Now available: cardinal flower and finally common milkweed!

By Lise Fracalossi

Can you believe it’s already June – and almost July? April felt interminable (“the cruelest month”; thanks T.S. Eliot), May had a slow start, but June has flown by. Maybe because it’s the busiest time of the year!

… My entire life right now is potting up plants that I winter sowed; pls halp.

Speaking of winter sowing, finally some of our winter sown plants are big enough to sell! We also had a generous donation of plants from a friend of the nursery, Ginny, who has been a huge supporter since day 1. Most of those will need to be repotted as well, but a few are ready to sell as-is.

Available Now

In case you missed it, the following plants just became available:

  • Ageratina altissima - white snakeroot
  • Asclepias syriaca - common milkweed ❤️ At long last! It fought us, but we won. I think it was a problem of overwatering. I need to practice more benign neglect with these bebbies. (It also helps that we had a donation of these from Ginny!)
  • Cirsium discolor - pasture thistle (2 qt pots). This was another donation from Ginny.
  • Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal flower. This is a late summer favorite of mine. But then, I do love red!
  • Oenothera biennis - Common evening primrose - this one is a biennial or short-lived perennial, so get it while it’s small for earlier blooms.
  • Symphyotrichum laeve - Smooth blue aster
  • Symphyotrichum cordifolium - Blue wood aster/heart-leaved aster

We also newly have 1 or 2 quart pots of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), available for $10/each.

We also have other native plants, tomatoes, hot (and not-so-spicy) peppers, and herbs. Full availability list here.

And if you’re looking for discounted plants, may I point you to our “zoigls?” We also have our pot rebate program – you’ll receive 10 cents off your purchase for each pot in good condition that you return to the nursery (down to a minimum purchase of $5; must be applied on that purchase). One pint, one quart, and two quart pots are especially in demand right now.

Please see our instructions for buying plants right here! If you can’t make it to one of our markets, you can always pick up in person at our nursery (read: home) in Lunenburg, MA.

Next Market(s)

So, this is awkward. We have applied to the Fitchburg and Leominster Farmers Markets, but have not yet heard back from them (despite repeated follow-ups). But the next markets are fast approaching – July 6th for Leominster and July 13th for Fitchburg!

Worst case scenario, I’m just going to show up the day of and see if they let me set-up 🤣 If not, I’ll plan to be at Montuori Fleamarket July 20th.

In brief:

  • (TENTATIVE) Leominster Farmers’ Market - July 6, 2024, 11am - 2pm - either Monument Square or City Hall parking lot in Leominster, MA
  • (TENTATIVE) Fitchburg Farmers’ Market - July 13, 2024, 10am - 1pm - Upper Common, Fitchburg, MA
  • (TENTATIVE) Montuori Fleamarket - July 20, 2024 - 9am - 1pm - 186 Massachusetts Ave, Lunenburg, MA

Hope to see you there!