingumensis (Palm Sedge landscape plug): The brilliant green foliage that grows in a pinwheel, palm-like pattern makes this a unique specimen in the landscape. Found in lowland woods, floodplain forests, and shaded wet sites in central and upper Midwest. It prefers shade to part shade but can grow in sun if the soil is moist.

Chasmanthium latifolium (River Oats landscape plug): This US native produces a multitude of beautiful pale green seed heads in midsummer that are reminiscent of the sea oats found at the beach. Panicles drop under their weight and look absolutely beautiful when backlit by the sun. Consider this to be a tall ground cover that grows in just about any situation: sun, shade, moist or dry.

Chasmanthium laxum (Slender Wood Oats landscape plug): This species thrives in rich woods, meadows, and swamps, particularly in coastal plain regions of the Eastern and Southeastern U.S. Arrowhead-shaped, persistent seed heads lend a subtle beauty to this little-known native grass. Slender Woodoats is well-suited for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects in shady or partially sunny areas.

Juncus inflexus ‘Blue Arrows’ (Blue Arrows Rush landscape plug): Although often grown as a wetland plant, Juncus inflexus is quite drought tolerant once established. Blue Arrows Rush thrives in heat and full sun. It fits perfectly beside a pool, pond, or stream where its reflection captures the mood of an aquatic paradise. Blue Arrows’ soft color and beautiful, upright form make it irresistible in container combos and annual beds.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass landscape plug): This North American native, pink muhly grass is long-lived with little to no insect or disease pests and is highly resistant to deer grazing. This ornamental grass is perfect for the low-maintenance garden tolerating heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil and is highly salt tolerant.

Muhlenbergia ‘White Cloud’ (White Cloud Muhly Grass landscape plug): White Cloud Muhly Grass produces beautiful, moonlight white, billowing seed heads and fine-textured, blue-green foliage. It has a more upright shape, grows a bit taller, and blooms shortly after Pink Muhly Grass. Its airy, ivory blooms embellish and soften the landscape, and rival the breathtaking look that Pink Muhly is famous for achieving. Drought tolerant, undemanding, and elegant are why this is Brie’s all-time favorite grass!

Panicum virgatum ‘Purple Tears’ (Purple tears Switchgrass landscape plug): Renowned plantsman and designer Piet Oudolf brings us a Switchgrass that’s destined to be a classic. This variety bears flowering spikes with soft gray color at the top, followed by splendid, purple seed heads. With a manageable height of 4’, its narrow, upright habit make it perfect for a range of landscape applications. It has the same toughness and adaptability you’ll find in other Switchgrass cultivars.

Sporobolus wrightii (Giant Sacaton landscape plug): One-to-two-foot plumes wave above its narrow blades, and the blooms persist well into winter. Giant Sacaton makes a showy specimen, an accent in mixed plantings, or a highly ornamental solution to erosion on a slope. This Southwest native grows mainly in semi-desert habitats, and to a lesser extent in moist areas such as clay flats, floodplains, and desert lakes and marshes.

native perennials grown by north creek NURSERies

$5 per plug; 6 for $20; 32 for $100

Adiantum pedatum

Allium cernuum

Aster ericoides 'Snow Flurry'

Baptisia australis

Boltonia asteroides

Chelone glabra

Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips'

Coreopsis palustris 'Summer Sunshine'

Echinacea pururea 'Green Twister'

Echinacea pur. PowWow® 'Wild Berry'

Echinacea purpurea

Lobelia card. 'Black Truffle' PP25687

Lysimachia lanceolata 'Burgundy Mist'

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Meehania cordata

Monarda fistulosa Claire Grace

Packera aurea

Phlox paniculata 'Jeana'

Polystichum acrostichoides

Pycnanthemum muticum

Solidago 'Solar Cascade'

Thermopsis villosa

Tiarella cordifolia

2023 Fall Open Garden Sale Details

Cool Season Seed for Direct Sowing Cottage Gardens

FLOWERS 1/4 ounce $5 per pack; 1/2 ounce $10 per pack

Bachelor Buttons - Breadseed Poppies - Campion - Carrots - California Poppies - Cilantro - Corn Poppies

Lunaria - Lupine - Nigella

COOL SEASON MIXES 1/2 OUNCE $10 PER PACK

Mixed Greens to deter animals: Arugula, Kale, Lettuce, Swiss Chard

Brie’s Custom Cottage Garden Mix: Bachelor Buttons, Carrots, California Poppies, Larkspur, Nigella, Rhoeas Poppies

FLOWERING COVER CROPS: 1/2 ounce $5 per pack

Buckwheat - Crimson Clover - White Cloud Crimson Clover - Daikon Radish - Purple Top Turnip

GRAINS 1/2 ounce $5 per pack

Barley - Oats - Rye - Wheat

THE ULTIMATE COTTAGE GARDEN KIT $50

3 packs of Barley, Rye, Wheat; 3 packs of poppies, 3 packs of Bachelor Buttons; 1 pack Buckwheat, Carrots, Cilantro, Crimson Clover, Nigella, Purple Top Turnip

RED HARDNECK GARLIC READY TO PLANT CLOVES

6 ounces $20; 3 ounces $10

Mix and Match Ornamental Grass Landscape Plugs: $5 each; 5 for $20; 32 for $100

Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’

1 Gallon Native Perennials: $20 each
Agastache foeniculum 
Amsonia hubrictii
Baptisia australis 
Chrysogonum virginianum 'Superstar'
Liatris microcephala
Phlox paniculata ‘Bright Eyes’

Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers' 
Scuteraria incana 

3-gallon Native Shrubs: $30 each 
Fothergilla gardenii
Hydrangea quercifolia 
Spiraea alba 
Spiraea tomentosa