GARDENS OF RICE CREEK
The Gardens are on 4 levels, with a waterfall in between. All the Alpines, Wildflowers, Dwarf Conifers, Rhododendrons, Primroses and other gems are completely hardy, without winter covering. Bloom times vary like a seasonal calendar. Multiple visits reveal new surprises every time. Early May brings wildflowers and early rhododendrons. In mid-May rock garden plants are a carpet of color. A special treat at the end of May and early June, 2024 will be super-hardy Rhododendrons, many bred at GRC, blossoming for the first time in exotic colors and forms. Spring ends in mid-June with an explosion of Showy Ladyslippers adrift in a sea of blue Forget-Me-Nots in the swamp garden. Summer brings quiet beauty and Rhododendrons forming flower buds for next spring. Fall has textural interest with foliage forms and colors that provide year-round attraction and inspiration for visitors’ gardens.
Plant hunters find our secret gardens irresistible. Something new every week because we propagate for the nursery from our best garden treasures. Plants are proven hardy, attractive and arranged in inspiring ways. Uncommon shade plants, like hardy Rhododendrons are a specialty. Come with pictures for landscape hints and enjoy the summertime gardens with us.
The Nursery, offering potted selections of these choice plants, is regularly open every Saturday in-season, from April 20 - October 19, 2024, 9am to 4pm. Bring photos of your garden for complimentary landscape and plant advice. For over 50 years we have been building nature-based landscapes and look forward to helping you with yours.
Sorry, shipping is not available from the nursery, but please come and visit us by appointment when you are in our area.
SOME UNUSUAL PLANTS WE OFFER
Primula ‘Wanda’
Showy Ladyslipper
Hardy Cyclamen
Heuchera ‘Paris’
Lavender 'Cynthia Johnson'
Phlox 'Harriet'
Phlox Native Woodland
Primula ‘Purple Joy’
Gentiana ‘Rannoch’
Helleborus Lenten Rose
Geranium Cantabrigense
Himalayan Maidenhair Fern
Hosta ‘Appletini’
Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’
Hosta ‘Cherish’
Iris Cristata ‘Abbey’s Violet’
Lewisia ‘Tutti Frutti’
Primula ‘Bonnie’
Primula ‘Spotlight’
Japanese Beech Fern
Primula ‘Sunshine’
Opuntia ‘Baby Potato’
Sanguinaria Double Bloodroot
Waldsteinia Fragariodes
HARDY RHODODENDRONS AND OTHER WOODY PLANTS
Rhododendron 'Olga Mezitt'
Rhododendron 'Haaga'
Rhododendron 'Besse Howells'
Rhododendron ‘Capistrano’
Rhododendron ‘Landmark’
Rhododendron ‘Apple Blossom’
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’
Rhododendron ‘Alfreda Wyaczech’
Rhododendron ‘Red Quest’
Rhododendron ‘White Peter’
Azalea ‘Rice Creek Pink’
Maple ‘Ice Dragon’ & Fir ‘Icebreaker’
Miniature Arborvitae Primo
Icebreaker Korean Fir
FREE TOURS
Garden Club Tours can be arranged for weekdays; daytime or evenings. Typically, on arrival, your group will participate in a guided tour of rock gardens, dwarf conifers and the rare plant nursery. Questions are encouraged. Growing hints, propagation and landscaping principles are explained. Lunch/supper can be enjoyed in the garden either brought or ordered from our fine local pizzeria. (We can provide tables and chairs.) After dining, a tour of the rhododendron research gardens has proven fascinating to many. Rare plants, growing in the ground are much more impressive and inspiring than any illustrated talk, so rarely do I give presentations other than at the nursery.
Guide to growing Hardy Lady's Slippers
Year-round Gardens are our Specialty.
We offer free consultations and landscape advice
with photos at our nursery. Home visits are $100.
We accept Cash, Checks, Debit, MasterCard, and Visa payments.