Ashcombe's Perennial Courtyard is full of mid-season color with new varieties arriving weekly.  The root systems of the plants are well-developed so they settle into your garden very easily.  Keep them well-watered until established, snip off the spent blooms and enjoy them for weeks to come!

Everyone is excited about the new colors in the echinacea (coneflower) family.  In addition to the traditional purple coneflowers such as 'Magnus', 'Ruby Star' and 'Kim's Knee High', we have added 'Razzmatazz' and 'Double Decker'.  In recent years, yellow and orange varieties of echinacea have been introduced and we carry 'Mango Meadowbright', 'Orange Meadowbright' and 'Big Sky Sunrise'.

The queen of the summer garden, tall summer phlox, is a must-have for your garden.  Many new varieties are mildew resistant and are wonderful as cut flowers.  Elegant 'David' blooms an extended period exhibiting pure white flowers that are fragrant and long lasting.  Vibrant 'Nicky' is a startling magenta.  'Laura', found growing in the botanical gardens in Russia is a beautiful purple with a white eye.

Of course, the daylilies are in full bloom and this is the time to pick "just the right color."

We have many new varieties of hosta for the shady border including over 10 new miniature hostas.  Most of these will reach only 3-4" in height and will develop to about 6-8" in width.  They are great in shady, rocky gardens or tucked into the front of your shade bed.
 

GIFTS WITH A GARDEN THEME
Have a summer fiesta party!  Our gift department has fun, unique and colorful trays, napkins, plates and placemats.  Finish off the setting with a cheery table arrangement, made with our bright summer silk flowers.  Our talented designers are always happy to create something just for you.

Come in and stroll through our Gift Department for a relaxing experience.  New merchandise is always coming in.

Can you believe Fall is almost here?  Those beautiful hues of orange, red and gold will be arriving in our Gift Department soon.  Check out our great selection of linens, dishware, silk flowers and arrangements.

Yankee Candles are a traditional favorite.  Come take a 'whiff' of the new Autumn scents.
 

CHRYSANTHEMUMS...A Fall Favorite
Garden mums are one of America's favorite fall flowers.  They come in every color except blue.  They range in shades from delicate pastels to vibrant jewel tones.  They bloom in the shapes of buttons, pom-poms, daisies or quills.  There are varieties to ensure blooms for every stage of the fall season:  early, mid and late.

PLANTING
Mums need a fertile, well-drained soil with adequate moisture and a minimum of a half day of sun.  Space plants 15 to 20 inches apart, depending on the size of the plant (and as deep as originally planted).  When removing the plant from the pot, loosen roots slightly to help them get established.  Water well right after planting and continue to water as needed to prevent wilting.  Do not fertilize blooming plants since growth is complete.

OVERWINTERING
Since winter hardiness varies considerably with different varieties, there are several suggestions to help mums overwinter.

1.  Plant early so roots get established.  Roots will grow until the ground freezes.

2.  Do not cut plant back after blooming.  Cut back only after you see new growth in the spring.

3.  Mulch after the ground begins to freeze.  Use either evergreen branches, hay straw or leaves.  The object of the mulch is to keep the ground frozen in case of a mid-winter thaw.

In spring, start pinching the plants when growth is about 6 inches tall.  Keep pinching until the middle of July.  This promotes a compact, bushy plant.

NEW FOR 2005
Ashcombe offers new varieties every year and here are a few for 2005:

Elegant Marjorie - Bright coral, decorative flowers; season extender.

Jenna - Dark coral red flowers; decorative; mid-season.

Nancy - Bright yellow daisy flowers.  Late bloomer.

Raquel - Red flowers; decorative; season-extender.

Sherry - Late, decorative, orange flowers.

Belgium Mums are another new addition to our collection this year.  These huge, durable plants boast more flowers than the average garden mum.  They are easy to care for and come in unique colors.

Temptress - Maroon daisy flower.

Pinto - White daisy flower.

Cesaro - Yellow flowers.

Camina - Red flowers

Carpino - Dark purple flowers

Gelatino - Dark red flowers.

Luciane - Orange flowers.
 

ALL WEATHER OUTDOOR WICKER
CHECK OUT OUR new line of wicker furniture.  Available in white, cappuccino, black, sage green and dark green
ï Reinforced tubular aluminium frame with 3-year warranty against defects
ï 3mm HDPE; IV, heat and frost resistant weave with 3-year warranty against damage from sun.

BIRDS, BULBS AND MORE!
Be sure to visit our new displays of bird feeders offering the favorites with some more
contemporary styles.

Our spring blooming bulbs will be available in mid-September.  Be sure to shop early for the best selection!
We have decorative pottery in many sizes, colors and shapes!
 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
There are a few ways of making your home your castle.  A home without plants looks desolate and forlorn while the opposite is true of one with trees, shrubs and perennials.  An investment in these living features brings not only value to your property, but also improves the environment as plants use CO2 and exchange oxygen to the air.  A tree fully grown gives valuable shade to a home allowing for less energy use in air conditioning and a place to relax for outdoor activities.

Fall is a good time to establish trees, shrubs and perennials as the ground is warm and root systems can establish before cold weather sets in.  Perennials should not be planted after mid-October but trees and shrubs can go into early November.

Our selection is good through September and into October on all the hardy plants.  Our friendly staff will guide you in the selection and planting of these plants.  On Labor Day weekend, we will be holding our 2nd  annual truckload sale of shrubs, trees and perennials at excellent prices.  The growers pass on spectacular buys to us and we pass them on to you during this sale September 2nd, 3rd, and 5th.

Welcome to Fall at Ashcombe!
GLENN M. GROSS