Falling for Fall

Happy Weekend, !

As much as I cringe at the summer weather fading away, I rejoice for the cooler and wetter fall weather that cheer up my garden. It's still warm enough for the flowers to bloom, I don't have to drag around a hose every day and everything is looking lovely and green. I honestly don't know where I would be without my gardens! I hope you are enjoying your own green world as well! 

Today's Tip 

If you've been growing your miniature garden for a few seasons, you'll find that some groundcovers (aka Miniature Bedding Plants :o) grow faster than others. You'll also see how the groundcovers start to weave and grow into each other AND onto your miniature perennials and trees. This means it's time to decide which one to let grow, and which one needs trimming back. 

The true miniature perennials, like the Astilbe, Primrose, Saxifrage, Seathrift (Armeria,) Dwarf Mondo Grass, Ferns, Cranesbill... anything that doesn't lay flat on the ground - are usually harder to find and be more expensive than the more-aggressive plant that is invading - so this is my main criteria on what to trim back. 

If the plant is too aggressive or inexpensive, that's what gets shown the scissors. Note that those miniature perennials will just get better each year if they are left alone to grow and colonize themselves. 

Here are more tips:

• Pick up the stem or runner that is invading or creeping where you don't want it to, and cut it right back to where it needs to be - like any Creeping Thyme, sedum, Ajuga, for example. 
• For other groundcovers that tend in invade quietly, like the Baby Tears, get your gloves on and literally "scoop" under the tree or shrub's canopy to gather the invading shoots and pull them out gently. Pluck them out of your Mondo Grass and perennials where you see them growing up, through the plant. 
• Always pull on the stem gently at first to find out if it can be pulled, pinched or cut with scissors. 
• If the stems are growing on your patio or path, you can either do a straight cut along the edges of the patio to make it look like a mini hedge, or feather-them-back, so it looks more natural. 

AND A HEAD'S UP: My grower isn’t shipping any Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria nor Juniper this season. They are in a holding stage for a USDA inspection and we’re not sure how long that will take. We predict a shortage of those plants this winter and maybe into next spring. We still have a few varieties up in the store so, if you've been lurking, now is the time to buy them. (They may be more expensive when the grower releases them too, to make up for this gap in their revenue - ugh.)

Got a question? Hit reply! 

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Whatever you do, make it fun,

A miniature garden "Thank You!" to Joe in Wa!
 for your cup of coffee! Thank you for your kind note too!
🤎 ☕ 🤎

South Seattle Plant & Garden 
SALE!

Saturday, September 14th
 

Pre-Bonsai Conifers (from 2" pots to 5 gallon,) Miniature & Dwarf Conifers, Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Groundcovers, Sedum Gardens, Pottery and More.

Saturday, September 14th, 10am to 3pm
10204 12th Ave S, Seattle, 98168
(Janit's place, ask to see the big mini garden if you come!)
 

(This sale does NOT included the same items that are in our online store. 
If you want to pick up your online order at this sale, use the code
PICK-UP-SEATTLE when checking out to skip the shipping charges, 
and we'll have your order ready for you!)

SEE ALL New and Back in Stock Items this Month!

From Today's Mini Garden Scenes:

The Miniature Garden Society:
Growing the hobby together.

Why are frogs so happy?
They eat whatever bugs them.

🐸