My Trip To The Perennial Farm

Today I got to take a trip to The Perennial Farm in nearby Glen Arm, MD. I can tell you that I have lived here in Maryland since 1982 and this farm has been a well kept secret. I never knew it existed and it's less than 10 miles from my house. How I found out about the farm is from my friend and neighbor Caroline. She also ripped out the old tired bushes from in front of her house last year and just got around to replacing some of them this year, hence her trip to the perennial farm for a few knock out roses.



Anyway, today wasn't the best weather day to go...it was humid, but the farm is only opened to the public on Saturdays from 8-4. So braving the humidity and 90 degree temperatures, Sean and I took a trip to see what we could find for my new perennial bed. I was delighted when I arrived to see all the greenhouses...61 to be exact! How this farm ever stays a secret is beyond me. It could be compared to a big elephant in a tiny room, but I guess when you are in the country with thousands of farmland acres around you, it's easy to hide in plain sight!


We checked into the office to get a map of where I could find the perennials I was looking for. Armed with my map, notes, catalog and cart, we made our way from one end of the farm to the and back.



Some of the perennials that I purchased were 3 types of coreopsis, astible, rudbeckia, 3 different echinaceas, gaura, gaillardia, and 2 different sedum. They were out of a few things that I wanted and I will try to purchase those at our local nursery center.





We even had to backtrack to the far end of the farm to get something that I had missed. Thankfully the perennial farm is very accomodating and allowed me to drive my car back there to collect the plants that I missed.





These echinaceas were some that I missed and I am sure glad that I went back for them. Not only are they gorgeous, 2 of them actually have a scent. They are part of the Big Sky series. If you like echineceas these are some must haves.





This gaura is going to be a challenge for me. It's not the hardiest of plants to winter over here in Maryland but boy is it gorgeous. Dark burgundy tinged foliage with fuschia flowers. Some of the information that was shared was to grow this on a sunny hillside as it doesn't like to be too wet. The grower thinks I should be ok with growing it in a raised bed....hope he's right as I bought one there and had already purchased 2 others elsewhere. Can you tell how much I love this plant?





Another favorite of mine are sedum. There are so many different varities and I hope to keep adding to my collection.







Anyone that grows perennials will tell you that they will periodically need to be seperated. The clumps just seem to multiply. One of the easiest perennials to seperate are hostas. They root pretty quickly and are fun to share with friends and neighbors. This is the area that I keep newly divided perennials...not too sunny, not too shaded...just right.







Some echineceas that I purchased from the local nursery....can you tell this is another favorite of mine. Right now I think I have 6 different varieties. Maybe I'll get them all.









I purchased these heather plants for around the pond area. They didn't look so good when I saved them from the local Home Depot. They weren't getting enough sun and water. Hopefully they will enjoy their new home once they are planted.





Some more gaillardia and delphinimums that I purchased at the local Home Depot. We managed to get a truck load of dirt so far and hope this next week to get at least 2 more. Then I can have some fun planting all my new periennials. Can't wait to share with you the final pictures.