Perennial Profile: Aster tataricus 'Jindai'

The perennial profile is a new series in which I will focus on plants that are not quite "Freak Outs" for me, but rather great perennial performers that I encourage people to plant in there gardens.

This first perennial in the series is Aster tataricus 'Jindai'. This aster emerges in the spring with 2ft. long leaves. These large clumps wait until early fall until the flower stalks erupt to height of 4-5ft. Lavender flowers with yellow centers blooming at different heights, creates a unique depth to this beauty.


After the night temperatures begin to hover in the 40's the foliage turns bright red and yellow. This, with the fact that it is the absolutely last plant to bloom here makes it an outstanding performer.
I urge you to seek this one out.



Aster tataricus 'Jindai'
Z 4-8
Full Sun
4-5 ft. tall
Moist, well drained soil. This aster will spread and the plantlets are easily transplanted elsewhere.

Loomis Creek Nursery; A Goodbye

I spent a full season working at Loomis Creek Nursery. Once a week on Fridays from 9-5, I would make the journey across the Hudson River to this plantsmans paradise.




Loomis Creek is the brain-child of Bob Hyland and Andrew Beckman. Plantsmen, authors and lecturers, they decided to open the nursery eight years ago in Columbia County after looking in Connecticut and elsewhere.
After eight years at the nursery with their manager Robert Anderson, Bob and Andrew have decided to relocate to Portland Oregon to start a new gardening adventure.
We all wish them luck and can't wait to see what they will do next.


I can't tell you how much I have learned from everyone there at Loomis Creek. My knowledge has been enriched, my taste has changed, and I will never forget my time there.




Thank you so much Bob, Andrew, Robert and everyone else who made the experience there unforgettable!

Arrangement: October

For this months arrangement, it is a notably dark one.


A golden carnival glass vase is filled with dark plums, reds and burgundies, all appropriate for this time of year.
It s composed with a burgundy snapdragon, crab apples, celosia and different grasses including my favorite, Northern Sea Oats.



At this time of year I love walking the gardens and trying to find botanical material that together, can create a beautiful bouquet. Seed pods, grasses and late summer bloomers all can be found and put together for a uniquely seasonal display. What can you find in your garden?