Welcome, Old and New Friends of Digging Dog Nursery…

Time's endless carousel of fleeting days and seasonal changes swiftly ushers another gardening year to its finale. As the landscape lies dormant beneath frost-covered mulch, dreams of warm breezes, verdant growth and fresh ideas are already germinating. Digging Dog's 2020 catalog has finally arrived, featuring an exceptional collection of 90 new plants accompanied by coveted older selections.

We welcome you to wander through our 28th edition with the hopes you'll discover offerings that sprout inspiration, brighten your mood, and cajole you into your leafy sanctuary. Distinguished by multi-seasonal appeal, exquisite beauty, acquiescent habits, or heroic temperaments, these versatile plants will flourish in a variety of environs throughout the country, and as an added bonus, many of our species sustain birds and beneficial pollinators. You'll find a handful of our must-have recommendations listed below.

To enjoy a splash of prismatic allure in a perennial planting scheme, you may wish to showcase Geranium ‘Blue Blood’, the scintillating silver-imbued leaves of Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’ as well as Sanguisorba ‘Crimson Queen’s Merlot-hued bottlebrushes. Another star not to be overlooked is Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’s debut of vivid peachy-orange blooms. Perhaps water-wise Agastache ‘Tango’ can enliven a hot sunny nook, and for moist shade-dappled abodes ensconce the exotic-looking flowers of Helleborus ‘Jade Dragon’.

Earning kudos amid the realm of ornamental grasses, there's Carex ‘Straw Hat’, waving sprightly flaxen-hued inflorescences above a fine-hewn semi-evergreen mound and the petite presence of Deschampsia ‘Pixie Fountain’, while Andropogon ‘Rain Dance’ struts spectacular reddish purple bloom spikes plus fiery scarlet and burgundy autumnal blades. A queen of refinement and a bird's delight, Sporobolus ‘Morning Mist’s innumerable red panicles sojourn above a tenacious golden-orange habit in fall.

Shrubs bridge the gap between smaller herbaceous plants and towering trees. For a celebration of phenomenal flowers consider Enkianthus ‘Showy Lantern’s pendulous red-streaked pink and cream-colored blooms along with the enormous Astilbe-style white panicles of Sorbaria ‘Sem’ and Deutzia ‘Strawberry Fields’s ultra-feminine picotee-edged rosy-magenta blossoms. You can also broadcast a bold tropical theme by spotlighting Abutilon ‘Nabob’s large forest-green leaves and marvelous dark maroon floral bells, or nestle diminutive Lavandula ‘Super Blue’ into a dry garden where space is at a premium.

Reliable legacies to the future, trees promote a gratifying stability. Carpinus cordata presents handsome heart-shaped leaves, big fruiting catkins, and uniquely fissured coal-gray bark for year-round interest. Outstanding climbers include Passiflora ‘Snow Queen’, which hosts a months-long butterfly fête of luxe, pure white flowers, and the award-winning Clematis ‘Blue Angel’, whose heavenly, pale sky-blue flowers exhibit a silky finish with ruffled margins.

An upcoming gardening season evokes excitement and anticipation, accompanied by the prospect of possibility. Questions arise: How do I feel strolling through my botanical retreat? What would I like to change? When considering these queries, we're always buoyed by what famed Mexican architect and engineer Luis Barragán once said, “A garden must combine the poetic and mysterious with serenity and joy.” Now that's something to strive for!

Your ongoing commerce, steadfast support, and helpful comments have enabled us to continue nurturing these wondrous plants we grow for you. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our valued customers.

All of us plant wranglers at the nursery, along with Boobah, our wee greeter and self-appointed nursery manager, and shy kitty, Parker, wish you countless happy hours digging in a garden of your own.

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