Welcome to Hamlen's
Helping Hand!
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This is our 2nd Spring newsletter
of 2005. We look forward to seeing
you at the garden center.
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In this issue...

These roses are a new generation of rose developed by Laos immigrant Ping Lim. In 1992 he was hired by Bailey Nurseries to be the Rose Research director. His desire was to breed roses that would change the way people think about them. Most people in the northcountry have trouble growing roses. There are several reasons for this. Hardiness or the ability of the rose to stand up to our winters is a big determinant as to whether the rose will live. A lot of roses are not hardy enough and people become discouraged the following year when all that remains are twigs. The other challenge is a lot of roses are plagued by disease problems.

Ping’s rose breeding has resulted in a type of rose that is quite hardy to the northcountry without disease problems. He has achieved this by making five China expeditions looking for new rose species. Once the chosen roses are brought back to this country they are sprayed with disease spores to see which ones will show signs of disease. Any roses showing signs of disease are quickly eliminated from the program. What is left are roses that are hardy and free from disease.

The following are some of the hardy disease resistant Easy Elegance roses we will be carrying this spring:

Grandma's Blessing - Its dusty pink recurrent double blossoms combine well with perennials. Zone 4. (Picture not available.)

Macy’s Pride - The buds start out as creamy yellow then open to a creamy white. Zone 4.

Funny Face - Each pink and white bloom is unique. The bush is compact and rounded in shape. Zone 4.

Hot Wonder - Flowers all season with pink florescent blooms and disease resistant foliage. Zone 4.

Sunrise Sunset - A groundcover rose with fuschia pink flowers that have an apricot yellow center. Zone 4.

My Hero - Satiny foliage with red blossoms that fade to deep pink. Zone 4.

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Annuals 2005

Coleus ‘Alabama Sunset’- Great new addition to the coleus family. With an average height of 2’ it works great in containers or landscape plantings. Color changes depending on the sun. The more sun more bronze.

Brugmansia ‘Frosty Pink’- Something new for the patio! These small trees look fabulous in a 3 to 5 gallon container. Place them some place where the evening fragrance of the large trumpet blooms can be enjoyed. Also very easy to overwinter in a garage or basement where the roots won’t freeze.

Cuphea ‘Variegated’- Bright orange, cigar-shaped flowers stand out nicely against the dark foliage. Plant grows to 15” and works well in a mixed planter.

Fuschia ‘Billy Green’- A beautiful upright fuschia with large salmon-pink flowers. This free-flowering plant works well in containers or the garden.

Mexican Flame Vine- A fast growing vine that is wonderful in a hanging basket. The bright glossy-green foliage offset the 2” red-orange flowers. A real favorite for butterflies.

Abutilon - Speckled green and yellow leaves add a nice splash of color to any mixed container or basket. Beautiful lantern-shaped flower add a lot of interest.

Passion Vine ‘Caerulea’- Exotic 4” blooms have white petals and showy blue filaments. Can easily be kept as a houseplant in the winter if given enough light.

Perilla ‘Magilla’ - An exceptional foliage plant. Plants can reach up to 36”. Loves the heat. Grow in full sun for the best color.

Sweet Potato Vine - (Blackie) An excellent foliage plant for contrast. This dark purple-black vine grows well as a groundcover or in containers. (Margarita) Chartreuse version of ‘Blackie’. They look great together in a mixed basket.

 

Perennials 2005

Hemerocallis ‘Edge of Darkness’ - Fragrant 4” blooms with a striking yellow throat. Deep Purple ruffled edges make this a must have.

Hosta ‘Paul’s Glory’ - An ever-changing hosta, leaves emerge yellow with bluish-green margins in spring. As the season progresses yellow fades to creamy white.

Echinacea purpurea ‘Doppledecker’ - A double-decker! Great new coneflower with a layer of petals on top of the cone. Very attractive to butterflies.

Geranium mac. Variegatum - Something new and classic. Beautiful magenta-pink flowers above nicely variegated leaves. Great plant even when its not flowering.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) - Early spring blooms of varying shades of pink bring life to the garden after a long winter.

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ - Striking silver leaves with deep green veins brighten up any shady spot. Tiny blue forget-me-not like flowers are an added bonus in the spring.

Dictamnus albus (Gas Plant) - A classic for the garden. Thick, glossy, shrub-like foliage has strong citrus scent when crushed. Pink blooms appear in early summer. Plant gets its name from the oils released from seed pods which can be ignited on a calm summer evening.

Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ - A carefree perennial with gray-green foliage. Smoky leaves make a fantastic backdrop for the dusky-purple pea-like blooms.

Gallardia ‘Summer kiss’ - A great new addition to the blanket flowers. Soft apricot blooms with a hint of gold will reward you all summer if you keep the plant deadheaded.

Eremurus stenophyllus (Foxtail Lily) - An impressively tall spike flower. Comes in an array of colors from copper to pink. Tender perennial needs extra care in winter.

A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal". The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan". Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you have seen Juan then you have seen Ahmal."

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