Calico's Pick of the Week

Columbine (Aquilegia)

The Columbine is a hardy old fashioned perennial wildflower native to most temperate areas of the world. The plants are one to three feet high and generally begin blooming in early to mid-May. They will often continue to bloom through June if the flowers are removed as they fade. The beautiful spurred flowers range from 1"-3", and come in hybrid colors ranging from black to white, with every color of the rainbow between. The foliage is light and delicate.

Columbines do best when they are grown in moist, rich, well drained soil in full sun to light shade. Columbines are a favorite flower for hummingbirds, but do tend to lose vitality after 3-4 years and are best replaced at that time.

Plants should be set out in the garden in spring or late summer. Plant them one to two feet apart with the crown (where the roots and tops meet) at soil level. Once established, feed them monthly with a soluble all purpose (5-10-5) fertilizer and keep them well watered during the growing season. In our zone (5-6) it is best to provide a good cover of mulched leaves in late fall to protect them from alternating freezing and thawing temperatures during the winter.

They are deer resistant, attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and are a great cut flower.

By: Sandy Weinkam

Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Calico's Pick of the Week

"Tomaccio" Tomato

A.J. Rahn's will be the exclusive greenhouse in Cincinnati to carry the 'Tomaccio' tomato. The 'Tomaccio' is a very sweet cherry tomato that yields 13-18 pounds of fruit. The uniqueness of this variety is that the tomatoes dry naturally like raisins. It will be available at the end of April.

By: Gayla Parker

Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Calico's Pick of the Week

Regal Geraniums/ Martha Washington

Pelargonium domesticum

The Regal, or Martha Washington geraniums, are a spectacular cool-season flowering annual. This geranium has large trumpet-shaped flowers. Coral, pink and lavender are some of the colors available. This type of geranium requires more water than regular geraniums.

By: Michelle Lynn

Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Calico's Pick of the Week

Alexander White Iberis

Iberis, commonly called candytuft, is a very hardy perennial that has been used in gardens for many years. It is an early blooming, vigorous perennial that is semi evergreen in our zone (5-6). The cultivar 'Alexander White' is a compact, very floriferous plant, which typically is 6-8" tall, spreading to 18" wide. Large profuse clusters of pure white flowers often obscure the glossy dark green foliage in mid to late spring. This perennial prefers well drained soil in full sun, and is drought tolerant. It makes an excellent edging plant, or can be used in rock gardens or cascading over a wall.

By: Sandy Weinkam

Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Calico's Pick of the Week

Lettuce, the first of our spring vegetable crop, is now available for planting. We have six types, including Buttercrunch and Gourmet Leaf, that will give you spring color and flavor. Plant in the garden or in containers.

By: Gayla Parker

Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Calico's Pick of the Week

Bromeliads -

These tropical beauties have a colorful flower that lasts for months. They like sun indoors; outdoors they like sun or shade in the summer.

By: Doris Koop

Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Calico's Pick of the Week

"Garden Gnomes? Not on my Watch!"

The English daisy is an ideal early flowering plant to use in window boxes and containers for spring. Used with pansies and violas, its dwarf habit and double flowers in pinks, red and white will make a nice addition to your spring container. English daisies do enjoy a sunny to light shade location.

By: Michelle Lynn
Gardening expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses