Sweet Broom Plant

Sweet Broom
Cytisus spachianus

The Sweet Broom plant has very fragrant, bright yellow flower spikes that bloom in early spring and again in the fall. Their fragrance is a very strong sweet citrus scent, most pronounced on bright, sunny, cool days. Here in zone 5 and 6, they have to be brought in to overwinter. They keep nicely when treated as an indoor houseplant in winter, then set flower buds if kept cool in late Jan., early Feb. Pruning of these woody plants is best done immediately after blooming.
After blooming in spring, these plants can be used as wispy green tall plants in summer planters, with summer annuals planted beneath them, then as the weather cools again in the fall, you will be rewarded once again with another set of colorful, fragrant yellow flowers.
Plant care requirements include full sun, general purpose potting soil, and fertilization with a general purpose type every other week during the growing season. Water when dry, being sure to water thoroughly when you do water, then wait until they are pretty dry before watering again. Here at the greenhouse, we plant them outdoors in early spring with pansies and English daisies, since they are frost tolerant to 15F.
As an unusual cool weather annual, these easy care plants will bring many weeks of colorful, fragrant enjoyment in your pansy display, then serve as the pillar in your summer container when joined with your filler and spiller plants.

By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Lenten Rose

Helleborus
Lenten Rose

The Helleborus is a very early blooming perennial, showing it's delicate flowers in late winter to early spring. Though the flowers may look delicate, they will withstand late snow cover and late frosts. Their common name is Lenten Rose, given because their bloom time is during the Christian season of Lent. Their foliage is evergreen in zones 6 and above, but even at colder zones may retain their dark green leathery leaves all winter with only minor tip browning. Flower colors range from white to pinks, peach, rose and purples, frequently with darker spotting on the petals. They may be single petaled as seen above, while some varieties display double sets of petals. The blooms can last up to six weeks! Many have their flower heads nodding at the ground, while some of the newer cultivars face upwards.
These plants prefer humusy, well drained soil in part to full shade, and best of all they are quite deer resistant. Once established, they are very drought tolerant, but choose your planting site carefully as they really don't take well to being transplanted. New plants can be taken from offshoots of the original plant. To keep these plants thriving, fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer.
The first few years I had one of these plants, I totally missed the blooms because I didn't begin to look for them until the crocuses and daffodils were blooming. By that time, I discovered finally, they were finished blooming. So don't wait for warm weather to check for blooms, get out there and check for that first hint that spring is just around the corner, and the thought that winter is on it's way out will bring a smile to your face!

By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe
Crasulaceae

The Kalanchoe is a very easy care, beautiful flowering houseplant. A member of the succulent family, and a relative of the Jade plant, it's growing needs are simple, yet it provides continuous flowering for up to six months with proper care. The foliage is fleshy, succulent, oval shaped, and dark green. Flower color ranges from red to shades of pink, as well as yellow, orange and white, appearing in tight clusters atop the foliage.
Indoors, these plants prefer bright to sunny windowsills, with room temperatures 55F or warmer. They are quite sensitive to cold temperatures, so don't allow them to be up against a cold window. Being a succulent, over watering can be a problem. Only water these plants when the surface is dry to the touch, and in winter, let them dry even deeper. The best soil is a well draining cactus/succulent soil, and a simple houseplant fertilizer every other week during the growing season is more than adequate. If placing outdoors in the summer, be sure they are protected from direct afternoon sun or the foliage will become sunburned.
When flowers are finished, cut off the flower heads and let the plant rest for six to eight weeks in a lower light situation and reduce water. After this rest period, replace the plant back in the high light area and begin to water more frequently, but only as noted above when needed. Within a few weeks, flower buds should begin to appear. This plant flowers naturally in spring and summer, but is forced into bloom at all times of year for indoor color.
For an easy care, colorful, long blooming houseplant, the Kalanchoe is just the right choice.

