Opening for the season on April 2nd, 2012 Availability List Pages will be posted in February. We strive to acclimate the perennials in the southern greenhouse and those moved onto the display area benching so they are ready for planting through early spring as nighttime temps remain moderate in the twenties-thirties. Spring showers and cool daytime temps are perfect for shrubs and perennials planted early in the season allowing them to set roots and establish before the heat of summer. Spring starts early in the greenhouse as seedlings and rooted cuttings are transplanted through February and into April for early May sales. April is a busy month in the greenhouse as plants fill out their pots and show those long awaited colorful blooms. It can be confusing for first time shoppers finding out that we are growers rather than retailers that bring in "ready-to-sell" plants. The perennials and annuals we offer are brought in as either rooted cuttings, bareroot stock, or as seedlings in liners and while every effort is made to have the plants ready/available when customers stop out to shop for them, we have maintained a strict policy over the years that plants are "ready" for sales only after the plant has filled out the root zone in the pot it's being offered in. That way, customers can easily transplant our plants in ground or into container gardens. To help avoid confusion, we have the anticipated "ready date" on our Availability List pages and on signage here at the greenhouse. In 1993 the EPA defined reduced-risk pesticides as compounds that pose a lower health risk to humans and the environment. These products do not work on the insect's nervous system like classic insecticides and are therefore more worker-friendly within closed greenhouse environments. We have chosen to use these reduced-risk pesticides in our greenhouses. Endeavor to control aphids and Conserve to control thrips Citation (insect growth regulator) to control gnats and shore flies Each season provides an opportunity to review trends and incorporate new ides into our business. Since opening in December of 1991, we’ve changed production in just about every way. Where we were originally open year-round, we’re now open seasonally to provide annuals, perennials, and shrubs. Through our first several years, our perennials and annuals were all grown from seed and our shrubs were brought in as bareroot stock. Now we buy “starts” from growers who cater to smaller greenhouses just like us, and take the guesswork and expense out of the seedling equation. Perennials can be especially problematic to germinate. Bareroot stock is brought in through fall, rather than March, to allow the root system a full 6 months to bulk up and be ready for early spring sales. Most of our shrubs are brought in dormant, but fully rooted, in ready-to-sell containers, and this season we have brought in a limited number of trees to offer. Home About Us Marvel's Corner Colorscapes Greenhouse and Nursery Marvel Clyde-Owner colorscapes@peoplepc.com