It is Friday before Memorial Day weekend, and instead of packing the day with meetings, I treated myself to a field trip to Van Berkum Nursery in Southern New Hampshire. This nursery is specific to perennials and is noted for having a wide variety of plants to choose from. I took my notebook, a camera and lots of time exploring their inventory and looking for plants with great flowers, foliage and form that I can incorporate into the gardens I design.
It was lots of fun, and I discovered some great new plants. Here are some of my favorites. Maybe some of them are a perfect fit for your garden!
Trollius ‘Lemon Queen’ These gorgeous yellow flowers caught my eye from far away. They’re mini-peony like and are borne high above their foliage. Blooming in May-June this plant likes sun to part shade.
Malva sylvestris ‘Zebrina’ This French Holyhock has coarse foliage and bright pink striped flowers. Growing up to 36″ this plant likes sun to part shade and is a perfect pick for a cottage style garden!
Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘Rote Glocke’ This red form of Pasque Flower is stunning. The color and shape of the flower is gorgeous, but even more showy is the ornamental seed head. These bloom early in the season, from April-May and like sun to part shade.
Geranium maculatum ‘Espresso’ The light pink flowers create a beautiful contrast against the dark bronze foliage of this plant. I love perennial Geraniums, and this is a new favorite. Clump forming, it blooms May-July and likes sun to part shade.
Lewisia longipetala ‘Little Plum’ I had never heard of this plant before today! A low growing perennial with fleshy (sedum-like) leaves and a beautiful bright pink flower. Great for rock gardens, or very well drained sites. It stays low at 12″ and likes sun to part shade.
Heuchera ‘Rave On’ I love the form and color of Heuchera foliage, but I’ve never seen one with such showy flowers! This variety has tall, bright pink blooms shooting up from silvery, variegated foliage. It blooms May-July and as with most Heucheras, it can take some shade.
Euphorbia polychroma ‘Bonfire’ Great maroon foliage and bright chartreuse yellow flowers make this Cushion Spurge really eye catching. It blooms in May-June, stays compact at 10-15″ tall, and loves the sun!
Van Berkum Nursery in Deerfield NH
The beautiful hills of NH in the background, and sun shades ready to be rolled out overhead to protect the plants.
One of the many hoop houses on the property