Gloxinias

Gloxinia
Sinningia speciosa

Gloxinia plants are closely related to African Violets, and take the same general care that violets do. They are tuberous plants that need bright indirect light. If you don't provide enough light, these plants will stretch and probably not bloom. As with violets, allow the surface of the soil to dry to the touch before watering them thoroughly. Warm water is usually best and try not to get it on the foliage or the crown. They prefer temperatures in the mid 60's, but when dormant, keep them at 50 F. To raise humidity levels around the plants, use pebble trays with water just enough to barely cover the pebbles. Do not mist these plants to increase humidity! A general purpose houseplant fertilizer will do quite well while the plant is growing and blooming to keep it looking it's best.
Gloxinias need a well drained soil like violets do, and are best repotted when the plant goes dormant. You can start new plants from leaf cuttings like African violets, and they normally bloom for 6-8 weeks.
To bring your plant to dormancy, after all blooms are finished water less and less frequently each week until the leaves turn yellow and dry. Store in a cool(40-50F) place. After several months, new growth will start to appear. At this point, begin watering and fertilizing, and place in the bright indirect light and warmer temperature. You will be rewarded with another round of beautiful blooms once again!

Bear Paw Fern

Bear Paw Fern
Polypodium Aglaomorpha meyeniana

This fern gets it's unusual name from the furry rhizomes that grow along the surface of the soil. They are quite large, brown, and do resemble a bear's paw. This fern is relatively easy to grow, preferring a high light situation indoors, high humidity, and they like to be kept slightly moist. During the summer they can be placed outdoors in a more shaded area, but be sure to watch the water requirements, as they do not like to get totally dry. Fertilize only during the spring and summer, as that is when they are doing all their growing. Repot as little as possible, as they do not mind being a little pot bound, and tend to go into a state of shock for a while after repotting.
These ferns are quite beautiful with their large, dark green, lance shaped leathery fronds and those large furry brown paws which will eventually hang over the pot, looking like a bear is crawling out of the soil! As an easy to care for fern, this plant deserves a prime spot in your home for full enjoyment.

Ronan Rahn

Two new arrivals at the greenhouse have added quite a bit of music and merriment to a long winter season of snow and cold. We now have a new canary who is still learning to sing, but is getting better at it with each passing day. By spring he will be warbling at full throat, just as his namesake the Irish Tenor Ronan sings at full throat. He loves attention from customers, and frequently sings with the canary CD we play on occasion during the day. He especially loves to sing in the morning to greet the new day whether there is snow or bitter cold outside. He adds so much joy to the days.
Our second arrival also loves the canary, but for a different reason!

Callie 2

Callie 2 arrived as a Christmas present for Susan, one of A.J. Rahn's owners. Her daughter Mary picked her up from a shelter in Northern Kentucky to help fill the huge void left by Calico, who died just before Christmas as mentioned in the previous blog entry. She is going to have a very big job to fill, and only being a young 6 months, doesn't yet have the dignity of Calico, but she more than makes up for it in energy! Don't let her picture fool you. She only appears to be resting. The minute someone comes in she is up and purring, looking for major attention. When not getting acquainted with customers, she is studying the canary with focused intensity! The canary seems oblivious to all the attention from the cat, and just continues to sing his heart out for anyone who cares to listen. Callie 2 loves to play with her tissue ball, her string toy, and adores being petted by anyone, which causes her purring engine to begin roaring.
Stop in during this cold white season for a warm, colorful, glance at some gorgeous flowers, and visit with our newest members before the busy season begins. Check our web site for hours:
A.J.Rahn Greenhouses

Callico

Callico, our greenhouse spokescat, has been a wonderful ambassador at our greenhouse for close to 19 years. Whether basking in the sun on her favorite bench, or being carried around by some of her devoted subjects, Callico was a noted fixture. She bore many children, some of whose owners still stop by to relate the latest exploits of her offspring. It is with a deep sadness that we note her death just before Christmas. She lived a full life, brought much joy and many smiles, and has been featured on this blog since it's inception 3 years ago. Her pick of the week was always timely and factual, the pictures sometimes included her, and others she chose to sit out. She kept the greenhouse free of critters, including the newest golden retriever Rudy. We were always greeted each morning as she vocalized her desire for breakfast and related the night's exploits of vandalizing raccoons who made their nightly raids of the garbage cans in the greenhouse. They were too big and ferocious for her to repel, so she hid and took note so she could report their bad behavior. Many tears have been shed over her death, but she lived many years in her favorite home. We will miss her greatly!