During the Covid-19 panic, we at Bloomfield Nursery noticed a startling shift in what people were asking for. You wanted more fruit trees, more blueberry, raspberry, and grape plants. You were planting raised beds. Suddenly, gardens were a priority. And while the Covid-19 has faded into the background, the increase in gardening has lasted. It turns out gardening can be addictive! What is more relaxing than spending a peaceful evening in your own little paradise as the stresses of the day drain away?
Whether your own weakness is flowering trees or shrubs, weeping trees or exotics, you’ll be sure to find it here. It’s a lovely time of year at the nursery, and we invite you to come out and browse the incredible variety of specimens on display from all over the country.
Submitted by Ellen Stauffer
Five Fruit Trees in One?
Have you dreamed of your own small fruit orchard but don’t have the space? Consider the ever-popular 5-way combo fruit trees.
For example, you can plant a single 5-way combo cherry tree that bears all these varieties in one tree:
- Sweetheart
- Van
- Bing
- Rainier
- Montmorency
Or an apple tree with all these varieties:
- September Ruby
- Parkland
- Battleford
- Goodland
- Norland
A pear tree bearing
- Gold Spice
- Summer Crisp
- Flemish Beauty
- Comice
- Ure
An apricot tree bearing
- Puget Gold
- Harcot
- Italian Prune Plum
- Shiro Plum
- Frost Peach
Or a plum tree bearing
- Waneta
- Black Ice
- Brook red
- Green Gage
- Stanley
These are the perfect solution for anyone wanting to harvest a wide variety of fruit from a small area. Of course, we’re also happy to answer your questions about our huge selection of regular fruit trees.
(Credit: JPchret- stock.adobe.com)
Starting With Quality Plants Matters
It’s easy to attribute a neighbors lush yard to the proverbial green thumb, but a landscape that turns heads takes much more than a special touch. With plants as with most other purchases, you get what you pay for.
Vigorous, high quality specimen plants may cost more up-front, but they establish faster and are far more likely to reach their full size, appearance, and production potential. The only way to have an attractive and productive landscape is to choose strong, healthy plants that are right for their locations.
The right mix of flowering plants and foliage creates a symphony of textures, colors and fragrances. When you have the right plants in the right places for your specific site, your garden becomes a lovely and unique reflection of your own personality.
Remember the Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds nest high in trees and shrubs. If you want to see more of them, encourage them to nest around your yard by providing plenty of the habitat and nesting materials they need. Here are a few to keep in mind:
- Leafy trees and shrubs
- Ornamental grasses
- Milkweed
- Blanket flower
- Honeysuckle
(Credit: Luis- stock.adobe.com)
In addition to nesting material, plant plenty of nectar-rich plants for hummingbirds to feed on! Hummingbirds are most attracted to plants with long tubular blooms in shades of red, orange, blue, and yellow. Some of their favorites are butterfly bush, weigela, bee balm, roses, and hardy hibiscus.
Of course, hummingbird feeders also help provide these busy birds with plenty of energy and are always a great addition to your property.
“No matter how busy your life, there should always be time to pick a handful of whatever flower is in perfect bloom to put into the nearest vase to happily display on your kitchen table, windowsill, or in your office.”
